Bright Ideas

          Recently we had an addition to the KISC energy. We already have hydro power provided from the local lake, Oeschinensee. In addition, we have a wood burning furnace for our hot water needs, which is powered by wood from our very own property. Now we are looking up, to the sun that is!

During the summer, we had the Greenpeace Solar Workshop from the folks at Greenpeace Switzerland and Solafrica. They also provided us with a treat before they left. Freshly installed are 26 panels on the top of Kanderlodge.

As explained in an earlier Eco Blog about PV cells and how they work, the maximum output for the panels are 2.6kWp with direct sunlight.

The solar panels themselves even have a history. They were formally on the roof of the Greenpeace Switzerland office in Zurich for 17 years. Because the lifetime expectancy for the solar panels are over 30 years, we hope to harness the energy from the solar panels for another 15 or so years.

            For the total use of power used by KISC, it only removes a small amount of our electrical usage. However, since the Kanderlodge is our most modern accommodation (completed in 2007), it should significantly reduce the power usage for years to come.

The new solar panels are a part of the many ways KISC is trying to set a good example as a SCENEs centre, but also an example of good outdoor stewardship.

Tad Sigman (US)

Eco Assistant