The batteries required would surely cost more than a small inverter generator. We're talking multiple golf car batteries ($200 each) or maybe even an electric forklift battery to be able to run "the essentials".
Solar panels kits
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I'm pretty sure that's not true unless the panel is mostly shaded.Another downside to solar panels, if you shade part of the panel it shuts down the whole panel
I remember using a playing card to shade part of the panel (as much as half) on a kinetic sculpture so that it didn't rattle when the sun was particularly intense.
Yeah on little panels with a low voltage setup you don't suffer as bad, but these large panels with lots of cells can "under volt" and go offline easily.
A good charge controller with some "buck converters" (the DC equivalent of a transformer) can reduce this. I don't think there's any smarts built into the panels themselves.
Solar panels have their place but it isn't typically in an emergency backup situation. Because of the cost of storage, the typical residential installation you see is a grid-tied system.
An off-grid solar system must be carefully planned, permanently deployed and used frequently in order to have any hope of recovering the initial investment over the long term. You also have to be prepared to drop some serious money on banks of batteries to be able to run things like countertop appliances (blenders, toaster ovens, microwaves).
Even the Harbor Freight 100W panel kit requires a $70 battery to run and a $30+ inverter to run something small that is AC powered. You could use a car battery but they aren't safe indoors and they won't last long in a deep-cycle scenario.
Here's a video that speaks to the kind of thing I'd like to do:
While the producer was trying to be kind, he made in abundantly clear that the claims of solar fanboys tend to be grossly optimistic and often ignore that using power while charging typically takes away from (or perhaps even stops) charging
I like the generator idea but if the gas station runs out or can't pump the gas I am in a mess. Harshness I was thinking if SHTF. Do I have to talk about in the pit area? I do like that video.
I've always wanted to setup a solar system at my house. However, even with advances in technology, I can't get over the fact that a proper household (with batteries) system will cost a minimum of $20,000 - $35,000.
Also, I live in mid-Michigan, and we are known for not being all that good for solar power because of near constant overcast to an extent skies since we are surrounded by so much water.
Though wind power systems work well here.
Also, I live in mid-Michigan, and we are known for not being all that good for solar power because of near constant overcast to an extent skies since we are surrounded by so much water.
Though wind power systems work well here.
I thought about doing the same but our power company just killed any thoughts of doing that. They dropped the price they pay for surplus solar power so much it's not as cost effective anymore. Which is exactly what they want to do, discourage people from putting in solar.
But since they will sell your surplus back to you for the same low price you still have the ability to store, persay, massive quantities of power on the grid. 
Thus diminishing the need for as many costly batteries.
Thus diminishing the need for as many costly batteries.
But since they will sell your surplus back to you for the same low price you still have the ability to store, persay, massive quantities of power on the grid.
Except for the bad fact of grid-tied systems don't give power when the grid goes down for everybody. Exactly the situation where I want power.
True, "grid power" instead backs up your solar system when it's not generating enough on cloudy days and long winter nights keeping your electrical costs down.
Yes, plenty of talk in the PIT about that. Dan you should join the pub and get in there if that is your thing.
For me since I also have natural gas, a NG powered generator would be a good choice. But I'm still lookin at over 10G for an automated system installed.
Then you should have lead with that in your OP.
This discussion was based on you being without power for a half day; something a small generator can deal with for a few days.
In a long-term crisis, the answer remains the same. You must have a fully functional, fully charged off-grid solar system in the first minute and that means running your entire house on appropriately sized solar now. A shed full of batteries doesn't charge overnight -- especially if you're drawing them down every night. Remember the video where he talked about needing 36 panels to charge his battery bank? Thats $1,200 worth of panels charging around $4,000+ worth of batteries with a much more competent charge controller ($1,500?) and he's just running a two-way radio and a computer.
You've got bigger problems than not being able to get gasoline for a small generator when the water runs out and/or the sewers back up because the pumps have no power. I think five or maybe ten gallons of gasoline will get you to that point.
I live in a rural area that can get frequent power outages. I have a Gillette 6kw Diesel generator to use. I use off-road diesel which is cheaper. One of our local gas stations in our little town has a HUGE automatic diesel generator to keep their power up no matter what. So, if I ever go through the full tank of diesel I keep, and the 5 gallon can of diesel I also keep, I can always get diesel or gas for the car.
Dan, get a small generator and scope out a nearby gas station to you that might also have a similar setup.
Dan, get a small generator and scope out a nearby gas station to you that might also have a similar setup.
Read Dan's last few posts.I fail to see why ThePit would be necessary to discuss solar panel kids.
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