Resilient Energy Strategy Doesn't Always Mean a New Solar System
Someone reached out to us recently with a simple ask: keep the fridge, internet, and water running during a multi-day outage. He already has a manual-start generator and a couple of Anker and Jackery power banks.
He asked what solar he'd need to add; Our answer: probably none.
Our strategy would be different if he hadn't already bought the Anker and Jackery power banks because (1) those boxes aren’t designed for prolonged outages and (2) a consolidated system is more cost-efficient than several smaller ones.
But since he’s already invested in two power banks and a generator, we helped him get the most out of what he has.
Understanding the existing setup and requirements
A well pump’s power draw impacts the size of the solar system in many of our rural residential solutions. However, this person’s setup takes his well pump off the equation.
He has a water storage tank, so his backup power source only needs to run a booster pump between the tank and the house during an outage. That can be a smaller, more manageable load than a 1.5-horsepower well pump, and can be satisfied by buying another medium-sized power bank.
His current power banks can run the fridge and internet, so he doesn’t need to purchase more equipment. With rearrangements, he can run the generator two or three times daily to charge the battery banks during an outage to meet his needs.
Additionally, he doesn’t require any automation (e.g., programming the generator to kick in when the grid goes down), lowering the complexity and cost of the solution.
Evaluating existing equipment for cost-efficiency
His booster pump is old and runs on 220V. Sizing a battery bank around that pump will drive up costs for no added benefit. Instead, we recommended that he replace the pump with a modern 110V model, which is more than adequate for a small household. The smaller electrical footprint means that he can purchase a lower-cost power bank to get the job done.
A fit-for-purpose energy resilience solution
A resilient energy strategy isn't always a new grid-independent solar system. It’s:
Understanding the actual requirements, rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach.
Being honest about budget and trade-offs, like skipping automation.
Taking stock of what's already on the property and working well for the client.
Making a few targeted changes instead of building something bigger than the problem calls for.
If you've already got a generator, a couple of power banks, or bits and pieces of a backup plan, a resilient energy strategy consultation tells you what's actually enough and what's worth changing before you spend on anything new. Let’s talk.
