This morning I just endured one of the shortcomings of solar power, the security gate at my friends’ house. It has a car-style battery to store all the energy it receives from its panel and one would think it stored enough to open and close the heavy, metal barrier several times. Not a chance! I expended it all which remained last night pulling in. This morning, it didn’t even budge as I stood in the light rain trying to get the hydraulic part to contract. Meanwhile, the clock was ticking for me to get to work on time. Thankfully, my problem-solving skills weren’t completely impaired for I hadn’t had my Saturday latte. With a wrench from the garage, I got the gate to remain open quickly and still managed to get the weekly drinks for Peter (co-worker) and me at Starbucks (sorry, Kenny’s wasn’t on the way, I was desperate).
Now I know why they leave it open when they’re away. Don’t worry, the house remains safe because it has a very effective alarm system and should it be set off, Travis County’s finest will show up with their sidearms ready—the area is remote, semi-dense with trees and open unlike most suburbs. Next time, I should carry an emergency flood lamp to shine on the solar panel when I stupidly close the gate behind me when I feed Tiki, Angel and Jack.