Comparing the Advantages of Rooftop and Portable Solar Panels

Australia is a nation with a real love of solar power. After all, with it held there’s now around 1kW of solar power per person across the Great Southern Land, the country can lay claim to having the highest use of solar power per-capita in the whole world. Undoubtedly, this is a tremendous achievement. It’s also the case that so much credit must go to each and every Australian who has sought to acquire a rooftop solar system for their home, and help make a small, but significant contribution to the country - and the wider world - going green. But without taking anything away from those who’ve been able to make a contribution in this area, it’s also indeed the case that there are countless Australians who would like to acquire solar power, but right now are unable to do so.

There can be various reasons for this - for instance, it could be a question of cost or timing - but for many who’re presently renting, oftentimes the desire to get solar power can be constrained given it’s ultimately the property provider (AKA landlord) who’ll make the decision on whether a rooftop solar system is installed. Ideally, a property provider would be looking (if they haven’t already done so) to getting solar, but sadly ideal outcomes aren’t always achieved. Whatever the precise circumstances, the end-result is that often people who want to utilise solar ASAP, but can’t install a rooftop solar system, must look for alternatives. So, are portable solar systems ‘worth it’ for household use? Let’s look now.

The Advantages and Challenges with These Two Types of Panels

At the outset it’s important to recognise there’s a great deal of variety out there in the portable solar panel field. Some portable solar panels are quite simplistic, whereas others are more sophisticated. This said, when it comes to comparing a set of portable panels to those found in a quality rooftop solar system, there are indeed common contrasts worthwhile to be mindful of. Portable solar panels will have lower maintenance requirements than a rooftop solar system. It’s true maintaining the latter isn’t a massive headache - as a rule of thumb, a check by reputable solar installer and clean once every 6 months should suffice - but ultimately it’s indeed easier with the former. There is also the versatility factor. As well as their use around the property, portable solar panels can of course be used out and about when camping, boating, fishing, and pursuing a classic Aussie road trip.

The first main drawback to portable solar panels concerns water. Portable solar panels can be water-resistant but are not water-proof, whereas a quality rooftop solar system - being out in the elements each day - of course is. Secondly, a cutting-edge rooftop solar system can be expected to outperform a good, but standard set of portable solar panels. Finally, there’s the space factor - though this may be an advantage or disadvantage depending on specific circumstances. Portable solar panels allow for solar in circumstances where it may not otherwise be possible, but a rooftop solar system is not going to take up space elsewhere on a property. For those in apartments or other residences where space may be tight, portable solar panels might take up space that’s desired for other goods. Such a challenge is unlikely to be insurmountable, but it’s something that warrants a mention here.

Additional Ways to Make the Home Clean and Green

Alongside portable solar panels, it must be remembered there are other avenues by which residents can look to make their home greener in its daily operations, and do so without requiring any major works on the property. For instance, it’s held that up to 90% of the energy a washing machine uses actually goes to heating water. Not only can washing using cold water be more eco-friendly, but it can actually be better for the clothes too; especially clothing which is delicate and/or made of material like cotton which can shrink, or otherwise sustain damage if washed in hot water.

Nobody is suggesting there’s never a place for using hot water, just instead that it’s worthwhile to consider when putting on a new wash whether a cold water cycle can be expected to do the job just as well as hot water. Beyond this, other steps to help create a modern smart home inside and outside the residence are worth exploring too.

Other Emerging Solar Power Options

Portable solar panels shouldn’t be expected to match or outperform the capacity of a quality rooftop solar system, but it’s also the case that they don’t necessarily need to do so. If getting a rooftop solar system isn’t an option at this time, then portable solar panels offer a good way to start down the path of using solar power. What’s more, it’s important to keep in mind - especially for existing rooftop solar system owners - that this dynamic certainly isn’t a case of either/or. Just as someone could get some portable solar panels today, and upgrade in future to a rooftop solar system upon such time as circumstances allow it, so too could someone with an existing rooftop solar system find benefit in looking to get a set of portable solar panels, whether they’re for use primarily around the home, out and about, or both.

Meanwhile, for those with portable solar panels, wanting a rooftop system ’one day’, who now wonder what now? It’s worthwhile to look into what options exist for wider access to solar power if utilising it via a direct feed from the roof isn’t an option presently. For instance, looking into whether there is currently - or soon to be - a community batter in operation within the local neighbourhood. Such avenues offer an opportunity to take another step towards utilising clean and green energy, and in doing so make a great contribution to creating a more sustainable community, and wider world for us all.

Check out more resources here at STC which can be read, for anyone now keen to learn more about all the ins and outs of rooftop solar systems.