Maybe Rentals Aren’t So Bad
Posted by Abbey Lile-Taylor on Growers & Grocers
One of the most important things I want to do when I open my dream business, Leaning Shanty Farm (a B&B/Christmas Tree Farm/Pumpkin Farm), is to make it as eco-friendly as possible. And I’ve been getting some fantastic ideas as I continue to watch Season 1 & Season 2 of Living with Ed. It really is a fantastic show… as I think I’ve mentioned before.
The latest episode had Monica Horan, from Everybody Loves Raymond, and all of the green goodness she has added to her own house. It gave me some great ideas for my own little shanty…
Solar Roof Tile: I’m a big stickler for things being aesthetically pleasing, so when I saw that Monica Horan used Solar Roof Tiles instead of just plain ole ugly solar panels, I was very excited!
[from premierpower.com] The secret behind the sleek, streamlined design are interlocking solar tiles fit to the exact shape of your roof. This exclusive interlocking technique blends with the style and architecture of your home.
- The solar panel is a deep blue color that blends well with the brown and gray tiles of roofing.
- The solar panels are light; they weigh about 2.5 lbs per sqft.
- They are seamlessly constructed.
- These solar panels are very low maintenance and very durable.
Besides these things being much, much, much better looking, they can to cover all sides of your roof. That way they don’t have to move to find the sun like some traditional solar panels.
Solar Panel Patio Cover: Now you can turn that patio out in your backyard into a solar panel AND block the sun when you’re barbecuing. Now, granted, it’s not as pretty as the “hidden” roof panels, but it’s pretty multi-functional.
[from premierpower.com] Using the same panels we install on our solar roof mounted systems, Premier Power is able to create functional structure for your garden enjoyment. A solar design has many benefits:
- Offers shade for your garden patio.
- Produces up to 200-300 kwh of clean, green, and FREE electricity.
- Requires a small 250-450 square feet for installation.
- Looks great to everyone, even the Homeowner Associations!
You can even use this for small sheds/buildings throughout your land! Genius!
Now if I had my way, the entire roof and front porch would be covered in the Solar Roof Tiles and my back patio would be topped off with the Panel Patio Cover System. I know that they are expensive, and that’s what’s always stopped me from ever even thinking of using them for my real houses… well, that and the fact that I’m still renting.
But wait! There’s a new solution for that, too!
The Citizenre Corporation RENTS solar panels! This is the wave of the future! Not everyone can afford solar panels (uh… that’d be me), but anyone can afford to rent them! Are you as excited as I am?? Then check out how it works here.
*Photo from LivingwithEd.net.
