There are several options for using solar energy to power or light your home. Below we explain some of the most common uses of solar energy in the home.
Solar panel system
Installing a solar power system is the most efficient way to power your entire home using solar energy. The best solar panels can last more than 25 years, providing your home with clean energy and savings for decades. However, solar panel systems have high upfront costs.
According to our March 2023 survey of 1,000 solar homeowners, the average cost of installing a solar panel system is $2.85 per watt. Based on these figures, you'll pay about $14,250 for a 5 kilowatt (kW) system or $28,500 for a 10 kW system. Either way, you can take advantage of solar incentives such as the Solar Investment Tax Credit (SIT) to lower project costs.
If you're considering switching to solar power but prefer to avoid a large investment, there are cheaper alternative technologies.
Solar water heater
Solar water heaters use collector panels exposed to direct sunlight to produce hot water for your home. Solar collectors use heating fluids such as ethylene glycol to capture thermal energy, which is then used to heat water for domestic use.
Solar water heater prices can range from $1,500 to $13,000, depending on size and complexity. Large solar water heaters are comparable in price to photovoltaic panels, but smaller units are more affordable.
In general, passive solar water heaters are more economical than solar panel systems, but have a longer payback period. According to a cost analysis by the US Department of Energy, the payback period for solar water heaters can exceed 10 years.
In hot climates, solar water heaters have the potential to meet 100% of your hot water needs. However, in colder places, you may need an electric or gas heating system as a backup.
Portable solar panel kit
Solar power systems come in all sizes. You can invest in a large rooftop system to generate electricity for your entire home or use a portable solar device to power smaller appliances.
According to our research, there are portable solar generators with built-in batteries and outlets available for less than $2,000. Smaller systems may not provide enough power for your HVAC equipment or refrigerator, but you can power smaller appliances like LED lights and smartphone chargers.
Large solar panels used in roof and ground mounting systems are designed for professional installation. Since portable solar devices have lower voltage and power levels, they are suitable for DIY installations.
You can also use small solar panels to power outdoor awnings and lighting fixtures instead of using long circuits between the main panel and the outdoor space. According to our market research, you can find outdoor solar lights with built-in photovoltaic panels and batteries for less than $100. A wide variety of lighting products are available, including solar powered security lights and rechargeable flashlights.
Skylights and solar tubes
The use of solar energy is not limited to domestic heating and electricity generation. The sun also provides free natural light that you can use inside your home. For example, you can install roofs or solar tubes to allow sunlight into your home while reducing solar heat gain. Although LED bulbs use 90% less electricity than traditional bulbs, solar lights use no energy at all.
The cost of solar tubes and skylights varies depending on the design. You can find basic solar tubes that cost around $500 to install, while large roofs can cost upwards of $2,000.
Participate in a community solar project
Some energy customers may not be able to install solar panels, including renters who don't have their own roof or people who don't have enough roof space. In this case, you can participate in a community solar project instead of buying your own panels.
Community solar systems are widely used by electricity consumers who participate as shareholders or customers. The electricity produced by a community solar project is metered and distributed among participants based on their ownership or subscription to the project.
Community solar systems also provide mobility for tenants. If you move to a different address when you sign up for a community solar project, you can apply solar credits to your new electric bill. This method is much simpler than moving the solar system to the roof.
However, community solar is not available everywhere. Check with your state or local government to see if you have access to community solar projects in your area.
Switch to an electricity plan using renewable energy
Depending on where you live, you may be able to choose your own electricity provider. For example, Texas has a deregulated energy sector, so consumers can choose their own energy plan. In this case, you can look for an energy plan that uses 100% renewable energy. However, this option is only available in certain regions of the United States.
