Using the Clarity as an emergency power source

[Steve93]

Those sub-$1000 solar generators typically have about 1000 watts of capacity, or less. Translation: It may power a 100w load for 8-10 hours. If it only charges at 10A, it will take 8-10 hours to fully recharge once depleted. In a hurricane, with 85mph winds and a torrential downpour it may take a bit longer to charge the batteries. That’s if the panels aren’t blown away.

Those things look impressive in the sales pitch videos. Once called to task, it’s a different story.

Why not buy a $200-300, 1000 watt inverter and connect it to the 12V in the Clarity? That will run 800-1000 watts every hour for at least 12 hours before the engine fires up. Then you have 7 gallons of gas that’s easy to replace. You have access to a 17kWh battery. Why would you spend $1000 on a 1kWh battery that’s packaged with a small inverter/charger and a few outlets? On top of that, you’ll pay a premium for some inferior portable solar panels.

Hi Landshark. I’ve seen several of your posts on these forums. Happy to see you comment on my response too.

For starters, my plan with using the Clarity for backup is solely for after a hurricane has past. I have an attached garage that will be secured from a storm. But I’m not a fan of running a hybrid car indoors since this PHEV still has a gas engine. Obviously you don’t want that turning on inside a garage.

But for other people, especially in Northern states where bad winter weather hits, it can still be used for temporary backup power.

My use for backup power is just to maintain my refrigerator and that’s not a device that is constantly running. It’s also a modern refrigerator which sucks like 150 watts when on. So it’s quite minimal. Yes I can get 15 hours or so from my Bluetti solar generator for just my fridge without plugging that into any solar.

Regarding the 10amps, yes that’s the max it will accept. I know it would take 12 hours to charge to full from a 12v outlet.

The point I was trying to make is that if someone had a solar generator already, the Clarity PHEV can serve as a generator without the need to buy a separate 1000 watt inverter, or extra cables. It’s not ideal by any means but in an emergency, it will work. It’s a good option for night time use, considering solar is not an option.

Oh and regarding solar panels, I don’t have any on my roof, but I have a few portable panels which will be fine to use once the storm is gone.

 

[Landshark]

My use for backup power is just to maintain my refrigerator and that’s not a device that is constantly running.

The point I was trying to make is that if someone had a solar generator already, the Clarity PHEV can serve as a generator without the need to buy a separate 1000 watt inverter, or extra cables.

Thanks for the follow up. Your point wasn’t clear in your original post. It came across as a suggestion to buy a “cheap” solar generator from one of any number of reputable companies as a step toward being prepared for an emergency.

Sure, it can be charged from a 12V outlet. One of the advantages of a lithium battery, however, is that it can be charged quickly. The battery in the Clarity, for example, can be fully charged in about 2.5 hours.

It sounds like you’re charging a 120Ah battery at 10A, maximum, whether it’s via solar, 12V or 120VAC. That’s with no load on the battery (refrigerator unplugged).

What you’ve described, running a refrigerator for 15 hours and then charging the battery for 12 hours, is what can be expected from a “cheap” solar generator. Most people want more than a refrigerator powered up during an extended outage. However, a second one would provide power while the first one is charging.

This is why I suggested just using an inverter with the Clarity. You’d have constant power for TV, lights, refrigerator and maybe even a coffee maker, in addition to a rapid charging system. Simply open the garage door and back the car out a few feet.

 

[Anthony Smith]

Thank you for your insights, Landmark! You're absolutely correct about the distinction between watts and watt-hours—it's an important clarification.

Regarding your mention of battery systems, it's great to see that affordable options like the 12V, 100Ah LiFePo4 batteries are available. Your estimated cost for a 17kWh system seems reasonable considering the current market.

If you're exploring long-term energy solutions, the Tesla Solar Roof is definitely worth considering. While the Tesla Solar Roof cost can vary depending on the specifics of your home, many homeowners find that it not only enhances their energy efficiency but also offers significant savings on electricity bills over time. This could be a great complement to the battery systems you're looking into, allowing for even greater energy independence.

 

[Landshark]

Thank you for your insights, Landmark! You're absolutely correct about the distinction between watts and watt-hours—it's an important clarification.

For further clarification, it was leop who pointed out the distinction and also provided the cost estimate for a lithium battery with a capacity of 17kWh’s.

Thank you for the cut and paste Tesla presentation, although I’m not in the market for rooftop solar.

This post was generated without AI assistance.

 

[Anthony Smith]

Hi Landshark. I’ve seen several of your posts on these forums. Happy to see you comment on my response too.

For starters, my plan with using the Clarity for backup is solely for after a hurricane has past. I have an attached garage that will be secured from a storm. But I’m not a fan of running a hybrid car indoors since this PHEV still has a gas engine. Obviously you don’t want that turning on inside a garage.

But for other people, especially in Northern states where bad winter weather hits, it can still be used for temporary backup power.

My use for backup power is just to maintain my refrigerator and that’s not a device that is constantly running. It’s also a modern refrigerator which sucks like 150 watts when on. So it’s quite minimal. Yes I can get 15 hours or so from my Bluetti solar generator for just my fridge without plugging that into any solar.

Regarding the 10amps, yes that’s the max it will accept. I know it would take 12 hours to charge to full from a 12v outlet.

The point I was trying to make is that if someone had a solar generator already, the Clarity PHEV can serve as a generator without the need to buy a separate 1000 watt inverter, or extra cables. It’s not ideal by any means but in an emergency, it will work. It’s a good option for night time use, considering solar is not an option.

Oh and regarding solar panels, I don’t have any on my roof, but I have a few portable panels which will be fine to use once the storm is gone.

You're right—using the Clarity PHEV as a backup generator is a viable option for emergencies, especially since it minimizes the need for extra equipment like inverters. Given that you only need minimal power (like 150 watts for your fridge), your setup with the Bluetti and portable solar panels post-storm sounds efficient.

If you consider adding a Tesla Solar Roof, it can provide backup power during the day and recharge your devices without relying on the grid. However, keep in mind that the Tesla Solar Roof cost can vary significantly based on factors like your home's size and energy needs. Just ensure ventilation if you need to use the car as a generator, even in a secured garage. This approach is practical, especially at night when solar isn't available. Great setup!

 

[Anthony Smith]

Landmark wrote: "Those sub-$1000 solar generators typically have about 1000 watts of capacity, or less. Translation: It may power a 100w load for 8-10 hours.", Landmark should have said 1000 watt-hours of capacity as that is the stored energy available. Power, in watts, is how fast the energy can be supplied. Landmark uses the correct energy vs. power terminology in a subsequent post so he knows this.

BTW, decent nominal 12V, 100Ah LiFePo4 batteries are available for less than $250 US at this time. Thus, a 17kWh system, the Clarity's energy capacity, would cost about $4k US (with an inverter to get 120V/240V output). Any charging system (solar or from the grid) would be an additional cost. This cost is quite reasonable, in my opinion.

LeoP

You're absolutely right in pointing out that Landmark should have used "watt-hours" when referring to energy capacity instead of watts, which measure power. Watts indicate how much energy is being used per unit of time, while watt-hours represent the total energy stored in the system.
You can also consider the Tesla Solar Roof, which offers an integrated solution for energy generation and roofing. Many contractors provide competitive Cost for Tesla Solar Roof installation, and it could be a great option if you're looking for both energy savings and a long-term investment.