Many Uses of a Solar Panel

When Sarah, Kieren, Roby and I initially sat down to design the Tiny House we had this vision to use an old solar panel for a desk. We had completed the flooring so it was time to get the shelving and desk installed. Unfortunately the panel we had available was too small to accommodate the space. We went scrounging around the site for an alternative material but we did not want to give up on our idea. The Real Goods Store was using a panel as a marketing sign and we asked them if we could trade panels. They would have nothing to do with it. Their panel was a perfect size and was a cool dark blue color. They were not going to part with it. The store manager said he had a panel at home and would bring it in for us. We were so excited. The next day he came to work with a solid wood core door that weighed about 100 pounds. He thought it would make a great desk. Disappointed it was not a solar panel we tried to make it work but it weighed too much for the tiny house. It is supposed to be a movable vehicle and we need to keep the tonnage down!!

We moved on to other tasks to try and get our mind off the desk. Chris installed some shelving in the kitchen made out of a used wooden sign and Roby and I started on the finished carpentry baseboard work on the great room floor. Our day was brightened when Don, a retired volunteer, told Roby and Chris he had a bunch of old panels at his house. Not wanting to miss out, they followed him to his house to see if any would fit the space. When they came back they each had a huge grin on their faces. Don had a panel the perfect size and the same cobalt blue as the store's.

Chris went to work immediately. We decided to build a frame for it to sit on but have a swinging hing. This would enable us to turn it across the room and use it more like a dining room table when we have a dinner party!