Looking into Solar backup generator for winter power outages... HELP!

[FirstLight]

I am in the High Sierras so winter storms and power outages are not surprising. Last winter was a couple days and the heater wouldn't click on or fan even though it was gas. We ended up sleeping in the livng room with the oven on, totally not ideal.

SO this year I am looking for something small, just enough to help the heater click on and run, maybe keep the fridge going, but we have other chargers for electronics and don't need to run the big appliances when poser is off. Usually it's not more than 12 hours, but something tells me to be prepared...

Any input you can give is helpful. I am clueless about the process and figuring out KWh... also, how the heck do you set it up? does it plug into your electric box, cuz I can't imagine plugging in each thing separately.

Solar is best for us since we actually get lots of sun up here, just not during storms but I figure most generators have some storage?

Thanks anyone!

[Miguelito Loveless]

1. What you are looking for

Is solar with battery back up.

Most solar contractors can set you up with both.

[FirstLight]

2. Well I don't wanna do the full panels on the roof thing...

and I dont think we have any local solar contractors, that sounds a bit more expensive

[Miguelito Loveless]

3. You can find smaller

Batteries with portable panels, but they are not going to have much power to run a fridge for more than a day or so.

[NotASurfer]

4. I think Tractor Supply sells portable solar systems

Totally not my area of expertise, but I imagine if you had sunlight, the batteries were charged, & the heater/fan could be plugged in somehow, you'd manage

[Meadowoak]

5. You can pick up a small gasoline powered generator for $100-200.

I don't know what your budget is, but solar with the battery back up, even a small system is going to start at a couple thousand dollars. If you only need back up for a storm for a couple days I would go with the gas generator.

[Auggie]

9. I'd go this route as well

[usonian]

6. You could ask this guy.

Not an endorsement.

http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/
Dave Angelini.


I visited his place once and he never invited me back, showing that he is a good judge of character.
He likes tracking arrays, which might be real overkill for you.

I use a propane powered generator. With wildfires, power can be out for a week. And I have a deep well that needs considerable power when it runs.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

7. After last year's freeze, I broke down and got a full generator package

It took almost a full year to get the generator in but I feel safer

[Kaleva]

8. This isn't much help but myself I'm hoping to get a dual fuel generator

One that can run on gas or LP gas. I currently have a 500 gallon LP tank which supplies the gas for the furnace and kitchen stove. I want to replace that tank with a 1000 gallon tank or add another 500 gallon tank in parallel with the current tank.

Add ing the appropriate fittings to the gas line outside, I could easily supply gas to a portable generator supplying power to the furnace, fridge, stove and freezer.

As this won't happen for awhile, I haven't figured out the size generator I'll need or how exactly to do the electrical wiring.