Solar systems can be very expensive and take a long time to yield a return on your investment. An electrical grid tied system can cost up to $30, 000 before rebates. If you want to be off the grid, it will cost even more because of the amount of batteries you will need to buy. A hot water solar system may cost initially $12K before rebates as well. Solar systems don’t have to be expensive to be effective.
Here at the GreenDesert.org, we recommend a solar generator system.

Solar generation systems give you the ability to charge up batteries to use at any time. This will come in handy during a power outage or other emergencies.

A solar backup system consists of a solar panel, charge controller, 12 volt battery, and a power inverter. It’s that simple and makes good common sense to be prepared for those “rainy days.” The best part… the return of investment is very fast, solar generators are easy to maintain and it helps you become more self-sufficient.

The idea behind the system is to keep batteries charged so that in the event of any emergency you will have needed power.

The system we use cost about $200 dollars. It can charge up one 12 volt battery in about one day, enough to run a small radio, tv, lights, laptop, etc. Of course the more items you want to run the more expensive the system.  Here is a picture of our system in action charging up a battery to a quad.