Solar IN THE inland northwest

In the past few years, there has been a growing interest and increasing sales of whole home solar systems, as well as supplementary systems of all types for wells, barns, outbuildings, cabins and personal use.

We attribute some of the growth to an influx of property owners from southern states where solar is in greater use. But here's a little secret - folks in our neck of the woods have known for years that solar is a great alternative in the Inland Northwest, which is comprised of North Idaho and Eastern Washington. Even if cost prohibitive, that hasn't stopped many of them from finding less expensive options or putting together do-it-yourself systems.

At Beyond the Grid Outfitters, our goal is to help customers understand solar better and assist them with assembling a safe, reliable system for the best cost possible.

Less dependence or outright independence from the grid are two of the top reasons our customers install solar systems. Having the peace of mind that their power source is under their immediate control is a real upside for most customers.

For some customers, it simply comes down to cost. Many properties are far enough from an existing prime utility pole, the cost of installing utility power can equal or exceed the cost of a solar system. In these cases, the upside is getting power sooner and potentially at a lower cost.

For other folks, clean energy is the primary upside. It's better for the environment. While there is still some pollution associated with solar systems, it is far less than the pollution generated by other energy sources. In the Inland Northwest, where generators are used frequently, adding even a small solar system to power basic needs can cut down on the pollution generated - with a 100% decrease in noise pollution whenever the generator is off.

It's no secret - solar isn't cheap. A whole home solar system can cost tens of thousands of dollars, especially if we try to keep the lifestyle we've grown accustomed to with utility power.

Another downside is weather. Year round, cloudy, rainy or snowy days further reduce the amount of power that can be captured and stored. And regardless of where you live, solar arrays cannot capture power at night.

An additional downside in the Inland Northwest, is our latitude. We have less daylight hours to harness the power of the sun, which becomes an even greater problem in the shorter days and snow-filled skies of the winter months. 

Through our own personal experiences, we've learned there are many things we can do to improve the viability and success of owning a whole home solar system, regardless of where you live. Click links below to open the relevant page on this website.

• Learn To Use Less Power. Sound painful? At first it is, but then you find yourself reading instead of watching a movie, playing a board game with your kids instead of video games, cooking on the grill instead of the oven, sipping a beverage on the deck as you start to let the hustle of life slow to a sigh of contentment.

• Do It The Old Fashioned Way - Our Grandma Jean was an amazing woman! She preferred her wood cookstove over her electric oven because "the bread tastes better and it warms the house in the morning". For a similar reason she liked to wash lightly soiled clothes by hand and dried everything she washed on a clothesline, again "because it smells better." What did a parent or grandparent teach you that didn't require any power at all...just a little elbow grease while you hum a tune?

• Use Personal Solar Panels - There are hundreds of personal size solar solutions coming to market now, at prices almost everyone can afford. 10 watt - 25 watt panels are lightweight and compact - perfect for charging anything you own with USB or micro USB cables, including cell phones and tablets. You can also charge a personal sized battery bank and use the stored power at night. Stop by our store for yours!

• Use Solar Lights Indoors - Many of us already use solar lights for pathways and gardens, but there are also some great solar charged lamps and lanterns for indoor use. They keep their charge for hours, long after the sun has gone down. Some have built in solar panels while others can be charged using a USB connected to your personal solar panel. Simply hang them outside for the day or put them in a sunny window. They pay for themselves quickly. And if the power goes out? There's no risk of a candle burning down your home! Stop by our store for yours!

• Invest In Other Solar Solutions - Use every solar solution you can find, from solar electric fence chargers, to solar well pumps, to home (AA, AAA) and vehicle battery chargers. The more of these items we all buy, the more ingenious entrepreneurs will create new solar-powered solutions. More importantly, you are reducing the size of a whole home solar system required to power it all. Stop by our store to see what we have in stock today!

• Invest In A Generator - Some things, like power tools, traditional well pumps, clothes driers and air conditioners, require a lot of power that would quickly drain your solar battery bank, if not render it useless. Generators also provide you with a backup energy source at night and during periods of low sun exposure to your solar array.

• Buy Natural Gas or Propane Appliances - For most homeowners in our area, natural gas is not an option. However, propane is a great and inexpensive alternative. Propane appliances have come a long way. New Propane Appliances can seem expensive at first, but if you evaluate the overall cost savings of a smaller whole home solar system, it often evens out or could even save you money in the long run.

• Start Making Changes Now - The money you save could go a long way to help you purchase a solar system that may seem out of reach at the moment.

 Your home wasn't built in a day and neither is a solar system.

• Consider Building Your Solar System In Stages - If you are currently on utility "grid" power, start small, transitioning specific areas of your home in stages. If you're off grid, determine what your most critical needs are and power those first.

• Research Permitting Requirements - Every county and city is different. It's important to identify your local permitting requirements and file your application early in the process. Local requirements could impact what you need to include in your solar system to pass inspection.

• Line Up A Licensed Electrician Early - To properly integrate your solar system with your home, you will need a licensed electrician. One of the biggest challenges we've seen in the Inland Northwest is finding a licensed electrician available on short notice. Licensed electricians are often booked out months or even a full year or more. Find your electrician early and get on their calendar.

Beyond the Grid Outfitters was established, in part, due to our own adjustment in how we think about energy needs. As we experience the lifestyle changes that come with living life beyond the grid and work with an ever growing number of customers, our thinking continues to shift and our commitment grows deeper.

We work closely with our customers to understand their individual needs and do our best to help them achieve their solar goals without breaking the bank. As our business grows, we are working hard to source and sell a wide range of products that will support your particular needs as you move beyond the grid.

We look forward to meeting you!