Dear Reader,
Last week power outages in three major U.S. cities affected thousands of users and made many morning commuters late for work. Luckily, in each case power was restored within hours.
But it’s a troubling trend. Various parts of the U.S. are experiencing power outages more and more frequently — outages that last for longer and encompass larger and larger areas.
This has led to a rise in the popularity of generators. In fact, just this year, several regions reported issues with keeping generators stocked through the winter season.
Up until fairly recently, you would only find people who owned generators in rural areas or tornado-prone parts of the country. These days, however, many people are investing in generators for camping and as a backup power source for their homes.
The reality is a power outage can hit anywhere, anytime and for any number of different reasons — lightning, high winds, ice storms, downed trees, equipment failure, power surges… the list goes on. And owning a generator is one of the best ways you can be prepared to outlast a blackout.
A Lesson Learned the Hard Way
Lisa Gordon learned this lesson the hard way. Lisa and her husband, Greg, live in northern Virginia. They had experienced their fair share of power outages, and each time, they said they would buy a generator — but they never did.
Then a major hurricane hit the mid-Atlantic region, knocking out power to over 1 million people, and Lisa decided it was time to act. Unfortunately, it was too late.
Every hardware store in the area was completely sold out of any type of generator. With temperatures set to reach 100 degrees in the following days, Lisa and Greg decided to call hardware stores in neighboring states.
They eventually found a Home Depot in Pennsylvania that had a few generators left, so the couple drove 2½ hours to purchase one for their home. It’s a good thing they did, because they ended up using it for three days until their power was finally restored.
Is Your Refrigerator Running?
Undoubtedly, a generator can make a huge difference during a disaster situation. But there’s more than one kind of generator out there, so which one should you invest in?
While gasoline generators are one of the most popular types, they do come with risks. Gasoline generators should not be used indoors, because of the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning. There are also safety considerations to take into account when storing fuel for these appliances. Not to mention the noise and the smell…
That being said, I’d like to share with you a quieter, safer option. Here are three solar generators to consider if you are in the market for a backup power source:
1) Wagan Solar Cube 1500 — The Solar Cube is a portable, 1,500-watt generator with five solar panels that completely fold out from the unit to charge the internal battery. It takes a full 18 hours to complete a full charge. There is no assembly required — you can even add more panels if you want to increase the wattage. The biggest advantage is that this is a compact, all-in-one generator with panels that easily fold up into the unit. It sells for around $1,000 on Amazon.
2) Goal Zero Yeti 1250 — One of the most popular companies in the solar market is Goal Zero. They make varying sizes of solar generators and chargers with slightly different features. The most powerful generator they make is the 1250, which comes with two detachable solar panels that take 20–22 hours to fully charge the unit. You can also purchase extra panels to add to the system for faster charging. With 1,250 watts, this generator can power critical devices around your home in an emergency. The Yeti 1250 sells for around $2,000.
3) Kohler enCUBE Portable Solar Generator — This convenient indoor/outdoor generator comes with built-in wheels and handle for easy transport. It also offers optional solar panels, but it charges from a regular 120-volt wall outlet if you choose to forgo the panels. When you are not using the unit as a backup power source during an emergency, you can use it to supply uninterrupted power to your computer if the main power fails. This generator sells for just over $1,000 at Lowe’s.
The Bottom Line
Probably the best thing about these three generators is that they can be used recreationally for tailgating or on a camping trip — not just during an emergency.
Now, keep in mind these solar units aren’t going to power your entire house if the power goes out, but they can give you enough juice to keep your necessities (refrigerator, freezer, home health care equipment) running.
And the fact that these generators can provide power with no fuel, no dangerous fumes and no noise is a huge advantage. So as you make preparations for the next power grid failure, I recommend getting a solar generator. These amazing appliances will give you the power you need without all the hassle of other types of generators.
Stay safe,
Jason Hanson
