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There is a lot of chatter these days about solar power, the electrical grid, and resiliency. It began 15 years ago when electric cars first came to market. People went around screaming like their hair was on fire about how charging all those EVs would lead to outages. They assumed every EV would be plugged in all the time, little realizing that for many EV owners, recharging is a once or twice a week thing.

Today, the conversation has changed. Now it is all about the voracious appetite data centers have for electricity, which actually is putting our electrical grids under stress. Putting aside any discussion about why we suddenly need terawatts of new electricity so humans can do even less thinking then they already do, for many years the demand for electricity was fairly constant, thanks in large measure to improvement in efficiency spurred by programs like Energy Star.

No one saw the surge in demand caused by AI coming and so utilities and grid operators were caught flatfooted when new demand centers arose so quickly. Then there are the stresses more powerful storms and heat waves related to a warming planet have created. Grid outages are becoming more common as a result. The upshot of all these factors is that more and more people are taking steps to control their own access to electrical power.

Thanks to portable solar panels and so-called solar power generators. electrons are available for virtually any purpose anywhere there is sunshine. As prices for these devices decline, they are becoming more available to a wider range of people.

Three Components To Off-Grid Systems

Environmental Magazine reports that solar generators consist of three components:

• a solar array to collect energy,
• a battery to store it, and
• an inverter to convert stored power into usable AC electricity for lights, appliances, or electronics.

“Modern battery generators are designed for mobility and ease of use,” it says. “Many can be charged from solar panels, a standard wall outlet, or a carport. Once charged, they deliver quiet, on-demand electricity for anything from a phone and laptop to a refrigerator or medical device.Because they don’t burn fuel, they can be used safely indoors, a major advantage during storms, heat waves, or freezing conditions when ventilation is limited.”

That last is a good point. If you live in a condo on the third floor, you are never going to use a gasoline-powered generator in an emergency. Every year, people do and every year people die from breathing the exhaust fumes. Second order thinking could prompt some to see a connection between pollution from a gas generator and pollution from burning fossil fuels in general. Maybe someday.

Solar generators are also useful in many situations that do not involve emergencies. They offer a clean, silent source of electrical power for  entire villages where electricity is still a rarity. They can provide refrigeration for critical medical supplies in remote locations and power cell phones where communication with the outside world is not otherwise possible.

“In remote villages, cabins, and developing regions, small-scale battery generators and solar setups offer a lifeline where grid expansion is not economically viable. For off-grid workers, outdoor educators, and mobile clinics, a compact battery pack and foldable panels can power lights, refrigeration for vaccines, or basic communications in areas with no permanent infrastructure,” Environmental Magazine says.

Solar Generators Are One Piece Of A Larger :Puzzle

“Backup power is just one piece of the puzzle. Many people now see portable battery stations as a practical everyday tool,” the magazine says. “A reliable power station is a way for individuals to dip a toe into clean energy storage without the cost of a full home solar-plus-battery installation. Unlike fixed battery walls that require professional installation, portable units are plug-and-play, user-friendly, and adaptable as needs change.”

They also help people get used to the idea of decentralized energy storage that can reduce strain on local utilities during periods of peak demand and help reduce the risk of blackouts. “As more people adopt home solar panels, electric vehicles, and smart home energy systems, the ability to store and manage electricity locally becomes even more important. Small battery stations complement this shift by giving households more control over when and how they use their energy, especially when paired with renewable generation.”

Balcony Solar

In Germany, more than 1.5 million people have installed Balkonkraftwerke, which translates as “balcony power plants.” Almost every apartment has a balcony with a railing to keep folks from tumbling into the street below. If it gets any sun exposure during the day, balcony solar panels can be mounted to those railings to make electricity that helps power a home.

Proponents say balcony solar panels are easy to install on railings (and uninstall if need be in the event of storms). Once in place, people simply plug a micro-inverter into an available wall outlet. Add a small battery to store any solar energy not needed right away and you have your own personal micro-minigrid inside your home. The systems sell for between $500 and $1000, depending on the number of solar panels purchased. A typical system consists of two 150-watt panels and can pay for itself in a few years. It is also highly portable, so it can easily be transported from one apartment to another if the owner moves.

Such systems are legal in Europe but not in the US, where local regulations prohibit electrical sources that could endanger utility workers who are struggling to repair downed wires following a storm. That actually is a sensible policy, but there is nothing that prevents people in the US from plugging their laptops, routers, LED lights, and small appliances directly into a portable battery storage unit with a built-in inverter. And there is nothing preventing Americans from hanging a few solar panels from the railings on their balconies during a blackout to charge a solar generator.

“Microgrid planners and emergency managers increasingly see distributed energy tools, portable generators and battery stations as part of a layered resilience strategy. By combining household-level storage with community solar gardens, neighborhood microgrids, and smart grid upgrades, cities can better withstand natural disasters and supply interruptions.Individuals who embrace these tools also help advance the clean energy transition by reducing reliance on diesel and gas during power cuts,” Environmental Magazine says.

Renewables and grid scale battery storage may play a major role in energy resilience in the future, but small, portable power solutions empower people to take practical action today. They allow US to prepare for emergencies, reduce our carbon footprint, and increase our self-sufficiency, all while supporting the wider shift toward cleaner energy.

A Little Solar Power Can Go A Long Way

We don’t need a 15 kW rooftop solar system and 40 kWh of battery storage to move toward a renewable energy lifestyle, just as we don’t need an electric car with 1000 miles of range that recharges in seconds to benefit from the EV revolution. Portable solar generators allow us to take control of our lives in a way that is simply not possible with generators powered by internal combustion engines. The world is changing and we can be part of that change.

Just a few weeks ago, Jackery announced a sale on its solar generator that lowered the price to just $700. EcoFlow often has great deals on systems for campers and van life aficionados. Just last week, Zachary Shahan reported on a Bluetti backup battery that performed beautifully when put to the test.

This equipment is here now and ready to generate and provide electrical power in ways that were not possible just a few years ago. Call it gateway technology to a renewable energy future. Name one other system that sits in a closet or your garage that is ready to provide emissions-free electricity when the need arises. If you don’t have one of these systems yet, maybe it is time to add one to your energy resiliency toolkit.