I'm curious if it's feasible to fully power a tiny house using a solar energy system. There are two of us living there, and the house would need to have heating, air conditioning, and all the typical appliances you'd find in an apartment. I must admit, my knowledge of solar systems is pretty basic — I've only done about 20 minutes of research online. Also, just to give you some context, the tiny house will be located in Kentucky.
1 Answer
Yeah, you can definitely power a tiny house with solar! If you cover the roof with about a 5kWp system and include sufficient battery storage, you'll likely be able to run regular appliances year-round, along with heating, AC, and electric cooking during the warmer months. However, you'll probably need an alternative heat source in the winter, like propane, since solar might not cut it for heating needs during those cold months. You could also consider a gas generator for backup power when the solar isn't enough. A propane BBQ can be a handy backup for cooking too! I'd stay away from micro wind turbines unless your area is really windy, they usually don’t perform well otherwise.