Electricity runs the world, and those who fuel this essential tool for humanity control it all. For those of us who desire to remove ourselves from the control of others, this poses a very real problem if we choose to remain connected to our global communities. The question that should be asked is not if the Internet will remain and improve as a source of communication and trade, but rather how can we continue to use it effectively when so many restrictions and governments seek to control it?
There are a few decent methods of anonymization and some quite good encryption protocols that will effectively reduce your online signature when doing trade outside of the normal government taxed and approved means. These means are common knowledge now thanks to the recent supposed wins of the government in taking down The Silk Road, Black Market Reloaded, and others. What is not understood is that all of the means that should have been used for these places were almost never utilized and as a result of that and simple stupidity, these sites were taken apart.
But security is not the chief aim of this article and after decades of playing with, and in, the internet, I have found that most humans are simply not interested in securing themselves when they have a government that can do it for them. So on to the electrical side of the article; please understand I am not licensed, I won't ever be licensed and I would highly recommend you study a bit before simply running off and electrocuting yourself trying to follow my instructions. That being said, any injury that is sustained from the use of the following information simply coincides with Darwinism - you have been warned.
Electricity is what we really want to look at now. How can someone generate a sufficient amount 
of electricity to maintain servers, computers, and more without causing added draw to the smart meters that look for these things? Banks of long life sealed gel cell deep-cycle batteries can be had for between $200 and $500 that will easily run a small to medium server set up. Yagi directional antennas allow you to capitalize on various Wi-Fi networks that are almost always unsecured. Use of burst transmission sending for large amounts of information are easy ways to capitalize on small windows of time when you have the power to operate the Wi-Fi set-ups.
Small solar panel set-ups can easily be manufactured to charge the battery arrays. Most new solar panels are around 10-15% efficient; this means that they generate electricity based on a simple theory that takes into account the reflective qualities, shape and even location on the earth. There are other percentages and equations to look at. However, while reciting these will make me look intelligent, it won't help you. (And to be completely honest, within reason it doesn't really do much for me.) Here are the key components you will need for a small solar generator fit for computer use and even small refrigerators.
· 1. Solar cells- these can be had in many shapes and sizes as well as types. Check consumer ratings and get the cells that are rated by fellow consumers as having long life spans, durability, and solid production ability. Cost will range from .25 per watt to over $12 depending on what exactly you want. I have personally found that buying the leftovers from local solar installers allows them to recoup additional monies for jobs that are already paid and allows me to gain more paneling for a low price. Be careful that you do not mix cells by different manufacturers until you have tested their conductivity/ electrical rating using a simple amperage/ohm tester.
· 2. Silver tabbing material â€" This is not the same as silver solder and you want to make sure you get solar power rated stuff. Tabbing is rated differently, so match the correct rating to the cells being used. This is important to increase the efficiencies and life span of the cells.
3. A decent soldering iron - Connecting wire for power transmission. This is based on need and draw; slightly larger is a good thing here because from the panels to the controller and batteries you will have some surging.
· 4. Over the course of the next year (unless you do not have a year), measure the amount of sunlight you receive in hours to various locations on your property. My suggestion again is to place any off grid solar production in a location that is less likely to receive direct attention from individuals who simply have no need to know you have it. You can easily be purchasing $20-$50 worth of solar equipment every month until you are ready to complete the project and set it up while measuring the sunlight in hours per location. If you do not have a year or don't like going outside much, use SunCalc, an easy to use online guide for what you want to know.
· 5. Find out how much power you are going to want to generate. What do you want to run right now, are you simply charging batteries for extended off grid use, or are you looking to generate additional power to reduce your current use? Do you want to be able to run a refrigerator or just computers? These are all VERY important questions and need to be answered before the next step. These individuals offer some great calculators for figuring this out, Borst Engineering and Construction.
· 6. Batteries are obviously a very necessary item unless you want to use all your precious daylight growing time for surfing the web and electronics or unless you do not need the refrigerator at night. Make sure you get deep cycle batteries, again check consumer ratings and get 12 volt batteries, unless you want to use 6volt batteries in which case you simply need to ensure you hook them up one to one in series. I like maintenance free batteries as they make them with about the same working life as those which need maintenance now. Make sure you have MORE battery power in output then what you calculated you need.
· 7. Charge controller, another necessary item for the effective solar setup. Most charge controllers are rated in amps; this is an easy calculation that is taught in 7th grade. Watts divided by volts equals amperage. Again, make sure your charge controller is rated higher than what you estimated you need. Or find a good price and get one per every panel you put together. This method is different and a bit more in depth, so for now, just buy one and a backup that are rated higher than what you need.
· 8. AC inverters are a necessity unless you are looking to JUST charge battery power sources alone with the solar setup. However, if you want to charge the batteries for night time use and have direct solar power for daytime use, get an inverter. This is where knowing what you are wanting to power exactly becomes a real issue. There are two types of AC inverters; a modified sine wave and a pure sine wave. Most refrigerators and some other general appliances will not work with a modified wave inverter. Again, this is where I recommend going with the more expensive units; I have two pure sine wave inverters rated at 1000 watts apiece. This allows me to have a backup as in my strict opinion, one can never be too prepared and it exceeds my calculated need by approximately 500 watts give or take.
Next you will put it altogether. The following instructions are basic and this should not be attempted by someone unfamiliar with the risks associated with working with electricity. Yes you can die, and yes I warned you.
1. After tabbing your solar cells, Use this Video for more info, connect them to the charge controller. Another informational video I have used personally is this one linked here.
2. Connect the batteries to the charge controller using the proper sized leads and wiring based on size of batteries.
3. Connect the inverter to the charge controller; again, using proper sized leads and wiring based on size of draw and current expected.
4. Inverter can be directly connected to the house electrical by simply plugging it in to a well-grounded outlet, or you can plug the appliances being used directly into the inverter as well.
Additional questions will arise; I and others I work with are available to freely answer these questions via email usually within 48-72 hours.
Jesse Mathewson is an individual who believes in Freedom, Non-Aggression, Self-Defense, Self-Ownership and a Free Market without state interference it is his firm belief that we should all be better students in life. He is also the author of the popular blog, jessetalksback.com and provides commentary to many varied places based on a background that includes education in criminal justice, history, religion and even insurgency tactics and tactical training. His current role in his community is as an organizer of sorts and a preacher of community solidarity. As a voluntaryist and atheist his life is seen as crazy and wild by many, though once they get to know him most realize he is a bluntly honest individual who will give you the shirt off his back if he believes it is necessary to help you.
Feel free to email him directly at jesse.mathewson@hotmail.com â€" make sure you put Jesse Talks Back in the header or it may get deleted. Thank you all for reading and hope to hear from you soon; free the mind and the body will follow. Please note that any pictures of equipment are not endorsements for any particular product, but rather for informational purposes. 
