When considering how to power a tiny home, there are three main options. You can connect to the electrical power grid through a utility company, go fully off the grid using your own energy sources, or choose a hybrid option. Wind and solar energy are green energy sources that can work in an off-grid or hybrid energy system which may lead you to energy independence.
Install Solar Power
Solar power is one of the most sustainable power options for tiny homes. Solar panels lower the cost of powering a tiny home, increase the value of your home, and come with tax incentives and credits. Installing solar shingles or solar panels on your rooftop will likely require a supplemental power source for your energy needs.
To fully power your tiny home with solar, you will likely need to install solar panels in your yard as well. This would allow you to use solar power as your sole energy source. Happily, this wouldn’t require a connection to the electric grid, eliminating a monthly electric bill.
To set up a solar system, you will need solar panels to collect energy from the sun, a charge controller to regulate the power flow to the inverter, batteries to store power, and an inverter to convert the DC power to AC power usable in your home. The energy will be output in a single line–typically connecting to your tiny house by an RV extension cord. This system is much quieter than a generator and has the benefit of being fumeless and without carbon monoxide generation.
Store Solar Power
It’s important to have a battery system that will store energy as it’s being collected to use later. Choosing batteries with adequate capacity for your energy needs is essential. Use an energy storage system like the BioLite BaseCharge for a portable option to collect from compatible solar panels and then plug in your devices directly.
If you create more energy than you typically use, or if your solar exposure varies and you’d like to supplement with utility electricity, check into options for grid connection. You may be able to deposit energy into the grid and offset the cost of electricity you use from the utility company.
Install Wind Power
Wind power is another sustainable way to power a tiny home. Typically a licensed installer will work with you to determine the best location for a wind turbine and ensure it’s set up to power your home. They will estimate the power expected from your wind turbine and compare that to your current usage. The drawbacks of wind turbines are that they can be noisy, require careful consideration when it comes to location, size, and distance from the rest of the power system, and not all local ordinances allow them. Check out the details before committing to this system.
You can use wind power in tandem with a solar power system. This can be either in a microgrid system separate from the utility company, or connected to the utility. Just like solar, you may be able to deposit excess wind power and offset the cost of any additional power withdrawal from the utility.
Plug Into the Grid
Plugging into the grid is a simple way to power your tiny home. If there’s already power and a primary structure on your property, you can simply plug your tiny house into the existing home with a 30A or 50A electrical cord, just like an RV.
If your tiny home is the only structure, you must work with the power company to acquire an electrical meter and main box to get power from the grid. The permitting process will dictate the exact route to take. You may be able to get a temporary power pole. This would allow you to build before setting up a solar or wind system. Or you may simply be able to get electricity set up before transitioning to a permanent utility solution.
More Wind and Solar Energy Options
Solar energy doesn’t have to be all or nothing. If you’re curious about solar choices besides solar panels, there are several options to harness the sun’s heat and power without the upfront costs of setting up an entire system.
Heat Water with Solar
There are active and passive solar water heating systems. Active systems heat circulating fluids for use in the home. Passive systems heat the water directly and then pull from the pool of heated water through the plumbing system. You can use the heated water directly for showers, dishes, and laundry. You may also introduce it into a radiator system for heating the home.
Cook with Solar
Solar ovens are a great way to cook without gas, electricity, or fire! You can buy them pre-made or build your own. Solar ovens don’t have the thermostat control of a typical oven, but nutrients and moisture are retained as food is cooked relatively slowly. An added benefit is that it’s much harder to burn your food in a solar oven.
Install Solar Lighting
Enjoying sunlight doesn’t have to be limited to the outdoors. Install solar lighting to bring sunlight inside and minimize your need for electric lights. Skylights come in a wide variety of designs, from the typical rectangular style to cylindrical spotlights.
Install Passive Solar Heating
Passive solar homes collect heat from the sun shining in south-facing windows and store the heat in thermal mass. You can collect, store, and transfer solar energy to different house areas through conduction, convection, or radiation. Working with an architect familiar with passive solar heating in the building stage is the best way to ensure an efficient system. You want windows to collect a lot of sunlight and heat during the colder months while being shaded during the hotter months to avoid overheating.
The type of thermal mass you use will dictate the system’s efficiency. Brick, stone, concrete, and tile absorb heat from the sunlight in the cooler months. Likewise, they can absorb heat from within the house during the hotter months. Water and phase change products are very efficient at storing heat but don’t have the same advantages as the materials that double as structural materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best way to power a tiny home?
The best way to power a tiny home depends on your energy needs, onsite utilities, natural renewable resources, and upfront budget. Connecting to an electric grid is fastest and easiest if the property already has a connection to the utility. Wind and solar power have a higher upfront cost but can pay for themselves by eliminating your power bill. Hybrid or combination systems fuse the benefits of on-grid and renewable energy systems.
How much solar power do you need for a tiny house?
Determining your energy usage is the first step in knowing how much solar power you need for your tiny home. A safe bet is budgeting 4kW per day in a tiny home. Next, you must know how many watts your solar panel typically collects daily. This will vary by panel, placement, weather conditions, and time of year. Based on averages, expect to use 10-15 solar panels to fully power your tiny home.
Is wind and solar enough to power a tiny house?
Wind and solar energy may be the best power source for a tiny home, especially if you are flexible and minimize energy consumption. Depending on location, space, and climate conditions, wind and solar energy are viable options for a tiny home. One benefit may include being able to live off the grid and freeing yourself from a utility company. You may also be able to work with the utility company to deposit excess power that your system collects.
