SolMan by Sol Solutions
This is a small portable power generator that delivers up to 1,200 watts of AC power and includes one 135 watt photovoltaic panel, three 100 amp/hour deep cycle sealed batteries, charge controller, watt meter, 1200 watt inverter/charger, and external AC/DC outlets.
1,200 watts isn’t a whole lot of electricity by grid standards but it’s enough to run drills, saws, small compressors, sanders, grinders and many other power tools. It would also work great for powering a frugal tiny house. The basic unit can run about 8-hours with a 250 watt load and 2-hours with about a 1000 watt load. If you need more power it can be expanded with additional solar panels and batteries.
It is a bit heavy, 300 pounds, mostly due to the batteries. Good thing it’s on wheels. The main disadvantage is initial cost. The basic SolMan runs about $4,000. But over time it pays you back by avoiding fuel costs. It also runs silently and requires very little maintenance.
Learn more at sol-solutions.com
Hopefully this will save someone else the few seconds…
http://www.sol-solutions.com/
Thanks Rickles. I just added it to the post too. Thanks for the reminder… usually I remember the link 🙂
My dad lives in rural Colorado, and I lived with him for several months as a kid, first in an electricity-less travel trailer, and later in his stick-built house that ran on 2-200 watt panels. The 400-watt system was always more than enough for us, with lights, computer, television, and all! Of course, when he had to run power tools he’d whip out the generator, but otherwise, we our batteries never ran out of juice. All of the appliances ran on propane, and the house was heated via wooden stove. I can’t imagine what I’d even do with a 1200-watt system, unless I lived in a shady climate or something. Great concept nonetheless!
Currently live near Lake Fork Reservoir in eastern Texas. Over the past three years I have heated and cooled a 1000 SQFT mobile homewith a central heating and cooling system. The home is also equipped with a 40 gallon hot water heater, electric stove, dishwasher, washer, electric dryer, & 21 CUFT side by side refrigerator/freezer. In addition, I operate a a variety of small electrical appliances, a microwave oven, 55″ LED Flat Screen TV, sattelite system, computers, My monthly elecric bill for the past three years has averaged 1200KW/month at a cost of approximately $100.00/month. What would it take to go off the grid and be able to maintain my household as it is currently equipped? Thank You, T
Not sure if there is a simple answer, but you might try exploring http://www.off-grid.net/ for off-grid system sizing and the various methods of generating power and fuels.