Do solar panels work in the shade?
Yes, but… Solar panels do work in the shade (they will generate some electricity), but the real question should be ‘how well do solar panels work in the shade‘? The…
The best wood burning stove for small spaces: part two
In part one, I covered some of the background you need to cover before choosing a wood burning stove, here I’ll be discussing some of the models you can buy…
Building my own compost toilet – part 3 (with video)
In Part Two, I’d finished the compost toilet, but found the fan was quite noisy. In this final thrilling instalment I’ll show you how I addressed the noise issue and…
Building my own compost toilet – part 2
So in Part One, I ended the article with the realisation that a few mistakes had been made! No problem, I always knew this was a prototype and that learning by…
Making and installing a urine-diverting compost toilet, Part 1
When I started a business (no longer operating) back in 2012 selling Separett waterless toilets, I knew that I had to be a user of them too – only then,…
Shit Sandwich: Closing the food cycle
I know it’s a bit of an attention grabbing title, but bare with me. For many people, a compost toilet (perhaps dry or waterless toilet is a better word) is…
Adding an extra solar panel – should I connect my solar panels in series or parallel?
This article will help you determine the best way of wiring an extra solar panel or panels into your existing small-scale solar system. If you don’t know what series or…
What can you do with humanure compost from your compost toilet?
So you installed a compost toilet. You’ve been using it for a while. You’ve been making compost and now, that compost is mature and ‘ready’ – what can you do…
Turning human waste into a resource
Waste is only waste when somebody wastes it… I love this short video by the Rich Earth Institute in Vermount, USA. Their main focus is turning human urine into fertilizer….
The best wood burning stove for cabins, sheds, tiny homes and small spaces: part one
Whether you have a shed, cabin, summerhouse, caravan, shepherds hut or other small space, heating enables you to use the space throughout the winter. I’ll explore the best options out…