I'm looking at solar lighting for the new shed. Sadly the roof slopes away from South but I'm sure I can wangle a panel mounting regardless of this (the windows of course face south!).

There's one kit I've found so far that pops up everywhere inc the organic gardening catalogue and is roughly 70 quid for a 40W equivalent (the OGC recommend also buying a storage battery so that's £40 +P&P more on top).

Still think it's cheaper than hiring a sparks to come and drillholes in the house, dig a trench to the shed and then wire it up for mains!

Still wish there was a site that could tell me how many hours I'll have to run the thing until it's carbon neutral with its manufacture as well! But better this than the alternative I expect. And powercutproof!

Has anyone seen any kits that are different to eg this one please?

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( I should point out that there's a £20-ish kit which uses LEDs and normal rechargeable batteries, but it's only 8W equivalent and lasts for 45min after 14 hours of sunlight, as against 40W for 4h and chargeable in winter!)

moonbells

Two Wests do them and Gonegardening but I think your link is the cheapest one I've seen

I want one. There's some info on here already cos me and G2 talked about it. Stuff on ebay too

I have a cheapo in our loo, its ok for that! but why not build your own, some good bargains out there for small panels. Then use a good LED cluster and maybe an alarm battery.

I don't really want to be building my own despite having the tech know-how - going to have my hands full for next few months and I'd like to have it installed before sproglet goes to school!

The LED ones don't look thrilling. I've an LED torch and it's not exactly very bright. I need something I can pot seedlings with*.

moonbells

*(And don't say a dibber!)

I reckon the Shed Mate is what you need but for a shorter time span say of 1.5 hours there's a cheapo at £19.99 in Two Wests in Chesterfield

Or there's the rechargeable lanterns (them fluorescent jobs) from such as B & Q

Or paraffin. I got a hurricane lamp off ebay

If you can afford it I reckon your first choice is best

Yes, I suspect the first choice is best (once we've got a postal service again). I've got two hurricane lamps which are great - got them from a chandler's last year and they chuck out a nice amount of emergency light, though not ideal as fossil fuel.

Have also got a four-NiMH battery rechargeable 'push' light which is handy for confined spaces, but it doesn't stay bright very long and still needs me to charge the darn batteries overnight.

ok, will see what turns up in a few weeks!

moonbells

wind up head lamp yes now stop laughing no i dont mean a car head light its a wind up led thing that goes on your head with straps doesnt look the coolest thing but works ok i have one of the solar shed lights cant remeber where i got it from useles total ***p