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By Root 714 0

back to your utility yet still be self-sufficient, then I recommend that you install a grid-connected but stand-alone-capable system. The same would apply to wind-power and micro-hydro systems. For details on alternate-energy-system hardware, siting/exposure, and system sizing, contact Ready Made Resources. They graciously offer alternate-energy-system consulting free of charge. They can design a true turnkey system for you that will require no upkeep other than periodic battery maintenance. You can also design a system that will allow you to sell power back to your utility depending on your local laws and power-company policies. There is nothing like the joy of watching a power meter run backward—knowing that for more than half of each year the power company will be paying you for power. Selling power back to the utility company is possible throughout the United States. However, most pay you only the “avoided cost” rate—typically two or three cents per kilowatt hour—rather than at the same rate that you buy it from them. The latter is called “net metering” or “net billing.” The utilities that presently pay at the net metering rate are in the minority, but I predict that it will be legislatively mandated within a few years.

If you do opt for a grid-tied system, it can be set up to provide “automatic failover”—meaning that there will be a very limited interruption of power to your home or retreat in the event of a power failure.

All of the major brands of monocrystalline weatherproof photovoltaic panels are essentially comparable in terms of their rated output, service life, glazing strength (impact resistance), and ability to withstand the weather. Most have similar warranties, although some are slightly better. For these reasons, PV panels should be considered a commodity, and as such, the price per watt should be the main determining factor in picking a brand.

Batteries are another commodity, at least if you buy traditional lead-acid deep-cycle (“golf-cart” type) batteries. Because of their high shipping weight, I strongly recommend that you buy the batteries for your system from a local vendor, such as your regional Interstate Batteries dealer. Be sure to do some comparison pricing before you buy. If the dealer offers a “core” credit and you are buying an entirely new system, be advised that dealers are often not particular about what you provide them for your trade-in. They are essentially just looking for a source of lead plates for recycling. If their core-refund terms are based strictly on battery weight or the combined amp-hours capacity, one trick is to ask around locally at venues such as Craigslist for free used car, truck, and tractor batteries. Part-time mechanics often have a dozen or more such batteries available, free for the taking. Depending on the size of your system, if you have a strong back and aren’t afraid to get your hands dirty, this can save you several hundred dollars.

Mobile Solar Power Systems

A portable photovoltaic system such as the one produced by Mobile Solar Power (mobilesolarpower.net) is ideal for either someone for whom mobility is key or someone who wants backup power but can’t have solar panels visible on a day-to-day basis because they live in a community with strict covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs). After TSHTF, your problem will not be your development’s Homeowners Association—it will be chaining the system down to keep someone from stealing it!

Inverters

An inverter is an electronic device that converts DC power into AC power. Inverter technology varies considerably, depending on maker. The Trace brand inverters are now sold under the Xantrex Technology (xantrex.com) name, and they still control a large portion of the market. Their major competitor in the United States is OutBack Power Systems (outbackpower.com), an up-and-coming company that was started by a group of former Xantrex engineers. The OutBack brand holds a slight margin in inverter technology.

Charge-controller technology is still advancing, but all of the major brands are roughly