Can The Sun Power Your Cabin?

If you have a cabin out in the woods, then it is likely in a remote place where you like to get away from it all. On the other hand, you might not have a power line running to it, so it has no electricity. Can you possibly use the power of the sun to provide some creature comforts in your cabin? Keep reading to find out. First, consider the terrain and location of the cabin. How much sunlight does it get? If it really is in the woods, among the trees, then direct sunlight is a serious issue and might not be feasible. However, if the cabin is in a meadow or edge of a field and on high ground, then sunlight is likely in abundance for part of the year. Think about what kinds of applications you might want power for. Solar power does not provide as much electricity as you might think, but in limited bursts it can give you the basics. A washer, dryer and freezer are probably out of the question. Yet there might be enough for some limited uses. Consider small solar powered gadgets, like yard lights and window fans, as well as recharging small electronics. If you want night light within the cabin, put lamps outside to charge all day and then move them indoors. A great use of solar energy in a cabin is for hot water. This hot water can be used for bathing and cleaning both, and is likely to be greatly appreciated by any guests or visitors you have. Once you know the numbers of what you can expect in terms of power, when you can get it and how many applications are possible, you need to start working with the numbers of money. Make a budget for how much you want to put into this, and then start researching your shopping options. Make sure to buy only what you can install yourself, because if your cabin is this remote, it is unlikely that there will be qualified technicians or contractors that come out that far out to do any work for you. Of course, this can save you money on labor and give you an excuse to visit your cabin in the first place. Even though solar might seem like the best way to go, and it should be explored first, also open yourself up to other options. Depending on the weather where your cabin is, you might be able to add to your solar energy with some small wind turbines. Also, if there is running water like a creek, river or stream, consider some micro-sized hydroelectric dams too. It really just is a matter of figuring out how much solar energy you can get, putting it in, and then making the best use of what you can draw. Use these ideas to figure out what the sun can give you in terms of power in your cabin, and roughing it will not be as rough as it used to be.