The Off-Grid Revolution: How Solar Panels Are Empowering Communities

Originally Posted 2023-04-08

Have you ever wondered how many people are actually ditching the traditional grid and opting for solar power? In this video, we delve deep into the booming trend of going off-grid using solar panels and why it's becoming a preferred choice for many. 🌞

🔋 Off-Grid Power Boom: We showcase how an increasing number of people are harnessing solar power to go completely off-grid and the massive surge in demand we're experiencing.

🏡 Cost-Effective Living: We break down the costs involved in traditional utility connections vs. going off-grid, revealing how solar or hybrid diesel-electric systems can be a financially smarter option.

🚚 Shipping Solar Solutions: Join us as we show you our yard filled with solar trailers ready to be shipped out to customers eager to establish their off-grid setup.

💡 Community Impact: We're not just talking about individual homes - entire communities are making the shift! We share real examples of how we're taking entire neighbourhoods 100% off-grid.

If you're intrigued by the idea of sustainable, cost-effective living, this video is a must-watch! Dive into the world of off-grid solar power with us and discover how you too can make the shift. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insights into green energy solutions!

🚚 Edison Motors: By Truckers, For Truckers! 🚚

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🔧 Built by Truckers, for Truckers 🔧

Founded by Chace Barber and Eric Little in 2016, Edison Motors is a testament to the trucking spirit. Beginning with a 1969 Kenworth Logging Truck named "Old Blue," they journeyed from Merritt, BC, hauling logs to the Yukon and drilling rigs in Alberta. Frustrated with newer trucks, they rebuilt classics from the frame up, expanding into power generation and off-grid solar systems in 2019. Their journey led to the creation of the Edison Truck, a robust electric truck tailored to logging and heavy vocational industries.

🔩 Upgrade Without Replacing: Edison Electrification Kit 🔩

Keep trucks on the road longer with the Edison Electrification kit. Upgrade your driveline to electric without replacing the entire truck. Ideal for vocational applications, this kit is a cost-effective solution. Unlike other electric trucks, Edison Motors offers customer choice. Choose between Rebuilding (utilizing existing cab and frame rails) or Remanufacturing (brand new frame and chassis).

🚚 Payload Efficiency: The Weight Balance 🚚

Edison Trucks match the weight of a normal diesel truck. With reduced motor weight and additional fuel balancing out battery weight, experience efficiency and increased payload capacity. The L series, though slightly heavier, remains comparable to a normal diesel truck.

🛠️ Keep Your Equipment with Rebuilt Trucks 🛠️

For vocational trucks, keep your equipment with a rebuilt truck. Edison's e-pto and control system integrate seamlessly. No need to replace your entire body when upgrading to an electric truck.

🔧 Bespoke Manufacturing: Handcrafted to Your Needs 🔧

The manufacturing process at Edison Motors is a testament to their commitment to customer satisfaction. Each Edison Truck undergoes a meticulous five-step process, from frame and rolling chassis preparation to final touches and rigorous testing. The focus is on building a truck that reflects the customer's requirements, embracing the philosophy of "Building The Truck Of The Future With The Quality Of The Past."

🔌 Electric or Diesel-Electric: Your Power, Your Choice 🔌

Edison Motors offers both fully electric and diesel-electric vocational trucks based on customer demands. The onboard generator ensures continuous operation in areas lacking charging infrastructure.

💡 Advantages of Electric: Power, Torque, Longevity 💡

Edison Trucks bring increased power, torque, reliability, and longevity. Inspired by electric freight trains, regenerative ability harnesses energy for efficient uphill climbs.

⚙️ Efficiency Redefined: Diesel-Electric Technology ⚙️

Diesel-electric technology delivers peak load demand energy supply. Batteries initiate movement, and the diesel generator recharges the battery, capturing braking energy for restarts. The generator's constant RPM eliminates turbo lag.

🌿 Environmental Benefits: Paving the Way for Change 🌿

Diesel-electric technology results in up to 70-100% fuel savings, directly correlating to a 75%-100% reduction in diesel exhaust. Smaller lithium batteries mean less environmental damage. Diesel-electric offers a practical transition to electric for energy-intensive trucking industries. Generator diesel engines ensure optimal fuel/air ratio, contributing to a hotter and cleaner burn of emissions.

🌍 Join Edison Motors on the Road to Sustainability! 🌍

#SolarPower #OffGrid #SustainableLiving

[jcbro]

Diesel Creek has a great “mini series” of him trying to get power to his shop. It cost multiple thousands of dollars and months of back and forth with the utility.

[WB-Brown]

I have been living 100% on solar since 2015.

[ToddAdams]

Chase, what does one of your trailer/solar panel units cost, either in Canadian dollars OR US?

[TheRedWlzard]

If your property is just 1 mile away from the nearest utility connection, it would cost you (usd) $40k - $120, 000 to run grid power to your property, based on the type of pole, location, and installation costs. Its understandable why people don't want to put up with that kind of cost just for grid power, not including the possibility of outages due to the remote locations.

[BenjaminVestergaard]

Can't dispute it.

If you're in an area without an established grid, the initial cost is very high, and solar+batteries isn't as expensive as it used to be.

Internet can be done wireless over satellite or 3-5G with directional antennas.

Water from the tap and waste water management is basically becoming the bottleneck nowadays... because we haven't figured out how to 'beam' potable water through the air at long distances.

But using collected rain or seawater for flushing the toilets are great ways of preserving potable water.

[CR_Outdoor_Adventures]

I built a real small system for fun and camping. At the basic level it’s pretty easy to do. Panels -> charge controller -> batteries -> loads and inverter. You just have to know how to use fuses and the correct wire gauge which I learned in a 10th grade elective, or a simple internet search will do.

[TaylorJenkins]

The last electrical service we set up cost over $50k. Solar is a very attractive alternative.

[zaxi]

Imagine how many trucks you'll be selling when they reach production!

[Vampirebunny]

Wow I didn’t know the power pole costs good one that makes sense

[SaberSoft]

What is the maintenance schedule / life time of solar?

[edroth]

Our utility charges double that just to bring the lines down from the pole to a house. Lowest price I've seen with a pole is 80k

[somethingsomething]

Sounds like DC solar… good thing you seem
Honest.

[MiamiZombie]

I need to start using solar panels for my shed. Speaking of power, what happened to Wes' video?

[BluTrollPro]

My dream is to build an offgrid cabin in the woods.

Sadly it’s nearly totally impossible to get planning permission for such a build where I am in Scotland nowadays.

[QALibrary]

A company I know has been told they need to upgrade their power supply if they want to charge EV trucks/lorries.

They have already maximised all their space with solar panels to reduce their power needs.

Their German yard has no issue and they just brought/using 5 100% battery trucks for local work.

The cost of the upgrade is £300k for the UK HQ

And £1.5 million if they want a fuel tank so they can use hydrogen-powered fuel cell trucks.

They only get it for £1.5 million if they have two UK sites built at the same time so £3 million for 2 or £2 million for 1

[thereplacementfordisplacement]

There are panels out there that are designed to be more shade tolerant, they would make a great option for mobile power because stuff happens.

[somethingsomething]

Those solar trailers aren’t the kind with a generator on them are they?

[jammiedodger]

It would be cheaper to use a diesel than connect to the grid in the middle of nowhere.

[hobbyguy]

Hey Chase, serious question...

I notice your A frames are using bi-facial panels, why?

- availability
- cost
- performance

Seems like any performance benefits of a bi-facial panel would be lost or minimized with the A frame set up

[invisibilianone]

Which batteries are used to store the power, in these units?