Having a huge space is great, but oftentimes owning a big property comes with sizable costs and that’s something that you’ll need to manage all your life. If it’s not absolutely necessary for you to live in a huge house, owning a small home actually comes with a lot of perks, including reduced utility expenses. With tiny homes, you’re also less likely to need material items.
If you’re already enjoying a life spent in a tiny home with its minimal demands, or just planning to build one, you can reduce electricity costs with—you guessed it—solar panels. Building tiny homes is also becoming dramatically common among those who are opting the off-grid lifestyle, as it aligns with low-cost, sustainable practices.
Wondering how tiny homes can save energy with solar power? We discuss options and benefits in this article.
How much solar power is required for tiny homes?
It depends on how much energy you use. You can check your latest electric bills to have an idea of your average energy consumption. You can also identify your energy usage pattern by really examining your current electric costs, which then helps you estimate your future electricity expenses.
Here are steps to help you figure out your energy usage, which you need to help you plan your solar installation.
- List all the appliances you use on a regular basis.
- Determine each of the appliance’s power consumption (watts) and hours of use per day.
- Calculate total energy consumption per appliance in watt-hours. Then get the total energy consumption, this time for all appliances, per day.
- Once you know your total energy in watt-hours, you can determine the solar system size that’s right for your small property.
How can solar power be beneficial for tiny homes?
People who decide to live in tiny homes are typically driven to do so in order to save money and reduce carbon footprint, the very same reason why homeowners transition to solar power. We delve into these benefits below:
Reduced utility bills
As mentioned, people who choose to settle in tiny homes usually do so because they want to save money. This is exactly what solar power does—by yielding electricity via solar panels, your home’s reliance on the grid is substantially cut down, resulting in lower energy costs. By living in a small home, you’re already cutting down on many of the usual modern expenses. Imagine the money you could save if your electricity is generated by solar panels!
Increased sustainability efforts
We’ve been hearing the term ‘eco-friendly’ more and more these days because the threat to our planet is real. If you live in a tiny house as part of your conscious efforts to be more eco-friendly, using solar power instead of the traditional electricity increases sustainable living.
Established off-grid setup
Others choosing to own tiny homes also decide to go off-grid, which means to disconnect from the main electricity grid and rely solely on the ever majestic sun for energy. The primary reasons why people go off-grid are sustainable living, self-sufficiency, connection with nature, and, of course, energy independence. With solar power taking care of your energy needs, you’re pretty much cementing your off-grid status.
And if you have the necessary home storage or solar battery for backup, you won’t ever have to worry about power outages.
Appreciated home value
Installing solar power in your home is always a great idea because of the potential savings, and even more so if you’re eventually planning to sell. With more people finding themselves thriving in their sustainable practices, it’s no wonder how a property with an equipped solar power system can be instantly appealing to future buyers.
Solar initiatives
Australia offers the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), a nationwide initiative designed to help the country’s continuous transition to solar power. It is a form of assistance by giving the potential to recover your investment through long-term energy savings.
And, if by chance, you’re considering a solar panel installation in Brisbane, you can take advantage of rebates and incentives offered by the Queensland government—such as the Battery Booster program, which supports adding a solar battery to your system.
How to maximise energy efficiency with solar?
While using solar energy to power your home is already guaranteed to generate savings, it also takes more effort on your part to get the most out of your solar system. Here are ways to maximise efficiency:
- Energy-efficient appliances
- Insulation and ventilation
- Correct solar system size
- Usage during peak sunlight hours
- Regular cleaning and maintenance
Things to consider…
The benefits may be clear, but there are a few challenges when installing solar panels in a tiny home. For this reason, you might need to think about the following:
- Limited roof space for rooftop solar
- Limited space for ground-mounted solar
- DIY vs. professional installation (professional is recommended for beginners)
- Grid-connected or off-grid system
- Budget
Summary
Tiny houses and solar power strongly promote environmental sustainability. Using renewable energy like solar power reduces the detrimental impact on our planet, all while reducing the money we spend on electricity, which is quite a lot in this day and age. Use this guide to estimate your energy needs and select the perfect solar installation for your tiny home.
