Photovoltaic panels are the consumer’s choice. With the price of carbon-based fuels on the rise, the power companies that rely on fuels such as coal and oil to generate the bulk of their electricity have been forced to raise their rates; subsequently, homeowners are now opting for solar power to satisfy their electricity needs. Photovoltaic systems are popular with homeowners because the energy is free and recent technological advances have reduced the initial cost of these systems.
A typical stand-alone system consists of solar panels and or a small wind turbine to generate electricity connected to a charge controller which controls the pace at which batteries are recharged which is connected the battery bank. You will then need an off-grid inverter to convert the DC (Direct Current) electricity stored in the battery bank to AC (Alternating Current) electricity which is more commonly used in home appliances. Continue reading Planning an Off-Grid Electric System→
Blue Pacific Solar, a national organization and online web store for portable solar products, off-grid solar kits and pre-wired power centers is now offering a new line of solar chargers. Goal zero Yeti is a compact portable emergency battery or off-grid power kit. Whether you’re working and playing off-grid or experiencing a power outage, the Yeti 1250 Kit offers the power to get it done. Silent, safe, and easy to use indoors or out. Clean, self-sustaining power generation from wall, car, or sun. Continue reading Yeti Portable Emergency Battery, The Power to Get it Done→
The Midnite Solar Classic 150 MPPT battery charge controller substantially increases the flexibility, features and range currently found on all other MPPT controllers. The Midnite Solar Classic is the only MPPT controller that has arc fault detection, making this solar controller the safest controller available and a Hyper VOC feature. The solar consultants at Blue Pacific Solar love specifying Midnite solar products, well frankly because they are American Made, are designed for the most durable off-grid conditions and they work. With the Classic 150 ranging up to 96 amps, the Classic 200, 79 amps and the Classic 250, 63 amps, why would you need any other controller? Continue reading Midnite Solar Classic MPPT 150 Charge Controller→
Produce and store your own power, defy grid outages and blackouts or simply be independent from the utility power grid and conventional energy supply. With SMA off-grid systems technology you can set up a solar off-grid power supply with a few clicks of the mouse. Grid interactive and off grid solar both with battery backup provide cost-effective solution guaranteeing a stable power distribution grid at all times. Continue reading Self-sufficient with Off-Grid Solar Power→
For me, the Thanksgiving holiday started on Wednesday with a trip to our mountain cabin. I spent all day cleaning the off-grid cabin because although it was only my kids and husband and I that would be here for Thanksgiving, why do it in a dirty cabin? Our cabin is powered entirely by solar panels with a battery bank to store the energy so when I clean I also have to monitor our battery depth of discharge since it was a very foggy day in the Sierra Mts on Wednesday. In the middle of all that, I got some last-minute groceries, baked some rolls in our traditional wood burning stove and some pumpkin pie custards and generally exhausted myself. Continue reading Thanksgiving and Solar Panels→
California based Newport Pacific Capital Company, Inc., and Modular Lifestyles, Inc. have just announced that they are offering a unique off-grid solar Park Model home for use in communities, events and organizations to promote Green living, solar and propane.
To be featured in an upcoming episode of the TV Production, “How It Is Made”, the off-grid and grid tied solar home was the featured attraction at a national convention held by KOA. Steven Lefler, Vice President of Modular Lifestyles, was the host of the home for Cavco Industries at the convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. It will also be a feature news item on local TV stations, to be seen by Las Vegas residents in November. Continue reading New Off-Grid Solar Module Homes→
“With Heavy Government Help, Solar Continues Expansion in the West. Gains in the industry are made at a cost, including taxpayer-funded subsidies set to end in 2016. Will they pay off to make solar a larger player in the home energy market?”
Whenever I read those blogs or listen to the talking heads make those statements about home solar my blood really starts to boil. What they neglect to say is “American taxpayers have been heavily subsidizing big oil for over 100 years” or “40% of our military budget is spent defending foreign oil fields!”. Continue reading Solar Grid Installation Will Continue The Future in Home Energy→