As summer starts to brew and the days get longer, boaters are likely anticipating a full season of lake activities on the horizon. Whether fishing, swimming, or entertaining friends and family, there is nothing like sharing time on the water during a lazy summer at Lake Arrowhead.
As any dock owner knows, power is an essential element to a smooth time on the lake. Having a contained power source on your dock provides a host of benefits, including the ability to:
- Power your boat lift as needed.
- Power for small tools, vacuum cleaners, and trickle chargers
- Charge your personal devices.
- Play music from portable speakers.
Unfortunately, not all docks are situated in proximity to an electrical source. In the past, this may have forced you to use a portable generator as your primary power solution. While it may work for the season, it is not a great long-term solution. Generators are loud, smelly, and demand frequent maintenance. These days, what you should really consider getting your hands on is a solar powered system.
Below, we will discuss the numerous benefits of such a setup.
Benefits of Solar Power Systems for Your Dock
- Solar is weather-reliable – If you are in California, there is an annual average of 287 days of sunshine, which makes solar the rational choice. Additionally, the cold temperature of the Winter season could very well cause long-term damage to a classic electric generator if not winterized properly.
- Better for you and your community – Converting to solar power on your dock means bidding goodbye to the fumes, gas, and even the smell of a classic generator. This poses an obvious benefit to both you and others enjoying the Lake.
- Solar energy reduces noise pollution – Your summer soundtrack needn’t compete with the rumble of your generator. Since docking at Lake Arrowhead requires that you consent to the ALA’s policy on noise maintenance, you shouldn’t risk the ALA asking you to turn down your amplified music.
- Save on the cost of an electrician – Unlike a traditional generator, the solar dock box kits are devoid of external wiring. This not only reduces risks at changing tidal levels but also eliminates the need for regular visits from a mechanic or electrician, saving you on maintenance costs.
- Solar is safer – The Solar Power dock box kits that Kiwi Docks offers are GFI-protected, limiting the risk of a shock for you and your family. Your safety and peace of mind is of top priority, and perhaps the most important benefit of a solar powered system on your dock.
- Better for the environment – In the face of a global climate catastrophe, it may seem impossible to feel like you are making an impact; however, every little bit helps. The California Solar Permitting Guidelines implore that any action a civilian can take to move towards solar power is immensely beneficial for the community as a whole. As the State pledges to move towards a 50% ratio of renewable energy sources by 2030, installing a solar powered dock box is just one small step towards doing your part.
The Kiwi Docks Solution
Kiwi Docks has always sought to deliver top-quality marine products to our customers; the solar dock box kits are yet another example of fulfilling this promise. The solar element does not sacrifice the quality nor structure of their regular dock box. The solar components live within an isolated compartment internalized within the box. This takes up a mere 12” of space, which is practically nothing.
Why are you waiting?
Whether boaters, vacationers, or dwellers of the San Bernardino Mountains, you no doubt know the joy and privilege it is to have access to one of California’s most beautiful lakes. Whatever your relationship with Lake Arrowhead, your role as a conservationist is vital. The switch to a solar powered dock system is an easy, one-time change, that will have an impact both on your summer and the preservation of the lake for many more to come.
Sources:
Western Regional Climate Center, Period of Monthly Climate Summary – Retrieved from: https://wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ca4671
Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, California Solar Permitting Guidelines – Retrieved from: http://opr.ca.gov/docs/20190226-Solar_Permitting_Guidebook_4th_Edition.pdf
Arrowhead Lake Association, Amplified Music Policy – Retrieved from: http://www.ala-ca.org/docs/Amplified_Music_Policy.pdf.
