SolarPowerNerd
Solar energy is more accessible than ever, and you do not need a full rooftop system to start benefiting from it. From budget-friendly outdoor lights to cutting-edge solar paint, there are real options for just about every situation.
For a broader overview of the technologies behind these options, our article on the methods of harnessing solar energy breaks down how each approach captures and converts sunlight.
1. Outdoor Solar Lights
Outdoor solar lights have to be the easiest solar devices to add to your home. They sell them everywhere, from Dollar General to The Home Depot.
You do not need a loan or any lavish measures, just a few dollars and a desire for clean energy.
Solar lights are marvellous. You can add gorgeous lighting to your house, or light up the whole yard with a solar-powered spotlight.
The possibilities are wide open.
I love my solar lights around my flower beds and along my walkway. They add a lot of life to my yard.
There are also a lot of snakes in South Carolina where I am, and the last thing I want is for one of my children to get bitten by one. If you are exploring outdoor lighting options, take a look at the best solar garden lights for more ideas.
2. Solar Panel Chargers
Solar panel chargers have only gotten bigger and better. You can take them literally anywhere there is sunlight.
They can charge your phone, tablet, or computer, and you can even watch TV with some of them.
Solar panel chargers are small enough to fit into your bag and come out whenever convenient. Camping is probably the best use for them, so definitely get one if you plan to hike or camp for longer than a day.
These things have been around for a while. They started small and cheap, but now they are relatively sophisticated.
Some are even waterproof and shockproof. Clip one to your belt, backpack, or set it on the dash of the car.
3. Solar Powered Air Conditioner
If you ever thought of going off the grid, you may have said, “This is impossible.” It is quite tricky, but now solar-powered appliances have made off-grid living a foreseeable future for many earth lovers.
Imagine a hurricane knocks out everyone’s power in the city. Panic everywhere, but you walk into your kitchen and pour a glass of wine.
All of your appliances run off the sun.
That is just one example. Summers in Florida are brutal, consistently hot and humid, but a solar-powered air conditioner can keep your home comfortable without grid power.
Now that is a heatstroke of genius proportions.
4. Solar Pool Heater
If you live in the mountains away from bodies of water, chances are you probably own a pool. If so, a solar pool heating system may be right up your alley.
Solar pool systems are a bit pricier, but if water temperature is an issue, this is the way to go. You could have a warm pool for a fall morning swim while the leaves are falling and changing colors all around you.
Get up early in the morning or late at night. Summer, fall, spring, winter, it does not matter.
You are a year-round swimmer now, and what a gloriously freeing option that is. Check out our guide to the best solar inground pool heaters for detailed recommendations.
5. Solar Compactors
If you are trying to cut back on filling up landfills, it can be pretty exhausting trying to reduce our trash consumption. Solar-powered trash and recycling compactors may do a lot of good for all of us.
We live in a world littered with garbage, from our streets and yards to our parks, beaches, and oceans. It is devastating to see.
These things will not pick up the trash for us, but they may just make it easier to control it, reduce it, and eventually help us reach a cleaner planet. Most solar compactors are designed for the general public rather than for home use, which honestly is incredible.
They should be everywhere, especially at beaches, lakes, and parks.
If you know a public area that could use them, let everyone know.
6. Medical Equipment
Medical equipment seems so advanced to the average person, but what happens when all the electricity just stops? A company called Clinic-in-a-can is tackling this issue.
Six solar panels and eight lead-acid batteries running 24/7, completely solar-powered. That is pretty awesome, especially considering there are always terrible storms going on around the world.
We need way more of these in all countries across the globe. These clinics are very impressive, and I am ready to see one in real life.
Pairing these clinics with modern solar storage batteries would make them even more reliable.
The downside is that this clinic needs to switch to lithium-ion batteries to maximize battery life and storage capacity. Lead-acid batteries can be permanently damaged if they go below 50%, so the clinic can only run for about 18 hours without sunlight.
Solar-powered clinics like these continue to expand access to healthcare in remote areas around the world.
7. Van Solar Collection
What if you do not live in a home? What if you live in an RV or any other vehicle?
It is a hassle adding better batteries and extra alternators. Running two or three alternators so you can live in luxury on the road is not ideal.
When I lived in my car, there were not any fancy solar-powered gadgets I could buy. Now you will surprise yourself with how easy it can be to live on the road, traveling and working, without worrying about running the battery dead when your vehicle is not running.
These products could save you hundreds a year by reducing the strain on the alternator and battery. The only downside is the cost to acquire, and the added weight may increase fuel consumption.
One way to counter this is to remove things you do not need or swap them for lighter options.
8. Solar Clothing
Could you imagine charging your phone or laptop with your clothing?
The weirdest question ever, I know, but trust me. Solar-powered fashion is coming fast, and it will be here sooner than you think.
Just about every piece of clothing and accessory can come equipped with sun-harnessing solar cells, even bathing suits and sunglasses. It is phenomenal to imagine the applications.
Most people are probably not ready to see solar panels as shirts or accessories, but a quick search will show you it is not what you expect. Pauline Van Dongen’s Solar Couture is incredible.
The watches are solar-powered, the sunglasses look like high-tech fashion gadgets, and the clothes are elegant and stylish. It is a win-win for everybody.
If you need more excitement about solar clothing, take a look.
9. Passive Solar Heating
Do you find yourself cranking up the AC during the day and then the furnace at night, ending with a ridiculous power bill at the end of the month? It may be time to look into passive solar energy if you do not mind renovating or building.
You do not need solar cells, batteries, or wires. You just need a good understanding of design, positioning, and style.
Most importantly, you need to decide whether you are using it for cooling, heating, or a combination of both.
The houses people come up with using passive solar energy are amazing. Some of the most beautiful homes I have ever seen are passive solar homes.
For a full home solar setup, our guide on rooftop solar systems covers the conventional panel route.
To figure out what you need and how to get started, check it out here.
10. Solar Paint
What if you could run your house with your house, or even your fence? Several companies are developing solar collecting paint.
That is right, a paint that can use the sun to make electricity. It brings a whole new meaning to an electric fence.
This paint does not technically harness the sun like conventional photovoltaic cells. Instead, it takes the moisture out of the air and separates the water into hydrogen and oxygen.
The hydrogen is then used as fuel to generate power. A solar micro inverter could eventually pair with this technology to feed power directly into a home system.
I can not wait until this paint is readily available and it is time to repaint.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to start collecting solar energy at home?
You can start collecting solar energy for just a few dollars. Basic solar garden lights cost under $20 for a set, and small solar panel chargers start around $25 to $50.
If you want a full rooftop solar panel system, the average installation cost is around $17,000 before incentives. Many states offer discounts and tax credits that can bring that number down significantly.
Do solar devices work on cloudy days?
Yes, most solar devices still work on cloudy days, though at reduced efficiency. Solar panels can generate around 10 to 25 percent of their rated output under heavy cloud cover.
Devices with built-in batteries, like solar lights and chargers, store energy during sunny periods, so they can still function normally even after a cloudy day.
What is the easiest way to start using solar energy?
Outdoor solar lights are by far the easiest entry point. You buy them, stick them in the ground, and they work automatically.
There is no wiring, no installation, and no ongoing cost. Portable solar chargers are another simple option, especially useful for camping, hiking, or keeping your phone charged during power outages.
How long do solar panels and solar devices typically last?
Most rooftop solar panels come with 25 to 30 year warranties and can keep producing power well beyond that. Smaller solar devices like garden lights and chargers usually last 2 to 5 years depending on build quality and battery type.
Solar pool heaters and higher-end equipment tend to last 10 to 20 years with proper maintenance.
Final Thoughts
Solar energy is limitless. There are so many different ways to apply it to almost everything we do, and every single year it gets easier, cheaper, and better.
Even solar cooking has come a long way, and if you are curious about performance in colder months, our article on how hot a solar oven can get in winter has some surprising numbers.
The materials inside solar panels do cause some impact on our environment, and the placement of panels along with water used to clean them can also create some effect. However, the science community is continuously working to fix these problems to make solar energy truly eco-safe.
Economies using solar energy are pushing prices further down every year, making it more affordable for everyone.
If you plan to go with conventional solar panels, do your research. Some states have discounts that could bring installation costs down dramatically.
Panels typically take anywhere from 7 to 20 years to pay off, so have a plan. Every year we get closer to depleting this planet of its fossil fuel resources, and renewable energy will have to replace them.
It is not a matter of if, but when.
