As we continue to see news reports about power outages, rolling blackouts, and increasing shortages of fuel, it is important to be prepared in case one or more of these occur here in the United States as well as abroad.
Power outages can easily put stress on those that are unprepared. People may not have adequate supplies ready so they cannot function properly during the outage. Businesses may also suffer due to lack of electricity which could potentially hurt their productivity and income.
Gasoline becomes increasingly expensive due to its limited supply and rising demand. Running your car without gasoline will definitely test your patience!
While there is nothing you can do about gas prices outside of changing how much you use, being prepared with food and water is crucial to your survival. Luckily, having solar panels is an affordable way to start prepping.
With this article, I would like to talk about why investing in solar energy is a worthy addition to any serious prepper’s toolbox. We will look at some benefits of installing a panel system, and learn some easy ways to get started while still spending within budget.
Why Is It Important To Be Energy Independent?
Energy independence means living beyond our country’s borders financially by producing our own energy. This can mean anything from growing your own vegetables or fruits to planting trees or roofs covered in photovoltaic cells (or even buying a portable battery pack!).
What should I look for when buying solar panels?
One of the most important things to consider while looking at solar panel models is their warranty. You want to make sure that you have coverage in case something goes wrong!
Most companies will offer a one-year limited warranty on their equipment, with some offering two years. These warranties are usually complete coverage on the products manufacturing or circuitry parts, not just installation. Some go up to five years as well.
These warranties vary per company and depend on who you buy your gear from. It is very rare to get a bad product unless it was manufactured improperly so do research and read reviews to find the best quality ones.
Solar panel price comparisons.
All solar panels are not created equal! There are many different brands that offer similar features, but some may be slightly better than others in how well they perform under heavy use. Performance differences can range from few watts to high wattage systems depending on what you need them to do.
Some things like quality matter! We recommend buying an off-the-shelf system from a trusted brand such as SunPower or Panasonic. Systems made by these companies have been tested and will work for you.
We also recommend getting at least a 1 kilowatt (1,000 Watt) system. This is enough power for most people’s daily needs including powering a laptop, smartphone, and other small electronics. A lot of vendors sell smaller panels, but we don’t feel they are quite robust enough yet.
A one kw system cost around $200 – 250 dollars installed, so it is worth your money to look into this up front before choosing a manufacturer.
Solar panel quality comparisons.
Due to their durable nature, solar panels are one of the most popular ways to gather energy from the sun. There are many different brands that offer various levels of efficiency in solar powered products.
Just like any other piece of equipment, what kind of performance you get will depend on how well made it is!
There are several factors including material type, cell density, and manufacturing process that can make a big difference in how efficient your solar panel is.
It is very important to know which types of panels are more efficient so that you are picking a good source of power. Here we will discuss some things about each type of solar panel and why they may not be the best option for your needs.
We will also talk about some basic ratings of common solar panel types.
Does my location affect solar panel performance?
Even though it may seem like there is not enough sun to power your home during an emergency, this isn’t necessarily the case. Some areas get less sunlight but still have enough energy from diffuse light (sunlight that does not directly hit the surface you want to use) to function as a source of electricity.
By using appropriate solar panels and batteries, you can make sure your house has constant access to power even if there is no direct sunlight. This way you don’t need to worry about running out of electricity at any time!
Does your area receive very little sunshine throughout most of the year? Then investing in solar panels might be cost-effective when compared with buying grid-powered generators.
Can I repair solar panels?
Even if you are not very technology savvy, there is nothing wrong with buying new ones! Most major retailers now offer complete kits that include both workman like products and equipment needed to install them. These typically do not cost more than $1,000 and usually come with easy-to-follow instructions.
Many people have successfully installed their own PV system so even if you are not skilled in doing it yourself, you can still enjoy all of the benefits they provide! Plus, many local vendors and individuals sell individual parts online or at low prices, making it possible to build your own panel from scratch as well.
Solar power has become increasingly affordable due to manufacturing efficiencies and competition in the market. It is never too late to start investing in this efficient energy source! If you are looking to be prepared in case of an emergency, consider adding some clean energy to your stockpile.
Are solar panels safe to use?
While there have been some reports of bad cells that need to be replaced, most manufacturers will quickly replace them. Even if you get poor quality panels, they are usually covered by warranties.
Solar panel companies actively monitor their products so if one does break down, it will often not matter since it is being fixed or replaced.
Most importantly, unlike many other types of equipment, solar power does not run out! It is constantly producing energy as long as sunlight can illuminate it. Once it reaches its end-of-life, someone else can choose to purchase it and continue using it.
So while it is true that cheap solar may not perform well, expensive solar definitely will! This means even though it may cost more upfront, in the long run you will save money due to lower utility bills.
General rules about buying solar include: make sure it is manufactured properly, check reviews, and buy from a seller with a good reputation.
What should I know before I purchase solar panels?
Even though it seems like most people have them, not everyone does! There are some very important things you need to consider before buying your first panel system.
Most importantly, make sure you’re getting a quality product. You want to be sure that everything is professionally done so that it will last.
Also, look into how much power each panel can produce in one month depending on the sun intensity. Most manufacturers list this information but some don’t. Make sure you know what watts equals 1 watt hour!
Don’t buy more than you need at first because even expensive solar products lose part of their efficiency when they overheat. It would be better to get slightly less powerful ones and work from there.
Will my solar panels pay for themselves?
Even though it sounds like a very expensive investment, most experts agree that this is not the case with solar power. In fact, many say that your electricity will be more expensive without them!
Most energy companies offer special services to help you get started investing in green energy. These are usually through lower monthly payments or zero up front costs. This way, even if you never use all of the energy produced by your panel system, you still come out ahead!
In addition to these cost-cutting benefits, there are also tax incentives for buying and using greener energy sources. The government offers several different credits and deductions for those who use renewable energy.