Renters can finally try home solar without modifying their home

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Solar energy is a great tool that homeowners can use to supplement utility costs or, in some cases, even power their entire home, but, for the most part, this clean energy source is not available to renters. Renting is subject to rules that prevent tenants from modifying a house or apartment, and even if that weren’t the case, the cost of adding solar panels to a property you don’t own wouldn’t make sense. But this is changing.

Unlike giant rooftop solar panels like those commonly seen on homes, there are now portable solar power plants that allow you to enjoy the benefits of solar energy without having to modify the building. This includes plug-and-play portable panels, balcony-mounted panels and solar generator kits. It’s important to note that not all states allow the use of solar energy, so make sure it is legal to run solar in the state you reside in before investing in a system.

While there are portable power stations that exceed their price range, expect a larger generator to cost a little more. The Anker Solix F3800 Portable Solar Power Station is one such option, providing 3,840 Wh of power for around $1,999. Also make sure you get a solar panel so you can charge it. A 400W solar panel with portable charger will cost around $2,399, again depending on where you look. These prices were on Amazon at the time of writing.

There’s also the EcoFlow Delta Pro 3. It features 4,096 Wh, but has been listed for almost $3,700 on sites like Amazon. Both are powerful enough to keep the lights on, run ceiling fans, power the internet, and even run the refrigerator. Enough to weather a storm with several hours of use before having to recharge. Keep larger items on a larger portable charger and smaller devices you can power like laptops on smaller portable stations.

Both portable power stations include multiple connections for appliances and appliances. Once charged, simply plug in the devices you need and then turn it on to power them. The portable solar power stations listed are just a few examples, as several other options are available. It’s worth taking the time to research what’s best for you and whether it’s legal to use where you live.

Whether or not a portable solar power station can save you money depends on how you use it, but the most efficient way is to store solar energy and use it during peak hours. Savings vary by region and it may take some time before the savings offset the initial cost of the unit, but you will notice a difference in your electricity bill. The most important factor, of course, depends on your specific electricity rates.

To reduce your monthly bill, you can switch intermittently between electricity and a portable solar power station. You can also see which devices consume the most energy and when they do, use the solar station to strategically offset that cost. You may even want to invest in a large power bank and solar charger to further offset your energy costs. A portable station can be expensive, but can save you money in the long run because you don’t need to rely on power provided by a service provider, not to mention its benefit in the event of an emergency due to a power outage.