Today marks 1-year living off-grid. It has taken a decade to become independent of Australia’s fossil-fueled electricity. The solar roof provides all my power and most of my water. Until I learn to forage, one day a month is still needed to restock the van. Returning to civilization burns petrol, but this may change one day?
I know of (1,2,3) prototype solar-powered campervans already on the road. To make them viable with today’s solar panels, they use various extension systems to triple the roof areas, when the vans are stationary. I have a different design solution in mind, with a lower centre of gravity.
Power storage is a dilemma. Building a DIY Lithium or Hydrogen fuel cell has fire risks I am uncomfortable with. I hope a less dangerous option becomes available before my dino juice engine loses all its horses.
The speed I travel, maybe a small panel with large storage is enough, this is a guess. To get some real numbers into the design, I need to know the longest drive between bush camps (with suitable non-shaded areas to recharge) that are needed to complete a full year of seasonal migrations. Now the Queensland border is fully open, I can audit a weather led journey for a future zero-carbon route.
