What is renewable energy?
Renewable energy is a source of energy that can never be exhausted.

We can obtain renewable energy from the sun (solar energy), from the water (hydropower), from the wind (wind turbines), from hot dry rocks, magma, hot water springs (geothermal) and even from firewood, animal manure, crop residues and waste (Biomass).

Solar   

A Non-Technical Introduction to Solar

• Solar Panels, 
• Charge Controllers, 
• Batteries 
•  Inverters

All of these components are necessary to have a functioning Solar Electric (PV) system.

SOLAR PANEL  is the basic building block of the system.This is your battery charger. If you have several solar modules wired together you have created a solar array. The size of the solar array determines the amount of power or energy that will be produced. Your location is also a factor in the amount of energy produced. If you live in Florida, Southern California, or Texas you will produce more than if you live in Oregon, Maine or Maryland. In general the closer to the equator you live your system will produce a larger amount of energy.

CHARGE CONTROLLERS come in many different sizes and types.They all basically do the same thing. The charge controller prevents the solar panel or array from overcharging your battery. 

BATTERIES  are the energy storage for your system. Without batteries there is no way to store the energy your solar panels produce during the day. Typically loads receive their power from batteries instead of directly from the output of a solar panel. A solar panel produces a high voltage that will damage electronics if loads are powered directly. A common application for solar panels directly powering a load is water pumping. Instead of storing energy you store water. This way you can pump during the day and have water all night. Batteries will provide you with the energy you need at night.

 INVERTER  converts the DC energy stored in your batteries and turns it into the AC power you use in your home. Inverters are rated by wattage and the quality of their output. You can use a 50 watt inverter that plugs into your car 12 volt outlet to power a computer, or you could have a 4000 to 11,000 watt inverter system that powers your home. These major components can be put together in many different ways. Minor components like wire, disconnects,circuit breakers, and fuses are also needed for a complete system.  

Solar Water Pumping: Uses pumps depending on how deep you need to go.  Batteries are seldom used, most systems use water storage rather than batteries, for simplicity and economy. A float switch can turn the pump off when the water tank fills, to prevent overflow.  For more on solar water pumps go here

Most solar water-heating systems for buildings have two main parts: (1) a solar collector and (2) a storage tank. The most common collector used in solar hot water systems is the flat-plate collector.

Solar water heaters use the sun to heat either water or a heat-transfer fluid in the collector. Heated water is then held in the storage tank ready for use, with a conventional system providing additional heating as necessary. The tank can be a modified standard water heater, but it is usually larger and very well insulated. Solar water heating systems can be either active or passive, but the most common are active systems.  

Active solar water heaters

Active solar water heaters rely on electric pumps, and controllers to circulate water, or other heat-transfer fluids through the collectors. These are the three types of active solar water-heating systems:

1. Direct-circulation systems use pumps to circulate pressurized potable water directly through the collectors. These systems are appropriate in areas that do not freeze for long periods and do not have hard or acidic water. These systems are not approved by the Solar Rating & Certification Corporation (SRCC) if they use recirculation freeze protection (circulating warm tank water during freeze conditions) because that requires electrical power for the protection to be effective.

2. Indirect-circulation systems pump heat-transfer fluids through collectors. Heat exchangers transfer the heat from the fluid to the potable water. Some indirect systems have "overheat protection," which is a means to protect the collector and the glycol fluid from becoming super-heated when the load is low and the intensity of incoming solar radiation is high. The two most common indirect systems are:

   • Antifreeze. The heat transfer fluid is usually a glycol-water mixture with the glycol concentration depending on the expected minimum temperature. The glycol is usually food-grade propylene glycol because it is non-toxic.

   • Drainback systems, a type of indirect system, use pumps to circulate water through the collectors. The water in the collector loop drains into a reservoir tank when the pumps stop. This makes drainback systems a good choice in colder climates. Drainback systems must be carefully installed to assure that the piping always slopes downward, so that the water will completely drain from the piping. This can be difficult to achieve in some circumstances.    

Passive solar water heaters

Passive solar water heaters rely on gravity and the tendency for water to naturally circulate as it is heated. Because they contain no electrical components, passive systems are generally more reliable, easier to maintain, and possibly have a longer work life than active systems. The two most popular types of passive systems are:

1. Integral-collector storage systems consist of one or more storage tanks placed in an insulated box with a glazed side facing the sun. These solar collectors are suited for areas where temperatures rarely go below freezing. They are also good in households with significant daytime and evening hot-water needs; but they do not work well in households with predominantly morning draws because they lose most of the collected energy overnight.
2. Thermosyphon systems are an economical and reliable choice, especially in new homes. These systems rely on the natural convection of warm water rising to circulate water through the collectors and to the tank (located above the collector). As water in the solar collector heats, it becomes lighter and rises naturally into the tank above. Meanwhile, the cooler water flows down the pipes to the bottom of the collector, enhancing the circulation. Some manufacturers place the storage tank in the house's attic, concealing it from view. Indirect thermosyphons (that use a glycol fluid in the collector loop) can be installed in freeze-prone climates if the piping in the unconditioned space is adequately protected. 

Keep learning and keep fighting! 

Do you want to use an old suitcase, a huge plastic bucket, or a neon orange nylon backpack? These are decisions that should be left up to You!

So, to create the ideal Emergency Kit or Survival Kit...you will probably want to include:

#1: A container to carry everything in; suitcase, duffel bag, backpack, or something of the like.

#2: Non-perishable food and drink that meets your dietary needs. Bottled water and water filters, juice boxes, nuts, seeds, trail mix, dried fruits, canned meats or tuna, granola or energy bars, crackers, and the list goes on. 

#3: A decent first aid kit to your liking. There are tiny first aid kits that only have a few bandages and a couple of foil packets of a first-aid cream, and then there are those that are quite extensive, and everything in between...choose what makes YOU comfortable.

#4: Spare supply of any medications needed.

#5: Spare clothing according to your needs or desires.

#6: A battery operated, solar or hand-crank radio.

#7: Some emergency blankets, sleeping bags, and ponchos. (These items will be made out of plastic or mylar and they can be folded up very compact and they will fit into the kit...they may not be as comforting as a traditional wool or cotton blanket, but in an emergency they will help keep you warm.)

#8: A decent knife, folding-compact shovel, something to saw through small trees or branches, and any other tools that you feel you might need.

#9: Some water-proof matches and a container to keep them in, some sort of firestarting device, and things related to fire and cooking...also some utensils or metal containers for the preparation of food.

#10: Some rope, string, twine, wire, and fishing line.

#11: A compass, a small mirror, a magnifying glass, and perhaps a manual about surviving in the woods, or a How To Book about living off the land. You never know when you might need something like this.

#12: Perhaps some safety goggles or safety glasses.

#13: Two handled chain that is a saw and two people each hold one end a piece and they pull it back and forth to cut a small tree or a branch.

#14: Some whistles to call for help or to signal one another, and maybe something for protection, such as a Non-lethal, Self-defense Pepper Spray. Gun. 

#15: Flashlights, whether battery operated, hand-cranked, or both.

#16: A sewing kit to repair clothing in the middle of nowhere.

#17: Something to fish with, like fishing line, hooks and such. 

#18: Seeds

The list can go on and on, and you do not want so many items that it will make it impossible to carry everything. You will probably want to use a nylon backpack and limit yourself to whatever can fit into it, and not make it weigh more than 30 pounds or so.