SunPower can help answer – why you need a solar powered tiny house- and help you achieve your solar goals. Maybe you are aiming for complete energy independence, or you just want a little extra security with a solar generator, or you’re interested in slowly shifting your energy away from fossil fuels to renewable sources.
SunPower has everything you need to install the solar system of your dreams, from panels to installation professionals.
No matter your goal, SunPower is a great resource. SunPower not only offers products to set up your solar system but also the experience and expertise to ensure efficiency and safety.
Highlights
- Tiny home solar is more affordable since energy usage is lower
- Solar is a way to remain independent and mobile while still having electricity
- Find out if grid-tied or off-grid solar power is best for you
- Understand your energy usage and find ways to be more efficient
- Lower your carbon footprint
- It’s not all-or-nothing! You can grow your solar power system as you gain experience
Why You Need a Solar Powered House
Tiny homes make it more affordable to own your home on a budget. A smaller home means lower energy usage, making it possible and practical to own your energy production, rather than paying a utility company each month. For tiny homes on the move, having a tiny house solar setup means you can create and use electricity wherever you go, without being tethered to the grid.
Solar energy is clean and renewable. Setup is simpler than other renewable sources, such as installing wind turbines. Shawn Fitzgerald, Vice President of Corporate Development and Product Strategy at SunPower, explains, “Solar panels are easy to install and can be sized to produce the exact amount of energy your home requires. When combined with solar battery storage, solar is just about the most resilient form of energy available today.”
Solar Powered House Pros and Cons
You may have preconceptions about solar power–whether that is excitement for green energy or concern about the cost and reliability of solar panels.
Fortunately, you don’t have to fully convert your home to an off-grid solar setup to reap the benefits of solar power. With evolving technology, solar power has never been so accessible and reliable.
Pros
Cons
Tiny House Power Use
Tiny homes use significantly less energy than a larger home, but can still vary greatly depending on the individual home and who lives inside. Building materials, insulation, heating/cooling, appliances, and occupancy all play a role in how much energy gets used. As a general guide, the average tiny home consumes about 3-4kW or 3000-4000 watts of electricity daily.
Paring down your energy consumption is a great way to save money and minimize your environmental footprint. Using solar power means you can still enjoy your electronics, whether you use them for essentials or entertainment. Fitzgerald summarized it to us perfectly, “In the same way that you can’t imagine any home in America to not have essential appliances such as a refrigerator or washing machine, we believe that solar, battery storage, and EV charging should be the standard in all new American homes—big or small.”
HVAC
In most homes, heating and cooling are the largest energy consumers. Air conditioning uses a lot of energy in southern and sunny states, but is a necessary expense to ensure safety and comfort.
Heating in colder climates, unfortunately, is most needed when there is the least amount of daylight. Having a solid battery system in place for your solar system is critical.
Consider supplementing your power with other energy sources that work well with heating systems, such as natural gas, propane, or biofuel.
Lighting
Lighting is an essential user of electricity. Maximize your tiny house solar panels by using LED bulbs, motion sensors and timers, and adapting your schedule to seasonal light when possible.
Appliances
Electricity is required to power most common appliances that have become essential to our existence. Refrigerators, microwaves, cell phones, and more rely solely on electricity. Especially if your tiny home is stationary, consider powering some appliances with different energy sources to save on electricity.
Water heaters, dryers, and ovens can be run on natural gas. If the weather is nice, grilling on a propane or coal grill will reduce your electricity dependence. If you use an off-grid solar energy system, look for DC-powered appliances that are a little more efficient as they don’t require you to convert the power to AC before use.
Misc.
Building materials, interior design, and insulation play a huge role in energy consumption. Even in a tiny home, a lot of heated or air-conditioned air may be lost through the walls, windows, and roof. Insulating your windows, mindfully placing your furniture, and using insulating materials (if you’re still in the building stage) will lower your need for electricity while still ensuring your comfort at home, no matter the season.
Managing AC and DC Power
Solar power inverters are necessary to convert energy harnessed from the sun into power that you can use in your home. Inverters convert the direct current (DC) electricity coming from solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity.
AC power is the standard form of electricity for use in homes and businesses. AC power is necessary to operate most appliances, electronics, and lighting fixtures.
You may be able to find appliances that run on DC power, which would minimize power lost in the conversion process. Solar generators don’t require a separate inverter, as they convert the solar power into AC energy internally.
Off-Grid Solar Vs. Grid-Tied Solar
Your specific needs and values will determine whether you choose an off-grid or grid-tied solar powered tiny house. In an off-grid system, your energy is self-contained. You won’t have an electric bill and your power won’t go out during a brown-out or black-out. However, if your energy consumption exceeds your energy production, you aren’t able to tap into the grid.
In a grid-tied solar system, any outages from the utility company will affect you, unless you have power stored in a battery or solar generator. However, you can pull energy from the grid anytime, even if you use more electricity than you generate with solar panels.
Off-Grid Solar Powered Tiny House
Grid-Tied Solar Powered Tiny House
How Many Panels Does a Solar Powered Tiny House Need?
You may be wondering how much solar panels for a tiny house cost and how many you will need. Getting a professional opinion is a wise choice since so many variables come into play.
The size of your home, your unique energy consumption, the climate, time of year, efficiency and size of solar panels, and positioning of your panels all play a role in determining how many panels you will need for an off-grid tiny house solar system. Most tiny homes require 10-15 panels for complete energy independence.
Fitzgerald promises, “Owners of homes big, small, and even tiny can work with us to have a local installer inspect the home to help determine what size panels and overall system you would need based on several factors, including your overall energy consumption, your home’s position in relation to the sun, and more.”
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost for a Tiny House?
The cost of a solar power system goes beyond the panel costs alone. Solar panels come in different sizes and efficiencies. The size, material, and efficiency all contribute to the cost of the solar panel, but you can expect $1-2 per watt.
The wattage is based on ideal conditions, so consider that in your calculations. Modern solar panels typically have a lifetime of 25-30 years, just like a mortgage. As they age, they tend to become less efficient.
Batteries also vary by capacity but often cost $300-$500 apiece. Having enough storage space to save energy for those cloudy days may help with peace of mind if you’re not connected to the grid. If you are grid-tied, batteries are not a requirement.
Charge controllers will cost you $100-200. Inverters run from about $400-$800, depending on Amps. Combination devices and kits are available at price points ranging from $1,500 to $20,000. If you’re going to be tied into the grid, you won’t have to worry about these costs and can focus on the panels.
While the cost of small-scale solar may sound expensive, solar has the potential to pay for itself pretty quickly, especially when you consider the tax credits and kickbacks upon installation. Don’t forget to see what benefits you may be eligible for! Remember that you will have some maintenance responsibilities that you should budget for over the lifetime of your system.
Is a Solar Powered Tiny House Worth It?
While the up-front cost is considerable for solar power, the long-term savings are worth it. Plus, you can rest easy knowing that your energy comes from a renewable source. If you are off-grid, you are completely independent from utility companies and have one less bill each month to worry about.
Solar panels are becoming more efficient and solar systems more affordable as more people install them.
Fitzgerald told us that SunPower currently has “more than 500K U.S. customers and provide an ecosystem of home energy solutions that enable American families to easily electrify their lives, including our solar panels, SunVault energy storage, EV charging with Wallbox, the mySunPower app, and soon, availability of bi-directional charging between EVs and homes.”
With flexible payment options such as “financing or leasing, customers can expect to start saving money with solar fast, with some reaping the financial benefits from day one after activation,” Fitzgerald promises.
Solar Power Benefit Wrap Up as a Home Owner
- Cost Savings: Installing solar panels on your home can significantly reduce your electricity bills. Solar power systems generate electricity from sunlight, which means you can produce your energy and rely less on utility-provided electricity.
- Energy Independence: By generating your electricity, you become less dependent on external energy sources, which can protect you from fluctuating energy prices and potential power shortages.
- Environmental Impact: Solar power is a clean and renewable energy source. Using it reduces your carbon footprint and helps combat climate change. You’ll contribute to a greener environment and promote sustainability.
- Tax Incentives: Many governments offer tax incentives, rebates, and credits for homeowners who install solar panels. These financial incentives can significantly offset the initial cost of installation.
- Increased Home Value: Solar panels can increase the resale value of your home. Many homebuyers are attracted to energy-efficient homes with lower operating costs.
- Net Metering: In some regions, you can take advantage of net metering programs, allowing you to sell excess electricity back to the grid, further reducing your energy costs.
- Energy Security: Solar power systems provide a reliable source of electricity, reducing the risk of power outages during grid failures or extreme weather events.
- Low Maintenance: Solar panels require minimal maintenance, which means you won’t have to spend much time or money on upkeep.
- Long-Term Investment: Solar panel systems typically have a lifespan of 25-30 years or more. They can be a wise long-term investment, offering consistent energy savings over time.
- Community and Environmental Benefits: By using solar power, you contribute to the growth of renewable energy in your community, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.
