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Storm-proof your home: Energy backup ideas inspired by The Last of Us
- Updated: Jun 12, 2025
- 7 min
Texas ice storms, California wildfires, Florida hurricanes – when disaster hits, the power goes out first. The Last of Us game and TV series show exactly how to prepare for these situations using solar panels, generators, and backup systems. Here's how to protect your home before the next emergency strikes.
Key takeaways
- Solar panels provide long-term savings and low maintenance, while dual-fuel generators give you immediate backup power when storms hit. Together, they cover both daily needs and emergencies.
- Portable power stations, LED upgrades, and conservation strategies work alongside your main systems. These smaller solutions often provide the biggest immediate impact for the lowest cost.
- Start with basic supplies like flashlights and portable chargers, add a small generator for week-long outages, then consider solar and battery storage. Prioritize medical equipment, then fridge, lights and communication.
Welcome to the Last of Us: 20 years after the grid died
The Last of Us takes place 20 years after a fungal infection turned most people into zombie-like creatures called infected. Society collapsed completely – no government, no police, no power companies. The few survivors live in heavily guarded quarantine zones or small settlements outside the cities.
The main characters, Joel and Ellie, travel across a ruined America where nature has taken over. Cities are overgrown with plants, highways are cracked and blocked with abandoned cars, and most buildings are dark and empty, the electrical grid failed years ago.
This is why energy becomes so important. Survivors who can generate their own power have huge advantages. They can use radios to communicate, run medical equipment, preserve food, and light up safe areas at night. The communities that thrive are the ones that figured out how to make electricity work again.
The Last of Us started as a PlayStation video game in 2013, followed by The Last of Us Part II in 2020. Both games were huge hits and won tons of awards. You play as different characters trying to survive in the post-apocalyptic world, scavenging for supplies.
In 2023, The Last of Us was turned by HBO into a TV series starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey. The Last of Us season 2 recently finished airing in 2025, running from April 13 to May 25 with seven episodes. The show follows the same basic plot as the first game but adds more detail about how different communities survive.
Solar power: Wins when everything else fails
In The Last of Us, you see solar panels on buildings all over the place. The story gets it right – solar power works great when normal electricity is gone. For homeowners today, solar panels are cheaper than ever and can cut your electric bill big time.
A typical home solar setup costs $15,000 to $30,000 before tax breaks. Most people get their money back in 6 to 10 years. After that, you're basically getting free electricity for the next 15+ years. When you add batteries, you can even keep power during outages.
The best part about solar? It's super low maintenance. Clean the panels a couple times a year and you're good to go. No fuel to buy, no oil to change. Just free power from the sun, just like in the game.
Generator systems: Keep the lights on when others can't
Generators are everywhere in The Last of Us. Characters use them to power lights, radios, and medical stuff. But the story also shows the big problem – finding fuel. When gas stations are closed, your generator becomes useless.
For real life, get a generator that runs on both gas and propane. Propane lasts forever in storage, while gas goes bad in a few months. A 7,500-watt dual-fuel generator costs $800 to $1,200. That's enough to run your fridge, some lights, and charge your phone for days.
Safety is huge with generators. Always run them outside, at least 20 feet from windows and doors. The exhaust can kill you if it gets inside. Also, get an electrician to install a transfer switch so you can safely connect the generator to your house wiring.
Alternative energy sources: Think outside the grid
The Last of Us shows lots of small power solutions – hand-crank radios, battery packs, car batteries hooked up to lights. These little systems are actually really smart for real emergencies. Today's tech is way better than what they had in 2013.
Portable power stations are game-changers. These are giant battery packs that can run your TV, charge phones, or power small appliances. They cost $200 to $2,000 and you can recharge them with solar panels or your car. A 1,000-watt unit can run LED lights for days.
If you live in a windy area, small wind turbines can help too. They cost $4,000 to $15,000 but work when solar doesn't. Just check with your city first – some places have rules about putting up wind turbines.
Energy storage: Save every watt
In The Last of Us, every battery matters. Characters save power for the most important stuff first. This same thinking can save you money at home. Use less power, pay smaller bills, and be ready for emergencies.
Home battery systems are way better now than when the game came out. Tesla Powerwalls and similar batteries cost $10,000 to $15,000 installed. They store solar power for when you need it and automatically kick in during power outages. No more spoiled food in the fridge during storms.
Simple changes make a big difference. LED bulbs use 75% less power than old bulbs and last 25 times longer. Smart thermostats can cut your heating and cooling costs by 10-15%. They learn your schedule and adjust automatically.
Emergency power checklist: What to buy and how to use
The survivors in The Last of Us succeed because they plan ahead and have backup systems. Your home energy plan should work the same way. Start with cheap, easy stuff and add more complicated systems later.
Start simple: battery radio, LED flashlights, phone chargers that don't need wall power. Then add a small generator for week-long outages. Eventually, consider solar panels for long-term savings and independence. Make a list of what needs power first: medical equipment, fridge, lights and phones. This way you know what to power when you don't have enough electricity for everything.
Write down how everything works and teach your family. Store fuel safely and test your gear regularly. You don't want to find out your generator won't start when the power's been out for two days.
The Last of Us shows that being ready for power problems means planning ahead, having backup systems, and managing what you have. You don't need zombies to make this stuff useful – regular storms, blackouts, and high electric bills are reason enough.
Julia Zaraeva
Author
Years of experience in translation and a love of nature help Julia find the right words to encourage going solar. She joined the team in 2023 and is happy to make her contribution to a greener future.
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