8 Home Appliances That Can Easily Run on Solar Energy

In today’s world, the shift toward renewable energy is not just a trend—it’s a necessity. Did you know that a single solar panel can power essential home appliances like lights, fans, and even a TV?

As I explored solar energy options for my home, I was surprised to find that many common appliances, including washing machines and refrigerators, can run efficiently on solar power.

But have you ever wondered how much you could save by switching to solar-powered devices? Or how easy it is to integrate these appliances into your home? In this article, I’ll share some of my findings and insights, helping you understand how to harness solar energy to power your everyday devices.

Whether you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint or cut down on electricity bills, this guide will show you how solar energy can improve your life.

Table of Contents

8 Home Appliances that Can Run on Solar Power

Home Appliances That Can Work on Solar Energy

1. Refrigerator

Refrigerators generally remain functional 24X7. On average, they consume around 1.5 kWh of energy every day.

Therefore, to make your home energy efficient and reduce the electric bills, running the refrigerator using solar power can be a smart idea. To use solar power more effectively, you should check the energy-generating capacity of your solar panel.

Comparing the values, you can either run the fridge entirely or partially on solar power. In case of partial use, rely on solar power during the daytime when the sun is shining bright.

Know More: How Many Solar Panels Do You Need To Run A Refrigerator

2. Washing Machine

Almost all Indian households in urban areas use washing machines. While some people use washing machines every day, some use them twice or thrice a week. Also, unlike refrigerators, these appliances do not require a seamless supply of power.

The share of energy consumed by any washing machine in total energy consumption by all appliances remains quite moderate.

However, for higher energy efficiency, washing clothes in a cold water setting is a better choice. A hot water setting would mean consuming more power to heat the water.

3. Oven

Many people prefer using an oven for baking cakes, cookies, puffs, and other food items. However, instead of using electricity to run the oven, if you use solar power, the energy consumption will go down.

Generally, ovens consume between 1KWh and 4KWh of energy based on duration and temperature setting. Switching to solar power for appliances such as ovens that require higher energy makes your home energy-efficient.

Ovens run just fine with solar power. You have to check your solar panel’s power generation capacity to confirm it can support the oven’s consumption.

4. Air Conditioner

Average household energy consumption soars during the summer months. Using air conditioners to keep the home comfortable invariably remains the primary factor behind this trend.

ACs account for almost one-third of the total household’s energy consumption during the hot and humid months.

Most air conditioners consume around 3-3.5 kWh of energy. Therefore, if you keep your AC for the entire night, the consumption per day can be as high as 20-24 kWh.

Buying ACs with high star ratings can be a smart choice to keep energy consumption under control However, an even smarter alternative would be using solar-run ACs to reduce electricity consumption.

5. Dryer

Cloth dryers are also solar appliances. People use dryers either every day or occasionally for brief periods. But, dryers consume a lot of energy to produce the heat necessary to dry wet clothes.

Depending on the variety and capacity of the dryer used, the energy consumption can be between 1.8 KWh and 5 KWh. You can either settle for an energy-efficient dryer spending a few more bucks or invest a little more and get solar panels installed.

This way dryer usage won’t burden your electricity bills and you can also use the extra solar power for running other solar appliances.

6. Heaters

Much like Air conditioners, water heaters, and room heaters also consume substantial amounts of electricity. In winter, both these machines help keep you warm and comfortable. Therefore, not using them to save electricity can never be the optimal solution. Instead, switching to solar power can be an effective way out.

You will find several solar power run heaters in the market. Check the power generation capacity of your solar panel and buy a heater accordingly. If you already have a heater, install a solar panel with which you can run it.

7. Dishwasher

Dishwashers are becoming increasingly popular in India of late. If you happen to own a dishwasher that you use regularly or occasionally, run it on solar power. Dishwashers typically use 1.2-2.4 kWh of energy. Any good quality solar panel generates enough power to support these appliances effortlessly.

However, the size of the dishwasher can be a factor determining its power requirement. If you have a large one, more solar power would be required. The most efficient way to use a dishwasher would be to run it on solar power during the daytime. This will help the solar panel to generate and replenish power effectively.

8. Television

LED TVs, known for their low power consumption, are perfect for solar setups. If you’re using a properly sized solar power system, complete with solar panels, an inverter, and batteries, you can enjoy uninterrupted TV time, even during power outages.

For many Indian families, this setup is a game-changer, ensuring that you don’t miss your favourite shows or a crucial cricket match. Plus, with the abundance of sunlight we have in most parts of India, harnessing solar power for your TV and other devices is not only practical but also a smart way to reduce electricity bills.

When I first considered solar energy for my home, one of my main concerns was whether our LED TV would work smoothly on it. To my pleasant surprise, not only does it work well, but it’s also more energy-efficient than I expected.

4 Reasons You Should Use Solar Energy For Your Home

Switching to solar power appliances for electricity consumption can be a beneficial move in many ways. Here are a few reasons why everyone should consider using solar for appliances.

Solar power is a sustainable solution that does not impact the environment adversely.
With solar power helping your appliances run, you do not have to bother about power cuts.
When several people use solar power, the pressure on electric grids decreases.
Solar energy is free. So, once you pay for the solar panel and its installation, you are done with the expenditure part. However, you might have to spend on maintenance from time to time. But, even then, solar power is more cost-effective in the long run.

Hence, switching to solar power-run appliances is always a green choice. But, depending on the power generation capacity, quality of the solar panels, and size, the prices may vary.

Before buying a solar panel, check the amount of power you need to keep your appliances solar-powered. Choose a solar panel based on your requirements to avoid unnecessary investment.

Initially, buying and installing the panels might seem costly. Since these panels do not require regular and extensive maintenance, within a few years, you will realize how cost-effective they are.

There are a lot of solar panel manufacturers in India you can check out them here.

How Many Solar Panels Do I Need to Power My Home Appliances?

The number of panels you need to install for your home appliances depends on usage requirements. The number of appliances to be attached to the solar panels and their consumption capacities can be critical here. A household with 1 solar power AC will require a lesser number of panels than a home with 4 ACs.

8 Home Appliances That Can Easily Run on Solar Energy