I can suggest you to set up a 24V DC lighting system (or LED better) in the house using 2 12V deep cycle boat batteries in series, and a solar charger (should be around 30 USD for 250 mAh models). A system you cannot easily kill. If you keep a 110 V to 0-36 V charger (a cheap but useful investment) you can always charge the system when the mains run.<br><br>Also you can charge the batteries in your car (one at each time) or through a generator with a 12V DC outlet.<br><br>24 V needs less ampers than 12 V. Military vehicles use the 24V system, which may be a reference for us. <br><br>I have a 24 V Unimog and you can crank the beast over a rock without burning the starter or you run a 24V winch longer than a 12 V one.<br><br>Also you may find lots of gadgets and appliances for 24V in boat places or better in the military surplus places. <br><br>Burak