I didn’t think it was possible to be a *bigger* fan of #solar than I already was, but Day 3 of a city wide outage where I not only have power but I have more than I can use/store and can give it away to the neighbors? That’ll do it. #Pittsburgh #energysky - ThreadSky

susankayequinn.bsky.social • 3 days ago

I didn’t think it was possible to be a *bigger* fan of #solar than I already was, but Day 3 of a city wide outage where I not only have power but I have more than I can use/store and can give it away to the neighbors? That’ll do it. #Pittsburgh #energysky

Comments

susankayequinn.bsky.social•3 days ago

This is a really good idea — if my internet provider had this, I'd be able to use Wifi (because I have the backup power as well) (instead I'm on the phone's hotspot, which is still going strong) https://onestepoffthegrid.com.au/networks-embrace-stand-alone-power-as-solar-and-batteries-beat-out-poles-and-wires/

susankayequinn.bsky.social•3 days ago

BTW my little jackery battery is coming into unexpected use — long before I had my solar + home battery +EV outage backup solution, I got a little Jackery battery to deal with the frequent outages in my old house...
1/2

susankayequinn.bsky.social•3 days ago

The outages would only last a couple hours, but having that battery to charge phones and laptops saved my sanity. Once we moved here and had the larger system, it was useful on occasion for power at the lake, etc, but now... now we have portable power to share with others and that's HUGE.
2/2

hierath77.bsky.social•3 days ago

We had a huge power cut earlier in the year and we were using the Jackery to charge our neighbour's phones.

susankayequinn.bsky.social•3 days ago

Excellent work!

susankayequinn.bsky.social•3 days ago

Another unsung hero of the outage: my phone's hotspot. I long ago got a plan w/ a hotspot because we would use it ALL THE TIME (on travel, in the car on the way to wherever, especially when the kids were home).
1/2

susankayequinn.bsky.social•3 days ago

Most of the power outages I've been in *haven't* had the internet go down — those are separate (generally) and I specifically planned for backup power to run the router/modem so we could have wifi in an outage. But this storm was BIG... and took out the internet.

Hotspot is saving us.
2/2

susankayequinn.bsky.social•3 days ago

My writeup on all kinds of backup battery solutions (including Jackery-type batteries, that's just one brand but I like them): https://susankayequinn.com/2024/11/backup-power-battery-options-for-the-climate-crisis.html

shireenj.bsky.social•3 days ago

I’ll have to read your post. I was all set to get battery backup for my solar, but the provincial electrical safety authority said nope, had to be outside. And by the time they entered the 21st century, I no longer had the funding. 😕

Can’t believe a 3-day outage! Solar ftw!!

susankayequinn.bsky.social•3 days ago

Also: even if you can't have a whole-house battery, these smaller batteries are *really* useful. And if you can get your solar to have a shut off so that you can use power from them during the day/outage then that's *also* huge — especially if you're in a heat wave and really want cooling.

shireenj.bsky.social•3 days ago

The electrician explained to me that solar voltages vary so that they need to be connected to either a converter or battery, otherwise, the equipment will automatically shut off solar during a power outage to keep Hydro workers safe. I learnt this when I had no power during the day in an outage. 😞

susankayequinn.bsky.social•3 days ago

That's so frustrating! (Although I'm sure having the home battery outside *could* work, it's really unnecessary). And now there are modular ones that you don't need the permitting for (I believe) so... yeah. Laws do vary (and change) so make sure you check—also a good thing to write your reps about!

shireenj.bsky.social•3 days ago

Apparently because Toronto can theoretically drop below -20C, batteries won’t work at that temp so they have to be inside a garage at least. If that’s changed with newer models, it would work better for me, anyway.

I complained a lot! 😆

cdxx420.bsky.social•3 days ago

I've been on solar for almost 12 years, built and installed myself, paid for itself in first year. I have all the power I need. Still waiting for a bill from the Sun.

susankayequinn.bsky.social•3 days ago

haha right? People are like "but the sun isn't always shining!!" well, yes, but also: the sun keeps rising every day. That fossil fuel supply chain gets dicier every day, ten times as much in a climate-fueled storm.

☀️

jeremywallace.bsky.social•3 days ago

day 3 city wide outage?!?!?!

susankayequinn.bsky.social•3 days ago

Slowly getting restored but not us yet

https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/pittsburgh-power-outages-storm-damage/

jessedjenkins.com•3 days ago

Day 3??

susankayequinn.bsky.social•3 days ago

Slowly getting restored but not us yet

https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/pittsburgh-power-outages-storm-damage/

pattiagood.bsky.social•2 days ago

We have solar love it

susankayequinn.bsky.social•2 days ago

Good on you! And increasing the *very* smart choice in our climate-impacted world just in terms of resilience.

saraidh.bsky.social•3 days ago

We had one of those types of storm related outages a few years ago, which prompted me to get an EcoFlow battery and portable solar panels. Fortunately, we haven't needed it for emergency power since, but we used it last week while we were getting a major electrical upgrade. Good stuff!

susankayequinn.bsky.social•3 days ago

Excellent! Yeah, I'm surprised at how handy they are for non-emergency stuff. That makes it even easier to recommend them!

ceemor0.bsky.social•3 days ago

I once asked if I could get solar at my house but I live in a townhouse, they said no )-:
I don't own my own roof, lol

susankayequinn.bsky.social•3 days ago

Super frustrating! But there are options: you can sign up for community solar (if available)or get your fellow townhouse tenants to collectively bargain with the owner. You'd be surprised what you can motivate them to do! :)

More on the options, even for renters: https://susankayequinn.com/2025/04/solar-how-to-get-started-and-why-you-should.html

Comments

Posting Rules

Reply