Hey everyone! I'm looking to kick off my solar journey but don't want to break the bank in the process. Just to give you a bit of background: I live in NYC, have a backyard with some shade, and there's room to set up solar panels, but I'm really unsure where to start. I looked into whether New York State or City would help with subsidizing solar panel installation, but they mentioned that assistance only applies if you own your apartment or building, which I don't. My goal is to have enough power for essentials like my fridge and wifi router during emergencies, and ideally, I'd like to gradually charge more household appliances to help cut costs. But since my landlord won't let anyone touch the breaker or access the basement, I'm trying to find out what my options are. Any advice or suggestions would be super helpful!
3 Answers
If you're lacking access to your home's electric panel, I'd suggest going for a portable solar power setup. Get a couple of folding solar panels along with a decent power station, something like the Ecoflow Delta 2 or Bluetti AC180. It should give you enough power to run your wifi and fridge during outages, and they're easy to transport if you move. Plus, you can always expand your setup later as you get more comfortable with solar.
A good starting point would be to consider building a portable solar power station. You could check out some DIY videos online for guidance. Grab a few panels to recharge it, and this way, you won't need to access the home electric panel directly. It's a practical setup that could meet your needs just fine!
Since you're working with some shade issues, I recommend looking into Enphase micros for more efficient energy production. They’re more user-friendly for DIY projects, though they might cost a bit more. You can also file for an interconnection agreement and any necessary permits to ensure you're compliant with the local regulations. But for simplicity and low barriers, sticking with portable solutions makes the most sense given your renting situation.
Definitely look into that! Having a portable system is practical, especially since it can be moved with you. Plus, starting small with one or two panels will allow you to learn the ropes without a huge upfront cost.