The final major project for the house is to build a carport that will double as support for a solar PV set-up.
We plan to get fully off-grid with a sizeable array and sufficient battery storage, no more continental power cuts.
The structure will allow for 20m² of solar panels and provide a cover for the car to protect it from the blazing Summer sunshine while at the same time providing electricity to charge the car and run the home air-conditioner.
The first phase is to pour four concrete bases for the legs of the structure. A sub-base 36cm square and 30cm deep, and a pad on the top, 25cm x 20cm x 10cm deep for the feet of the posts. Casting the bases in one stage was a slight challenge, but having two stacked formers allowed me to accurately position the 20cm long stud screws with not too much difficulty, using the foot plates as a template.
So far, I have managed to finish half of the bases.
The final two should be finished in the next few days.
Then I can weld the legs to the foot plates, ready to be fixed in place.
Good work!!!