Comments on: Updated Tiny Solar House Plans

By: Reuben

Reuben — Thu, 19 May 2011 05:26:24 +0000

Tiny homes are great and being able to use solar electricity on them is even better. This was a great post.

By: Edward

Edward — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 09:04:08 +0000

This is the project that is most necessary now. If we can develop solar panel for household use then we can save a huge amount of pollution. What is the cost for this installation? I think the cost of solar panel is the main reason that people are not heavily interested to the solar panel.

By: Magssno

Magssno — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 09:45:03 +0000

It must be the time of year! My hubby has been working on a similar project and your post has made him stop and re-think some aspects which may have turned out to be huge errors!

By: Bill

Bill — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 16:42:40 +0000

You’ve given me some new ideas for the project I’m working on.

I’ll come back and post with an update of how I’m making out once I get further along.

thank you for sharing

By: jay

jay — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 22:53:43 +0000

Maybe put the panels on the opposite end (outside the bath instead of the entry) and on the tall side instead of the short side to reduce shade on them. I didn’t read the other comments, so sorry if I’m being redundant.

By: mike

mike — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 16:02:05 +0000

I wonder if you used pv panels as the blades of a wind turbine pointed at the sun if that would increase energy collection efficiency?

By: Michael Janzen

Michael Janzen — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:29:11 +0000

Thanks John… Ironically this very issue came up recently in a little meetup we had a month or two ago. So we (in general) are hearing the message loud and clear. I’ve got a couple designs in the works and an update to my Tiny Prefab ebook that will include a 16-foot wide option. While this will not be trailer based it would much more easily work for those who have some trouble getting around and need to sleep on the same level they live.

THanks!

By: John Boulden

John Boulden — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:23:09 +0000

I am passionate about the “Tiny House Movement”. I think is both generous and even nobel that you and others offer free plans to the public. You’re plans serve to free people from the clutches of our own economy, but also as catylists for other new designs. I would like to see more designs with disabled/challenged folks in mind. I have mixed connective tissue disease (lupus and scleraderma). Also a brown recluse spider forced removal of a large portion of my right shin. There will be a time when ladders and lofts will not be an option for me. Although not the norm in a tiny house, a rv type slide room may offer to replace some space lossed by not using a loft. I don’t mean super slides with hydro/pnumatic mechanics. I think with adequate leveraging using long car type jacks, a slide could be moved safely, without wasting electricity or adding the weight of motors. I am an amature in all this, but I will soon post my ideas for handicap/challenge appropriate tiny houses.
Thanks…John

P.S. I like the design pictured above. I would recommend the solar pannels for relocation or shielding from the front door though. Foosball anyone?

By: Michael Janzen

Michael Janzen — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 20:38:51 +0000

OK… you’re all doing a good job of convincing me to keep it simple… or like my daughter has learned to say… “Duh Daddy”

That spot on the right side of the windows is a prime location.

By: Tim R.

Tim R. — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 19:37:54 +0000

Kieran,
Another thing to remember about being as far north as Alaska is that the orientation of solar panels will be nearly vertical. Another good reason for a wall mount. I’ve seen photos of research stations near the north pole with their solar panels mounted straight vertical. Which is really weird when I think about the sun not being overhead like where I’m at.