Exploring the Solar Lab at Infinite Woods
It was a warm, sunny afternoon when I arrived at Infinite Woods. I was eager to experience the innovative projects hosted at this environmentally-friendly haven nestled among the rolling hills of central Vermont. The solar-powered main compound at the top of the driveway was just the beginning of my journey into the cutting-edge world of sustainable living and green energy. As Michelle, an Infinite Woods caretaker who greeted me, explained, “Infinite Woods is committed to being a leader in the solar electrification movement and promotes grid participation - and that’s why the entire main compound, with the majority of our solar power, is tied into the grid. We also believe in energy sovereignty and innovative autonomous solar projects, which is why the ‘Back 40’ acres of Infinite Woods is dedicated to developing off-grid solar projects and acts as an incubator for such endeavors.”
After a brief tour of the main compound, Michelle walked me to the "Back 40", which was where I was scheduled to spend the night. To get there, we crossed a large field and entered a gap in the woods onto a long tree-lined path connecting the two parts of the property. With the open field behind us and trees on both sides and above us, it felt like we were inside a tunnel snaking through the woods. “This path acts as a symbolic bridge between grid-tied greater-community projects and the off-grid solar lab,” said Michelle.
As we exited the tunnel of trees into anther verdant field, a series of yurts and cabins, a cluster of solar panels, and a red barn came into view. “A spring-fed well, powered by a solar pump, provides drinking and bathing water to the area,” noted Michelle.
Michelle handed me off to Jake who guided me to the red barn, explaining that the barn acted as the solar lab’s main workshop. Inside, 3D printers, drill presses, saws, and other power tools were available for creators to fabricate components for solar projects. Jake told me I’d get to try out one of their first projects in the evening if I was game - a series of autonomous solar-powered hot tubs. “We wanted this space to act as a an educational and experimental playground for solar projects, and so far we’ve had over two dozen residents stay out here from various universities and companies, hacking on fun projects from solar-powered water filtration systems to solar-powered feed systems for livestock,” Jake said as we exited the barn.
Charlie met us outside and took me around an outcropping of trees to see a series of sculptures they had built in the middle of an adjacent field. One such sculpture, resembling a giant metallic flower, caught my attention. Charlie explained that the sculptures were actually batteries for excess solar energy. “That lily flower sculpture, for instance, stores energy by slowly folding up its metal petals, the largest of which weigh over 250 pounds. When energy is needed, when it’s been cloudy for a few days for example, the petals slowly unfold, and the released weight drives a flywheel to generate electricity,” he said.
After exploring the Solar Lab’s ground a little more, I was shown my accommodations - a charming little A-frame cabin with the bed in its loft and a room with a desk and chair as well as a couch on the ground floor. It was, of course, entirely solar powered.
As the sun set, I changed in my cabin and slipped out into one of the individual solar-powered tubs, which could comfortably hold two or three people. Charlie, who was already soaking in a tub a few feet away, explained as he gestured towards a set of 4 foot tall cylindrical tanks, “Those insulated holding tanks act as thermal batteries, storing water heated by solar-powered elements. The hot water is summoned on-demand by a solar-powered pump system, and also heats a small number of cabins and yurts during the winter months, as well as the paths connecting them.”
After my rejuvenating soak, we ate a meal of local produce cooked in the solar powered kitchen abutting the red workshop barn. “One my earliest solar projects was powering a portable induction cooktop using a folding solar panel for a cross-country ebike and train camping trip. That really opened my eyes to all the practical applications of modern solar technology,” said Jake as we enjoyed some local blueberries and blackberries with ice cream for dessert.
In the morning after a truly peaceful night of sleep, I had the pleasure of meeting several entrepreneurs in residence who were working on a climate-controlled greenhouse prototype. Collaborating with Charlie and Jake, their goal was to grow blueberries year-round.
Infinite Woods and its Solar Lab are truly living testaments to the power of innovation and the potential of renewable energy. As I departed, I couldn't help but marvel at the vision of the passionate folks I met on this unforgettable stay. The next wave of solar innovation is here, and it's electrifying.