As I young man in the 1990s, I enjoyed living off grid for a time; and as they say, necessity really is the mother of invention. Living without a grid connection forces you to be very creative!

So while initially it started out as a hobby, off-grid solar projects became increasingly central to my life. With an electrical engineering background I found the technology fascinating; and since I was living off the power I generated, it was important that the systems be practical, functional and reliable.

In those days, the Solar Living Source Book from Real Goods in Hopland California was the solar tinkerer’s bible. They were the pioneers of off grid living, as well as a valuable resource for buying off-grid solar equipment. The industry was in its infancy, and solar panels were only about 100 Watts in size and very expensive; lead-acid batteries were the only option, and required significant time and maintenance. Ah, the good ‘ol days!

As my experience with solar projects grew, in 2002 I decided to pursue this ‘hobby’ as a full-time profession. In 2003, at the infancy of grid-tied solar systems (where you can sell power back to the grid), there was only one company with just two choices of inverter that PG&E approved. Low-wattage panels, limited choices, high prices—it meant that systems were expensive and not cost-effective for the low usage consumers to install. We designed systems to just lower the bills of high energy users that paid top tier rates for power.

Fast-forward 20 years and fortunately it’s a whole new ballgame. Equipment is inexpensive, reliable with a great many choices. Solar panels are 3-4 times as efficient for the same size, and carry 25 year warranties for a third of the cost. We have many more ways to mount panels just about anywhere to meet efficiency or aesthetic needs and solar system monitoring on the internet is now standard. Plus the government pays you to install solar through a Federal tax credit!

I loved the early days of solar, however today we can all enjoy the benefits of a mature, reliable and cost-effective path to energy independence for a fraction of the cost systems were 20 years ago.

Rick Burkhard, Founder
Alternative Power Solutions, Inc.