Page 61 - ALG Issue 3 2021

take a large part and adversely affect even more of the existing allotment. There was no ‘Allotments Development Strategy’ document submitted with
the Planning Application and hence no consultation at all with the allotment holders. Ealing Council are now in touch with the Association and will be inviting them to help draw up, belatedly, a Strategy document.
The new London Team feel that we
have been operating with the brakes on during the past 18 months (or maybe more). That is no different to the rest of the country of course, but it has severely affected our actions to build a relevant, effective, and approachable NAS London Branch. We are now fully open for business so please do not hesitate to get in touch. Members of our Team are eager to visit allotments throughout the London Region. The London Branch has its own Facebook group so, if you are in London, please join. National Allotment Society- London Branch https://www. facebook.com/groups/452176965356001
Terry Dickinson
Acting Regional Representative
Solar Power on the Plot
With cultural diversity in mind, it is becoming obvious that allotment sheds can have a variety of uses apart from the storage of tools and a toilet bucket. It can also be used as shelter from rain, sitting area, garden workshop, plant propagation and as a small kitchen area for making tea etc. and microwaving of food for lunch.
A plotholder in the South West London area has introduced solar power into his allotment shed. It is relatively easy to install, as shown by the photos. All it needs are two 100 watt solar panels fixed on the shed roof, a sine wave inverter, two marine batteries and associated controls, and wiring within the shed. A 3000-watt inverter is advised in order to have enough initial power to turn electrical motors on items like shredders and water pumps. Double wiring is necessary
on the electrical circuit from the batteries to
the inverter as 12 volts times 250 amps equals 3000 watts (volts times amps equals watts). The
wiring has to be capable of carrying 250 amps.
It has been found that one hour’s daylight equals one boiled kettle, or two barista
coffees or hot chocolate! However, using one electrical appliance at a time is good practice and prevents overload and shutdown by the inverter’s safety system. In addition, the inverter wiring should be properly earthed. Also, it has been discovered that it is best to disconnect the inverter from the power supply within the shed in order to prevent the drainage of the batteries when the plotholder is not on the allotment plot. Wind turbines are problematic in respect of the necessary height requirements of the blades and their noise nuisance to neighbours, and therefore they should be disregarded. On the other hand, solar panels are silent and can be made more discrete.
Chris Barker
Vice Chairman, London Region
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Envii SeaFeed Xtra
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Allotment and Leisure Gardener 61