Living off the Grid in Times of Crisis
As the recent COVID-19 outbreak has shown, a major disaster can happen anytime. Having a back-up power supply or off-the-grid generator and living-off-the-grid supplies are vital when pandemics, hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, ice storms and other emergency situations strike. Electric power service is often one of the first things to fall by the wayside during a crisis, usually as a result of damage to the local utility lines or the power plant itself. With no timetable on when it might return – especially when manpower and/or access to the damaged area is limited – a loss of power can quickly lead to panic setting in.
Taking time to pick out the best power generator for off-grid living, home use or business applications can help you weather any storm. This reliable source of power means you’ll still be able to run essential household appliances, charge cell phones, pump fuel for emergency vehicles and much more. When the grid comes crashing down, those who own a decentralized energy generation system can still keep the lights on.
There are many different types of off-the-grid power generation that you can take advantage of during emergencies and times of crisis. These range from solar panels and solar systems to gas or electric generators. But how do you know which one is right for you?
How to Choose an Off-Grid Power Generator
There are two primary types of generators: fuel-powered generators (i.e., gasoline and diesel) and battery-powered non-gas generators. Gas generators have been used for decades to power homes, businesses and relief shelters. Their portability is a major benefit, as they can also be brought to shops, campgrounds, job sites and boats. However, they have two potential disadvantages. The first is safety – incorrect use can cause fires and explosions, compounding the main disaster. The second is that, if you run out of gas or diesel, you may not always be able to get more.
As such, battery-powered solar generators are rapidly growing in popularity for crisis use. These portable generators contain either lead acid or lithium-ion rechargeable battery packs. By hooking them to solar panels, you can replenish the batteries whenever the sun is out. While this saves money and is more reliable overall, a solar power generator has its own drawbacks. They are often bulkier than gas generators and therefore not as portable – and while solar power works in any weather, your energy supply can be limited by the hours of daylight left.
When choosing between a fuel-powered generator and a battery-powered or solar generator, you’ll want to take many factors into consideration, including how many devices you’ll need to power, how stable or continuous this power source needs to be, whether or not you’ll need to relocate and how conducive your environment is for solar, gas and battery power generation.
Generators vs. Solar Power for Emergencies
For those who have the budget and room, the best solution is to use solar power and a gas generator together. In this setup, an off-the-grid solar system and/or a solar generator serves as your main power. Then, on days where the sun has set but the power’s out, you’ll have the generator to fall back on. Backup gas generators are an inexpensive backup plan that’s not only affordable but utilitarian as well, as solar panels and battery-powered generators tend to be more difficult to move from one place to the next.
If you can only afford one or the other, a traditional generator may still be the right choice for your situation. They’re excellent if you want portable power for other tasks during more normal times, and they take up less space than solar panels. A generator is also more reliable in wooded areas and other places with limited sunlight. However, the energy produced by a battery-powered electric generator means having a long-lasting, sustainable energy source that requires less maintenance and no fuel.
The key to selecting the best off-grid generator between solar and gas is to ask yourself how reliably you can depend on each form of power generation. If you live in an area with little sunlight, or don’t want to rely on needing to stay in a fixed position during times of crises, then a gas generator may be for you, while if you are looking for a more dependable long-term solution and have sunlight available, then solar power is the way to go.
Making a Difference during a Crisis
So what’s the best solar generator for off-grid living? How can you take advantage of the resources that are available to you? You can start by asking yourself how much equipment you need to power during these times of crises, and how long it will be before power might be restored to you. It’s also worth considering how frequently you may be without power, as well as whether you’ll be able to maintain your current position or if you’ll need to move frequently. The Inverter Store’s selection of solar power products and solar power kits are a fantastic way to get started on creating an off-grid power arrangement, and we also carry a large selection of powerful batteries to supply you with power for longer.
The Inverter Store has the off-grid power solution you need to stay connected and online when a disaster hits. Our AIMS inverter generators are lightweight, efficient and come with a pure sine power inverter already integrated so you can run sensitive electronics. We ship our entire selection of generators and output cables free anywhere in the U.S., so you’ll always have a back-up when you need it.
