Yesterday our photovoltaic electricity-producing system passed another significant milestone: we have now clocked up more than 30,000 kWh (30 Mwh) of electricity produced directly from the sun. The picture below, from our handy little monitoring app, shows the achievement.
And what’s more, we have reduced the world’s carbon dioxide production by 21 tonnes. (Not much, it must be confessed in the face of China’s continuing building of coal-fired power stations, but at least we are doing our bit…)
Our arrays of photovoltaic panels, hidden away on our south-facing roofs overlooking the river make us totally self-sufficient in electricity generation, even powering the new air-conditioning units in all our bedrooms and public rooms. So we are Cool and Green.
We have taken other steps to conserve energy, cutting our consumption of plastic, insulating outbuildings to make them more energy efficient and sourcing our food locally wherever possible, to cut down on ‘food miles’.
As you may know, The Watermill, in the Tuscan district of Lunigiana, is surrounded by two environmentally protected areas: The National Park of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, the backbone of Italy, and the Regional Park of the Apuan Alps, home of the marble mountains of Carrara. The air and the water are pure and unpolluted, and the area abounds in wildlife.
Come and share it yourself on one of our internationally renowned painting, creative writing, knitting and Italian language courses. These really is an idyllic setting to overcome your coronavirus blues and plan to enjoy inspirational teaching in the unspoiled Tuscan countryside. We still have spaces on some of our renowned creative courses later this year and we would love you to join us. Just click here to see what’s on offer.