Nestled among the vibrant orchards and vineyards of Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley, Kevin and Penny Lakes built an off-grid sanctuary that seamlessly blends environmental stewardship with modern living. Kevin, a local teacher at King’s-Edgehill School, author, and harness racing enthusiast, lives on the property alongside Penny and their family—including Wink, a one-eyed retired standardbred racehorse they have lovingly cared for since his racing career ended.  The family has lived “grid-free” since 2003, with their original set of four Rolls batteries.

Faced with an $18,000 quote in 2003, simply to run utility poles to their rural property, the couple chose to invest directly in their own energy independence. They were inspired to take a look at Rolls products while attending a Science Café presentation held by James Surrette of Surrette Battery Company Ltd. where they learned that world class deep cycle batteries were being manufactured right here in Nova Scotia. Backed by local expertise in their neighbour Hans Albarda, the Lakes’ designed a dependable and self-sustaining off-grid system..

The Lakes’ primary system features ten (10) x 85W solar panels mounted to the side of the home for easy maintenance and to avoid snow buildup. This array feeds the 12V battery bank composed of four (4) Rolls 6-volt 6 CS 21P deep cycle lead-acid batteries wired in two parallel strings, providing 1,366Ah total capacity. Water management is similarly streamlined: Two (2) x 85W panels run a 24V submersible well pump supplying a cistern, where a 12V home pump efficiently draws water indoors with minimal energy demand.

The Lakes also decided to include an auxiliary system consisting of four (4) x 85W roof panels, a 12V inverter, and two (2) salvaged Rolls S-530 6-volt flooded lead-acid batteries originally used by Hans at his home. The batteries, built in 2012, remained unused in storage at his home for a number of years but have been repurposed -now operating an outdoor freezer year-round. The whole system requires minimal routine maintenance, such as topping off distilled water about three times a year; the flooded lead-acid batteries have delivered years of seamless, trouble-free power.

The family’s off-grid legacy expanded in 2020 when Kevin and Penny’s son, Christian, moved into Hans’ former home following his passing. To support their growing household, Christian upgraded the system at their residence in 2022 with a six-panel high-output solar array and an expanded battery bank featuring six 6-volt 6 CS 21P flooded lead-acid batteries (manufactured in 2021).

The Lakes family property stands as a remarkable testament to community knowledge-sharing and multi-generational sustainability. Built alongside orchards, gardens, and horse pastures, the homestead proves that choosing energy independence requires no sacrifice of modern comfort or family life.

Rolls Battery Engineering is proud to showcase this amazing accomplishment and to share how our lead-acid batteries have provided the Lakes family with durable long-lasting energy storage that has enabled this transformative off-grid lifestyle for decades. By powering homes, local agriculture, and multi-generational living, Rolls brings reliable energy to self-reliant households in the Annapolis Valley and abroad.