Renting out your tiny house can give you a source of income but if you still want to save some more money, consider getting solar panels and try living off the grid. The solar panels can provide you with an alternative source electricity that is cheaper in the long run.
Even if going solar seems the best choice, there are still some disadvantages to choosing this route. Before investing in solar panels, you first have to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of using solar power.
Advantages Of Using Solar Power
The main advantage of using solar power is because it’s cheap. Solar power is an alternative source of electricity that is lower in cost as compared to the conventional source.
Solar power is also great for the environment. It helps lower down a household’s carbon footprint. With the installation of solar panels, tiny houses can get renewable and clean energy from the sun
Another advantage of using solar power is having independence when it comes to energy. Even if your tiny home is in a remote area, it will still have power even if the local electrical lines still haven’t reached the area. Solar panels allow you to have electricity no matter where you are.
Disadvantages Of Using Solar Power
Solar power is dependent on sunlight availability so if you live where there isn’t enough, there may be a shortage of electricity for your home. Although sunlight always seems to be present, there are areas or seasons when the hours of sunlight is limited.
Before purchasing solar panels, it is best to first study the sunlight available in your area. Different online tools can be used to help you know how much sunlight is available in your area. Those tools can also help you determine at what angles to position your solar panels for optimum sun exposure.
Solar power provided DC energy. Most of the appliances we have today are wired for AC. You could purchase DC appliances but you’ll be limited. If you want to make good use of your collected solar power energy, you have to purchase an inverter. This converts DC to AC.
Remember that going solar doesn’t mean just purchasing solar panels. You have to have a working solar power system too. That would include other devices like the inverter.
When relying on solar power, you also have to be aware of how much energy you consume. This is to make sure that the amount of energy you produce through your solar panels is enough for what you consume.
Conclusion
Having solar panels offers you the chance to live off-grid by using the energy from the sun. Before purchasing solar panels, you must first know that although there are many benefits, there are also some drawbacks to it.
Nevertheless, some of the drawbacks can be easily remedied through research and additional devices. Do take note that powering up a tiny home with solar energy doesn’t only require solar panels. You also need other devices to make up a working solar power system.