Time to use solar energy without the investment
You already know that power from the sun is free, clean and renewable. But maybe you’re not using solar power because of the expensive equipment. No worries. You can harness solar energy without the investment!
For centuries, people effectively used solar energy without PV panels, inverter boxes and wiring. You too can tap into your inner pioneer and use solar energy on a daily basis with a few simple tips.
1. Dry your clothes on a clothesline. Its the original solar dryer. No electricity required, just a nice day and a fresh breeze. Not only are you saving money for using solar energy without the investment, but your energy conservation will put an extra $150-200 in your pocket each year if you forgo the electric dryer.
2. Cook your food with an easy-to-make solar oven. There are many DIY models out there, with detailed videos to show you how to build a solar cooker, but I saw one online the other day that is simply a cardboard pizza box, covered with foil, and sealed with plastic wrap. I’m thinking about making my own, homemade pizza in this easy-bake solar oven.
3. Grow your own fruits, vegetables and herbs. All you need to buy are the seeds. Rain, sunshine and the miracle of nature can provide you with a bounty of fresh food from the garden (with a little bit of TLC, as well). Plants don’t grow without solar energy, so consider this as an easy, nearly-free way to harness the power of the sun.
4. Heat your home with passive solar measures. Position your windows to be south-facing and keep blinds and drapes open during the winter. Just be sure that during warm months, you have shrubs for shade and can pull window coverings tight. Another popular passive solar option is a Trombe Wall. Minimal cash outlay for this extra insulated wall, sometimes filled with water, can cut heating and cooling costs by 90%.
5. Finally, this last tips requires a small amount of cash, but for a big return! Why not get some solar chargers to provide free solar energy for your electronics while you are on the go? You can recharge cell phones, iPods, computers, cell phones and more, for a minimal investment. My pick: get a solar backpack. I can see that my laptop use is a huge energy drain. With the solar chargers, I can tap into solar energy on the go, and I’ll never be stuck with a dead battery again.
It may be cliche to say, but you truly can save green while going green!
Got any other free solar energy tips? Please share below!
Tags: free solar energy, solar energy without the investment, solar oven, use solar power
You’ve a great way to look at solar energy. It’s not only about buying solar energy equipment, it’s also about changing the life style toward a more environmental consciousness.
Exactly! Thank you for stating it so perfectly, Sikantis,
Stephanie
Good insights! It’s unfortunate that people got out of the habit of using clotheslines. They save so much energy, and it is kind of peaceful to hang the clothes.
Rainy days and winter make outdoor drying difficult, but people can air dry their clothes by using a wooden clothes drying rack like this one. Being round it works really nice under a ceiling fan!
[...] talked about how an easy way to tap into free solar energy is to utilize passive solar design. No need to install solar panels when you can simply make minor changes to manage the amount of [...]