PLATANOS

Yes, we have some bananas:

SOLAR

Our new solar collector:

The water tank (tinaco) had to be raised above the collector, which is why it is now perched on a metal platform.  Bonus:  more pressure in the gravity-flow water supply in the house.  There are 15 tubes to catch the rays--plenty for a family of 2 as well as for our guests.  In the (unlikely) event of consecutive overcast days, we can divert the water from the collector to our stand-by gas hot water heater to ensure plenty of hot water.  The savings on our gas bill should be about 80%.   Cost?  About 10,000 pesos.  Typical monthly gas bill?  About 350 pesos.  Payback time?  About 3 years.  And a small step toward less fracking.