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smallsolar

@smallsolar@techhub.social

mastodon 4.7.2

Interested in #solar #wind #solarpunk and actually building small solar systems.

808 Followers

456 Following

50 Posts

Joined April 01, 2023

smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 1mo ago

Managed to fix my EV charger (Anderson Charger , Renault 4 E-Tech)I charge overnight on Octopus Go (cheap EV tarrif overnight) but 2 days in a row found that my car has only charged a small amount. A bit of digging and it runs out it was charging at 1.9KW instead of 7KW. After fiddling with the limited settings on the car and charger in the end unplugged the car and then reset the charger by turning off at the breaker and volia back to 7KW. It worries me how little control you have even though the apps look fancy, there isn't a restart the charger button in the app for example. #EVcharging #EVcharger #ElectricVehicles

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 5mo ago

One of my favourite things about mastodon is when authors talk about their books and I pre-order them and then forget and a surprise appears at some point. I've had awesome #solarpunk anthologies, a book about airline maps, a wonderful book about communication methods, a book about fediverse and more.

I don't think I have anything pre-ordered right now - let me know if you've got something brewing which I can queue up...

#book #authors #publishing

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 6mo ago

I've built a webring for solar powered websites and hosted it on squeak! - https://squeak.solarcene.community/webring/

and to make it even better @alipunk@thecanadian.social has designed a 88x31 graphic - here is a big version

Get in touch if you'd like to join.

#solar #webring

squeak.solarcene.community

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 8mo ago

Hi all - just wanted to introduce https://squeak.solarcene.community

I've been working on a new project recently to build a #solarpowered #community web server inspired by https://compost.party

If you would like some free hosting for a static website perhaps to document your projects or host your digital #zine then you are very welcome. The server has #geocities vibes as each user gets a public_html folder. You'll get ssh access and the server has #Hugo installed to help make nice static websites. The goal will be to have 100% uptime, due to its very low power consumption it does not require the power saving I use for the solarcene.community mastodon server.

Probably the key thing is that a project should have a mascot and in this case the server is called Squeak and it's an awesome bat! Squeak was designed by @alipunk@thecanadian.social (check out her website for more of her work).

Just get in touch if you would like to have a small website!

#FreeHosting
#solarpunk
#CommunityWebServer

Squeak

Squeak

A tiny solar powered community webserver

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 3mo ago

Planning to attend a few of the talks at #limits2026 , particularly interested in the ones focused on solar powered services. https://computingwithinlimits.org/2026/#program I particularly appreciate the timings as it falls into the evening for me which is nice. #solar #solarpower #frugalcomputing #permacomputing

computingwithinlimits.org

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 5mo ago

Woohoo my early #potatoes (Casablanca) are coming up, going to do some earthing up. At the end of the bed there are also some parsnips which are also starting to pop up.
I've planted some other potatoes in another bed but this doesn't have a hoop so I only just planted them.

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 6mo ago

My brain: I wonder how you start a private library

1 hour later and lots of searching

Yeah I should definitely do that.

20 seconds later

Ooooo a butterfly, I should start a farm

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 1mo ago

Replying to

@simplicitarian@cloudisland.nz while I appreciate it's not replacing a domain name would you like free hosting on our solar powered mini web server https://squeak.solarcene.community/ Happy to set it up and transfer things if needed

Squeak

Squeak

A tiny solar powered community webserver

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@yngmar wow had a look, seems like there are even some commercial versions, I like the ones with the ability to tilt, you probably only use your table for an hour or so a day even on a busy day so it could be then used to generate some power. The biggest issue I see is the trailing cable, could put batteries into the legs 😜

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 6mo ago

I've been re-exploring #reticulum thanks to the work by @circfruit@fosstodon.org . I thought I'd share the Zen of Reticulum (https://github.com/markqvist/Reticulum/blob/1b50b7f446e096cc9f893f5f45d24ea266889b4d/Zen%20of%20Reticulum.md) which is a interesting description of the philosophy of reticulum particularly now that mark has taken a step back from developing.

Feels very #solarpunk to me...

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

I recently added an ecoflow stream battery to my house (properly with a fused spur and isolator as plug in isn't yet allowed) and it gives me 4x MPPT so I can position 4 panels in different positions even if they aren't optimum and generate some solar. I suspect I'll end up putting 2 on my garage in a traditional setup and then 2 directly on an east facing wall of my house which can't be seen by anyone. I'll probably mount the wall ones myself, still debating the garage ones as it's a slate roof which is a bit tricky to work with.

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

@dilmandila@mograph.social pre-ordered, I love ordering from authors and then forgetting and recieving a suprise in a few months

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

@anthropy@mastodon.derg.nz its tricky - looking at the manual it has the option of MPP or constant voltage - could the constant voltage be set to a 300V? (https://files.sma.de/downloads/SB2500-11-EE4801.pdf page 34) Time for connecting up a rs232 cable? (luckily it doesn't need control lines, just tx, rx and gnd)

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

@anthropy@mastodon.derg.nz any way to factory reset it?

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@anthropy that is absolutely stealth solar, also you've got plants growing around it so you get extra points for being #solarpunk

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@GuillaumeRossolini @mu I think we have to move away from hoping that everything will pay for itself, part of this is to change the way we use energy and the way we source it. There is a rebellion in each of these steps, each time you use your panel you are taking back a little bit of agency. The 'green' revolution we all want isn't going to pay for itself but we've got to do something!

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@Photo55 panels are cheap enough to now potentially be construction materials, I've seen lots of reference to fences now being panels.

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@dtl I like the use of the string/rope to keep it in place. I'm a big fan of small panels for particular tasks, don't need a grid for lots of tasks

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 3mo ago

#stealthsolar website has been updated with some new images - if you've got a stealthy or subtle setup and would like to be included please get in touch. Check it out: https://squeak.solarcene.community/~stealthsolar/docs/ #solarpanels #solarpv

squeak.solarcene.community

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@realSiegfried yes, I think I would have use guerilla solar as well but I guess stealth adds in the concept of aesthetics as well

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@thierna my initial thoughts are that a battery should be fine if it's outdoor rated, the key would be to try and give it shade as you don't want it getting hot, I'm sure a a little fabric sale or wooden roof would make it look awesome

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@dtl could I included it on my list? Happy to credit the image

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@sheddi I found that the meter was key to avoid just losing lots of power to the grid. I've got it installed in the fusebox (had to have a bigger box to fit it in) but I saw online someone who just added a cable and plugged it into a nearby socket and put the clamp over the input line. Doubt I'll be recouping my costs when I factor in the electrician installation but I'm enjoying having it setup.

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@kpcyrd@chaos.social awesome work, I've got a few milkv-duos around and am a big fan of postmarketos!

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 7mo ago

Replying to

@simona Hi! So it's just a bit of fun, my interest is running low powered/low cost solar devices (such as a solar powered Mastodon instance) and so Squeak is just another form of that. It's also been a technical challenge as the device is not a fast system so it's been fun to work within it's limits. Finally often people just want a simple website and these days the basic hosting is far to much. The best way to contribute would be to take me up on the offer and make a website, even a website of your house plants or favourite mugs would be awesome! If you'd like a login let me know

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@matt that's exactly the challenge, panels are the easy part (and increasingly the cheapest part), it's the orientation, installation and integration that requires the thought. Is there a particular thing where you live that needs electricity that could be powered by the panels rather than trying to integrate with the grid?

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@ohmrun I think it will really depend on the actual devices and how they operate, plug in inverters are designed for standard grid systems and have anti-islanding etc.

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 10mo ago

Replying to

As I'm sure people don't want my to toot every day of #DecemberAdventure here is a combo post 2nd Dec: https://blog.solarcene.community/posts/2025-12-03-december2_2025/ - not much happened! 3rd Dec: https://blog.solarcene.community/posts/2025-12-03-december3_2025/ - managed to get my 'new' broken Samsung A5 booted and flashed with postmarkedOS, also read another #solarpunk short story.

blog.solarcene.community

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@Kathmandu thanks, I'll take a look!

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@natematias I'll add some documentation soon

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@clockwooork I will!

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 6mo ago

Uptime! I like the way they feel the need to have very accurate seconds when it's been online for 2013 days.

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 10mo ago

Replying to

@peachy @ana Great question, I have the paperback. hopefully Ana will reply.

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 11mo ago

Dear #CrossBorderRail collective, we are in Munich and planning to go to Salzberg tomorrow, are BRB trains worth it our should we spend a little more and go ICE or Railjet, 2adults/2children

Thanks!

#mastodonRail
#trains

@jon@gruene.social

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

@anthropy@mastodon.derg.nz trying not to be the reply guy - have you seen https://www.solargain.com.au/sites/default/files/SMA-2500-3300-User-Manual.pdf Flashing green and 'waiting' - "The inverter monitors the grid and waits for the DC voltage to reach a certain level so that it can start feeding the grid."

solargain.com.au

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@etchedpixels @sheddi I did wonder about that, it's interesting they allowed for the Shelly device, in these closed loop days most try and keep you in ecosystem. It's a good thing as my experience of Shelly stuff is fairly positive

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@stereo4x4 @yngmar that looks awesome and super practical! Would it be okay if I used your image on my site as an example?

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@sheddi how are you finding it? Have you just plugged in or is it wired in?

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@j https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/316670/airline-maps-by-roberts-mark-ovenden-and-maxwell/9780241434123 I'm not doubting if I found it on mastodon! Anyway it's a lovely book

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 4mo ago

Replying to

@GuillaumeRossolini@infosec.exchange oh I like the look, could I use these on the stealth solar site?

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 3mo ago

Replying to

@Maker_of_Things@cupoftea.social not seen this one but saw one of the other YouTube videos out there (I think by the person who designed the special interface you need). I'm not brave enough to try this!

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@circfruit@fosstodon.org nice work!

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 6mo ago

Replying to

@delcj @alipunk you would be very welcome to have a website on Squeak! Everyone loves a little bit of html coding, just need an idea and I'm sure we could make it work

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@Maker_of_Things thats a great idea and I'm sure there aren't any planning issues as it's theoretically temporary, could I include that image on the site?

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 4mo ago

Replying to

@petergleick@fediscience.org looks awesome - are there plans for the hardcover to be be published in the UK/Europe?

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smallsolar @smallsolar@techhub.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@EarthOrgUK do you have any pictures or designs? I like that idea of a solar panel porch front

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