Are you ready to go green and switch your home to solar energy, but are shy of the funds? Maybe you know about the cost-saving impact of solar energy on your monthly electricity bill, but the sticker price of the solar panel installation still feels undoable.
Fear not, eco-warrior. You can still make the switch on a strict budget. In this guide, we’re going to walk you through going solar on the cheap as soon as possible. Let’s dive in and save the planet.
- Go Solar a Little Bit at a Time
Instead of switching your whole home to solar energy, you can install solar lights in a few areas to reduce your standard electricity use.
For example, you can switch all of your outdoor lights to solar lights. You only need them when it’s dark anyway, so why not let the sun power them? There are great inexpensive options for solar patio lights, garden lights, front door lights, walkway lights, and more.
Some lights are easy to install yourself, or you can use a solar company to do it for you.
- Power Your Devices and Small Appliances With Solar Energy
Did you know that there are solar banks that you can charge in the sun and then use to power up your devices? It’s true, and it’s a great way to rely on less electricity.
These solar banks are great for camping trips, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use them at home too. Another perk is that you aren’t tied to a wall outlet when you need to charge your device. Simply plug it into a solar bank using a USB port and charge your phone, tablet, computer, and more.
You can also scale up this idea and use it with your appliances. Toasters, blenders, coffee makers, and other appliances on the small side can also plug into a solar power bank instead of the wall.
Having solar chargers on hand is a great idea in case you lose power, so it’s a good idea to invest in them anyway. The more you use them to charge your devices and appliances in your regular life, the more the planet and your electricity bill will thank you.
- Take Advantage of Solar Incentives
The federal government really wants more people to try going solar, and they’re offering great incentives as encouragement. The Solar Investment Tax Credit will give you a 30% tax credit when you switch to solar energy.
Your state may even have state incentives to make the deal even sweeter. You can find all of the solar incentives that are available to you on the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE).
Final Thoughts on Going Solar on a Budget
When it comes to going solar, the most important thing is to do what you can within your budget. Hopefully, this guide has shown you ways to help the planet without breaking the bank.
For more solar resources, check out our other blogs.