6 Ways to Leverage Solar Energy in Your Home

Written by Posted On Tuesday, 31 July 2018 15:02

Thanks to the numerous benefits of sustainable living, nowadays both house owners and businesses strive to become as ‘green’ as possible. One of the most talked-about ways to become more eco-friendly is solar energy. Through its various applications, solar energy can be utilised by any household: whether you live in a house or a flat, or whether you have the budget for a complex solar power system or not, there are options for everyone.

As utility bills have tripled during the past 14 years, and at the same time new electronic devices have been purchased month by month, it has increasingly become important to find new ways of reducing energy usage and utilising renewable sources to generate electricity for our homes. Solar power can be the solution for both situations.

Generate Electricity

Out of all the solar options, installing solar panels is the most efficient way to utilise solar energy. Solar panels that produce electricity are called photovoltaic systems. Energy generated by photovoltaics is then converted into the relevant voltage, making it suitable for regular household usage.

Solar panel-produced electricity can either be used as it is being generated, or it can be connected to a battery system which will enable you to store the energy for those times when you need it—for example, at night. Would you like to live an even greener lifestyle? Use the solar power system to charge your electric vehicle!

With the appropriate configuration, solar panels can even make your home grid-independent, basically eliminating the reliance on a supplier. Depending on where you live in the world, you might even be eligible for the so-called feed-in tariff. This governmental scheme makes it possible to get paid for having solar panels by selling the excess electricity to your supplier.

There are two main downsides to solar panels, however. First, the initial investment might be too high for many households, despite the enormous savings that the system yields over its 30+ years lifetime. Second, it is typically not possible to have your own solar panels if you don’t own a house.

If you do own a house but your roof is not suitable for solar panels, you may also lend your garden to a company that will install their own panels and pay you for providing land for their equipment. Therefore, there is a true opportunity for almost all house owners.

Generate Heat

A different type of panel called solar thermal uses the temperature of the sunlight to heat up water for domestic usage. While the system may not be powerful enough for heating rooms, it definitely provides a free source of energy for hot water in the kitchen, bathroom, and for appliances. Furthermore, a larger system can even heat your swimming pool or hot tub.

Solar thermal panels are cheaper than photovoltaic panels but they are not alternatives—they complement each other. Solar thermal can generate enough hot water for an entire household, and when stored in a properly insulated water tank it can also provide hot water during non-production hours.

Passive Solar

Not all solar technologies rely on panels. Passive solar is actually more of a building design principle than a particular technology. Yet, it can mean major savings for homeowners.

How does the building design affect energy efficiency? Houses that are built with passive solar design in mind take advantage of the different positions of the summer sun and winter sun. By carefully placing windows and overhangs, the building minimises cooling costs in the summer as the sunshine is blocked, while maximising the heat intake during the cold months.

Solar Lighting

There are ways not to give up a beautifully lit interior while striving to become more sustainable. The term hybrid solar lighting refers to a technology that uses a collector and optical fibres to take the outside light inside the house. This way, during daylight, natural light is used inside. This light doesn’t even have to be turned off—it’s free. During the night, energy-efficient lights can be used which can also be combined with photovoltaic panels and batteries.

Solar Ovens

Maybe you don’t have the budget for expensive solar technologies or you are already using them and are looking for further ways to make a difference. In both cases, solar ovens and solar barbecues provide yet another way to make the most out of the sunlight. You can either buy one from a local store or build your own.

Solar Gadgets

Little things can also make a big difference. Small electronics, such as phone chargers, flashlights, computer keyboards, and even Bluetooth speakers come in solar-powered versions. These gadgets are not much pricier than the regular ones, yet the difference they make can be significant.

With billions of alkaline batteries going to landfills each year, solar-powered gadgets that do not rely on non-reusable batteries are good for the environment. What is more, they also make your life less stressful: picture yourself in the park, having your phone at 20% battery—no problem, solar power is there to save you!


With all these options available, solar energy is truly an enormous resource for our society. Now we just need to act on taking advantage of all the opportunities it provides.

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