We will be adding  photo's and information on these types of projects going on at the community.

Here is a collection of projects.

There is a small portable solar dehydrator that can handle most of our drying needs. We also have a large 4' x4' solar dehydrator that has been in use for 10 years.

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Next is a small PV panel system that runs as a 12 volt system supplying power for lighting via 12 volt CPF bulbs. This also powers a laptop, small battery charger, Mp3 player, along with an occasional use inverter for 120 volt appliances.

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A solar water distiller one of several in use here. This puts out about 1/2 gal a day.

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Rain water harvesting. This system collects water off of a shed roof and fills a 305 gal tank rather quickly. We are always adding to our rainwater collection here. We have 5 other tanks in various stages of use/completion  from 250 to 3000 gallons as well as many 55 gallon tanks. The land is in a continual process of re-sculpting for water catchments via berms, holding ponds etc.

29th Annual Tucson Solar Potluck and Exhibition

This is the second oldest solar event in the country

End of April 2011
10:00 a.m. until dark
Catalina State Park, Tucson, Arizona
Presented by Citizens for Solar

For information: Citizens for Solar invites everyone to come and join in the fun of the 29th Annual Tucson Solar Potluck and Exhibition. This is the longest continuously running solar potluck in the world. See practical, innovative solar energy in useful action. People will be cooking food in dozens of types of solar ovens. Enjoy solar powered music during the afternoon and into the evening. Taste solar cooked food, see photovoltaic solar electricity generated, feel solar cooling, and see solar powered technology.

Although solar cooked snacks will be provided all day, the solar potluck feast begins around 5:00 p.m. Either bring your solar oven and cook with us or bring a dish to share and join in the fun.

The Solar Potluck and Exhibition is free to the public. The event is held in the “Large Group Use Area” of Catalina State Park, which is located on Oracle Road 5.2 miles north of Ina Road.

Below you will see finished and construction photo's of the small portable dehydrator. The dehydrator comes apart in 3 places, legs, body and collector. The legs are flared for more stability in wind. The unit works very well as just a passive dryer but I added a small  low volume solar fan that noticeably increases it's efficiency especially on cloudier days. We dry large volumes of excess vegetables and fruits from our gardens and trees. (Note I have replaced the solar fan in the photo's with a computer fan and small panel. I bought a case of these solar fans pictured below and they are JUNK. Everyone of the solar fans have died within 6 months or less.)

Small solar fan

9 -18" X 18" racks

Air flow

Here is the large 4x4x4 ft solar dehydrator. Works on the same principle as the small one.