Keep Up With Solar Breakthroughs… Maybe It’s Time for You to Go Solar
Route 66, which runs for about 2,500 miles from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California, has been made popular in movies, songs, a TV series and much more through the decades.
Recently this road made a different kind of history. It is soon to become the first public roadway to receive a solar panel makeover.
The folks from Solar Roadways who are working on this project say that if all the roads and walking surfaces in the U.S. were covered with hexagonal solar panels, they would generate three times as much energy as Americans now use.
But that’s not all these solar roads would do. They could be programmed to serve as signs to alert drivers to dangers ahead, and they could be heated up to melt falling snow.
Obviously this type of road would be more expensive to build and is many years from being completed. But this is an example of solar breakthroughs that we should be aware of.
Let’s take a look at a few more:
Solar Storage Advances
The most important part of an off-grid system is the batteries. The science behind lead-acid batteries has not advanced much in 100 years. But lithium-ion batteries are quickly becoming available at the size and price needed for solar applications.
Solar Thermal Catching Up
Solar thermal has been largely forgotten in the clean energy revolution of the last few years. The ugly solar water heating units that were popular in the 1970s haven’t changed all that much.
Fortunately, today’s collectors are twice as efficient as the older panels. They also look better and function with less sunlight than ever. Plus, they are becoming easier to integrate into an existing home’s water heating systems.
Solar on Everyday Items
Roadways aren’t the only things that innovative people are thinking about when it comes to attaching solar cells. Before too long we might see solar cells on window glass or wall coverings. Or, how would you like to have a solar tarp in your survival kit? That’s another possibility.
Solar Prices Coming Down
The best news is that it’s getting more affordable every year to buy and build solar power systems. When I first started looking into this, solar was expensive and there were no incentives available. Typical prices for a complete system were about $10 per watt.
Now you can find complete systems that you can install yourself for less than $3 per watt. The rapid price declines, and how easy it is to install a system these days, mean more people will be able to say goodbye to the power monopolies forever.
One way to save even more money is to make your own solar panels. Click here for information on how to do that.
For very cheap, basic power for a flashlight or radio in an outage, you cannot beat those little solar walkway lights they sell in some dollar stores. They have a small solar charger and usually each contain two AA rechargeable batteries. They are intended to charge during the day and turn on automatically to light your way at night, but it is easy to remove the charged batteries and use them to power something else if needed. I haven’t tried it yet, but I believe you can also string the batteries together to provide the proper voltage to charge a cell phone or other similar device.
Thanks for all you do. I’m mostly a lurker , but appreciate all of the contributors comments in this section . I’ve purchased a seed vault and taken advantage of some free offers on the site , and plan to start a garden next spring . Hopefully I can find the unction to get the hard work out of the way and enjoy the fruits of our labors in some fresh vegetables . We live 30 miles from the big city and have a well . We purchased a generator new for Y2K , but have never run it . My main problem is that my work is second shift and 50 years hard labor for minimal wage has taken its toll on this old horse . I’ve a lot on my plate and quite a backlog of maintenance projects that need immediate attention , and only so much time to do them . Keep op the good work Frank , i’m 100 % behind you . Regards.
I had the original Solar 80 gal hot water heater panel on roof & it worked well on sunny Florida days but with clouds or rain it failed to work, making me HEAT 80 gal for hot water rather than a 30 gal tank. Hurricane Katrina broke connections on roof. Rather than fix my 15 yr old Solar, I opted for the normal 30 gal water tank. Forget about “Solar” up North you need the “skin cancer” producing, hottest sun available. I decided to build a Pergola with plastic/PVC sheets on top outside my two 8′ wide French doors to shield the South AM sun that heated my house & woke me up to early. It worked! Also replaced all light bulbs with natural/white LED bulbs. In addition replaced ceiling kitchen light with large panel multi LED bulb @ Home Depot = Beautiful brilliant light! (dull lights fail to wake me in AM) lol
I have a 5000 watt generator. if I disconnect fuse to power company and plug the 220 volt from generator into house outlet what will happen??
Your outlet is 120Vac. you don’t want to plug 220 into the outlet to fire up the panel! your best bet is to get an isolator box from Home Depot or Lowes and do it right!
You better install a transfer switch because if you ever forget you will have a 4th of july fireworks at your house and also at your utility pole
Most 5000 watt generators have a 220V output plug. I configured a cord to plug into my electric dryer outlet, turn off the main breaker and moat of the other breakers leaving on critical circuits, frig, tv & selected lighting. Don’t try to run your A/C not enough power, stove maybe if you turn off everything else. I get by with fans. I live in Central Florida and Charlie can right over my house at 2 in the morning. Good Luck.
Forget who it was I looked into Solar Shingles several years ago – they are no longer around. Visited Dow sites and IMO: cost ~ $8 per watt, grid tie only – useless in power down situation and not capable of battery backup (though I’m sure they can be rewired for off-grid), 20 year warrantee on shingles is reasonable.
I heard a company called sigma labs has cracked the code to split water in to hydrogen and oxygen using sunlight only. If this is true, energy will become abundant in the form of hydrogen. Makes fuel cells more attractive.
EBay has multiple 300 watt or higher grid tie inverter kits, starting around $500. The inverters are stackable and allows you to increase power generation, incrementally. I use two setups, a 300 watt grid tie kit and a 30 watt solar cell connected to a 12 volt DC solar regulator, a 1.2 kilowatt deep cycle battery and pure sine wave inverter. I can operate the solar panels in different power configuration. Still, simple wind tubrine offers a great power to cost ratio.
That’s great news. I have been reading up on alternative energy sources lately, and I am planning to have an alternative power source in the event of a grid shutdown.
I have been interested in solar for many years but, like others, lacked the financial means to get a home system. But, I boubht a roll up soalr panel and, with some head scratching, manages to find how to charge my cell phone and portable HAM radios from this ligh weight portable panel. It can be done, start small and move on from there.
Absolutely!
I have wanted to get solar for my house, but it is still too expensive for me. Mabe in 3 years I iwll check the price again and if down far enough, I will have a shot at it.
I live in a townhouse surrounded by other townhouses with a small concrete patio and very small area which I have grown herbs and a grapevine. I am retired with very fixed soc. security income. I have stored long shelf life foods and some water. What else can I do in such small quarters?
You can do several things that are low cost or no cost.
1. Buy a water purification straw.
2. Make a plan for what you are going to do in several types of emergencies…and share that plan with you next of kin.
3. Learn how to preserve food using Bell jars. Costs a little…saves a lot.
4. Store at lease 5 gal of drinking water…10 is better
5. Buy Potassium Iodide pills
6. Buy an emergency radio with a hand crank for power….store it away in a metal box if possible
7. Get some rechargeable batteries and keep them charged.
8. Store a pillow, blanket and two days of clothes in a heavy duty plastic bag.
9. Store away a pair of work gloves, basic tools (screwdrivers, pliers, duct tape, hammer, etc.)
10. Join Patriot Alliance
I *love* #10. :)
One other item I keep in my emergency preparedness package is a hand-crank flashlight. That way I don’t have to remember to rotate the batteries.
Buy a Sawyer Mini Filter. Great filter that lasts forever. I got mine through Amazon. Easy to use and clean.
Great comments! I’ve been researching since 2006 when I had our 7.4 kW solar system installed. My last net metering true-up bill for 2013 was $12.57. Yep, we pay around $1.05 a MONTH for our electricity! Wrote Power Up! book on how to do this. Am also completing my book Power Out! How to Prepare for and Survive a Grid Collapse. Been on a vertical learning curve for as long as I can remember, but oh what a wonderful education. Frank, you and your team were instrumental in getting me really charged up (literally) for creating my own microgrid. Now I know exactly what to do to ensure electricity when the grid goes silent. And it cost a LOT LESS than one would imagine. Thanks for being here for all of us.
great to see you here!
This article is encouraging, but gives no specific advice. I’ve been trying to go solar for a while. All the companies I interviewed want to put a grid-tied $35,000 system on my roof. I do not have enough income to benefit from the incentives. Have not been able to find anyone to help me design a small off grid system that I can install myself. I am not confident enough with electricity to just go ahead on my own. I am uncomfortable taking advice from people I don’t know who comment in forums. Do you have advice for the millions of people just like me? Thanks for all you do.
Maybe I should start with a modern hot water system mentioned in the article.
Not sure why you’re uncomfortable taking advice from strangers while asking another for advice. Talk to someone locally, face to face. Preferably one with experience, even if you need to pay a small consult fee.
On ebay, you can purchase 3 x 80 watt solar panels, that simple attach to a grid-tie inverter, then it’s output simple plugs directly into any AC outlet and cost under $1000. So you generate a kilowatt every four hours of sunlight.
Can you send me step by step directions on how to “hook up” the solar panels you talk about bying from ebay. Also how do I know how many kW my house uses? Do I take the average usage that is on my electric bill or should I go with whatever is listed as my largest usage month? Thank you for your time.
Hi Susan. I went solar in 2010 and what I did was take an average of my annual power usage over a period of three years and then added about 10% to come up with a system that provides all I need and a little extra.
It’s a little more complex then just knowing what you burn. You need to know what the insolation is for your location (how much sun you get) and which way your panels will be facing. True South is best. Mine face SSE as that is the way my roof areas for the arrays are facing.
Can you please give a visual example or online reference for what your suggesting?
First off, you don’t want to put expensive solar panels on roof because if national economy goes bad. that advertizes to looters that you have power. Smaller cheaper units can be found on web that can sit in back yard hidden behind fence. I first saw these units used by campers in Australia to power their campsites, run their TVs and stereos. These little 3-foot by 5-foot panels can be chained together to increase output but are portable enough to move for mowing grass. Such a system costs only a couple hundred dollars to get started and can be added to later. Since I’m unemployed, that’s the way we’re going.
By the way, I found on the web a cute little inexpensive solar box that will charge rechargeable batteries. You just stick battery in box, stick box in sun and voila, after several hours, battery is recharged.
It’s good to be skeptical of what you read on web. Lots of people giving are useless advice. Double check the info.
Additionally, to cut air conditioning bill, we’ve spent $15 at hardware store to buy tinted, reflecting film to install on window glass that gets lots of sun. It took two hours and no skills install.
Can you recommend the best “net-metering” law and agreement for use with say a local electric coop that will encourage homeowner investment in solar panels? We are working in Texas to proposed such legislation for the 2015 session of the Texas legislature.
I don’t know about “best” but I have a net metering agreement with FPL in Florida. I think these agreements are set up more in favor of the utility then the home owner who has his own power plant. FPL pays me very little for the power that I back-feed to them. I don’t think it’s very fair but that is the way it is. Another gripe I have with them is that if I wanted to go larger then 10KW I would have to carry a one million dollar insurance policy to protect the utility. I built my system to the max to stay just under that requirement. All that said, it has been nice not having an electric bill to pay each month since April of 2010.
Where can I find your book Power up . Can’t find it on the net. Thanks!
Thanks Frank every little bit info helps so keep up the good work
I live in Toronto and would like to get my house in the city solar powered. Does anyone know which company to buy these from and get them installed and cost? Greatly appreciated.
Naïve Monika
we put in a solar system about three years ago and I researched it for two years before getting into it. Made some mistakes but they were able to be fixed. Can recommend a good company ( Eco Alternent Energy) and some bad companies and a ripoff company that we found ( Rumble Energy) Call me at 705 654 1102 if you need some tips.
I have joined pear energy.They are putting wind power on the grid.Anyone can join anywhere in the US.All you do is call #1-877-969-7327.They will hook you up for no charge.There is a small mark up per unit .It was $3.23 mark up on a $45.bill.I think it is worth it and I like not having to wait to save the planet.You can find out more on there Web site http://www.pear-energy.com.We don’t have to keep supporting the Nuclear companies !!!! I hope we all do this and maybe they will shut down some of those leaky and faulty plants before they melt down,Besides they still don’t know what to do with their wast.Wind power has no wast.
Those vapor trails behind high flying air craft are vapors,they are dispencing chemicals in the atmosphere,known as chem trails,aluminum chaff so that the sun reflects from them,causing a dimming of the sun,which means less sun available to the earth. Examine Utube/chemtrails,,So much for solar energy !!! somebody do something or at least do a report
from john rivers
John, those trails behind high flying aircraft are contrails which is the water vapor in the exhaust from the jet engines freezing instantly in the sub-zero temperatures up there. If they were running chiemicals or metal particles through the engines they would eat up the turbine blades in short order. As an airline pilot for 32 yrs. I can tell you that we would never run anything through our engines that could damage them and we didn’t have any capability to dump chemicals from our aircraft. In certain atmospheric conditions the contrails don’t dissipate for a long period of time and that may be what people are calling chemtrails. When the gov’t. was seeding clouds back in the 50’s and 60’s, they used specially equipped aircraft with internal tanks and dump nozzles.
Excuse me? Where I live there are contrails and there are chemical trails. The chemical trails are distinguished by not only the long and lasting trails that dissipate into striated clouds, but by the fact that the planes that exude them go back and forth and circle the valley causing the trails to form “X” patterns in the sky. Commercial jet planes do not do this. BTW its not just aluminum particles either I have heard.
Wrong. do your research.
They are chemtrails that are dispersing large quantities of aerosol microtechnologies in the form of aluminum, barium, micro electrochemical biological products, among others. They are very harmful to health.
What is the most powerful solar generator on the market? How cost effective is it to purchase a portable solar generator, will it power a 1200 sq ft home, a refrigerator and computer if so for how long?
If cars and trucks got a 100mpg, gas WILL be $20 a gallon. If we ALL go to solar for help in reducing our energy cost, power company’s will just raise its rates and our worthless government will impose and new tax on the energy from the sun. nuf said!
be smart WE the People in our constitution we run our country so vote them politicians out. nuf said
Good idea but then who do you vote for? They all turn out the same after a while
I wish to build different things with solar panels. What online retailer is best for buying individual inexpensive solar panels?
I trust the folks at spheralsolar.com, but you may find better deals if you search around.
You have never touched on Geo Thermal.
All I can say is that it is about time!
Found the back pack on this site:
http://www.scratchtracksshop.com/NeonGreen-SoularPowers
I am very much interested and happy to see the prices going down. Had Solar Panel on roof for hotwater heater, had to disconnect as the lines sprung small leaks. Thanks for the information coming forth.
wHERE CAN YOU PURCHASE A SOLAR BACKPACK AS PICTURED
The backpack pictured is out of stock at our favorite shop, but you can do an online search to find one at a store you trust.
love to read about your ways to cut down on the prices of food and solar and thanks for the tips on cleaning water. love your information. Have told all my kids to look into your info. thanks, Melody
For clean water-( http://www.alexapure.com ) they make the best water filter cleaner.
send me more info please
Thank you Frank for keeping me informed
I live in Canada and cant seem to get my hands and eyes on Canadian Resourse and references up here…Can you extend any info regarding this Government legalities and policies with Solar????
Hello Frank
I am ready to build my 200 watt panels. Will start with 10 panels then 2 more sets of 10 each, but I would like to use these coated cells. Has anyone seem or bought any of the coated cells ??
— Have been reading about a coating put on solar cells making small dents
in cells and increasing the 90 degree contact many times, but have not
been able to find these coated cells any where to buy. Please find
these coated cells !!! This would be great to have.—
When pricing the aluminum channel very high so far $28.00 framing for 4′ x 4′ is the best I have found oh plus shipping !!! I am a sheetmetal worker, worked on airplanes and locomotives so I do know how metals work. Most likely will be using galvanized 18 gage angle iron which after all holes are drilled and angles are cut will be dipped in galvanize at least 2 times not painted ” dipped ” before being applied.
Also Frank I may be wrong but the site seems to be going in a direction of not helping people solve their alternative energy problems. Building panels or VAWM can be very exciting and new materials coming out so maybe to help people find the latest and best material may need to be looked into again.
Everyone will go solar and then our dear sweet honest abiding government will HARRP us! Make clouds hang over head for monts straight! Then what?
The government has us by the balls! And all of the above!
Well, I was excited by the email headline: 5 crucial solar survival gadgets… then the internal headline: see my Top 5 Crazy Solar Survival Gadgets….
So I dove right in to see and read as promised.
What? Nuthin! No content of interest, mostly just old stuff about solar power… no crucial, no crazy and no gadgets.
Guess I will be less excited and more ‘cautious’ on the next email.
Thanks Frank for the update. Keep em coming , as price comes down we can add to our solar energy
array.
HI, YOU SHOW A SOLAR KNAPSACK BUT DON’T TALK ABOUT IT OR HOW MUCH AND WHERE TO ORDER IT. DR JON
CHECK YOU LAND BASED PHONE LINE IF YOU HAVE ONE FOR DC VOLTAGE..MINE PUSHES 48 VOLTS DC TO 50 VOLTS DC CURRENT AT ALL TIMES..I BOUGHT A 48V DC TO 12V DC CONVERTER FOR AROUND 35$ AT http://WWW.POWERSTREAM.COM..USING THIS CONVERTER WILL DROP THE 48 VOLTS TO 12VOLTS ALLOWING YOU TO CHARGE A BANK OF BATTERIES WIRED IN A 12 VOLT SERIES..YOU CAN THEN PUT A 11O VOLT AC INVERTER AND DRAW OFF THAT TO POSSIBILTY RUN A FRIG…I HAVEN’T HOOKED ALL THIS UP YET AND ONE MIGHT NEED A 12VOLT REGULATOR IN THE LINE FROM THE CONVERTER TO THE BATTERIES TO PREVENT OVER CHARGING…THE PHONE COMPANIES ALL HAVE BACK UP GENERATORS SO IF THEY LOSE THE MAIN POWER SUPPLY YOU’LL STILL GET THE DC CURRENT FLOWING TO YOUR PHONE BOX…ALSO,WHEEL CHAIR BATTERIES HAVE EXCELLENT STORAGE AND RECHARGE LIFE SPANS..
Thats actually MUCH better advice than ANYTHING advertised by these emails like; “five crazy ways to get survival energy!” With NO REAL CONTENT WHATSOEVER!!! Thanks great idea, since I’ve already got two of t/components needed! Good stuff!
Good suggestion, and could possible reduce electric use while the phone grid is still operating.
I expect the phone grid will drop out not long after the electric grid, though, so i’m not sure it would do much good if things really do start to fall apart.
It’s a good argument for keeping a land line, as I have, since the landlines will be operating well after the cell phone towers give up the ghost. I also keep a cheap, old-fashioned phone that doesn’t require 110-volt power to operate. Very handy in power outages, where the phones still usually work, and it may buy me extra hours, or days, of contact with friends or relatives before everything goes down. Probably a rotary-type phone is ideal, and I’ve been looking for one at yard sales. It should work longer than the push-button ones.
If you have a good sense of rhythm and know how it works, you can “rotary-dial” any land-line phone by rhythmically pressing the switch-hook. Back in the 60s, some of us piano players& drummers got pretty good at this to defeat the old locking devices on rotary phones. To dial “5,” you just pump the hook five times quickly & evenly, pause, then do the next number. It’s actually faster than the rotary dial.
Hello Frank
I do believe I have all the skills necesary to build a system. But I have other holdups at this time,
keep me posted. Have you made anything new available on power 4 patriots webbsite. I have not
visited it in about a month.
Thank you
Hello Frank
I do like all the solar panel building info. Will be building panels soon. VAWM will be first 4 of them. Looking for ready made turbin fans with no luck yet. And do have my plans to build my turbin fans if I do not find what I want.
Oh a note, for “on grid” with batteries system the inverter needs to be ” Island Protected ” This will be an auto cut off for your system if power grid fails. Believe me no one wants to be up a pole with power turned on and not know this fact. Been there, done that, not fun !!!
Have been reading about a coating put on solar cells making small dents in cells and increasing the 90 degree contact many times, but have not been able to find these coated cells any where to buy. Please find these coated cells !!! This would be great to have.
On the solar hot water, how is the water kept hot for showers until 11:00 pm ??? Enough for 4 showers. Would need a big insulated tank or underground tank. None of the solar hot water heaters I have looked at will do 4 showers. Could be I have not seen the ones that will do 4 showers any links would be great.
Thank You
Hi Frank,
Lets just say that there is an EMP in America’s future. All those solar panels would just be fired electronics on a rooftop in an EMP’s aftermath. Now if you have a solar generator with panels enclosed in a faraday cage you have power when no one else has power. There is no noise from a gas powered generator that would give away the fact that you have power at a time when no one else it. A faraday cage can be as simple and as easy as a galvanized steel trashcan lined with wood, or rubber or even cloth so that the inside electronics do not touch the outside skin of the trashcan.
Now I know all the doomsday naysayers will say this is going over board but you have many preps yourself. Your just in case scenarios include seat belts fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. You have hand rails on your stairs and many other safety features built into your home and workplace. So many safety features in fact that you probably could not identify them all. So a solar generator is just another ‘just in case’ prevention item that would help in an emergency.
Quick notes. They make small folding hand truck (dollies) that easily fit into the trunk of your car. If you have a heavy bug out bag in there and are not in that great a shape your bug out bag can be put on the this small hand truck and pulled along.
If all power goes out and you have a wood stove for heat then consider getting a two man saw for cutting more wood and falling trees after the power stays out you can resupply your wood pile and it beats an axe for many wood cutting jobs. they are available at ‘traditional wood worker’ and other sites that sell saws and woodworking supplies.
Stock up on canning lids, matches, tin boxes (small faraday cages for electronics), and GMRS or FRS radios. The radios would be the only communications that would work after an EMP. CBs would work too but they all must be protected in a lined steel or metal container. Get more than just a set for yourself, get some for the neighbors too it take s a village to survive. You can say good -bye to short wave because the repeaters would go down fast in an EMP.
God bless all
Bob
WOW A LITLE OVERBOARD THERE MY FRIEND. SOLAR PANELS HAVE A GROND. DICONECT THAT GROUND AND COVER YOUR SLOAR PANELS WITH THAT REFLECTIVE SAFTEY , SPACE BLANKETS. DISCONNECT YOU CAR BATTRY. THEN COVER THE TREMINALS WITH ELECTRICAL TAPE AND CONNECT A JUMPER CABLE TO THE POSTIVE CABLE END AND GROUNG IT TO THE CONCREATE.. COVER YOUR BATERY WITH FOIL. UNPLUG ALL YOU ELECTRICAL OUTLETS. IF WE GET HIT BY AN EMP, KISS YOUR ASS GOOD BYE. IT MAY TAKE YEARS BEFORE WE EVEN GET BACK TO NORMAL. FEMA , MILITARY WILL COME IN AND WE WILL ALL END UP IN CONTAINMENT CAMPS. IF YOUR SICK AND OLD , YOUR GOING TO BE PUT IN A PLACE TO DIE WITH THE OTHERS. IN CALIFORNIA THE CLOSET PLACE TO LIVE IN THE WILD IS SEQOYA NATIONAL PARK. YOU WILL NEED A CAVE , SO YOUR FIRE WON’T ATTRACK YOUR WHERE ABOUTS. YOUR GOING TO HAVE TO BE RAMBO, IF YOU WANT TO LIVE.
Hi Frank
just wanted to mention how much I appreciate the ongoing info you take the time to send out.
I do feel guilty though because after receiving the kit and after all the ongoing information, I still have not made a move.I was really excited a few months back when I was introduced to a local guy that has all the information on stack wall and earth ship housing, as well as building solar panels and has the experience to install a complete system. Unfortunately he ran into money problems and couldn’t even pay me for the machine work on a project we had started. I shall reconvene.
Anyways Thanks again for all your free knowledge.
Several things, first, good work on all this information.
Second, you CAN connect a home power system (solar, or what ever) to the grid! HOWEVER, there MUST be a disconnect (automatic) [also known as a transfer switch] to isolate your power generation from the grid if the grid goes down! (Obvious – Safety and other considerations. You probably couldn’t generate enough power to power-up the whole neighborhood being one such consideration!) Those things are not cheap, and must be installed/inspected by a licensed electrician, and signed-off on by your local power company before it can be connected to the mains (grid.)
All that being said, I cheated when I had my house built! I had some extra (low voltage, 12 V DC) wiring installed to provide emergency lights in the house should (when) the grid goes down. These were 12 V automotive style lamp assemblies powered by the battery side of a small UPS box. (It was a small 350 W single battery style like many people use to run their computers for a few minutes when the power fails.) A small 120 V relay run off the 120 mains power would light the lamps when the relay drops out due to mains loss. I have receintly added to this system by removing the UPS and going to a solar bank and multiple battery packs. I also added 12 V camper style CFL’s in several locations (like the top of the stairs – they really do light the area up in the dark!) Some of them are wired into their own light switches, that way they are not on full time when the power goes down, only when I want them on. [As a side note: IF you are at all knowledgeable about (12 V) battery systems and are handy with tools (and own your own home) you should be able to do that wiring yourself. Because it does not in any way connect to the mains (120/240 V a/c) you should not have to get that part inspected.]
I also have a generator that has it’s own set of circuit breakers, wiring/outlets that ARE NOT connected into the mains in any way. No transfer switch, I have to manually transfer anything to be powered by the generator from the mains outlets to the generator outlets, [which are a different color and labeled!] but it makes for a much less expensive system as there is no need for a transfer switch, an electrician to wire it in and therefore no need for an inspector! [It goes without saying that everything that is done must be by the NEC CODE, and yes there are codes for both AC and DC wiring.]
The newer solar panels that have built in micro inverters do need to be connected to the grid to provide power. However, if you can disconnect from the mains (see my earlier statement above) you can have an additional battery and inverter connect in on YOUR side of the disconnect and ‘fool’ the solar panels/inverter system into going back into power production mode. It is because of this limitation on most of the newer comercially made systems, that I did not go that route.
I did get some solar panels from Harbor Freight, for about $160 for 3 15 W = a 45 W setup. With the panels also came a charge controler and (2) 12 V CFL’s. That makes it less than $4 a Watt and for the complete set up! Your own labor count as free, doesn’t it?
Thanks for the “Heads up” Frank,
I’m VERY curious regarding the availability/price of “flex cells”, new types of storage batteries, “solar backpacks” and specific sources for same. I’m trying to plan/purchase a suitable/affordable PORTABLE system for my present location that can also be reasonably transported to my future location. I will greatly appreciate any help/advice you would be able to give me.
I have a source for 5 gal. completely sealable buckets that I am thinking of making into capacitors for electrical storage. Cheaper than batterys and a lot less maintenance and weight. Any info on that type of system.
Thanks
Not something I have looked into, Grant.
Thanks Frank
I’m new at all this info that I’ve been collecting, and have got my 4Patriots manual, but am over whelmed with all the new stuff that comes out daily. For I was in the process of ordering some cells to build my solar panels when I get e-mails on flex cells that put out more watts than the ones I was ordering. Can you give me some advice on which way I should go.
I’m not worried about survival especially at my age. I figure that if the time comes that we have to go underground or fight the government, all is lost anyway. Who wants to live in a world of nothing but dust and ashes. Pretty sad.
I would however like to do my part to save the planet. Seems like that would be a much more worth while cause. I’m really interested in reducing my carbon foot print and helping others to do the same.
If you believe, God made us stweards of the earth. If you dont believe, the same is true, It’s time we as humans took responsibility for the planets survival. It’s the only one we have.
You are so right .Right now the prohibiting factor is cost .When you think about it with solar or wind power you could charge your elect batteries on a elect. car plus take care of all your house hold .What would poor arabia and eastern countries do if we no longer needed their oil . The wars would probably stop ,no need to fight for oil.The poor elect. companies would have to scale back and that would be so sad lol. It is coming .When tv came out it was expensive but now most homes have two or three and counting .The low hills are dotted with wind turbines around here.People just take them for granted now . Turbines for a home are basically the same except much smaller.. ken
It’s all great but you forgot to consider the bands robbing you of your goods. Getting off the grid is more than just putting items away for a rainy day. What you have others are going to want. Can you defend yourself? This is also an issue. Where do you get your reloads for you weapons. Your gonna have to make them. Let’s don’t put our heads in the sands, just think of the times when you have seen a revolution and the looting going on.
ALL RELOADING EQUIPMENT AND EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO RELOAD HAS BEEN BANNED IN CALIFORNIA. NO ONE HAS ANY THING. POWDER , WHEN THEY GET IT WILL ONLY BE SOLD TO PEOPLE WITH A CERTIFICATE AND AN FFL TO BUY RELOADING EQUIPMENT. THEN YOU ON THE RADAR. FROM WHAT I HEAR IN CA. , IS ONLY GUN RETAILERS WILL BE ABLE TO RELOAD AND SHOOTING RANGES. ALRAEDY A BAG OF 50 ROUNDS AT THE RANGE COST $24.00 FOR 9MM AND IT’S 28.00 FOR 45 ACP. RANGE TIME IS $20.00 AND HOUR AND WHEN ITS BUSY THEY COME AND GET YOU TO PACK UP AND LEAVE. REALLY SUCKS HERE.
I have had a solar backpack for about 6 years. I got it for my daughters trip to Europe (for charging cellphone and iPod). One of the nice things is that it even works off indoor lighting.
Please let me know where to buy the back pack with the solar panel…thank you
How about any true electric power generators that can provide household electric energy
directly, without much conversion systems and are much less space occupying.
I just bought a 7000 watt propane powered generator for backup and am currently setting up my lunch wagon to work on solar/inveror,generator duty. My lunch wagon will be convertible to living /survival duty when needed. I would like to see some options for solar hot water storage. Also, what type of batteries are best for storage to be used for 2500 watt intermittent demand such as cooking and coffee machine operation.
I haven’t built my house yet, but still have your instruction kit. I was wondering if the instructions willl be obsolete what with all the recent changes going on. Please address this possible situation soon. I love the thought of getting less expensive power available!
A highly interested friend,
Gloria Swayze ([email protected])
We had solar hot water 30 years ago with a system from
Australia.. It had a fail safe freeze feature that worked and “free” hot water . It was connected to the regular hot water system so you got really hot water even on cloudy days. The water came in at 80+ even in the winter so the tank had ahead start on getting the temp to 120* We had an all electric house and it cut the electric bill in half.
27 years ago we installed 4 5×10 solar H20 panels at a cost of $10k. We got solar credits and it
was great for about 3 years. We live in hard H20 country and it wasn’t long before the units packed it up due to mineral deposits. We also have low producing wells so soft H20 system is out. Got any
suggestions? As for solar electrical systems, I’m glad to hear the price is way down and will get to
that when we renovate the older house we will be moving to. Have you heard about flake grafite and
the process for battery and other applcations? Check it out.
Thanks for the the great news Looks like within a couple of years the common man will be able to afford to have Solar. Please keep up the great work.
well i think most houses should have it.I have got 40% of my house on solar and garage has wind mill ,and i live in town. Keep up the info.Like new ideas.
keep the data coming. Knowledge IS Power.
I want info without being forced to buy, buy, buy
Your cover picture inspired me- A solar powered backpack. Walk west from sun-up till noon and walk east from noon till sun down charging the battery to light up your life for the next hour.
I like the idea of having solar panels on other than glass cells – printed on other material. I think clothing, cars, houses, hats, all can be used to catch and utilize solar energy. The materials being used are innovative and I look forward to seeing the development of this tech.
Diann Dirks, Permaculture Designer, Georgia
Anyone who is “on the grid” CANNOT install their own panels.
An electric supplier of “on grid” energy WILL NOT approve ANY system
that does not have a UL APPROVED label.
Thank you, more info the better!
Hi,
I live in Western North Carolina. There are countless cascades and waterfalls in our area and no
companies who can engineer a microhydro generation system. Do you have any resources for these sytems. Everything seems to be ” Seat of the pants”
Regards,
MJ
keep the info coming-much appreciated!
II will be 85 years old on May 14th . I am not able to do most of things that i did in the past so I will not be doing anything with solar panels. Thank you.
We live out in New Mexico and have found homes that use volcanic rocks for their water heating…you put the tubes in between the black rocks and they heat up during the day from the sun and warm the water…remember anything that will draw the heat in from the sun will work but the volcanic rock is great…can also build it so that you have enough room for plants and double it as a greenhouse.
John — We have a solar system linked to our on grid connection. When we questioned adding battery storage we were told — NOT unless we completely disconnect from the grid. The reason for this is the possibility of backflow of energy to the utility lines while they are being worked on/repaired by company employees. It is a safety issue. Eventually we will add battery storage capabilities, BUT not have it fully connected until we have the utility company disconnect their lines.
We went solar – on grid several years ago & estimated a 5- 8 yr payback – and as time progresses and it seems we are going to get our payback in 5 yrs or less!
Solar hot water systems ROI is immediate and significant.
Edmund Scientific is still chugging along. I get e-mail ads from them occsioanlly.
Frank
I have a whole home solar system on my home that is connected to my local power company. Could I convert my system to battery back up and leave the grid altogether ?
tecnology goes up, price goes down. what a concept!
also where can I get a solar backpack or just maybe the flexible solar panels
thanks Cynthia
hi Frank just wanted to say keep up the good work we’re all counting on you thanks Cynthia
What About the Nickle Batteries made in Montana. Are they as good as they say they are?
The Nickel batteries or Edison cell batteries do have an extremely long life. However, like most things there are some catches. The Edison cell batteries are very costly, they have low energy density per weight (they weight more per kW/hr than many other newer technologies) and they have a high self discharge rate (they will loose a charge quickly sitting by themselves). If long battery life is your main concern, then the Edison cell is a really good technology.
thanks again frank, great article, dave
i really like the solar backpack how much do the cost ? and can i buy just the flexable solar panels ? thanks .
Thanks for the information. I am wanting to get off of the electrical company’s power sorce. It may take a while but went I get the extra money I plan on trying. Keep up the good work. James
Interested in batteries that can be recharged by solar
P4P Folks,
I’ve been wanting to purchase some collector panels to begin building my system. I’d be interested in knowing where other members have gathered their supplies, anyone specifically? We live in a rural community so we’ll be ordering off the web.
Thanks
Frank,
I have a solar system that is about 10 yrs old, i would like to add a battery back up system to it, ant ideas on where to start? Also my panels only produce 110 watts, where the new ones are double that,would it make sense to convert some of the panels or can i add more and install another inverter?
Better late than never. It seems the US must be slapped in the face before we awaken to reality.The grid mongers may not realize that their customers have roofs for collectors to feed into the system. It takes a total grid failure before they realize that the equipment is obsolete. Just what kind of rope are they smoking?
I find it strange that just when the government incentives are going away for solar the solar price starts dropping. Someone getting rich off of the artificially inflated costs and bringing them down so that the total cost out of pocket is about the same. With the lower costs and the government incentives I might have been able to go solar but its still too expensive. I just called a solar company and what they could offer me came to about 14 cents per KWH which is still too expensive for me. I need to get it down to about 11 cents before I can buy. I’m still working on trying to make my own solar panel but not too happy that I can’t connect to the house because its a home built system. I don’t want to have power cords all over the house and I’m not an exectrician so I can’t turn certain rooms into solar rooms and can’t offord to pay someone to do it for me. I would love to stick it to PG&E here in CA since they are robbing people blind.
Frank,thanks for this info.Keep up the good work! I’m all about options. The more,that much the better. Thanks again from an old Boy Scout! We like being prepared as much as possible.
I am planning move,or surely solar on my mobile >>
I watched the video on the EMP danger. It’s very true that humanity is inventing itself into disaster, but I believe that we of deep faith in God and the salvation He gave us through His Son, Jesus will be okay whatever happens. I don’t fear death or things I cannot change, but am concerned for those who do fear. I’m a practical person preparing for what I can control and know that God is in control of nations in His world and our future. The most important thing is to have one’s heart and soul ready for eternity. One of the most important reading sources to add
to the survival list is the Bible.
In Christ,
Mary
As always, Frank, good advice and thanks for helping to keep us/me up to date. I still am working on my solar panels. Things have slowed alittle now, here in the snowy north country, but I am chugging along. The whole plan is that I will have everything ready to go for when the ground unfreezes. Then I can get the mount and structures in the ground, run the wiring, and start charging batteries.
thanks for everything!!!!!!!!!
There was a product called a fresnel lens made by Edmund Scientific Co. in Barington,NJ many years ago. The business closed but I remember mounting this thin plastic lens that worked like a giant magnifying glass and I melted copper pennies with it. A thermal couple heated by it produced power.
Where can I buy parts to build a solar generator?
survivor solar break through was a great article. I have been sharing all the solar and suvival info with my son. He and his wife are very interested in solar power. Keep the latest developments in solar technology coming. Thanks
Sorry all – I linked to the wrong article! Top 5 solar gadgets are here:
http://patriotheadquarters.com/test/5-crazy-solar-survival-gadgets/
So WHERE are the 5 crazy solar survival gadgets???
I clicked on every single link and can’t find any.
Only a picture of what looks like a solar powered back pack?!?
I would like to know the diference of a good efecient system and a worthles one by name & manufacterur as well as the price of systems for aplications of practical home owner power usage. Norm H.
Aloha Frank,
I bought the whole lock,stock and barrels for Power4Patriots and was very disappointed when I went to your online store to buy parts to build the wind generators and the store was empty. It would of been nice to have been able to buy the arbors,hubs,blades and DC motors off of the website since you DO have a online store. Sounds crazy???
But don’t you worry Uncle Frank,there are still people in this world much smarter than you still. I bought my parts piece by piece on ebay and built two wind generators that are now sitting right next to me on my lanai, spinning like crazy and charging both of my battery banks. Then during the daylight hours,both my wind generators and all of my solar panels keeps my battery banks fully charged for when we have those tsunamis,five in the last three years here in Hawaii. Plus I have a solar backpack and a power station backpack to keep all of my cell phones charged up. I even bought a mini USB cable and cut off one end to add a adapter to charge up my HT handheld Ham radios too. I also turned a small Stanley toolbox into a power go kit for mobile use also. I am able to charge up my Cree flashlights and everything you can think of. It’s disappointing though that it would of been that much easier if that darn online store of yours wasn’t such a bust though. That hardbound copy of your P4P is still worth keeping in my go bag but I believe that was the only thing you got right that I can see so far. I don’t hide my identity and you are welcome to contact me with excuses for your shortcomings. I have to force myself but…Aloha!
I’m sorry to say Jim but if you cannot follow the directions that were given on the CD that you get initially on ordering this program the gentleman that is putting the solar panel together is very straightforward and leaves very little too question, If you are having trouble it would not do you any good to attempt to take it to court if you are intelligent enough to see that through then you are intelligent enough to find a neighbor who is mechanically inclined that may be able to walk you through your first assembly and then you would have Hopefully picked up the skills to assemble one your self! With the exception of which direction to install the diode the solar panel is very straightforward and it’s design and instructions in the video Therefore I am assuming that you have no technical skills, How ever these can be developed with the help of someone who has a basic understanding. I am sorry I am not trying to be hard on you but you need to take a look at yourself in this situation. If you had the money and the finance I would be happy to work with you and teach you how to do it, That and disability is the only thing slowing me down or I would start an assembly line to create numerous power cells and windmills. Good luck and relax it will come to you if you really want it! God bless!
i a
m building a house in a 3ard world county. i need solal ele.
hey where are the Top 5 Crazy Solar Gadgets ? ? ?,,,,,,,,,
how do i get one????
I have the packet for “Power4Patriots” but, it beyond my scope. Is there anyway that we can buy all that a person needs to just assemble from your sources. I do not have the ability to figure this all out on my own.
Jim Miller
951-657-5887
That’s interesting news Frank! I haven’t built any of the project I purchased from you–maybe the next iteration of personal power tech is just around the bend and will be easier!
I heard a commercial on the Alex Jones podcast 12/10/12 I think, about boiling water without power, but didn’t note the advertiser. Thought of it, looking at the image you’re using on your post, wondering if that’s how it’s done.
Thanks for keeping up with the latest tech and sharing :)
Ceci
I’m very interested in this Power system, I have purchase the solar program and would like to go into business. Do you have any programs that would help finance this opportunity. Send it ..
For your amusement, might check out out Solar Heliostat project for concentrating thermal energy
the bits & pieces can be seen here starting about 45 min into this link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fl8bziqjlPM
we are gearing up to MFG now for spring.
Regards Peter
I bought my 260 watt american made solar panels from Ebay seller fred480v.
Hi,
First comment been with you for awhile like your input on off grid living. I own a home I am needing to do a few things to so we can move into for retirement a new roof is one of them. I was wondering if there is a way to price compare a solar shingle setup. One side gets so much sun it burns the shingles in 8-10 years and the other 3 sides don’t get that much sun. Is it possible to just solar that side and not the other 3? I am living 300 miles away from the house now and renting so it will be a little while before i am ready to move into it but i am already getting hot water and anything else i can off grid for the savings for retirement. I know there are a lot of ways to store energy the big money people won’t allow to be released yet but give time and some will be told. Some won’t go for a patent on product for the problems it brings from the money mongrels. well good typing to ya have a awesome day and I’ll keep reading.
WE REALIZE THAT YOU ARE A COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE AND WE LOVE IT. WE WANT YOU TO DO WELL AND MAKE MONEY DOING IT. JUST DON’T STOP. I WISH I HAD THE WHEREWITHALL TO HELP. THANKS
The Xsunx website is Xsunx.com if you are interested.
Its about time were can i get solor at a price a home oner can aford we are held up to have to by power a high prices and the jist get richer on or backs
There is a startup company Xsunx that is about to liscense a alternative to silicon cells with the intent of making solar panel costs even lower-perhaps $1/watt. Exciting stuff indeed.
Where is the best place to buy solar panels?
Well, I’m a bit disappointed. The enticement was “Top 5 Crazy Solar Survival Gadgets”…. I didn’t see mention of a single solar survival gadget in the above blog. Maybe I missed something.
It’s great to hear a bout the new advances in energy. Would like to know where the information on the Dow solar panels and solar thermal heating can be obtained. ie web address. tks//des
thanks so much for keeping us all updated on the latest and best solar components that are available or that soon will be available. I’m VERY interested in solar shingles…how cool is THAT???
check out ‘greenpowerscience.com’
Does any body know how much individual panels cost. I am referring to the smaller ones (.5 volt) that make a complete panel
Tommy have you looked at http://www.spheralsolar.com/categories/Solar-Panels-and-Cells/? I really trust the site owner (he answers my tech questions when I have them.)