Making electricity while the sun shines

I have been considering just how to convince Mrs. Freeholder that we need some solar power in our life.

This is not solely for what appears to be the steadily approaching collapse alone. We are subject to grid power outages brought on by inclement weather, both hurricanes and ice/snow. Due to our location, it’s wither out for a few minutes until the automatic systems work, it’s out several hours until the pole the erratic driver took out is replaced, or a few days as we wait out turn for restoration after a large scale event.

The current neighborhood power outage record, as far as I can determine, occurred in 1996 and was 6 days long. That was a heck of an ice storm.

I do have a generator and fuel stored sufficient to handle that and a few additional days. Still it would be nice to know that we had a system that could handle what the generator can and more, and for longer than 10-14 days.

Enter solar power. I wasn’t a big fan for years, but advances in technology are changing my opinion. Just casting around YouTube the other night, I ran into this video for a 1.2 kw system. It could be put together for $2000-$2500 right now, and I happen to have a place it can be ground mounted, which makes both installation and maintenance much easier. I’d lose some rose bushes, though.

Any thoughts from those with experience would be welcome.

2 thoughts on “Making electricity while the sun shines

  1. 12oo watts isn't much, really.

    Do an assessment of what you NEED to have.

    I think you will find that you need closer to 3K watts.

    If you decide to do it, it won't be economical unless you can get subsidies from the Feds and your state.

    As a rule, take the rated nameplate wattage and multiply by 60% for a real number.

    Then there are batteries to maintain. Not a lot of time, but you gotta do it. (Unless you are Grid-Tied, and then you are not independent if the power goes out anyway).

  2. Not his point. You're not trying to run everything, just what's important. And if you want more, add it in modules of 6 panels and however many batteries.

    In the event of a grid-down problem-however it is we get there-having any electrical power is going to put you ahead of the crowd. I'd take 1200, or 600, or even 60, over zero.

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