Spend Money on the Roof Installing Solar Panels?

You could install a simple bank of batteries, not connected to a solar array, and would be much cheaper and yet still effective for short periods. This is the option I'm exploring for myself and when designed properly, is modular and easily expandable. The batteries would be trickle charged by your homes existing electrical system without the need for a solar array but they could be added at any time. The great thing about this method is the modular nature of it, when you have more money, just buy more deep-cycle marine batteriesto add to your battery bank, or add a small solar panel. Another way to "add" to the system is buying a generator and incorporating that into the system or leave it as a stand-alone backup.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_20 ... 4AodAlUAZA

The above link is to a nice packaged system sold by Northern Tool but it's a good example of what someone could install themselves with basic knowledge.

EarthWindandFire wrote: is to a nice packaged system sold by Northern Tool

Someone correct my math if I'm wrong, but gosh, I don't think that's a good deal. They tell the truth, but not all of it. Yes, it will put out 30 amps, but they fail to tell you that at 120 volts that is one hour of use. They also say "up to 72 hours". Yes, but they fail to mention that would be if you were drawing 50 watts.....which is the smallest laptop on earth. If you used this system to keep just your coal stove going you'd get less than one day out of it. Over three grand for a 3,600 watt back up is very expensive!

Here's the working link: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_20 ... _200321257

Due to the storm I had little time to do my research on that system in particular, it was simply an example. My point was, that you could build a similar system using only batteries very cheaply "like" the system I was posting the link to. I did not recommend that they buy that system, but build something themselves that is modular by design and could grow with time and money and the effort they "invest" in such a system.

EarthWindandFire wrote:build something themselves

There ya go! I like that idea. The trick is to find batteries cheap or free. If you get over that hump I think you could have a good thing going.