The power of the sun is enormous, and with technology advancing at such a pace, more and more people are starting to recognise this fact. Those who live in hotter climates where energy bills are high are looking for ways to generate their own electricity supply, which could mean cutting back on their energy consumption and reducing their bills.
In addition to saving money, you can also reduce your carbon footprint (the measure of how much carbon dioxide you are responsible for emitting into the atmosphere) by generating your own electricity. Not only is it a better option for the environment, but it means you are in control of your power supply and can monitor what’s going on when there’s an outage.
Although the sun provides us with enough energy to power our planet for ages, getting the most out of it soothes our wallets and keeps the lights on. Here are some clever ways to use solar energy to power your home.
Turn Your Roof Into a Solar Cell
If you’re fortunate enough to have a roof that faces south and gets plenty of sunshine, you can use it to generate as much as 15% of your annual electricity supply. All you need is a solar panel and a battery along with some solar friendly accessories like guttering and downlights. If your roof is not big enough to cover your needs, you can either add another one or go for a solar farm. With two roofs, you can generate more than 30% of your annual electricity supply.
Install A Battery System
If you have a large enough roof and can position the panels correctly, you can use them to power your home directly through a battery with no wires connected. This is an ideal solution for those who want to power their homes without needing to be plugged in or have dependent on the mains supply. A solar-powered battery can provide energy for all the appliances and electronics you have connected to it. It can also be used to charge up your phone, which becomes completely independent of the electricity grid. In the event of a power cut, the LED lights will still be able to be turned on thanks to the stored solar energy.
Use Sunlounges
Sitting in the sun is perfect for warming up in the winter and giving you some rays to keep the sun-loving creatures in your garden alive. What is more is that you can also use the lounges to store energy when the sun is beaming. With a bit of a planning and strategy, you can position a large number of them so that you can achieve your target yield. They can also double up as some stylish outdoor seating for relaxing in the evenings. If you want to get some extra power, you can set up a loungewheel so that when you’re sunning yourself, you can also generate some electricity. This way, you won’t have to stop working to charge up your battery.
Build A Solar Cooker
Being in a hot climate is one thing, but heating up your homes in the winter is another. A great way to combat this is with a solar cooker, which is something that converts solar energy into meals you can cook. All you need is a sun-facing roof, a bit of cardboard, a sheet of plastic, a few pots and pans, and a few hours of sunshine to make your morning cuppa. When the sun starts to dip, you will not only have enjoyed your morning cup of tea, but you will also have fed yourself and your family without turning on any heating elements.
Use A Thermostat
Just like how we have temperature control in our homes today, we will soon have the ability to control our energy consumption through automated devices. The thermostat is just one of the many items that can be used to achieve this, and it does so by measuring how much power you are using and limiting your energy supply accordingly. A thermostat can be set to turn off all the electrical appliances you have plugged in (including water heaters and air conditioners) when connected to the mains, so you will only need to turn them on when you arrive home from work or school.
Build A Power Plant
If you are fortunate enough to have a pool in your backyard, you can use it to generate electricity. All you need is a water turbine (which turns water flow into electrical energy) and some solar panels to feed it. Building a power plant is a perfect way to generate your own electricity supply, and if you want a more eco-friendly option, you can use recycled or green energy. If you want to be completely independent of the grid, you can set your own power schedule by connecting up to multiple sources and having an automatic system that switches off when the power is not needed. A power plant allows you to take control of your electricity supply and provides the ability to generate as much power as you need when you need it. As the demand for electricity grows, more and more people will turn to alternative methods of powering their homes because they want to avoid paying extra for their energy.
Sustain Earth With These Ideas
If you want to power your home with solar energy, you will need to do some research into the best position for the sun to shine on your roof throughout the year. You can use this information to plan out a strategy to generate the maximum amount of power. As solar technology improves and continues to evolve, we will see more and more people harnessing this amazing source of power to sustain our beautiful planet. For now, these ideas will give you a head start on reducing your energy consumption and generating some extra power when you need it.