Installing Solar Energy https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1720920 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 11:12:54 GMT Tue, 2 Apr 2024 17:56:53 GMT Copyright © 2024 National Forest Homeowners Installing Solar Energy https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1720920 https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1720920 Hello Fellow National Forest Cabin Owners,

I am new to the group, loving my cabin I have had since last July. I have a gas generator and want to install solar panels. Has anyone out there had success with mobile solar units? If I go with the panels mounted on a pole and underground electrical wires to my shed and system, I have to wait for an environmental committee to meet on it for approval because the ground will be disturbed. The committee only meets twice a year and the next meeting is mid summer. I was hoping to have the panels installed late spring as soon as we can get into the cabin. So, I am considering a mobile solar system... any advice from those of you who have been there - done that - is appreciated!

Thank you - Deb Glaser, Burgdorf Idaho

]]> Tue, 3 Jan 2023 04:26:03 GMT https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1765080 https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1765080
Just like you we went from a propane/electric to solar/propane backup system. Our solar panels (12) are located and mounted on a FS approved "Solar Structure" Long story there !

For your future planning and proposals, a critically important thing is to check is your permit regulations / paperwork to understand exactly if and where a solar system is approved relative to your cabin.

Our first choice, and the best in my opinion, was a pole mount for the panels, but our lease regulations docs indicated that the solar panels had to be "attached to the structure" This drove some creative collaboration with the FS that was a great win win.

An interim solution of using a mobile panel solution is an interesting approach, and I don't have first hand info or experience on that, but keep in mind any panel solution is dependent on having the panels correctly positioned with no shading of the panels during the production hours.

Solar System design, use, capacity, production, storage etc. is a total efficiency game and there are always trade offs. Happy to discuss more if I can be of help!
]]> Fri, 12 Jan 2024 22:56:52 GMT https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1774750 https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1774750 I would be interesting to hear about your experience getting solar. I do not have any information regarding solar.. last year, I did switch out using my generator by using Jackary solar powered generators. Fully charged they lasted for a weekend of low use so we didn’t even need to depend on the solar panel recharging.. Another temporary option to consider.
Are you Deb Glaser of literacy fame?😃
Welcome to cabin life.
Barbara]]> Tue, 2 Apr 2024 18:56:53 GMT