Modern lifestyle involves the use of several energy-driven appliances, machines, and tools. With growing dependence on these products, the electricity demand is going up every day. As a result, the demand for non-renewable energy resources is increasing by leaps and bounds.
But, the indiscriminate use of these resources is sure to create an energy crisis in the future. Here are a few ways in which solar energy usage can help reduce non-renewable energy consumption to enhance sustainability.
Uses of Solar Energy
Heating
With solar panels installed on your home’s rooftop, you can use the power generated for heating several premises. Using solar power, you can keep your rooms, the swimming pool water, and even tap or shower water heated during winter.
Solar power heating cuts your electricity bills considerably. Therefore, solar panel installation can prove to be a financially beneficial decision in the long run.
Cooking
Another excellent benefit of using solar power can be cooking without using traditional fuel options. Solar cookers are available in plenty in the market. You will just require a good quality cooker, aluminum foils, duct tape, a pan, and a few more things to start cooking using solar energy.
This way you can contribute to reducing the pace of the global energy crisis by replacing petroleum fuels (non-renewable resource) with solar energy (renewable resource).
Charging
Everyone uses appliances and wearables that require daily charging. Without sufficient charge, these objects cannot perform at all. These could be smartphones, laptops, smart watches, headlights, torches, and more. Plugging these objects into electricity points remains essential for charging.
But, there could be long durations of power cuts or you could sometimes go camping in the woods. In such situations, finding electricity for charging would be quite an impossible task. But, if you use solar chargers, you can get your headsets, earbuds, Bluetooth headphones, and all other chargeable items no matter where you are.
Also, at home, you can use these solar chargers instead of electric plug points to reduce your utility bills. With a solar charger, your devices can never run out of charge.
Additionally, of late, electric vehicles are becoming more and more popular with each passing day. These vehicles require regular charging. You can install a solar EV charging station at home or reach out to the nearest public EV charging station to get your EV car recharged.
You can install a solar panel on your rooftop for charging your EV. However, some places are also considering constructing solar carports where multiple EVs could get charged under a shade.
Using solar charging points for this purpose can save a lot of electricity consumption. Consequently, reducing the demand and exploitation of non-renewable resources will go down as well.
Appliances
Solar ovens, coolers, pocket calculators, Bluetooth speakers, wireless keyboards, lanterns, battery chargers, security cameras, and umbrellas are quite common in the market these days. Almost all of these products earlier depended on some variety of fuel or batteries for work.
But, now, solar power remains enough for running all these and more daily-use appliances. Imagine the amount of money you can save by replacing batteries, electricity, and fuel with solar energy. Using solar-powered appliances guarantees lower utility bills and lighter carbon footprints on planet Earth.
Read More: 7 Home Appliances That Can Easily Run on Solar Energy
Lighting
If you have a solar panel installed on the rooftop, you do not need electricity to keep your premises illuminated. You will find various solar-powered bulbs and lights to brighten up your home, garden, and backyard.
Landscape lighting is a quite popular choice for keeping your outdoor spaces well-lit. The best part is that landscape solar lights are neither expensive nor hard to find. Look for LED lighting fixtures for more illumination.
Besides illuminating your backyard and garden spaces, solar lights also ensure the security of your premises. It could be your office, home, or any other place.
Install the solar-powered lights and you do not have to worry about power cuts. Even when the rest of the area plunges into darkness, your premise will still remain bright and well-lit.
The latest solar panels generate enough power to support the landscape lights throughout the night. During the day time, the lights stay off and the panels resynthesize solar energy to generate more electric energy. You can also use this energy for party lights, indoor lights, and more.
Solar Pump
Pumps consume a significant amount of electricity. If you can use solar energy for using pumps, your utility bills will be lower by a significant amount. You can even use solar batteries for storing the additional amount of solar energy produced by the solar panels.
When the days are cloudy, you can use this stored energy to run pumps to circulate water from the reservoir to the tank. So, no matter the weather conditions, use solar power for using pumps to reduce your non-renewable energy use.
Solar-powered pumps are available in plenty in the market. Check out the features of these pumps carefully before investing in them.
Solar Power Cooling
Solar power does not help in heating water and air alone. It can also be used for cooling your premises. In most offices and houses, HVAC takes care of the temperature control task. HVACs regulate the ventilation, heating, and cooling of interior air.
But, electricity consumption associated with these devices remains quite high. Even when you buy a machine keeping the energy efficiency rating in mind, your electricity bills do not reduce substantially. But, if you can keep solar ventilation fans and cooling solutions alongside HVAC, your dependence on the latter would reduce substantially.
When the sunlight is abundant, you do not have to use the HVACs at all. Solar-powered ventilation and cooling systems will keep the indoor environment comfortable. However, on cloudy days, you can turn the HVAC on. Therefore, a significant part of your electricity consumption will become zero.
Solar Dryer
How do you dry your washed clothes on humid days? If it is raining incessantly, you cannot keep the clothes outside and the indoor, damp air will not help either. This is where electric dryers help. Even though these dryers can help dry the clothes effectively and fast, they also consume a lot of power. As a result, your utility bills go up significantly.
However, if you can use solar-powered dryers for drying your wet clothes, it could save a lot of your electricity consumption. As a result, your utility bills will go down and you will end up consuming fewer amounts of non-renewable energy resources as well.
Read More: 8 Common Problems with Solar Panels
Solar Generators
The use of solar-generating systems is prevalent these days. A solar generator comprises solar panels, an inverter, a battery, and a charger. Using a solar generator can help users collect and store solar energy. It becomes easier to convert the electricity later when there is a requirement.
Those who go on camping as well as boating trips often carry portable solar generators. Moreover, these systems are immensely helpful during emergencies when one requires backup power. Places where prolonged power outages are common prefer the use of solar energy in daily life.
Solar Ventilators
Ventilation solutions that make use of solar energy are ideal for those homes or offices without a solar photovoltaic system. Attic fans that use solar power are excellent at decreasing the load on an HVAC by keeping rooms cool during scorching summer days.
These ventilation technologies are applicable for a wide range of industrial applications and can pre-heat the air of a building during cold weather conditions. One of the common uses of solar energy in winter indicates the dependency on solar ventilation systems.
Home Beautification
Besides installing solar lights in your garden, backyard, and balcony, you can also add a dose of plush to your home by using solar-powered wind chimes. When it comes to decorating your home’s interior or outdoor spaces, solar-powered items can be of great help.
First, you do not have to bother about higher utility bills. Secondly, power cuts will have no impact on your decoration.
You can also install solar-powered garden fountains. The sound of trickling water makes the garden ambiance soothing and relaxing. But, electric-powered fountains cost a lot of energy consumption and add to your utility bills.
On the other hand, solar-powered fountains will generate enough solar energy throughout the day to keep the fountain working throughout the night.
To add a touch of life to your garden spaces, place a solar-powered bird feeder there. You can also place this feeder on your balcony, backyard, or rooftop.
Wherever you place them birds will visit these feeders and keep your premises abuzz with their chirping. After sunset, these feeders will act as hanging lights that will keep the surrounding area warmly lit.
For poolside areas, you can use solar-powered underwater lights to lend your swimming pool a plush look. Plus, these lights will also enhance the visibility of the water body at night. Consequently, no one will accidentally slip into the pool. Also, you can use a solar-powered irrigation system to water your garden plants to keep the area green and resplendent with colorful blossoms.
Home Security Lighting
You might not know yet that many residential property owners use solar lighting fixtures nowadays. The reliability aspect of these fixtures makes them appropriate for home security lighting. You can save on your monthly electricity bills if you use solar security lights, as they contain sufficient energy to help them remain functional the entire night.
Choose the ones with the motion sensor feature to save the energy stored and use it whenever required. Nowadays, solar security lights with water-resistant features are available. So, you can regard this as the appropriate use of solar energy in daily life.
Solar Security Cameras
Unlike conventional CCTV cameras, the ones that use solar power do not come with wires. You can avoid the hassle of connecting solar security cameras with data cables. All you need to do is connect them directly to Wi-Fi. You won’t have to spend repeatedly on new batteries as these cameras are solar-powered. Moreover, these cameras are capable of recording continuously.
Solar Umbrellas
Many people who like to keep up with the latest trends use solar umbrellas, which contain small solar panels. The built-in battery gets charged when sunlight strikes the panels. Interestingly, LED lights on the umbrella’s underside receive power from solar batteries at night. Lately, this has become one of the popular uses of solar energy.
Solar-Powered Waste Bins
Solar-powered waste bins featuring Wi-Fi are becoming prevalent in prominent cities worldwide. These bins have built-in solar panels that generate energy to ensure the Wi-Fi functions flawlessly.
Whoever passes by these trash bins can make maximum use of these Wi-Fi hotspots. Indeed, many may think it’s impossible to browse the internet while standing in front of stinking trash bins. However, the reality is most individuals look for free Wi-Fi outdoors.
Solar Tents
Nearly all aspects of these tents are similar to the regular ones. The only feature that makes these tents stand out is that they are solar-powered. These camping tents come with solar panels on the exterior part, facilitating power generation for multiple devices.
So, utilizing solar power outside is also standard these days, in addition to different uses of solar energy at home. Carrying these tents can help you have peace of mind, as additional solar power will be available if you already take other solar-powered appliances with you.
Solar Benches
Public places in many major cities nowadays have benches that feature solar panels. You may come across solar benches in railway stations, airports, bus depots, and parks. These benches look aesthetically pleasing because of the illumination after sunset. In addition, solar benches help people who sit on them charge their laptops, tablets, or smartphones.
Solar Carports
Powering your electric vehicle with existing installed rooftop solar panels is pretty standard. Some people prefer using solar carpots to charge their EVs. Those who earn their livelihoods by driving their electric four-wheelers strongly believe this is one of the best commercial uses of solar energy. Solar carpots are excellent in ensuring the utmost protection of an EV from adverse weather.
Solar Backpacks
One of the highly sought-after items among hikers, trekkers, campers, and travelers is a solar backpack. Even if you carry power banks to charge different gadgets while on a trip outside, solar backpacks can prove immensely helpful. These modern backpacks consist of built-in solar panels capable of storing energy in a small battery pack.
You should get one of these solar backpacks today if you are planning to go on a camping trip with your friends or solo. Having one such backpack can enable you to charge any electronic gadgets you carry with you with the utmost ease. You won’t lack access to properly charge essential devices such as your camera, smartphone, external chargers, portable lamp, etc.
Outdoor Tools
Solar-powered products are not only good for home-bound work. They are equally useful for outdoor activities. If you love camping and hiking, you can always invest in a solar-powered tent.
These tents generate electric energy during the daytime and use it to keep the interior of the tent illuminated during the night. You can also use the tent-generated energy to recharge your devices and appliances.
Solar power is undoubtedly the next big thing. Switching to solar-powered appliances, tools, and devices ensures lower consumption of existing non-renewable resources. Therefore, solar power saves a lot of precious resources from becoming extinct or exploited.
On the individual level, using solar power leads to lower utility bills which impacts your savings significantly and positively. Given these outstanding benefits, the initial cost of solar panel installation should appear to be worth every penny.
Conclusion
Solar power is undoubtedly the next big thing. Switching to solar-powered appliances, tools, and devices ensures lower consumption of existing non-renewable resources. Therefore, solar power saves a lot of precious resources from becoming extinct or exploited.
Plus, solar battery maintenance is not a hectic task. You can store the excess energy produced to use during the rainy season or winter season.
On the individual level, using solar power leads to lower utility bills which impact your savings significantly and positively. Given these outstanding benefits, the initial cost of solar panel installation should appear to be worth every penny.
