When a disaster strikes in your community, will you be prepared for some of the necessary things that can make that time a little less uncomfortable for yourself and your family There are some things that are powered by Solar that can help you make it through an event that you may have not thought of when the lights go out? What is some Solar Survival Gear that you should have available in your Home?
Solar Survival Gear you should have:
- Portable Solar Emergency Power Supply
- Solar Water Distillation
- Emergency Solar Panels
- Solar Shower System
- Emergency Solar Lighting
- Solar Power Station
- Foldable Low Watt Solar Chargers
- Landscape Stationery LED Lighting & Flood Lights- installed for security purposes.
Preppers Solar Power
Survival situations can come in many different situations that demand certain ways of dealing with where the situation is occurring. In this article, we will use ways of harvesting the sun to deal with emergency preparedness at your home. Being in your home during an emergency situation is different than lost in an outdoor situation on a boat or lost in a canyon where you may just have a bug-out bag and minimal tools brought with you.
Most people have an emergency supply that is put away somewhere so that in the event of a disaster or emergency situation the occupants can still stay put and if needed can wait out until help arrives. This could include a flood or an earthquake where there is more danger trying to leave than there is staying and riding it out. My guess that is this type of emergency is more prevalent at least during my lifetime.
Having been through and Hurricane Sandy in 2012 there were luxuries and necessities that my family needed in the first couple of days of the emergency. Since 2012 there has been a boom in the number of products that are powered by solar that have been proven to work in RVs, Campers, and outdoor activities that will work in emergency preparedness. Whether its power that generates equipment or equipment that is powered directly by the sun
Portable Solar Emergency Power Supply
In the last decades, Solar Generators Power Stations or Gas Generators that can deliver enough power to run small cabins or RV that are off-grid are also capable to fill the void during an emergency situation in homes and buildings apartments, and condos where clean energy is needed to keep appliances running when there is trouble with electrical services or other types of services like drinking water that we can normally depend on.
With a Generator -You can power your way through any storm or emergency event with the right equipment this DuroMax XP12000EH Generator-12000 Watt Gas or Propane Powered Home Back-Up & RV Ready, 50 State Approved Dual Fuel Electric Start Portable Generator, Black and Blue
One of the largest Solar charged Power stations is the Big Bluetti Power Station- Bluetti EB240 Portable Power Station Features higher capacities for greater compatibility with more power-hungry devices and is the latest in USB-C Power Delivery capable of charging larger USB devices like laptops. *MPPT Built-In Includes a pre-installed solar charging optimization module that functions as a maximum power point tracker (MPPT), resulting in up to 40% faster charge times, especially from solar panels. *Ultra-safe Lithium Battery With quality LG lithium cells, known for stability, monitored by a state-of-the-art battery management system that prevents over-charge, over-current, and short-circuiting. Intelligent Cooling Controller
Solar Water Distillation
Solar water distillation is a natural process of using the energy from sunlight to separate freshwater from salts or other contaminants. The untreated water is placed into a still basin which absorbs heat, eventually reaching high temperatures, causing the water to evaporate, cool, and condense into vapor, leaving the contaminants in the underlying basin. The vapor forms as drops on an overlying cover usually glass that is channeled and collected in a separate basin as freshwater.
Even if you’re not using a distillation for drinking saltwater you should always try filtering or distilling any surface water that may have contaminants in it. It’s easy to do and is slow but eventually, you can get it running effectively. A relatively cheap and low-maintenance system, particularly for remote communities and can be used for brackish salt or freshwater.
A great Solar Water Distillation Kit for Emergency Preparedness is an Aquamate Solar Still Emergency Water Purification Inflatable Kit that will easily fit away in a closet with the rest of your emergency preparedness items. It folds down to an adequate size for the vehicle so it will always be there.
These DIY Solar Distillation units that are 6 ft. by 4 ft. can provide enough water for a family of 4 for cooking and cleaning. Their crude low-tech examples of what can be done using the sun and the water cycle, which is a natural process here on earth.
The water that is undesirable can be evaporated, separating the water (condensation) from whatever contaminants are involved with it. The plastic lid holds the condensation back from entering the atmosphere and collects it skipping the
In our examples we used plastic but glass or plexiglass will work better. In the Water Cycle, water that is evaporated is condensed and separated held in the clouds, and returns as rain. These crude small units can separate salt from seawater that holds 30,000 ppm and reduces it down to an acceptable 1 ppm. Normal treated drinking water has 50 mg/l or ppm.
A DIY wooden box with a glass or plexiglass top that will drain the condensation that develops from the inside of the glass and drains into a clean container will do it hinge the top to add the source water and keep the glass clean and store in the backyard of your home or cabin for an unlimited amount of freshwater for clean drinking H2O.
For more on Solar Distillation projects and products when stuck out on the sea in a boat or if trapped on a desert island without fresh drinking water check out a previous article here on MyWaterEart& Sky called How to Make a Solar Still.
Emergency Solar Panel
If you do decide on a Solar Power Station or need the clean operation that Solar Power can offer try a Solar Panel that will power up the devices or even a few appliances that you will need to get by after the storm moves through and work continues for a homeowner to be dugout or powered up even when the electrical grid is still not producing energy in your area. When the storm is over and the sun comes out it’s time for the clean-up.
You can get a small 40-watt foldable Solar Charger that will energize your small components and devices or use bigger ones like those mentioned below that are able to power larger devices and even appliances that you will need in an emergency situation. This way your cell phone or flashlights or radio needed for information during such events are available.
Another option for homeowners that need power is an Emergency Solar that can be used these times then stored away with your preparedness items or camping gear and brought back out when you need the power that the sun can bring. It will do the job for a battery bank in an RV, Camper, or directly charge from the panel itself. Amazon.com: Zamp solar Legacy Series 140-Watt Portable Solar Panel Kit with Integrated Charge Controller and Carrying Case. Off-Grid Solar Power for RV Battery Charging – USP1002: Automotive
Solar Shower System
During a flood or Hurricane when there is a lot of cleanup going on one of the best things you can do for yourself is to take a nice hot shower You can set up a 
portable shower that is available to campers and set up in your backyard. There are 2 room showers that provide the shower and a place to change work clothing.
This Shower tent Brings some practical comfort on your next camping adventure with the Ozark Trail Shower Tent. This two-room portable shower tent includes a separate changing/utility room to keep your clothes dry. Mesh panels offer ample ventilation, and a mesh drain in the shower allows for quick water removal.
Two windows let you make use of natural light with a towel rack and a toiletry holder for convenience. A removable rainfly is included. The outdoor shower tent/changing shelter is made with durable polyester/steel with silver aluminum-coated walls for complete privacy. 12 tent stakes included, made of steel Dimensions: 7’L x 3.5’W x 84″H – 5-gallon water bag solar heater that will heat up in a minimum time.
Solar Powered Emergency Lights
Landscape Lighting refers to lighting used outdoors. This encompasses pathway lights, spotlights, and more. Most lights that illuminate your landscape are considered landscape lights. They double as security lights and decorative lighting. And because the usage varies from light to light, how many lumens you need for your landscape lighting will vary. Most Garden Landscape LIghts come with their own PV cells and quality LED lights. These lights are also self-sustaining, require little to no maintenance, and emit no fumes, carbon emissions, or greenhouse gases. As you can see, there are numerous benefits to using solar power. And don’t worry about overcast days; solar-powered lights will still work in shady areas.
Landscape Lighting is very useful when it comes because the outside perimeter of your property will continue to light up regardless of what happens with the weather and your power service during an emergency event. You can add more to make the area even brighter. It’s practical to already have installed for any future problems and they make your property look nice besides the security they bring.
Flood Lights are usually installed for security purposes. There are many floodlighting types meant to light specific spots outside your home. Wall pack lights are installed to illuminate pathways, while area lights are made to light larger areas such as parking lots and entire yards.
The Sun King Home System provides 3 hanging lamps powered by LEDs and individual light switches, 24 hours of light on a single day’s charge, and a 12,000 mAh power bank to charge your USB devices. This is a personal power grid that makes surviving a disaster so much easier! Legacy Emergency lighting is made by a company that produces all kinds of Disaster Foods and items that help people survive disaster situations. It uses an LFP (lithium Ferro-phosphate) battery. This battery lasts for five years.
- Package Information
- 600 Total Lumens
- 12000 mAh PowerBank
- 12 Watt Solar Panel
- Wall-mountable Light Switches
JimGalloway Author/Editor
