How to Go Solar If You’re a Renter

If you’re a renter, you’ve no doubt heard the amazing benefits of solar just like everyone else, but are convinced there’s no way you can go solar yourself. After all, usually solar is advertised as something a homeowner gets, not someone who rents their condo or lives in an apartment. However, there are multiple different ways a renter can go solar. Read this article to learn how you can go solar no matter where you live!

Talking to Your Landlord

This is going to be a difficult negotiation, no doubt about it, and we won’t sugarcoat it. Most landlords aren’t going to love the idea of installing solar. If you rent a home, you’re going to have to add panels to their roof or add new concrete slabs to their yard in order to add solar, and most landlords won’t be cool with that. If you live in an apartment, the situation gets more complicated. And unless you plan on living there the next 25-40 years, it gets more complicated, because you’re going to be the one paying off the bills if you lease or loan your panels. However, there are ways you can also use these things to your advantage.

If you buy the panels outright, and you don’t plan to stay in your current living situation forever, you can explain to your landlord that the panels will increase the value of their home or apartment. You can also point out to them all the great things they’ll be doing for their environment. It’s definitely worth a shot because you won’t know what they’re going to say until you ask them.

Portable Solar Panels Don’t Need an Installation

Another route you can go is getting portable solar panels, which won’t need to be installed at all. The main downside, of course, is that you’ll need a bunch of them because they’re not going to generate nearly as much as rooftop or ground-mounted solar would. You’ll also need to get charge controllers, batteries, and inverters, and you’ll end up needing more of those, too. However, if you’re truly invested in solar, this is a great route to go, since you won’t need to tell your landlord at all.

Community Solar Helps Anyone Go Solar

This is why people love community solar: anyone can get it, and no one needs to install solar panels! Community solar is where you rent or buy panels from a solar farm, allowing you to access your energy without having to physically have the panels near you. If you rent, you’re probably going to want to go the renting route, especially if you’ve already talked to your landlord and they don’t like the whole solar idea. This is because if you decide to move to a different city, state, or even country, you’ll still have that panel but will no longer get the benefit from it.

Other Ways to Go Solar

You don’t have to go 100% solar to decrease your carbon footprint when you live somewhere like a rented loft. If you plan to wait to buy your home before going solar, you can still invest in alternatives. Things like solar backpacks, solar phone chargers, and solar lights, are all ways that you can start going solar right now without having to go all out.

Want to learn more about bringing solar energy into your lifestyle? Check out the HahaSmart blog for daily updates!

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