The 20 Best Solar Technologies to Make Your Home Greener

Living a sustainable lifestyle is much easier when your home goes green too. Outdated features and traditional properties often create a more significant carbon footprint than homeowners would like. These are 20 of the best solar technologies to make your home more green in a few inspiring ways. Along with sustainable appliances and light bulbs, you can improve your eco-friendly lifestyle with a few new gadgets.

1. Solar Wireless Keyboard

Computers require electricity to keep you connected with your co-workers, friends, and family. Although they have to remain plugged in and charged, you can reduce your electricity usage with a solar wireless keyboard. It connects to your desktop computer with Bluetooth and recharges with a solar panel strip across the top of the keyboard. You’ll never need electricity to charge it for your work-from-home or gaming needs.

2. Solar-Powered Bluetooth Speakers

Speakers make household chores and parties much more enjoyable. Before you need to deep-clean your closet or invite people over for a barbeque, invest in a set of solar-powered speakers. They connect to any Bluetooth-enabled device and move anywhere you want. Best of all, their average battery life is double that of standard speakers. You won’t have to worry about plugging them into an outlet to listen to your favorite music or podcasts.

3. Doorbell Solar Charger Bracket

If you’re one of the many homeowners with a Ring doorbell, install a solar charging bracket around the primary camera to reduce your electricity usage. The weather-resistant technology charges in direct sunlight and increases the life of your camera’s battery. Curious homeowners should note that it’s best for front doors that have minimal overhead cover.

4. Solar Panel Bank for Electronics

Mobile battery packs are typically heavy phone cases that add extra weight to your pocket. A solar panel bank folds up into a light, mobile charging case that works with most mobile electronics. Unfold it in the sun to recharge the battery and get hours of entertainment without any carbon-creating electricity. All you need is a USB-enabled charging cord and your phone or tablet will always have a backup battery that’s eco-friendly.

5. Solar-Powered Garden Lamps

You work meticulously to make your garden thrive, so enjoy it long into the night with solar-powered garden lamps. The staked end roots deep into the soil for extra stability, while the top of the lamp fixture recharges every sunny morning and afternoon. They also look identical to standard garden path lamps, so you won’t have to sacrifice design for sustainability.

6. Solar Water Heater

A water heater is one of the best solar items homeowners can invest in. You’ll never run out of hot water or pay into carbon-emitting electric plants to sanitize your dishes with the hot water cycle on your dishwasher. Adjust the temperature and water flow level to your preferred settings for an eco-friendly water heater that comes with a lifetime warranty.

7. Motion-Activated Solar House Lights

Outdoor house lights show off your landscaping and create an outdoor party space for all of your hosting needs. Install a few motion-activated lights that charge in the sunlight to take advantage of all the sunshine on your property. The LED bulbs and three lighting modes will meet all of your outdoor lighting needs while the weather is enjoyable enough to step outside.

8. Solar-Powered Outdoor Fan

When it’s just a little too warm outside, turn on an outdoor fan powered by the sun. It’s perfect for backyard patios and poolside picnic tables. You can also install it in your chicken coop if your sustainable lifestyle includes raising chickens. Since the fan uses recycled materials and a 5V charging panel, it’s a long-lasting ventilator that’s perfect at home, on the farm, or on the go.

9. Solar Roofing Shingles

You might wish you could install solar panels, but maybe you don’t like how they look on your roof. Your HOA board may also block your petition for installation because they would look awkward with the surrounding neighborhood architecture. Solar roofing shingles are some of the best solar technologies to meet these needs without significant expense.

The shingles sheet unrolls and lies flat against your roof. From a distance, they look just like standard shingles and other roofing materials. They blend right in with most home designs and generate enough electricity to keep the lights on. Plus, you don’t need to pay for a professional team to install these easy-to-operate panels.

10. Solar-Powered Oven

It’s a pain to turn on your oven and require tons of electricity to cook a quick meal. When you want a simple and eco-friendly appliance, look no further than the solar-powered oven. It’s best for people who need to cook for themselves and don’t have tons of countertop space for another stand-alone appliance. The oven is compact and easy to use anywhere you want to go, so you can cook on your porch or even in your home office without using any electricity.

11. Solar-Activated Intruder Alarm

If someone enters your property or tries to break into your garage in the middle of the night, you have to learn about the threat before it’s too late. An intruder alarm that attaches to your garage and exterior walls will flood the area with light when it detects someone passing by after sunset. It will also emit a loud beeping sound for several minutes, so you know exactly where to find the threat. It’s an extra security precaution that gives you more time to call for help when you need it the most.

12. Solar-Powered Bird Bath

You won’t need an unsightly extension cord and an increase in your electric bill to install a birdbath by your porch. A solar-powered model uses direct sunlight to spurt water out of the weather-resistant polyresin base. The design takes inspiration from traditional models, so it looks like every fountain that’s ever made you want one of your own.

13. Hydroponic Solar Gardening System

Whether you have a big backyard, a tiny balcony, or a kitchen counter, you can grow flowers and veggies in a hydroponic solar gardening system. It charges in direct sunshine so it waters your plants automatically. The built-in piping allows for convenient water and air circulation without relying on chemical-based fertilizers or plastic parts. Attach the 60-inch trellis to expand your gardening possibilities and grow incredible plants.

14. Ultrasonic Solar Animal Repellers

Raccoons, gophers, and moles can cause plenty of property damage and landscaping problems. Ultrasonic solar repellers are the most humane way to get rid of pests. The repellers stake into your yard and charge with a small panel built into the top. They emit ultrasonic pulses every 30 seconds and cover up to 40 feet, so nearby rodents and pests scatter. The repellers are also waterproof, so you can place them around your sprinkler system or leave them out during storms without concern.

15. Solar-Powered Irrigation System

If you have a rain barrel or water jug, a solar-powered irrigation system could be the next sustainable way to water your lawn or garden. The drip kit comes with 54 sprinkler heads and a control unit with a photovoltaic panel built-in. A timer tells it when to release water for short-term drip irrigation. Your plants will never become overwatered and you won’t need to drag your hose around twice a day in the summer.

16. Multicolor Solar String Lights

String lights add a little festive spirit to any yard. Before your next pool party or happy hour with friends, hang multicolored string lights around your porch or backyard. They can use a solar-powered panel to charge the eight different lighting modes. There’s no need for unsightly extension cords or an electrical outlet to have a bit more fun outdoors. The lights are also waterproof, so they can withstand your average rainstorm.

17. Solar-Powered Outdoor Shower

Luxury homes often feature an outdoor shower for rinsing off before or after a dip in the pool or lake. You don’t need to move into a new house to have one of your own. Install a solar-powered outdoor shower head and connect it to your garden hose. It’s one of the best solar technologies because the green energy warms the water to whatever temperature you’d like.

18. Floating Solar-Powered Pool Lights

Floating pool lights that fade into different colors will turn your backyard into a spa without requiring any electricity. The LED bulbs use mini solar panels to charge during the day and turn on automatically at dusk. Set them to your favorite colors and turn on the timer so they know when to turn off after you head inside for the night.

19. Solar-Powered Automatic Pool Cleaner

Traditional pool cleaners have long extension cords that clutter the water and the pool deck for hours while the machine does its job. A solar-powered model slips to the bottom of a pool and takes care of debris with a wireless remote control function. Steer it towards whatever needs cleaning or let it run on autopilot mode. Clear out the filter basket and put it in a sunny spot so it’s ready to go the next day.

20. Solar Power Station and Generator

Seasonal storms can cause power outages that leave your family disconnected from the world. Traditional generators require gas, but a solar-powered alternative will make everyone more comfortable while waiting out the storm. The battery pack has a 518-watt-hour life and numerous outlets for traditional plugs, USB chargers, and more. You’ll always have a charged phone for emergencies, even if the power is out for more than a day.

Discover the Best Solar Technologies

Solar-powered items can make your life easier and greener. See how they might improve your home’s functionality and carbon footprint without disrupting your lifestyle. Whether you want to try solar sprinklers or theft detectors, you’ll get more from your home with a bit of help from the sun.