The use of solar panels can be a total game changer for a prepper in a grid down scenario. I don’t know if having solar panels is worth the cost of installation in day to day life, but when they become the only potential source of electricity it then surely becomes worth it.
While there are many upsides to generating electricity with solar panels in a grid down scenario, there is unfortunately one downside. They are highly visible. Everyone will know you are up and running with power and this could bring unwanted visitors, even if they don’t mean any harm. “Can I please charge my phone?” or “Could I use your electricity to run this appliance really quickly?” are things you can likely expect.
There are benefits to having solar panels installed on your home in normal day to day life though. There are worthwhile Federal tax credits that can offset the cost and provide a return in the future. You can even rollover unused tax credits for as long as the solar tax credit is in effect, which is currently set in stone until 2034 until further possible extensions. Your electric bills will also go down considerably, if not down to zero.
Solar panels are more worthwhile the more days of sunshine you have in your area. You might get more out of your investment in solar if you live in Arizona than if you live in Ohio or Ontario. This conjecture is all based on normal times however. As preppers, our interest in solar panels is primarily so that we can survive with electricity when the grid goes down. If there is less sunshine where you are, you will have less hours of electricity to use in the day, but having some electricity is a world of a difference from having no electricity. Even on a day with overcast skies, you can anticipate generating enough solar power to have at least a few hours of electricity. Then again, if it was sunny the day before your batteries might have enough juice to get you through the whole day if it’s cloudy. It’s all about conserving and using what you need.
