Solar Energy Backup Power?

 

I live in Florida, endured 4 hurricanes last year, and went without power
for 15 days after Hurricane Jeanne. I am a ham radio operator, have a desk
set up with scanners, shortwaves, computers, etc. I currently have them
backed up with simple UPS systems designed for computer, but looking into
alternative energy. I was only able to run my radios barely 3 days on the
UPS batteries. Here is my question - I have a huge solar panel tube heating
system on my roof to heat my pool which I don't even use. Can I convert this
somehow to provide power to my radio room and support my electronics? I'm
leaning more toward generators, but everytime I think about this huge solar
panel setup on my roof I get curious. Suggestions?

 



Solar power doesn't lend itself to occassional use, like when a hurricane
knocks out the power once every few decades.  The costs are far less to run
a 2000W generator for ten days than to build and maintain an equivalent
solar power system for backup.  Somewhere in the middle, cost-wise would be
a battery backup system.  Draw from the grid, charge your batteries, and
draw from them when the power goes out.

 



Sure you can.  Sell the panels and use the money to buy a generator.

I'm a little surprised your solar heating didn't go flying off in one
of the 'canes.

A product that is missing from the marketplace is a
flywheel/pulley/alternator that bolts in place of the blade on a
rotary mower.  That would eliminate the duplication of gasoline motors
and provide relatively quiet battery charging for use with a battery
and inverter.

 

Oh it sure would have flew off - I dismatled and rebuilt the dang thing 4
times last year:)


heating

 



Good idea if it works. I'm not saying it can't, but can you imagine the
lawsuits resulting from the thing flying apart as a result of not being
balanced correctly?