In an effort to help our environment, there is a growing trend of individuals and companies switching off or using less power in their daily lives. This is particularly true during times when energy is scarce, such as during a natural disaster.
By reducing your energy use at this time, you can contribute slightly towards preservation of our planet’s air quality and water supply. You can also show some self-respect!
Fortunately, we all have access to one almost free source of energy that can be used for effective disaster preparedness. That energy source is the sun.
This article will go into more detail about how to utilize solar energy for disaster preparation, but first let us discuss why it is important to do so.
Store your food
In case of an emergency, you will want to know how to survive without electricity or fuel to cook with. Luckily, most preppers recommend storing at least a one year supply of nonperishable foods that can be eaten without special equipment or sources of light.
Some tips are needed to ensure this process goes as smoothly as possible. The first is to only buy enough for a month, even if you have a lot of food now. A month’s worth of supplies is what everyone should have in their inventory.
You do not need more than that, but it is good to have some extra just in case something happens and you run out before the end of the month. This way you will still have some food left and you can replenish your stock then.
Another tip is to organize your food by type. Grains, canned goods, dried fruits and vegetables – these all last different lengths of time so buying them in appropriate proportions helps preserve the shelf life of the food.
Just because there is plenty of water does not mean you cannot get thirsty. Investing in a small water bottle collection is a great way to keep yourself hydrated.
Have a plan for when the power goes out
After all, we’re talking about an energy source that does not require any fuel to work! You can use solar energy in so many ways, including as a means of self-power. When the situation is right, you can help yourself or someone else by powering something suchas a device or service.
You may have heard about people who used UV light after a hurricane to restore their water supplies. Or how some survivors took advantage of sunlight to do dry cleaning or cook food.
These are just a few examples of how you can use photovoltaic (PV) technology to preserve life during a disaster. If you know what types of devices contain PV, how to install them, and how to use them, then it is important to be prepared.
It will give you one more tool for staying safe and living through the crisis.
Practice your natural disaster plan
One of the most important things you can do in preparation for any kind of natural or man-made calamity is to practice your emergency plan.
This way, when catastrophe actually happens, you will know what to do instinctively without having to think about it.
The more time you spend thinking through and practicing your emergency plans, the better prepared you will be!
You should include yourself as part of this process – how many times have you thought about what would happen if the house was destroyed? Or how often have you considered what you would do if you lost all communication devices?
These are very real possibilities so why not consider them parts of your emergency plan?
If needed, you could always take extra food supplies with you or create additional food at home to ensure your family has enough nutrition even after the initial devastation.
Solar power is an efficient source of energy that does not depend on electricity coming from the grid, which may not exist following a crisis. It also doesn’t need fuel, making it an incredible resource to have in your back pocket.
With these tips, I hope you’ll start exploring ways to use solar power to help keep yourself and those around you safe and energized during and after a major disaster.
Consider a solar power generator
In addition to having direct use as electricity, many people have used solar energy to help mitigate disaster damage. These are typically referred to as solar power generators or battery storage systems.
Most importantly, these devices can provide very useful electrical power to those that need it!
Solar powered batteries work by using photovoltaic cells to convert light into electric current. Technically speaking, this is not “solar” energy since there is no fuel (gas or liquid) involved but some refer to it as solar-powered because it is generated from the sun.
Photocatalytic materials such as titanium oxide work by breaking down heavier elements like water or methane in the air into more basic components. Because of this, they create free electrons which flow when an external source applies pressure – like sunlight.
These electrons then get stored either in a separate cell called a counter electrode or within the same one we mentioned earlier. When you connect the electrodes together with a load, the device uses these stored electrons to supply power!
Experts recommend keeping an eye out for solar powered rechargeable batteries that feature at least 5% efficiency. A lower number means less efficient energy generation while higher numbers indicate better quality panels.
A beginner friendly option is to try making your own thin film photovoltaic cells! You can find lots of great resources and tutorials online.
Connect your devices to the battery
One of the biggest things that can get destroyed in an emergency is power! All too often, people are left with no way to connect their phone, computer, or other device to source power to function.
If you’re one of these people, do not panic! There are many ways to stay connected during a major disaster. Luckily, there are several easy ways to make sure your loved ones are never disconnected again!
We will go over some tips here that may be used separately or all at once depending on your situation and what type of smartphone you have.
Consider using solar panels
With all of the disasters we have discussed, it is important to be prepared in any situation. One way to do this is by investing in solar power.
Solar energy can help you stay well-equipped during times of disaster. It helps lower your electric bill at night when demand is up and there are no facilities staying powered overnight.
You will also get paid back for some of what you purchase the panel system to function. Most systems come with an incentive program that rewards you for producing electricity from the sun!
There are many different types of solar products that people use to make their homes or businesses completely free of utility company supplied power. These include panels, batteries, cables, and more.
Store water
Even if you have a source of electricity, your house will quickly run out of water if you are not prepared. Thankfully, there are many easy ways to store water so that you do not need electricity to survive.
The easiest way to begin is by buying an inexpensive 5 gallon bucket with lid. These can be picked up at most stores or online sellers. Once you have this, get one 1-gallon jug per person. This should be enough drinking water for one person per day!
For more advanced preppers, getting a larger pottery bowl or ceramic plate would work better. These bowls hold less liquid than normal pots, but they are much safer in a disaster as it cannot break like a regular pot could.
These dishes are also affordable and may already have lids which help keep the water safe from contamination. Having these ahead of time will aid in dry times after a crisis.
Tell your family about your plan
After ensuring you have enough food and water, informed yourself of what resources are needed after an earthquake or hurricane, and gathered all important documents, now is time to start thinking about how to power your home.
Many people begin their preparation by buying new appliances that use less energy. Unfortunately, this may not be the best way to conserve energy if you do not have access to these appliances later. By investing in solar powered devices before a disaster, you will never need to worry about electricity being unavailable again!
Most major retailers offer low-interest credit cards with monthly renewable energy plans. Some even allow you to put in your house as a backup generator!
By having back up power, you can stop worrying about losing power completely. This also helps ensure that your loved ones are able to stay connected, especially important when helping someone recover from trauma.
Your house will still receive some power coming off of the grid, but only for certain things like small lights and telephones.