Ask the Expert: Solar Fun this Summer

Using solar power at your home can be inexpensive and fun without attaching large panels to your roof.  We asked Kevin R. Lewelling, professor of electrical engineering to share the easiest ways to get started with solar tech this summer.

Lewelling says two considerations to keep in mind when considering using solar power at your house are 1: Do I want to run electric wires to the lighting or water pumps, etc.,  and 2: Do the lights or pumps need to run continuously night and day.  If the answers are no and no, he says, you should consider using solar power and making it a DIY project.

For most of these projects, Lewelling says you can buy DIY kits (which include batteries and small solar panels) at your local hardware store and install them yourself.

Lighting & ambiance

• Solar path lights, string lights, or lanterns to illuminate walkways and seating areas
• Motion-activated solar security lights for fences or sheds
• Decorative features like glowing planters or solar-powered garden statues

Water features

• Solar-powered fountains or pond pumps (no wiring needed)
• Small waterfalls or birdbaths with circulating water to keep it fresh
• Solar pool heaters to extend your swimming season

Outdoor living

• Solar-powered fans for patios or pergolas (great in Arkansas summers)
• Charging stations (USB or outlets) for phones, speakers, or laptops
• Solar-powered Bluetooth speakers for music without running extension cords

Gardening & sustainability

• Solar irrigation timers or pumps for drip systems
• Solar-powered greenhouse ventilation fans
• Compost bin heaters or monitors powered by small panels

Cooking & food

• Solar ovens for slow cooking or baking (surprisingly effective on sunny days)
• Solar-powered mini fridges or coolers for drinks during gatherings

Practical/utility uses

• Charging battery packs for tools (like drills, hedge trimmers)
• Powering a shed or workshop with a small off-grid solar kit
• Electric fence chargers (common for rural properties)

• Light-up house numbers or mailbox

 

The main reason solar powered lighting projects are possible today is the use of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs); LEDs are very energy efficient and come in many colors.  Thus giving you a lot of options when lighting your surroundings and setting a mood.  The second reason many solar powered projects are now possible is the improvement in battery technology.  Currently, Lithium Ion (LI) batteries have the highest energy density of around 200 Wh/kg; energy density is a rating of how much stored energy per weight.    For comparison, lead acid batteries (car batteries) have an energy density of 50 Wh/kg.  You might reconsider using solar power if it requires the installation of a battery bank and management systems.  This can be expensive and requires a professional for installation.  With that said, there remains many uses of home solar power that makes sense and are easy to install.