From my van to your forecast
A personal project,
shaped by everyday life off grid.
The winter solar question
I know the solar anxiety that comes with being parked up for an extended spell in winter. You keep an eye on the batteries and wonder when you’ll next get enough sun to top them up. How long can you stay? Is tomorrow looking any better? Would another spot make a difference?
That question feels very different when the van is your home. Solar Outlook grew out of wanting a clearer idea of the power I could expect, so I could make plans with a little more confidence.
A brilliant spot, until the sun disappears
I’ve pulled up somewhere, thought what a brilliant parking spot I’d found, and then realised that the hills were blocking the sun. The view was lovely, but the panels were getting far less sunlight than I’d expected.
It taught me to look beyond the weather forecast. A clear sky is only part of the picture when the winter sun sits low and the landscape is in the way. I built Solar Outlook to bring the weather, the sun’s path and the surrounding terrain together, with my own panels in mind.
Most at home outdoors
I’m a keen hill walker and winter mountaineer, and I’m most at home in the outdoors. Life in the van gives me the freedom to spend time in the places I love.
That’s the idea behind Solar Outlook too: understand your solar a little better, feel more confident about your power, and get on with enjoying wherever you’ve parked.
Simon