Because the days following the bad storm that knocked out our utilities were so overcast, depending totally on solar will not be feasible, although it is definitely at the top of my list. The days were also without breezes, making it stifling inside the house and even outside. This translates to not being able to rely on wind power those days.
The humidity went way up and we were barely able to sleep the whole weekend due to the discomfort. This means I need to invest in a generator for back-up power. I need something here that can keep my fridge, freezer, well, and AC operating. All are on 120v circuits. The only things on 240v are the stove and the water heater.
Using a solar water heater would have helped although that water is not up to the temperature most of us are used to and call "hot water". However, it would have been sufficient for bathing, I think.
It may be that I need to begin collecting good batteries that can be used as a battery bank for both the solar and the generator. I'll be researching that and report to you as I go along.
One thought I have been mulling over in my own mind lately is to use some parts from my old car to build a generator of some kind. The car motor is shot - it has a rod hammering in it. But, there are all kinds of other things on that car that could probably be used. The alternator, the electrical wiring harness, fans, radiator, axle, wheels - you get the picture. I'll be looking online to see if anyone has ever actually salvaged an old car for this purpose.
