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Solar Energy Products in Emergencies and Natural Disasters

Washington DC is known for being in the political epicenter of the world, but is not generally known for natural disasters. But with a week of earthquakes shaking our foundation and the impending hurricane that is expected to come ashore just about 150 miles away in Ocean City, Maryland, we are thinking about natural disasters and some solar energy products that may help you weather the storm. Let’s go over just a few of the solar power products that SolarTown offers that will help you in an emergency.

The local utility is already predicting power outages and folks are going to the stores to stock up on food and water. What you need to remember is that anything that is connected to the grid is at risk. If you have solar lamp post lights or other solar powered lighting for your garden, your home may be dark, but not your walkways or patio. Those solar power lights will continue to light up the outside of your home because they are not connected to the grid.

Some folks don’t understand that just because they have solar panels on their homes, that does not mean that they will have electricity when the electricity goes out on the block. Only those homeowners who have battery backups, which come with a hefty price tag, roughly an additional 20-30% of the cost of the solar energy system, will be able to turn on the lights when their neighbors are still in the dark.83.jpg

There are a number of other solar energy products that will help you through the storm.  You may not have electricity from your power sockets, but you definitely should have a solar flashlight or a solar radio. If all of the gas is shut off, your gas oven is not going to work. You can take out your solar oven and cook up a chicken for your family—so long as there is some sun. Right, if there is a hurricane outside, you are not going to be able to use the solar oven, but after the storm passes, the sun may come out, and then take out your solar oven.

 

If you need some quick electricity to power up your telephone or other portable devices, then you may want to look at some solar battery chargers or a solar bag. The smaller ones may not generate enough juice for a computer, but will allow you to power up your cell phone. And if you just have to have power for your laptop, then take a look at some of the more hearty portable solar modules or  solar backpacks.

Another off-grid solar application that will allow you to weather the storm is a solar refrigerator or solar freezer. SolarTown sells most solar fridges for remote locations such as a cabin or sends them overseas to use in a place where there may not be easy access to electricity such as some parts of Africa. We are not suggesting that you go out and plunk down some serious money for a solar freezer just because of one hurricane, but some folks do like having a solar-powered emergency backup system for that rare occasion when a natural disaster strikes.

As Hurricane Irene closes in on us, we wish all of you to stay out of harm’s way, stay safe and be well.