Solar power is one of many home improvements anyone can make to their home, and often, people put solar panels on the roof. But what if your roof can’t support solar panels? That can put you back a few steps and make you apprehensively decide not to go through with solar panel installation. Where else can you install solar panels besides the roof? We might know a few places you never thought of before. Take a look below for other places to put a solar panel system.
Sheds
It usually is logical to install solar panels onto the roof, but you’ll hit the nail on the head better by going with a different option. Have you thought of updating the shed? Maybe that could be the starting point for you. Perhaps you knew deep down that you wanted to install your first or next solar panels there.
By using the shed instead of other parts of the property, you can get the same amount of solar power. Since it’s usually overheated, worn down, and dark in the shed, there’s a chance for more natural light to pour in and build solar power production. There’s no more need to put in a light bulb for when you need to find things, as the solar panels will collect enough energy to brighten the shed.
Gardens
Gardening with solar panels is a real thing, and it’s called agrivoltaics. This type of agriculture allows plants to grow using photovoltaic panels—in other words, solar panels. The plants must sit directly under an elevated or suspended panel to grow.
You can do the same for your garden or farm! If you have a greenhouse, solar panels can go directly above it, allowing for rainwater and sunlight to easily reach every crop. There are no limits on vegetables or fruit plants, but if you’re growing apple trees, you need to reconfigure your acreage to fit both a solar system and your trees.
Ground
Many buildings turn heads with roof-mounted panels. While roof panels are fine and dandy, your roof may not be in the best shape, or it might not be suitable for solar panels at all. Therefore, solar panels on the ground are becoming more common.
By installing panels into the ground, you’re likely to produce more power than if the panels were on any part of the home, and this energy is free. Since you have a limited amount of roof to put panels on, placing them on the ground gives you more options. For example, you could extend solar power to outdoor lighting, heat your pool, and save more on electricity.
Heating and Water Pumps
Your heat and water sources could use a solar system setup. Instead of using natural gas like the neighbors, use a sun-powered heat pump. Solar-powered heating and water pumps naturally convert energy from the sun into electricity to warm the home and pump water.
Using solar power for heating and water pumps can limit or eliminate your use of natural gas and help your pumps exert less energy when running water through the tap.
Lights
You don’t have to turn the lights down low to conserve energy, but you could keep a light on throughout the night with solar energy. You can use solar-powered lights with photovoltaic cell glass to absorb and transmit energy into electricity to light up the home. Try placing these lights inside your home or along the pathway up to the house.
The outdoor lights use a lens to absorb sunlight and charge during the day, then light up and stay on through the night for up to 12 hours. You can get creative with your lighting—if you need extra security, motion sensor lights would be perfect. All you need to do is mount them to the side of the house to detect movement.
Power Outlets
This one might not seem common, but it’s one that many people could benefit from considering. A solar power outlet is like any ordinary outlet with two- and three-hole prongs. These outlets are mounted to a window or wall, typically outdoor walls. The outlets have solar panels to absorb sunlight and convert it into usable power for laptops, phones, TVs, and tablets.
A solar power outlet might be even more perfect for those living off-grid. These outlets are safe to use and include a space to plug electronic devices into. Just make sure the plugs are low voltage to avoid overpowering the system and causing a blackout.
Driveways
Sometimes, you need to wow the neighbors with something super cool. We understand that you might be tilting your head and wondering how a solar driveway would work, but it’s an intriguing approach to solar power production.
A solar panel in the driveway won’t take up too much space; it takes up about 215 square feet, leaving room between you and the front door. You may want to try out a solar driveway because it works with heat-powered technology already installed.
Pergolas
Solar power installation is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you are going to get. When you first get that box, you’re expecting ordinary places to mount a solar system, like the roof. But when you open the box, each piece of chocolate is a unique place to install solar panels. So have you considered sampling the pergola chocolate?
A pergola is the best place to install solar panels. It’s nice and airy, and it could use some solar power. Having a solar-powered gazebo gives areas that are often dark more exposure to light. You can feel more energized being outside with more sun and enjoy the perks of extending or building a new solar panel system.
We’re confident that finding a place to install a solar panel instead of the roof will encourage you to invest in solar power. Let’s get to talking about your next solar panel installation. Whether you’re looking for a backyard solar panel pergola or something else, Go Solar Power can help you. We’re professional solar panel installers experienced in mounting panels anywhere around your house.
