I want to talk today about adding solar power to my disaster kit. I looked into several options, and I decided (for cost mainly) to start with a small portable solar panel from Brunton, and a Xantrex 300 portable battery.
The theory here is that I will charge the power pack from the wall before the storm hits, and then use it to re-charge my cell phone, digital camera, laptop, etc while the power is out. Then after the storm, I can use the solar panes during the day to re-charge the battery pack to be used the following night.
I know that I'm using a solar panel that can't completely re-charge the battery pack in one afternoon, but at least it will extend it's life significantly. I've played with this set-up a few times this season, and I found that with my 15 watt folding solar panes (it looks like a notebook when it's folded, but when you open it, there are 3 panels inside the notebook) I can take the battery pack from 1/3 to 1/2 full to full in about 6 hours of good sun.
Eventually, I'd like to have 1 or 2 Solaris 52 solar panels and 3 or 4 battery packs. I won't be able to run my fridge or AC with it, but fans, lights, and communications should be easy. Where I live here in Houston, we were without power for 3 to 4 days with Alicia in 1983, and for 24 hours with Rita. I'm curious how well we do with Ike.
Any input on solar / battery set-ups would be much appreciated!
Good luck to all in South Texas this weekend!
Patrick, President, www.MyDisasterplan.com
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