For seven years I lived as a nomad, traveling in the southwest and Mexico, mostly in a cargo van fitted out as very small home, with electricity provided by rooftop solar.
Now I live in a grandma pod, a small separate building behind my daughter’s house, and while the mini split (heat and cooling) is connected to commercial power, everything else electrical (lighting, fridge, induction stovetop, microwave, toaster oven) runs on solar.
Over the years I have designed and assembled four different solar systems, as the equipment available for these small DC systems becomes better and better.
For advice and instructions, on working safely with solar, check out Will Prowse, who has many on line videos plus book on mobile solar power, very helpful.
And I am technically a little old lady (though admittedly unusually tool savvy).
There is a whole range of do-it-yourself solar equipment available now, from simple ready to use suitcase systems on up.
You'd be exactly the person (and skill sets) I'd invite to 'live with us on the property' while your 'work trailer' parked on the driveway. We've had a blessing, now ending this year. In 2020 we invited a 34 ft, white school, 'work' bus (really tricked out with a kitchen, shower, bedroom area and TV too) to park in the driveway. Our "homeless" couple lived with us 'on the property' and exchanged odd jobs in lieu of any rent while learning Permaculture design .
If the above sounds slightly 'off radar', it had to be. Our city ordinances are very limiting and any nuisances are swiftly complained about. These then 25 year olds were a new wrinkle which required cultivation and good strategy to slide into the culture of urban retirees and stable professional careers(IOWs potential NIMBYs). We literally could NOT 'poke the bear' since we had law enforcement in 3 homes around the entrance.
I prepped my cul de sac neighbors one month earlier with a number of discussions:
a.first to test for any negativity. They'd been fed a previous 5 year diet of 'egg gifts' and were offered 'help' with their own 'work needs'. Chicken eggs are such 'gateway drugs'.
b. Soothing concerns of most things you can guess about.
and etc.
Oh, and the kids? They were gifted a mostly paid condo from an ailing relative. They are their own property owners now. The Driveway will be eventually opening up when the work bus leaves, but we collectively achieved a wonderful time trading knowledge, space, and efforts, not supporting a rigged system. Bittersweet indeed.
I went the conventional backyard solar route with net metering in Michigan, but applaud your solar guerrilla approach. Fantastic. Happy (belated) SUN Day!
Way to go, Amanda! We don’t live in the Bay Area, but I’m excited you get to be in the test market for this product. Not sure if our HOA has a policy about plug in panels, but I think so long as they aren’t visible from the street it should not be an issue. People in the neighborhood have roof panels. Thanks!
Curious how that disconnect box works on the wall of the house near the regular breaker box. This part is similar to a regular full pv roof system. The pv power cannot go back onto the grid during a blackout. I’d think if the electrical power company came out to the house and saw such a box tied into the house wiring they would not be happy and immediately claim it was illegal. But if entirely wired to a separate building that might be okay. Also the fire departments want all disconnects in one place for easy turn off. Most people don’t realize the first thing fire departments do when they show up at a structure fire is to turn off the electricity.
I think you might have some luck. In 2017 I stayed at an off the grid house on the north shore of the Big Island. Completely run on solar pv with a backup generator in case of battery or system failure. The house was wired with both 110v AC and 24v DC. The latter as explained by the owner similar to the DC electrical systems on small pleasure craft. Had appliances normally installed on boats that ran on the 24v system.
This is about the most hopeful post I have read in a long time. The policies that our current regime is promulgating are amongst the most diametrically opposed and wrong-spirited that one can imagine in this crucial time, but your example is one in which almost anyone can participate, while sticking a thumb in the eye of the emperor and his billionaire buddies, with a smile on one's face. It's the most delightfully subversive action available to the public (soon, anyway) with only good consequences for everyone, even those monopolistic forces and the people behind them as they will breathe cleaner air and avoid the worst consequences of climate change in spite of themselves. We might view China as an adversary because of their politics and transactional relationships to other countries, but the fact that they are almost single-handedly carpeting the world with clean energy generation capacity, in the hands of the masses, is an almost unimaginable force for good at this most perilous time. We might feel sad or ashamed that America is not at the vanguard of this revolution, but frankly I don't care, as long as I can participate in it. Happy Sun Day and may we all be as subversive for the benefit of the planet as you!
Right now, the panels and pilot are only available in the Bay Area (I should update the story to make that clear), but they do have a floppy product they can ship. They are just out of stock. Join their mailing list and they will keep you updated.
They need to expand state wide. We have roof top solar and SDG&E (for decades known for having the highest electricity and natural gas rates in the contiguous 48). We are under NEM 2.0, but now with NEM 3.0, any additional panels kicks us into the uneconomical NEM 3.0. I’ve looked for such a system as described in this post, similar to that used for off grid RVs but for 110v, but came up empty except for panels/small battery/generator meant to be used for emergency during blackouts. Tried to install a system as you described for a standalone shed, but was told by every licensed electrician, that it’s not allowed in California if anywhere on the property has a grid connection, even if the shed was not tethered to our house. Would love to have such a system for a plug-in hybrid (small battery) or even a low mileage EV (allow enough days to charge). But all the internet research came back as it being uneconomical.
Maybe talk to Bright Saver. They won't ship, and I know it would be a long drive, but you can pick up the setup in Richmond. Maybe they will have a recommendation for adding just the battery and energy monitor to your setup for the shed.
Unfortunately that shed was finished two years ago and is fully electrified on a dedicated circuit from the house. Not much free remaining space in our backyard for a ground mount. Also adding a new separate comment.
Nice! This is a great mini-example of the solar revolution. You're totally right that legacy media is ignoring it. The amount of electricity generated by solar is doubling every three years and it now makes up 7% of all global power generation. You would think this would get more attention...
They are easily distracted by other matters. 😉To their credit, legacy media have been covering Bright Saver's efforts this year quite well. They've appeared in the New York Times, AP, etc.
They aren't nature but I would just say that it gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling to look at them. It's been hard to grow anything in that spot because it's so sunny and I'm lazy about watering. Bright Saver is only delivering in the Bay Area but anyone can come pick up the setup from their Richmond warehouse.
For seven years I lived as a nomad, traveling in the southwest and Mexico, mostly in a cargo van fitted out as very small home, with electricity provided by rooftop solar.
Now I live in a grandma pod, a small separate building behind my daughter’s house, and while the mini split (heat and cooling) is connected to commercial power, everything else electrical (lighting, fridge, induction stovetop, microwave, toaster oven) runs on solar.
Over the years I have designed and assembled four different solar systems, as the equipment available for these small DC systems becomes better and better.
For advice and instructions, on working safely with solar, check out Will Prowse, who has many on line videos plus book on mobile solar power, very helpful.
And I am technically a little old lady (though admittedly unusually tool savvy).
There is a whole range of do-it-yourself solar equipment available now, from simple ready to use suitcase systems on up.
Love this! The older I get, the more "tool savvy" I become. I've fixed many things just using a YouTube video.
You'd be exactly the person (and skill sets) I'd invite to 'live with us on the property' while your 'work trailer' parked on the driveway. We've had a blessing, now ending this year. In 2020 we invited a 34 ft, white school, 'work' bus (really tricked out with a kitchen, shower, bedroom area and TV too) to park in the driveway. Our "homeless" couple lived with us 'on the property' and exchanged odd jobs in lieu of any rent while learning Permaculture design .
If the above sounds slightly 'off radar', it had to be. Our city ordinances are very limiting and any nuisances are swiftly complained about. These then 25 year olds were a new wrinkle which required cultivation and good strategy to slide into the culture of urban retirees and stable professional careers(IOWs potential NIMBYs). We literally could NOT 'poke the bear' since we had law enforcement in 3 homes around the entrance.
I prepped my cul de sac neighbors one month earlier with a number of discussions:
a.first to test for any negativity. They'd been fed a previous 5 year diet of 'egg gifts' and were offered 'help' with their own 'work needs'. Chicken eggs are such 'gateway drugs'.
b. Soothing concerns of most things you can guess about.
and etc.
Oh, and the kids? They were gifted a mostly paid condo from an ailing relative. They are their own property owners now. The Driveway will be eventually opening up when the work bus leaves, but we collectively achieved a wonderful time trading knowledge, space, and efforts, not supporting a rigged system. Bittersweet indeed.
PM if interested.
Well done Amanda 👏 ☀️
I'm never lacking in enthusiasm😊🤸🏼♀️
I went the conventional backyard solar route with net metering in Michigan, but applaud your solar guerrilla approach. Fantastic. Happy (belated) SUN Day!
Thank you!👍
Well done! We have a solar system too, on one of the barns and the lovely summer here means we've been generating lots ....
Excellent!
Way to go, Amanda! We don’t live in the Bay Area, but I’m excited you get to be in the test market for this product. Not sure if our HOA has a policy about plug in panels, but I think so long as they aren’t visible from the street it should not be an issue. People in the neighborhood have roof panels. Thanks!
Oooh, are you thinking of it? They don't deliver out that far, but you could pick them up.
Not in the immediate future, but perhaps later.
Curious how that disconnect box works on the wall of the house near the regular breaker box. This part is similar to a regular full pv roof system. The pv power cannot go back onto the grid during a blackout. I’d think if the electrical power company came out to the house and saw such a box tied into the house wiring they would not be happy and immediately claim it was illegal. But if entirely wired to a separate building that might be okay. Also the fire departments want all disconnects in one place for easy turn off. Most people don’t realize the first thing fire departments do when they show up at a structure fire is to turn off the electricity.
The only thing attaching to the box is the home energy monitor, ie smart meter. There are a few types on the market.
I WANT!!! Gonna have to figure out how to do this on Maui. Go, guerilla girl! What a great celebration for SUNDay.
I think you might have some luck. In 2017 I stayed at an off the grid house on the north shore of the Big Island. Completely run on solar pv with a backup generator in case of battery or system failure. The house was wired with both 110v AC and 24v DC. The latter as explained by the owner similar to the DC electrical systems on small pleasure craft. Had appliances normally installed on boats that ran on the 24v system.
This is about the most hopeful post I have read in a long time. The policies that our current regime is promulgating are amongst the most diametrically opposed and wrong-spirited that one can imagine in this crucial time, but your example is one in which almost anyone can participate, while sticking a thumb in the eye of the emperor and his billionaire buddies, with a smile on one's face. It's the most delightfully subversive action available to the public (soon, anyway) with only good consequences for everyone, even those monopolistic forces and the people behind them as they will breathe cleaner air and avoid the worst consequences of climate change in spite of themselves. We might view China as an adversary because of their politics and transactional relationships to other countries, but the fact that they are almost single-handedly carpeting the world with clean energy generation capacity, in the hands of the masses, is an almost unimaginable force for good at this most perilous time. We might feel sad or ashamed that America is not at the vanguard of this revolution, but frankly I don't care, as long as I can participate in it. Happy Sun Day and may we all be as subversive for the benefit of the planet as you!
100 percent agree!
Awesome! I love this, Amanda! The easier it is, the more people will do it.
I figure someone has to be the first to do it. I can see many thousands being installed in my town.
Fantastic news about the solar panels you installed. Well done! Thinking about installing small system here in the Atlanta burbs.
😊
Oooh I want to become a “solar guerrilla!” What a fabulous name. I wi have to look into buying us a set. Thanks for the tip.
Right now, the panels and pilot are only available in the Bay Area (I should update the story to make that clear), but they do have a floppy product they can ship. They are just out of stock. Join their mailing list and they will keep you updated.
They need to expand state wide. We have roof top solar and SDG&E (for decades known for having the highest electricity and natural gas rates in the contiguous 48). We are under NEM 2.0, but now with NEM 3.0, any additional panels kicks us into the uneconomical NEM 3.0. I’ve looked for such a system as described in this post, similar to that used for off grid RVs but for 110v, but came up empty except for panels/small battery/generator meant to be used for emergency during blackouts. Tried to install a system as you described for a standalone shed, but was told by every licensed electrician, that it’s not allowed in California if anywhere on the property has a grid connection, even if the shed was not tethered to our house. Would love to have such a system for a plug-in hybrid (small battery) or even a low mileage EV (allow enough days to charge). But all the internet research came back as it being uneconomical.
Maybe talk to Bright Saver. They won't ship, and I know it would be a long drive, but you can pick up the setup in Richmond. Maybe they will have a recommendation for adding just the battery and energy monitor to your setup for the shed.
Unfortunately that shed was finished two years ago and is fully electrified on a dedicated circuit from the house. Not much free remaining space in our backyard for a ground mount. Also adding a new separate comment.
Nice! This is a great mini-example of the solar revolution. You're totally right that legacy media is ignoring it. The amount of electricity generated by solar is doubling every three years and it now makes up 7% of all global power generation. You would think this would get more attention...
They are easily distracted by other matters. 😉To their credit, legacy media have been covering Bright Saver's efforts this year quite well. They've appeared in the New York Times, AP, etc.
SPECTACULAR!!!! I'm so happy to hear this - backyard solar is SO COOL! Good for you, Amanda!
Thanks to you, Sam!
Do you follow GoSun? They've diversified from vacuum tube solar cookers to plug/play solar units. Quite the wishlist I have with them
Thanks for the recommendation. I will check them out!
ENjoy! I'm more fond of Solar Cookers International (dot) org. The rest of the world is so ahead of us.
Exciting to hear about plug in solar!
🙌🏼
I've read about this before, but was unaware it was that easy. Going to look into it for sure. I guess the panels and battery are not too unsightly?
They aren't nature but I would just say that it gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling to look at them. It's been hard to grow anything in that spot because it's so sunny and I'm lazy about watering. Bright Saver is only delivering in the Bay Area but anyone can come pick up the setup from their Richmond warehouse.