Solar for a Tiny House?
Are you considering purchasing a tiny house from Martinez Casitas? Whether you are looking for a second home, a vacation home, or a Tiny House on Wheels that you can take wherever you wish, then a tiny home is the perfect choice. A tiny home is generally under 400 square feet in size, making them better for the environment, cheaper to construct, and truly convenient.
Powering your tiny house is an important consideration. There are different options, including using a generator, connecting to the main grid, and/or installing solar panels. The latter is the preferred option for a host of reasons, notably in terms of cost savings, grid independence, and environmental concerns.
Here at Martinez Casitas, we can install solar panels on your tiny house’s roof as an upgrade or customization, allowing it to be ‘off-grid’. We are happy to develop a solar power package to suit your family’s usage requirements.
In this blog post, we will highlight the benefits of solar panels for tiny houses and look at the key considerations for tiny house solar panel systems.
Benefits of Solar for Tiny Houses
The three primary benefits of installing a solar panel system on your tiny house are saving money, protecting the environment, and taking control of electricity generation. Let’s begin by covering each of these in turn:
1. Save Money
In many ways, solar panel systems installed on tiny houses operate in exactly the same way as typical houses. The primary advantage of solar panels is the ability to save thousands of dollars on energy bills over the lifespan of a solar panel system. Naturally, the energy demands for a tiny house will be considerably less than a typical house’s.
Solar panels convert the sun’s solar radiation into AC electricity that can be used to power electrical appliances within the home. Generally, solar systems have a battery that allows for storage and power usage when the sun is not shining.
As noted above, we are able to install solar panels on your tiny house’s roof, which is the most effective and efficient location for residential solar panels. If you are planning to place your tiny house on a permanent foundation, you may prefer to install your solar system on the ground. This can allow for a greater number of solar panels to be installed.
The specific cost savings of solar panels depend on a number of factors. These include your family’s energy usage, the size of the solar system, and the location of the tiny house.
2. Protect the Environment
Solar panels and tiny houses go hand-in-hand together. Some of the main benefits of tiny houses include reduced living expenses, the ability to travel everywhere, less cleaning, and an overall small footprint. With solar energy, you can also add in protecting the environment.
Compared to fossil fuels such as coal and oil, solar energy is clean, renewable, and abundant. It is, in fact, our most abundant energy source on Earth! Switching to solar energy helps to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and fight climate change.
3. Take Control of Your Electricity Generation
Electricity prices are steadily increasing. Running your home using your own solar energy is far cheaper than relying on electricity from the grid.
Furthermore, if your tiny house is connected to utility power lines, you may be able to take advantage of a net metering incentive. This way, you will be able to send excess energy that your solar system has created to the main grid in exchange for credits. You can then use these credits whenever you may need to draw electricity from the grid (for example, at night).
Key Considerations for Tiny House Solar Systems
Now that we have considered the main benefits of solar panels for tiny houses, let’s look at the important considerations to take into account. This includes answers to questions such as how much electricity do you need, should you get a rooftop or ground-mounted system, and should you connect to the grid?
How Much Electricity Do You Need?
The more energy you will need to run your home, the more solar panels you will require. We have already noted that tiny houses require far less electricity than typical houses, which is convenient. You may only require a small number of solar panels on your tiny house’s roof to generate enough energy to run it.
This consideration will also help you determine if you should add a solar battery, have a backup generator, or connect to the main gird.
Rooftop or Ground-Mounted System?
If you are planning to hit the open road with your tiny house, rooftop solar panels are the way to go. However, if it will be placed on a permanent foundation, you may prefer to opt for a ground-mounted system.
It is important to ensure that your solar panels are well-placed to maximize energy generation when the sun is shining.
Connect to the Grid?
If your tiny house will be permanently stationed somewhere, it may be worthwhile connecting to the grid. The amount of electricity you require will determine the benefits of this option, as will your tiny house’s location. It’s also a good option if you wish to take advantage of net metering.
Building a Tiny House? Go Solar!
Solar energy is no longer the future, it is very much the present. If you are planning to purchase a tiny house, opting for solar panels is a great option. It’s especially great if you are planning to travel widely and need a reliable energy source.
Contact our team today to learn more about tiny houses and our solar panel options.
