western australia

The very old is protecting the new

@JudyEv (351953)

Rockingham, Australia

April 26, 2025 10:13am CST

These solar panels provide power for a pump which pumps water from a well to sheep troughs. I’ve written about the well previously. What intrigues me here is that the stand of the solar panel has a few attachments that need protection from the sheep. Three old gates have been used to fence of the panel. These gates would be around 100 years old. They don’t look too flash but they do the job. I find it intriguing that something so old is protecting something so up-to-date and modern.

21 people like this

18 responses

@Juliaacv (53188)

• Canada

26 Apr

It is a great shot of something from the past and something current. My brother has a huge solar panel that he harnesses the power from to assist with the dryer which dries the grain in the bins.

4 people like this

@JudyEv (351953)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Apr

The owners of our old farm have made such good use of items that are no longer suitable for their original purpose. It was very heart-warming to see.

2 people like this

@dfollin (25811)

• United States

26 Apr

I am on the phone with my friend that told me her electric bill was super high because of leaks from the well. So I sent her your picture. Thanks! Good luck!

3 people like this

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@dfollin (25811)

• United States

27 Apr

@JudyEv I hope eventually she will put one up in her yard.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (351953)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Apr

Hopefully your friend will at least find it interesting.

2 people like this

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@snowy22315 (188563)

• United States

26 Apr

A good mix of the old and the new

2 people like this

@JudyEv (351953)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Apr

I thought so too.

@allknowing (144762)

• India

27 Apr

I thought solar energy was pretty new and you had it since many years.

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@allknowing (144762)

• India

27 Apr

@JudyEv Old is gold and yes your post does say the solar panels are new - I do not kow how I got mixed up.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (351953)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Apr

@allknowing It's okay. It happens to us all.

@JudyEv (351953)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Apr

The gates are very, very old but not the solar panels.

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@LadyDuck (473350)

• Switzerland

26 Apr

If they do the job, why to spend money to buy something more modern to protect the panels!?

2 people like this

@JudyEv (351953)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Apr

Exactly. When they eventually rot, it won't be a hardship to throw or burn the remains.

1 person likes this

@LadyDuck (473350)

• Switzerland

27 Apr

@JudyEv I am all for recycling, we should do more to avoid too much waste.

1 person likes this

@Beestring (15288)

• Hong Kong

26 Apr

That's a nice mix and environmentally friendly.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (351953)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Apr

At least they're not throwing away the old things.

1 person likes this

@GardenGerty (163232)

• United States

27 Apr

Wise people making use of the things that they have on hand.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (351953)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Apr

These old gates would have cost nothing and in this situation they'll no doubt last for a good few more years.

@BarBaraPrz (49473)

• St. Catharines, Ontario

26 Apr

Hey, whatever works.

1 person likes this

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@BarBaraPrz (49473)

• St. Catharines, Ontario

27 Apr

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (351953)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Apr

Yup - and this is working well.

1 person likes this

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@kaylachan (77329)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

26 Apr

There's a reason it lasted so long. Strong and durable is the name of the game.

1 person likes this

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@kaylachan (77329)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

27 Apr

@JudyEv And, as long as they last, the well is safe.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (351953)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Apr

That's true. They'll last a good few years yet.

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@DaddyEvil (146786)

• United States

26 Apr

It's amazing to me that the gates are so old but still sturdy enough to do the job.

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@DaddyEvil (146786)

• United States

27 Apr

@JudyEv I hope they do last that long, at least.

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@JudyEv (351953)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Apr

Probably nothing will put any strain on them and they'll last another decade or two.

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@Fleura (31562)

• United Kingdom

27 Apr

Some forms of technology don't change! And they don't make gates to last like that these days.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (351953)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Apr

That's so true. One day the gates will fall apart but not just yet.

1 person likes this

@Ronrybs (20392)

• London, England

27 Apr

Sometimes modern things can be so fragile, unlike the older ones

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (351953)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Apr

That's true. Some things are very light and won't stand much knocking about.

1 person likes this

@arunima25 (90080)

• Bangalore, India

27 Apr

I love the way you have drawn the connection...the old protecting the new.

.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (351953)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Apr

It's often the case that the new isn't invincible but needs a bit of support somewhere.

1 person likes this

@arunima25 (90080)

• Bangalore, India

27 Apr

@JudyEv Yes, nicely put.

1 person likes this

@Neil43 (3885)

•

27 Apr

I want solar panels in our parents' farm. Hopefully soon we will isntall.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (351953)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Apr

They work well and are economical.

@RebeccasFarm (94477)

• Arvada, Colorado

26 Apr

Pretty dang cool Judy.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (351953)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Apr

I thought so. I was thrilled to see the old gates being recycled.

1 person likes this

@FourWalls (74170)

• United States

26 Apr

Great to see the blending of two worlds there.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (351953)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Apr

The gates are old and rickety but they're still contributing to the farm.

1 person likes this

@wolfgirl569 (115201)

• Marion, Ohio

26 Apr

It is a great way to protect the panels

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (351953)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Apr

And it cost absolutely nothing.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (225937)

• Walnut Creek, California

26 Apr

The horse in me wants to scratch my butt on the solar panel shaft.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (351953)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Apr

Thankfully they don't have horses now.