Not all solar power systems are created equal, they have varying degrees of efficiencies and sizes. But we also know not all environmental conditions are created equal. If you put two solar panels in different geographical locations, one can outperform the other by a long shot. Ultimately, it’s the power from the sun that feeds … Read more
As solar technology advances and prices come down, more people are using solar power for their homes and vans. One of the most popular sizes for residential and van use is the 300 watt solar panel. Let’s look in detail at how much power a 300 watt panel can generate. We’ll look at some common … Read more
If you are planning to use a propane generator during a power outage it’s good to have an idea of how much propane the generator will need. Fuel is often one of the first things to sell out during a disaster as most people turn to their generators to power electrical appliances. Propane generators are … Read more
When the power goes out for two or more days, the contents of your refrigerator are guaranteed to spoil. Without knowing when the power will come back on, you’re left to decide whether to keep the fridge closed to conserve cool air or start eating the food before it spoils. Having a generator that can … Read more
The summer months when temperature rises to over 100 degrees can be brutal. With the frequency of natural disasters increasing, it makes sense to set up an air conditioner that can be powered by renewable energy. Running any appliance off of solar power is a simple energy in, energy out formula. In order to determine … Read more
As the price of solar power systems come down, I predict most preppers will be opting to use solar energy in the next decade. With the war in Ukraine raging into its third week, there are concerns about what Putin might do to NATO nations. While I don’t believe this is the beginning of armageddon, … Read more
So you’ve decided that you’ve had it with power outages. It seems like every week, there’s news about some type of natural disaster causing people to live without power. After a few miserably long blackouts, you just want to secure a source of energy to keep your family comfortable. With tax credit incentives still in … Read more
Having the ability to generate electricity completely independent of the grid or any other fuel source is a powerful prep. If you don’t trust your government’s infrastructure to keep things running, then why not use a source of energy that’s completely sustainable, available and free. Machines and technology already help us with every aspect of … Read more
So you’ve figured out the battery and array size for your solar power system. Now, before you hook the system up to your house or to the grid, you need an inverter to convert the direct current into alternating current. Solar panels and batteries put out direct current (DC). The grid and household appliances operate … Read more
While we can see how pitch and direction of solar panel installation can affect the solar system output, what’s not intuitive is the effects of ambient air temperature on solar panels. It wasn’t until I started designing my own off grid solar system did I learn about the effects of air and surface (roof) temperatures … Read more