Mike Adams At Natural News Has published a VERY misleading article on his Natural News Site...

The article is entitled "California blackouts expose the total scam of solar panels: They don’t work when the grid goes down"

found here: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-10-13-california-blackouts-expose-scam-of-solar-panels-grid-down.html

The truth is that the article is only PARTIALLY true for those systems which use the grid for 'storage'..ie, sell back -- that is, some 'whole house' systems use large solar arrays and inverters which use the grid as a 'load' instead of storing power in batteries to keep the system components from failing due to excess power input from sunlight. They are designed to just 'shut down'.

They are designed to shut down when the load is removed. The current problem in Hollywood is that the liberal 'greens' cant even check the oil in their Rolls by themselves, much less do anything like maintenance. Their expensive 'whole house', no battery systems are just a show case toy for them.

With grid failure such no battery systems are a bit like flooring the accelerator in your car when the transmission is in neutral. If one does so engine damage is sure to follow.

These whole house systems which use the grid for a load are expensive, but less than half the cost of a system which uses batteries as on site storage as a load instead of the grid. A properly set up battery storage solar system can also sell back to the grid when the batteries are full, and can make it through months of grid failure, albeit with judicious use.

You cant in most cases use electric heat/AC and stoves... but you can use microvaves and toaster ovens, freezers and refrigs, most small appliances and have plentiful light, 24/7. You just have to use common sense and a calculator. And, you will need to make some lifestyle adjustments, like alternate cooking and heating/AC methods.

I know, because I have such a system with batteries, which for more than 11 years have got me through several grid down events, one lasting nearly two weeks.

No, it's not quite life in the mainstream of power wasters like some who leave lights on continually and take two showers a day, and have heated pools and Jacuzzies, but when you know and monitor the system correctly, it's a God send. Literally-- a free gift from the sun.

Yes, batteries are bulky and expensive, and most require monthly maintenance, but it does pay for itself eventually, by reduction in electricity bills. It also 'sells back' to the grid during times of high sunlight, while keeping the batteries topped off.

While I began years ago with lead acid batteries, as the lead acid batteries age, I am slowly changing over to an 'ancient technology' Iron Edison bank of batteries which are capable of complete discharge with no damage, while lead acid batteries will be destroyed by such action. While expensive, with proper care they will last for my lifetime and more. They are actually less initial cost than Lithium, and Lithium has limited charge/discharge cycles.

The technology was invented by Thomas Edison 100 years ago.
https://youtu.be/FkNO1I3T0pc

Here's an 85 year old NI battery that has been rejuvenated to 100%-- https://www.nickel-iron-battery.com/

Actually, high quality solar panels are VERY inexpensive, and if one feels confident enough to wire up a light socket and buy and hacksaw some structure steel from Lowes, one can build a solar system that can carry you through a complete and protracted grid down situation in reasonable comfort. The nice part is that one can start small and easily increase it's capability in stages as you can afford additional panels and batteries.

No, it is not 'cheap'. But it is insurance that pays real dividends over time. Much better than regular insurance, which only costs continually, and pays off in disaster. Properly planned solar systems pay dividends by insuring your necessities for the present while actually 'running your grid power meter backwards' occasionally in times of high output.

My Summary:

No battery solar systems are expensive and both foolish and useless in times of grid down.

A properly designed solar system with batteries is a blessing you will not regret. Unlike the grid load systems of the greenies, you can start small and add capability over the years as you can afford to.

All you need to have is basic knowledge of using tools and watching some you tube videos. Don't make the mistake of going for 'integrated' pre-wired systems. They are very tough to build on. Start with say 600-1000 watts of panels and a 12-24 volt battery bank with an individual charge controller and inverter like the outback power gtfx and fm80. http://outbackpower.com/products/inverter-chargers/fxr-vfxr-series and http://outbackpower.com/products/charge-controllers/flexmax-60-80

You will also need the outback mate and the mate hub for easy programming and future expansion. http://outbackpower.com/products-mobile/system-management

So, if you want to know cost to start up your system, you can add up the costs of the components above. A basic startup expandable system with 1000 watts of panels should be around 4-5k not counting your panel support structure, batteries, wire and labor

The second big cost is batteries. A 12 volt 1000 amp hour bank of lead-acid batteries will cost about $2400. The 1000 amp hour capacity is misleading, though. Actually, Discharge at even A 300 amp hour rate will vastly shorten battery life. If you care for them properly, you can expect 5-7 years of life from them at a 150 amp hour rate.

On the other hand, a 12 volt 300 amp-hour iron edison bank will provide a 250 amp hour rate continuously with no damage to them. They will last your lifetime with proper care.

The initial cost is about $3300. https://ironedison.com/nickel-iron-ni-fe-battery

prices: https://ironedison.com/images/DOCS/Pricing/Iron%20Edison%20-%20Customer%20Price%20Sheet%20-%20Nickel%20Iron%20%28NiFE%29.pdf

As with the rest of the basic components above, N.I. battery banks can be easily expanded and added to as your system needs grow. ie, There is no 'wasted money'.

So, in summary, a whole house grid dependent california greenie system will set you back about 50K. But--it don't work at all when the grid goes down. If a whole house system as above has battery backup, you are looking at possibly another 40-50 K, plus scheduled monthly maintenance at about $250 per month.

A properly designed small system as described above which is easily upward compatible for capacity, will cost about 8-9k plus your labor. So long as the sun shines, it works whether it has a grid or not. Depending on your electricity cost, you will save an average of $25-30 per month even with a small system.

With banks paying less than 1% on a 10k savings balance, that money in savings is only earning you $8 per month.

Solar is actually a no brainer. Plus, you have assurance that you will have at least some power when the grid goes down.