If you look up “solar power” in an online dictionary, you won’t find the following definition. But it’s a good way to describe it.
Solar power – it’s the single most effective disaster preparedness aid there is. Why? Because if you have solar-powered tools at your disposal, you can handle just about any emergency involving a blackout.
Electrical power is expensive. And as we’ve seen over and over again, it’s unreliable. Power outages occur on a daily basis in one part of the country or another. Most are short-lived. But some drag on.
Sunlight, on the other hand, is a free and renewable source of energy. Solar-powered items help get you through those “powerless” times. Sometimes they can even mean the difference between life and death.
There are countless preparedness items you could have at your disposal. But solar energy might be the most important of all.
Solar panels are the key
So, how can someone bring more solar energy into their lives without it costing an arm and a leg? That’s what I want to discuss today.
The key is using solar panels, both large and small. Now, you may or may not be able to mount solar panels on the roof of your home.
After all, more than one-third of American households rent their homes. And even if you own your home, the start-up costs are not cheap.
But there are a number of other places to install solar panels you can afford to purchase. Such as…
- On top of a garage or shed
- On a pergola or patio cover
- In your yard or garden
- On an apartment balcony
Correct placement is essential
Of course, there are other factors to consider. First and foremost is the positioning of your solar panels. You want to place them in spots that will provide the greatest access to direct sunlight.
If they are mounted on a roof, there’s not a lot of flexibility. But if they are in your yard or garden, who can move them periodically throughout the day to maximize their sun exposure.
Keeping them secure is another consideration. If they’re on a roof, they should be bolted down tightly. If on a lawn or in a garden, check regularly to make sure they haven’t been blown over by the wind or knocked over by a critter.
Even on cold days, solar panels will get the energy they need from the sun if situated properly. They’ll also collect energy on cloudy days, although not as much.
Keep it clean
Another thing you can do to get the most out of your solar panels is to keep them clean.
Like anything else placed outside, they’re going to get hit with dust, dirt, leaves and other debris. Over time, this will reduce their effectiveness if they’re not cleaned regularly.
What you don’t want to do is use chemicals to clean solar panels. It’s much better to gently wipe them down with a slightly damp soft sponge or towel.
Don’t assume that just because they’ve been rained on, solar panels are clean enough. Rainwater picks up a lot of junk in the atmosphere as it falls.
3 more recommendations
Here are three other suggestions for getting the most out of your solar energy:
- Charge your solar devices with a wall outlet when you have power. They’ll charge faster that way.
- As your solar panel is being energized by the sun outside, connect it to your generator indoors. That’s one of the big advantages of a solar-powered generator. It works safely indoors.
- Use two solar panels to charge your generator for twice the charging power.
Solar panels pay for themselves
If you decide to have solar panels installed on the roof of your house, there are three ways you can go about doing it. And regardless, you will save money over time.
One, you can purchase your system from a solar dealer and have their company install it. This is a one-stop shopping experience with many advantages, but it’s the most expensive way to do it.
Two, you can purchase all the materials from a solar products wholesaler and then hire a contractor to do the installation. This will save some money, but there can be some logistical complications.
Third, you can purchase all the materials from a wholesaler and install the panels yourself. This is for the true do-it-yourselfer, and will require help from friends.
Were you aware…?
Before I mention a great deal you can cash in on today, here are a few “Did You Know’s”:
- Solar power is the Earth’s most abundant energy source.
- Solar energy was first used in the 7th century B.C. That’s when humans starting lighting fires with magnifying glasses.
- Solar power was officially “discovered” in 1839 when Alexandre Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect. This effect is achieved when an electrical current is created in a conductor after being hit with the sun’s rays.
- Solar energy is the original method of drying clothes.
- California generates the most solar power in the U.S.
2 Free Solar Panels With Your Generator
There’s never a bad time to acquire a solar-powered generator. It will come in handy year-round and can be a lifesaver in an emergency.
But there is a great time to acquire one. And that’s now, with the 4th of July Event from 4Patriots.
Right now – but only until midnight on July 5th – you can get the Patriot Power Generator 1800 plus a free gift package worth $863.94.
This may seem too good to be true, but that’s why this deal is only available for a few days. Or until we sell out, whichever comes first.
The gift package features two free solar panels (worth $497 each) to cut your charging time in half and double the power you can get from your generator. And if you want a convenient monthly payment plan, we’ve got one for you.
