In celebration of today’s 2024 Total Solar Eclipse in the U.S., how about we look at a few tiny homes that bring in the sun all year long?
While the eclipse will last less than five minutes, these tiny homes rejoice all day when the sun shines. They are either totally solar-powered, feature passive solar comforts, or languish in sun-drenched locales.
Let there be light!
1. Passive solar living with the ESCAPE Vista
ESCAPE builds tiny houses with the idea of bringing the outside in. Their 175 square foot Vista model does it with extra style. The house comes in at only $66,475 for the standard model, but looks much more expensive. The upscale details and appliances all come included as well as the sleeping area and bathroom. Best of all are those massive windows on all sides that allow for passive solar gain and excellent views.
2. Totally solar powered GoSun Dream
The Dream tiny house by GoSun is a completely off-grid tiny house with everything ready to go for making your own power. Everything from the complete kitchen to the heating and air conditioning runs on the solar system. It also features a queen bed that raises up to the ceiling and a full bathroom with a composting toilet. RV hookups are also available if you feel the need to hook up to the grid.
3. DIY Solar Kits for tiny houses
If you want to build your own tiny house, but are intimidated by setting up a solar system, check out any number of tiny house solar kits by companies such as Renogy or Wanaka Solar. Each of these kits feature the panels, charge controllers, breaker boxes, cables, and Bluetooth controllers.
4. Freedom Yurt-Cabins with solar systems
Yurts have been designed for years to bring in the sun. Many of the traditional and contemporary designs feature a central skylight that fills the round space with both warmth and light. Freedom Yurt Cabins goes the extra mile by offering solar systems by Renogy for their yurt kits. These yurts can be built in about three to five days and the solar system can be installed in about the same amount of time.
5. Container homes, A-frames, and pools by Alternative Living Spaces
Based in sunny Las Vegas, Alternative Living Spaces builds tiny eco houses out of shipping containers, darling wooden A-frames, and even pools out of the same shipping containers. Their designs nestle perfectly into a high or low desert environment and can be used a main homes or Airbnb rentals. They even build out campervans.
By Christina Nellemann for the [Tiny House Blog]