That's the one thing that's kind of annoying about green technology. You have a lot of people in that field that are willing to trade a significant amount of overall practicality for maximum green environmentalism. When you want something outside of that, they often scoff at you, tell you what a terrible person you are, ect, ect.

A while back I was talking to some guys who are big into 'green' vehicles. I asked them about the Tahoe hybrid, as I was thinking of maybe replacing my old diesel suburban with it. All I got back from that was a lecture on how SUVs are the devil, how I should buy a prius instead, and so on and so forth. Not for nothing, but if I wanted a small car, I would have asked about a small car. I wanted to know about greener suvs, but apparently they aren't 'green enough' so they aren't worth talking about.

If anything, that kind of thinking only hurts their cause. Instead of helping to sway me towards something potentially more green, I'm still driving my 16 year old noisy smokey diesel.


Oh well, I guess that's my rant for today.

So just as you wouldn't plug a generator into an outlet to prevent harm to a lineperson, you wouldn't leave the grid tie active. OK, got that.



So a transfer switch is viable, but it turns your solar panels into a separate power source, not a continuous source that supplements the grid. To do that requires extra gear. Add a battery backup system and we're talking even more gear and money. By George, I think I've got it !

Thanks for the enlightenment.

Yes, as others post, no common grid tied system provides any backup power.
The grid tie inverter provides line voltage accuratly matched to the grid. It is required by law to automaticly shut down very quickly indeed if the grid connection is lost.

For backup power you need either a generator or a battery bank and off grid inverter, or ideally both.
The battery bank may be charged from grid power when available, from a generator, or from a PV system.

My ideal system would be a large grid tied PV system for the financial and enviromental gains, though it is useless in a power cut.
I would then install a large 12 volt battery bank with an off grid inverter for backup power.
This battery should be kept charged by its own dedicated PV module. This will keep it charged and replace any small or infrequent discharge.
After any deep or frequent discharge, this backup battery may be charged from grid or generator power.

In the event of TEOTWAWKI, then the PV modules in the now useless grid tied system could be re-purposed for battery charging.
I would advise against this for routine power cuts whilst times are normal. The grid tied array works at lethal voltages, and there are often warrenty issues involved in any modification.

What would you have done if you couldn't have gone outside to buy those things? It's not out of the realm of possibility in some places. People near Edmonton AB were stuck inside the last few days because of a chemical fire near them.

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Police+...5762/story.html

again, if you haven't been there... a battery powered fan to provide some air movement to allow you sleep in a boarded up house should be a priority consideration...ear plugs in case your neighbors are running their generators helps...a battery powered digital TV, and a copy of Carl Hiaasen's "Stormy Weather" for leisure reading by the flickering lamp light..TEVA sandals and nylon shorts..welcome to sub tropical Florida

Ear plugs are essential as I found out during my BOB test weekend. I didn't bring them along. Even despite the noise of the 50mph gusts rattling the tent, the noise of what sounded like a herd of wildebeest spending the whole night in/at the edge of the loch was almost unbearable. You have to find out if anyone who joins your group actually snores (was in another tent about 10 yards away). The amphitheater effect of the bug out location didn't help either.

And yes I have been able to sleep through a Hurricane (without ear plugs) when I was in Cuba even though it was raining in the hotel room bathroom.


Edit - http://www.soundboard.com/sb/Wildebeest_sounds.aspx

Actually sounded like a wildebeast death cry + the wildebeast walk water combined all night long.

Absolutely, in any warm area a battery fan is important.
Good ones dont seem to be sold here in the UK I purchased from a USA ebay seller.

Ideally you need two, one to work from a car battery or similar, and one that uses disposable alkaline cells.

adam2...my small original is a two D cell magnetic base tent fan.. after 04 hurricane season purchased a larger one.... Coleman with a plug in port for 12v pack of D cells....a 12v plug adapter to cigarette lighter, and female cigarette receptacle to auto battery clips... that way I have a 12v tap...and more amp hours...3500w Honda and GoalZero panel just in case

Was it raining in the bathroom or were you in the bathroom while it was raining? Two different sets of challenges.

I second the call for earplugs, especially if there's a violent storm with weird noises, or if you'll be sleeping with someone you're not used to (That came out wrong) or WITH more than one snorer.

Battery powered fans are a great idea too. They can improve air flow and help lower or raise temps. I've got a couple of 2 X D cell ones that are designed to hold magnetically to a tent. They work great!

I did not know nylon could be made magnetic....