Clever Solar Panel Placements: Save Space, Power On

Solar panels are fantastic when coupled with solar generators, but there is one issue. Setting them up in your yard can take up a lot of space, particularly if you have a tiny yard.

For a few years, I lived in a row house in Lancaster, PA. Our backyard was about the size of a postage stamp. If I had wanted to set up a solar array, I would have had to delete one of the following: the kid’s trampoline (nope), my wife’s vegetable garden (all kinds of nope), or my beloved fire pit/grill area (weeping while saying no). 

Simply put, there was no space. 

If that sounds like your backyard or you simply want to be as space-saving as possible, I got some ideas for you on some clever locations to install your solar panels. 

To set the ground rules, our guiding goal is space saving, not optimal solar placement. Maybe you have kids and you need lots of space for outside play. Or you have a tiny backyard to begin with. Either way, your green space is king and our goal is to put the panels somewhere else than in the backyard. However, we are assuming the location gets decent sunlight through most of the day.

With that guiding principle in mind, let’s get started!

Solar Panel Clever Placement #1: Your Fence Line

Your fence generally just stands around, hands in its pockets, just doing fence-related things. It happens to have a lot of square footage available and if it happens to be in the sun for most of the day, even better!

You can go as simple as installing some simple hooks and hanging your panels vertically on the fence but there are a ton of videos out there showcasing how to make them adjustable to help with solar angles (however that does take up more space so you have to make that decision if you are ok with the trade of taking up more space for better solar input). 

The fence idea is only as good as you have panels available in direct sunlight. However, even a run of 20’ can fit in a good amount of power so don’t sniff at it until you go out with a tape measure and do some simple calculations. 

Solar Panel Clever Placement #2: Your Balcony/Porch Railing

Your significant other might not be so thrilled with this idea as it interrupts something called “visual aesthetics" but visual aesthetics don’t pay the power bill, now does it?

The idea is that you have a balcony or porch railing that you can install your solar panels horizontally on. You would be surprised how many solar panels your balcony or porch railing can use up, not to mention how much good will from your spouse. 

Solar Panel Clever Placement #3: The Kid’s Playset

Now, this may be straying into foolish territory but it is an idea and it does maximize your space. The biggest caution is making sure the wires do not cause any entanglement hazards and that your kids fully understand that taking a baseball bat to the panels is a hazard to their screen time. 

Some playset companies produce massive playhouses (such as King Swings) whose roofs could easily hand a panel or two. Just don’t screw into your playsets because that often can void the warranty. You may have to get clever on how to attach the panel but I think you can figure it out. 

If you want to get real elaborate, you can build out a structure over the swing beam to not only capture sunlight but also shade your kids while they are swinging. Once again, keep your cord management game dialed in for the safety of your children. 

Solar Panel Clever Placement #4: Under Your Balcony

This is for a very unique situation and won’t fit for a lot of you but if your home is built on a slope, one section of your balcony can be really high up in the air without a lot going on underneath it. Besides the railings, you could frame out and hang solar panels under the balcony to make use of all that empty space.

If you want to get real fancy, you can even make them swivel up underneath if a bad storm is coming or you want to make the place look as sharp as possible. 

Solar Panel Clever Placement #5: The Side/Roof of Your House/Shed/Out Building

If you really want power and don’t care about appearances, you can hang solar panels along the side of your house, shed, or any other building outside. This allows you to really maximize the square footage on your property. 

Solar Panel Clever Placement #6: Rolling Frames

This is a broad category but here is the gist. You can build a frame that stores your solar panels vertically. This frame has wheels, making it simple to roll out of storage and where it needs to go quickly. This will allow you to store the panels while the kids are out playing than wheel them out when they go inside/come home from school. The wheels make it easy.

Or, if you are a handy tools type of guy, you can build out a sliding frame that goes under your porch and rolls out when you want to power your solar generators. 

Admittedly, this is a lot of initial effort but it will look cool as all get out when you have it built. 

Solar Panels Don’t Have to Dominate Your Yard

Contrary to the popular mind picture of a yard being strewn with solar panels, with a little creativity, you greatly reduce that footprint. 

What have you seen out in the world? What clever ways have people placed solar panels? We would love to hear. If you have any questions regarding solar panels or solar generators, shoot us an email, we would love to help out!