South Hams

2 Watermans Cottage, Manor Street

Installation of a solar panel array (15 panels, 5kW max) on a Cornish Rockers tiltable scaffold at end of garden. The garden is on a steep slope and is NE facing. The installation is to the rear of a 17th Century cottage that is Grade II listed and within the conservation area. For planning we had to demonstrate that the panels were hidden from view from the main village and the river. We also have a Tesla 15kWHr battery and Powerwall, all installed by SunGift. I can go through the system and its operation. Our 3 bedroom cottage is largely self sufficient from March to October. I can also go through some measures we have taken to improve energy efficiency in both our modern rear extension, dug in to the hill side, and the original cottage.

• House Battery
• Solar Panels
• Water Saving
• Wildlife Gardening / Food Growing

Sunday

10:00–17:00

Tours and talks: Guided tours at 11am, 1pm and 3pm (Sunday)

The access to the panels involves 75 steps and is steep so sadly not wheelchair accessible.

what3words address: ///nourished.shopping.being (opens what3words in a new tab)

27 Clobells, South Brent

We have 18 solar panels on an East/West facing roof (8.1 kWp), supported by a 9 kWh battery, and a 3.5 kW heat pump, all installed in January 2026, and also a 36 kWh electric car. During the summer, the solar panels generate an average £100 surplus per month. The entire system is so efficient that we expect to achieve net-zero electricity bills year-round, even through the winter, and have been able to reduce our direct debit with Octopus to the minimum of £1 per month. Our home is an ordinary small 1970's 3-bed semi. We doubled our loft insulation and added four new radiators to accommodate the heat pump, but no other modifications have been needed.

• Heat Pump
• House Battery
• Solar Panels

Saturday

11:00–16:00

Tours and talks: I will be available to answer questions, will show visitors what we've had installed, and will produce a detailed handout for them to take away.

Our property is not wheelchair accessible (steep drive and three steps). No dogs please.

Box & Rose Cottage

A relatively large traditional Devon stone house, fully heated by a central heating wood pellet cooker. Showing how this is possible with minimal disruption, and for a reasonable running cost. In addition there is solar thermal and solar PV input.

• Solar Panels

Saturday

10:00–14:00

Tours and talks: Informal Q&A

Capton Mill Studio

Green oak timber framed studio using locally sourced imperfect timbers inside and out.

• Energy Conservation
• Natural / Healthy Materials
• Wildlife Gardening / Food Growing

Saturday

10:00–13:00

Tours and talks: We will be there to answer any questions about the build

Not wheelchair accessible.. No dogs inside.

Capton Spring

Live heat pump installation will be happening all day on Saturday - come and ask the installer about heat pumps, solar PV, battery storage and more. Come and see the main strawbale house Saturday, from 10-13:00 Featuring eco material choices, rainwater harvesting, solar thermal, solar PV, heat pump, low emission wood boiler, passive ventilation system.

• Energy Conservation
• Heat Battery
• Heat Pump
• Natural / Healthy Materials
• Passive Solar Design
• Solar Panels
• Solar Shading & Overheating Protection

Saturday

10:00–16:00

Tours and talks: Live heat pump installation - Saturday 19th, all day House Q&A - Saturday 19th, 10:00 - 13:00

No dogs please. Wheelchair accessible. Easy parking available.

Firze Park Capton

This is a new barn conversion in the hamlet of Capton. While all other homes in Capton have mains electricity there is not sufficient capacity to allow my connection. Consequently I run off-grid using a battery bank charged primarily by PV with a small backup petrol generator. I have a bore hole water supply and sewage treatment plant making me independent of SWW.

• House Battery
• Solar Panels

Friday

10:00–16:00

Saturday

10:00–16:00

Sunday

12:00–16:00

Tours and talks: I will be available to answer questions on technical aspects etc.

Hillside Passivhaus, Biodiversity & Climate Mitigation Project

See how we have changed buildings and land management to reduce energy needs, improve climate resilience & encourage wildlife, while supporting traditional rural skills such as hedge laying, agroforestry, and dry stone walling. Put "Cornworthy Priory" into your SatNav to reach us on the correct route via Tuckenhay. 60m west of Cornworthy Priory turn north at Cornworthy cross (wheeliebin with Hillside on). Follow drive round to left and Hillside sign. Parking is somewhat limited, so please car share if you are driving.

• Heat Pump
• House Battery
• MVHR - Heat Recovery
• Natural / Healthy Materials
• Passivhaus / EnerPHit
• Solar Panels
• Solar Shading & Overheating Protection
• Solid Wall Insulation
• Water Saving
• Wildlife Gardening / Food Growing

Saturday

10:30–15:30

Sunday

10:30–15:30

Tours and talks: We will offer a tour of the new Passiv Haus and other buildings at 10:00, and a tour of the land at 14.00 to discuss the benefits of traditional hedge management and agroforestry. Wear stout footwear. Please note that we are hosting our next Hedgelaying Training Day with the Devon Rural Skills Trust on the 17th October, places for which can be booked on their website.

The new house is Wheelchair accessible, but the rest of the land is challenging - the name "Hillside" gives a clue!! We are sheep farmers so while dogs are welcome they must be on leads.

Kelbechan House-Ground mounted PV Array

Ground mounted PV Array and battery system, powers home and two EVs

• House Battery
• Solar Panels
• Wildlife Gardening / Food Growing

Sunday

10:00–13:00

Tours and talks: I'll be on hand to answer questions on Sunday 20 Sept only, 1000-1300.

Unfortunately not wheelchair friendly due to sloped and stepped garden.

Landmatters Coop

Booking required

Off-grid homes showcasing various styles of low-impact build from strawbale and cob to benders and roundwood timber frame eco-builds, all showcasing the potentials of "sustainable" building.

• Energy Conservation
• House Battery
• Natural / Healthy Materials
• Solar Panels
• Solar Shading & Overheating Protection
• Water Saving
• Wildlife Gardening / Food Growing

Saturday

12:00–15:00

Tours and talks: Tour across multiple homes with Q&As at each one

Wheelchair difficulty

To book: guy@transitiontowntotnes.org