If you are considering living in a tiny house, you are likely looking for ways to maximize efficiency and reduce your carbon footprint. One of the best solutions for this lifestyle is to install solar panels. Why? Because tiny houses are all about sustainability, and solar energy perfectly fits this concept. Imagine powering your home with solar energy and reducing your dependence on traditional sources. Solar panels can provide clean, renewable energy and help you save on electricity bills without the need for the grid. Additionally, due to limited roof space, solar panels can be strategically placed to make the most of available sunlight.
Benefits of installing solar panels in a tiny house: 1. Complete energy independence – no more paying for utilities. When you decide to live in a tiny house, one of your top priorities may be to minimize costs and increase living efficiency. Solar panels allow you to achieve complete self-sufficiency. With a solar system, you no longer have to worry about electricity bills – no more hidden fees or price hikes from utility providers. This is especially useful if you live in a remote area far from the grid or where connecting to the local grid is extremely costly. Imagine the freedom of producing your own electricity without relying on others. The power is all yours and, after the initial investment, it’s free.
Breaking free from the constraints of the power grid means liberating yourself from traditional utility companies, giving you better control over your living situation.
Long-term investment – Increasing your property value: Although the initial cost may seem like a hurdle, solar panels can significantly enhance the value of your small home. With growing interest in sustainable and energy-efficient residences, solar energy is becoming an attractive selling point. If you decide to move or sell your small home, installing solar panels means you are offering a property with future-oriented, low-cost energy. This investment not only benefits you today but also pays off when selling. Low maintenance costs – Solar panels are ready to use after installation: One of the best parts about solar panels is their low maintenance. Once your system is set up, you hardly need to worry. Solar panels are designed to last for 25-30 years, requiring only occasional cleaning to keep them dust and debris-free, with almost no maintenance needed. This means that once installed, you can forget about frequent repairs or high maintenance costs. It is a ‘once and for all’ solution to meet your home’s energy needs. Resilient and reliable power source: With a well-designed solar system, you can rest easy knowing that you will have reliable electricity even in emergencies. For small homes in off-grid or rural areas, where power outages are frequent, solar panels are an excellent backup power source. If a battery storage system is also installed, it can store excess energy on sunny days and use it at night or during overcast weather. Solar energy ensures peace of mind, with your energy needs reliably met, and a trustworthy power source even in emergencies. How much solar energy does a small home need? Add up the wattage of all the devices you plan to use daily, and you will get your total daily energy consumption (watt-hours). Table: Energy consumption of appliances in a typical small home Appliance Nominal Power (W) Daily Usage (hours) Daily Energy Consumption (watt-hours) LED bulbs (5) 10 W each 5 hours 50 W Refrigerator 100 W 24 hours 2,400 W Microwave 1,000 W 0.5 hours 500 W Oven 1,500 W 1 hour 1,500 W Air conditioner 1,500 W 4 hours 6,000 W Laptop 60 W 5 hours 300 W TV 100 W 3 hours 300 W Washing machine 500 W 1 hour 500 W Water heater 1,500 W 1 hour 1,500 W Ceiling fan 75 W 5 hours 375 W Other electronic products (e.g., phone chargers) 30 W 4 hours 120 W In this example, we calculate a total daily consumption of 13,545 Wh/day.How many solar panels does your tiny house need? According to our previous calculation example, if your tiny house consumes about 13.55 kilowatt-hours per day (based on typical appliances such as lights, refrigerators, and air conditioners), and you use a 350W solar panel, each panel will generate about 1.75 kilowatt-hours of electricity per day (assuming 5 hours of sunlight per day). Based on these numbers, you need about 8 solar panels to meet the daily energy needs of your tiny house. Please remember that this is a rough estimate, and factors such as local sunlight availability, panel efficiency, and seasonal changes will affect the exact number of panels required.
Cost of solar systems for small houses Here is a brief overview of common solar system configurations and their estimated market prices. This will help you understand the cost you may need to pay for a solar installation for your tiny house. System configurations Travel case accessories Estimated cost Basic off-grid system 4 panels, 1 inverter, battery 5,000 – 7,000 Standard grid-connected system 6 panels, 1 inverter 6,000 – 8,000 Comprehensive off-grid system 8 panels, 1 inverter, larger battery 10,000 – 12,000 Premium grid-connected system 10 panels, 1 inverter, monitoring 10,000 – 15,000 Basic off-grid system: Very suitable for those who want to be independent of the power grid. It usually includes 4 solar panels and a battery device. The expected cost is about 5,000 to 7,000 US dollars. Standard grid-connected system: Suitable for most tiny house owners. Equipped with 6 panels, it can be connected to the power grid to obtain additional electricity. The price ranges from 6,000 to 8,000 US dollars. Comprehensive off-grid system: For those with higher energy needs, this includes 8 panels and a larger battery pack. The cost is between 10,000 and 12,000 US dollars. Premium grid-connected system: This setting contains 10 panels with advanced monitoring functions. The cost ranges from 10,000 to 15,000 US dollars. Types of solar systems for tiny houses When considering choosing solar for your tiny house, you will mainly encounter two types of systems: off-grid solar systems and grid-connected solar systems. Off-grid solar system An off-grid solar system is completely independent of the public power grid. Here are its main characteristics: Energy independence: You can generate electricity on your own, which is an ideal choice for people in remote areas or those who want to live completely off the grid.Battery Storage: The system includes batteries for storing excess energy for use during the night or on cloudy days, ensuring a continuous power supply.
Simplicity: Installation is typically easier as there is no need to connect to the grid, making it a popular choice for small home owners. Grid-Connected Solar Systems: These systems maintain a connection with the public power grid, with the following main features: Cost-Effective: They generally have lower initial costs since you can rely on the grid for additional power when needed. Net Metering: You can sell excess energy back to the grid, which can significantly reduce your electricity bills and provide additional income. Reduced Storage Needs: As you are connected to the grid, there is no need for large battery banks, making the setup simpler. Shielden 5kW Small Home Solar System: In summary, it is worth noting that a 5kW solar system can provide ample energy for your small home, especially if you do not operate high-energy-consuming devices like air conditioning. The average daily output of a 20kW system is about 25 to 50 kWh, which can easily meet the typical energy needs of small residences, usually ranging from 300 to 500 kWh per month. This means you can power all necessary appliances—such as refrigerators, lights, and electronic devices—without worrying about energy shortages. If you choose the Shielden 5kW solar system, you are selecting a reliable and efficient solution tailored for small home living. Our system is designed to maximize energy production while keeping installation simple and cost-effective.