MOVING FORWARD (AGAIN): LEVELING UP OUR SOLAR POWERED SHOP ON EARTH DAY
Back in 2023, I shared my excitement about being selected for an Intuit Mini Grant through the California Green Business Network (CAGBN), which helped me kickstart my dream of powering SQRRLXPRNTZ with solar energy. That first boost allowed me to invest in a portable EcoFlow solar generator and panel setup. My first real step toward lowering the carbon footprint of my small but mighty print shop.
Well, here we are again, Earth Day 2025 and I’m thrilled to say that the universe (and the awesome folks at Intuit and CAGBN) showed up for me again. I was awarded a second Intuit Mini Grant, and with it, I was able to double down on my solar power setup literally.
Thanks to this grant, I added:
One extra battery to my existing EcoFlow Delta 2 portable generator
An additional 220W solar panel to my original setup
This upgrade has doubled my energy storage capacity and increased my solar intake to around 350-400W on sunny days, depending on the harvest. With this setup, I can now run more equipment and stay productive longer without tapping into grid power which is a game-changer for the shop.
I like to call this system The Harvest (see my display screen photo)—because that’s exactly what it feels like: gathering energy directly from the sun, and using it to fuel my creativity instead of relying on fossil fuels.
Current Stats:
Average input on a clear day: 334W
Output while charging equipment: 251W
Time to fully charge with solar alone: about 6 hours (on a good sunny day) and the ability to charge AND use power at the same time is a huge win for keeping things flowing smoothly in the shop
The beauty of this system is it's still portable. I can pack it up, reposition my panels, and avoid any landlord headaches or installation restrictions. This flexibility means I’m not just committed to sustainability I’m also doing it on my terms, my way and the mission hasn’t changed: clean energy, clean printing, and making eco positive moves in an area that deserves access to these kinds of solutions.
I’m beyond grateful to have been chosen again for this opportunity and It’s not just about equipment, it’s about being able to show my community that even a small print shop can make big strides toward a better future. Here’s to more progress, more sunshine, and more reasons to celebrate Earth Day every day.
Please continue to stay tuned. I’ll be sharing the savings calculations and more updates in an upcoming post. Until then, catch me riding this solar wave at www.squirrelprintz.com.
Happy Earth Day, y’all.
