Surviving the Mayan Apocalypse – Solar Edition

Whether you are taking steps to prepare for the Mayan Apocalypse (rumored to be December 21st, 2012), a zombie apocalypse, or general bad weather conditions (see Hurricane Sandy), it is always a good idea to have a plan.

Ready.gov  is a website created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) which lists steps to take to prepare for an emergency scenario or natural disaster.

Every family needs a basic emergency supply kit containing essentials to meet household survival needs. Recommendations include:

• Water – one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food – at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries (we found this cool solar powered hand crank radio with LED flashlight and USB cell phone charger online)
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Can opener for food
• Local maps
• Backpack or other container for keeping your emergency supply kit together (we recommend a solar powered backpack)

Many other emergency and disaster preparedness websites recommend purchasing a home generator to supply power to refrigerators, lights, and other essential appliances.

Solar Energy USA offers emergency solar power systems that fit this need. Emergency solar power systems are designed to power your critical household loads, such as refrigeration, lighting, well pumps, medical devices, even an electric stove, and will provide daily power supply via emergency battery storage connected to and recharged by solar panels.

Options are also available connecting backup gas generators to the emergency solar power system for people who need a “backup backup” or wish to provide power to larger loads that have high-draw compressors.

With an emergency solar power system in place you can feel peace of mind knowing that whatever the scenario, you and your family will not be left without power.