Power outages are almost a rite of passage in Muskoka, but they don’t have to involve a lot of stress and worry. There are solutions out there and Travis Riggin, VP of Sales for Solwel Solar Energy has some suggestions.
“Many people are familiar with the idea of using solar panels, and we can certainly take care of that request, but have you considered getting a battery?”
Solwel sells and installs batteries that can act as back-up in the case of a power outage. While most outages are three to six hours, some like the December outage in Gravenhurst can last for a week or more. Preparation is key.
The PointGuard batteries Solwel installs can be charged by regular A/C power from the house, or by solar panels or a generator, depending on the situation and need.
“One battery can run the whole house for a day, or critical functions for two to three days. When on battery power, there is no gas and no noise.”
Travis also points out that most homeowners are not aware that rebates are available from the government for installing batteries, and they’re worth looking into. He explains that the batteries are affordable even without rebates and will pay for themselves in three to five years.
Your energy, your wayThere are multiple ways to work with your battery. “You don’t have to save the power for an outage; you can also use the battery day-to-day for your household needs. You can then charge it overnight, making it ready for the next day.”
Battery installationThe batteries are mounted outside the house and are built to withstand the intensity of Canadian weather. “Some people have batteries installed in their garage, but that’s not the best place for them. They need to be outside.”
Residents of Muskoka know the challenges with weather and the grid. “Outages tend to happen when it’s extremely hot or extremely cold, and waiting until the inevitable occurs doesn’t work to your best advantage. A better idea is to have your system reliably in place so you can enjoy your holidays at the cottage without a lot of unnecessary stress,” Travis says.
Solwel has all your alternative energy needs covered. “We sell modules, racking, inverters, and batteries, and we can set you up for whatever level of hydro independence you want.”
TEXT KARI KLASSEN
