At Rosalie Forest we have an array of 10 solar panles providing for power some rooms, and two more for our water pump.
We have an array of ten solar panels giving us a maximum power of 800 watts. Although this is limited, we supplement that power with another 1000 watts supplied by our micro hydro turbine. and we have ensured that we use low powered electrical appliances and have found it to be amply sufficient for our current needs. Guests should have no problem using their own electrical appliances, but we ask them to inform us if they are planning to do so, in order for us to make sure that not everyone is pulling big power all at once.
The power provided by the systems in place here at Rosalie Forest is 240 voilts, Dominica standard, with the 3 pin square power outlets the same as those used in the UK. If yours is different, bring the necessary adapters and transformers with you. A 110 volt appliance cannot work here without a transformer! So we prefer you do not bring them. Phone chargers, laptops, camera chargers, are normally dual voltage; look on the plug for the input, if it says 240 or 100-240 thn it is fine, if it says only 110, then it will not work.
We also use the sun to pump water for the hotel from one our adjacent rivers. This 24 volt solar slowpump is powered by two panels and is capable of pumping 1000 gallons in less than four hours of moderate sunshine. Even on a cloudy day the pump still works sufficiently for our requirements. The river we use is crystal clear and we test the water regularly in the laboratory to ensure it's continued cleanliness. The water passes through a filter before being pushed up the hillside to our holding tank, from where it drops down to the cottages using gravity.
Rose cottage has its own simple solar thermosyphon hot water system. Water is heated in a collector on the lower end of the roof, and as it heats up it rises to a hot water cylinder on the top of the roof (hot water rises naturally).
As this hot water cools down it circulates back through the system to the collector so that it can always remain hot. No pumps, no electric heaters and always plenty of hot water for your needs !
Not enough sunshine under the forest canopy for hot showers, sorry!
One of the beauties of Rosalie Forest is the night sky, and so outside lighting is of the utmost importance. We want you to find your way around, but we do not wish to spoil your view of the stars. Therefore, dotted all around the lower property, are some solar powered path lights : they light enough to show you the way, but do not distract from your view of the planets. Each light is independant, with its own solar panel and batteries, which are recharged every day by the sun. They have built in sensors and light up at night, and switch off automatically during the day. Unfortunately our hydro and electricity system in general took some damage in Hurricane Dean in August 2007, and we are hoping to be able to repiar it soon.
In the meantime our solar generally provides enough for our needs, and we have a back-up generator in case of no sunshine at all.
Where Life flows !!!
