BYOV = Bring Your Own Vehicle Event
Hosted by
Homes On Wheels Alliance (HOWA)
Applications are now closed for the
2024 BYOV
on March 30th in Blythe, CA
Thank you Lectric eBikes for making these grants possible!
Check out this short video about a HOWA volunteer’s praise for his new wheels from Lectric eBikes!
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
Nomads who:
- Use their drivable vehicle as their full-time home.
- Cannot afford basic electrical power to charge devices on the road.
- Need power for items such as electronics, 12V refrigerators, fans, or CPAP machine.
- Boondock full-time (camp off-grid with no water, sewer, electricity, or trash)
- Have enough space IN and ON your vehicle
- To mount the solar power system in and on the roof of your vehicle and
- To transport and store your granted items until installation is complete. You still need living space.
- Are financially capable of driving their vehicle-home to the Blythe, California BYOV event.
- Make their own arrangements an installer (ideas provided*)
- Agree to be interviewed, videotaped, and photographed; to be shared on HOWA’s website, social media, etc.
If you answered “yes” to each of these qualifications, HOWA wants you to apply!
OVERVIEW
How It Works: The successful applicants (grantees) will be informed by email on or before Wed March 20th, 2024. The BYOV Event will be held in a public park in Blythe, CA on March 30th, 2024
March 30th Schedule:
- Afternoon:
- Information provided by knowledgeable volunteers about solar power systems’ abilities and limitations.
- Distribution of 200W solar power systems
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- 5 mounted systems
- 1 Portable system
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200W Mounted Systems Include:
- Two 100W solar Panels
- 100Ah LiFePO4 Lithium Battery
- 20A Charge Controller
- 500W inverter
- Cigarette lighter socket with USB
- 12V Fuse Block
- 32A 2 Pole Battery Breaker Protector for Solar PV System
- 20A 1 Pole Battery Breaker Protector for Solar PV System
- 150A Common BusBar
- 15A Waterproof in-Line Fuse Holder w/Fuse
- 3 ANL Fuses with holders
- Wiring materials
- Mounting items
Plywood, caulking, butyl tape, screws and other supplies and materials may be needed for properly securing components to various interior and exterior surfaces.
The portable 200 W Solar system includes 4 items:
-Bluetti EB70s Power Station https://amzn.to/3T919XY
– GRECELL 200W PRO Portable Solar Panel for Power Station https://amzn.to/3Tc054v
– Foldable Solar Charger w/ 4 Kickstands,
– IP65 Waterproof Solar Panel Kit
-2 (two) plastic MC4 connector tools https://amzn.to/3Icblsl
– 20FT Extension Cables-Pair https://amzn.to/3Icblsl
– 12AWG Solar Panel Female and Male Connectors
– 1 Pair 20′ 12 Gauge Red and Black
The application for the BYOV is fully online. Applicants use a computer or smart phone to fill out the application and to upload images/photos. The application requests contact information and asks some qualifying questions. Applicants upload current photos of their vehicle. In addition, applicants upload images of documents for identification, vehicle ownership, and finances. Since this is a need-based grant program, HOWA also requests applicants’ monthly income, payments/debts, and other assets.
Only complete applications will be considered.
Click here for detailed information about completing this application
To confirm your identification, be prepared to attach an electronic image or picture of your driver’s license.
For the Review Committee to review your vehicle’s readiness, be prepared to attach 3 current interior pictures of your vehicle from different perspectives to show where you will be mounting your (vented) solar components and roof photos to show where you will be attaching the two 100W panels.
In accordance with HOWA’s Mission, BYOV grants are assigned to applicants in the greatest financial need. The following documentation and information are necessary, therefore, for the Committee’s review and selection process.
Be prepared to upload financial documents and/or Letters of Recommendation.
Note: Upload all pages of each document. That is, a single page of a multi-page document is not sufficient.
- Latest Statements (all pages) from all of your financial institutions
- Latest IRS 1040 Tax Form OR
- If you did not file your recent federal taxes, then upload electronic images of 2 Letters of Recommendation
- Examples of effective letters include length of time, how you know the applicant, and examples of your personal knowledge of their financial need.
- Your Benefit Verification Letter from Social Security, SSD, or SSI.
If you have a condition that appears to be contagious, be prepared to upload an image of a note from your doctor’s note.
Be prepared with the following financial information:
- AVERAGE MONTHLY INCOME from every source (paid work, Social Security, pension, retirement disbursements, etc.).
- ALL DEBT & MONTHLY PAYMENTS (loans, credit card, mortgage, etc.).
- ALL ASSETS (savings, real estate, vehicle(s), annuities, etc.).
Applications must be electronically submitted by 5pm PDT on March 31, 2024.
*Due to the constraints of HOWA’s current liability insurance, HOWA can not provide installation services. A few examples of non-HOWA installation resouces include Awesome Possum, Nomad Resource Center, VanAid or ask for assistance from other Nomads on the Bulletin Board at the WRTR and RTR. If you are a skilled installer, consider posting your availability on HOWA’s Online Bulletin Board.