Bluetti AC200P Power Station Review: Clean, Green, and Heavy

Posted on 27/09/2022 by JC Torres

PROS:

Can be charged using solar power only

Includes two wireless charging pads

Has enough power for small appliances

LCD touch display for information and controls

CONS:

Very heavy

Separate power adapter

Single 60W USB-C port

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS

ERGONOMICS

PERFORMANCE

SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY

VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

The Bluetti AC200P offers excellent value for those who need portable or emergency power that doesn't put an additional burden on the environment.

The need for emergency power generators has never been greater. Erratic weather patterns, natural and man-made disasters, and power shortages all seem to conspire to make these generators a staple in every home. At the same time, people have started to appreciate the great outdoors even more. Camping and glamping have become trendy, both of which require power to support many modern amenities, especially smartphones. Typical fuel-chugging generators, however, can no longer be trusted because of the dangers they pose not just to people but also to the planet. A new breed of battery-powered generators has risen to the challenge of delivering safe and sustainable convenience, no matter the situation. The Bluetti AC200P is one such power generator, and we gave it a test drive to see if it checks all the right boxes.

Designer: Bluetti

Aesthetics

The Bluetti AC200P isn’t going to win any beauty pageant, and expecting it to be stylish and elegant is missing the point entirely. It’s not ugly, just to be clear, but its appearance is informed totally by its purpose. It is, after all, a power generator that is expected to experience some rough handling, even when just at home. It is designed to be durable, rugged, and, most importantly, well-protected against accidents that could damage the battery inside and potentially lead to a disaster.

The AC200P comes as a very large box that definitely looks the part of a rugged piece of equipment. At 16.5 x 11 x 15.2 inches (42 x 28 x 38.65cm), it is no dwarf, and its 60.6 lbs (27.5kg) weight is no laughing matter. It almost looks like a large speaker or amp, but it’s definitely less portable than those given what it’s packing inside.

The silver aluminum frame contrasts nicely with the flame-retardant ABS plastic that covers all the power generator’s sides. The front, sides, and top faces have diagonal ridges that further emphasize the device’s rugged design. Four rubber feet at the bottom keep the entire thing from slipping on smooth surfaces, not that its weight would make that likely to happen. Molded handles on each side at the top try to make it easier to carry the AC200P, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s a heavyweight.

All of the interesting parts of this Bluetti power generator are on the front, where almost all but the two input ports can be found. All these openings are covered with rubber flaps, further protecting them from dust, moisture, and liquids, banishing any remaining doubt about the ruggedness of this device. Smack in the middle of the ports is a colorful LCD screen that not only displays information but also allows users to change the generator’s settings.

At the end of the day, the AC200P’s looks are a perfect match to its purpose. Rugged and utilitarian, it doesn’t spare any room for unnecessary embellishments that might get in the way of its use. A straight-out box with no protruding parts, this power generator is meant to be stuffed in places, hidden from view, and at times even forgotten, at least until the next power outage or camping trip requires its presence.

Ergonomics

The Bluetti AC200P is easy to use yet also a bit of a pain to set up. The biggest factor that weighs it down is its own weight. For something billed as a portable generator, it takes a great deal of strength to carry this contraption from one place to another. That’s a bigger problem when it will be packed with some camping gear for a few days outdoors, not so much at home where it can stay in one place for long periods of time. Bluetti’s larger power generators do have wheels, but this earlier model is completely dependent on muscle power than physics to go from one place to another.

Each of the ports on the power generator has its own rubber cover. On the one hand, that’s a necessity for protecting the entry points of these ports. On the other hand, that also makes it cumbersome to use those ports, seeing as how you’ll need to uncover and cover them individually every time. You could leave the ports uncovered, of course, but you’ll still have to raise the flap to expose the ports.

Fortunately, all of the most used ports are in the front, so you won’t have cords sticking out on every side. The placement of these ports, as well as the wireless chargers on the top, are conveniently placed, ensuring easy plugging and unplugging, save for those rubber flaps. The input ports for the AC adapter and solar panels, however, are on the left side of the AC200P. It’s a double-edged sword that does keep input separate from output at the expense of expanding the power generator’s total footprint when in use.

A word has to be said about that AC input option that requires the use of the included power adapter. Despite its size and bulk, that power brick isn’t built into the generator. It might be due to some power efficiency or heat management, but it also means there’s a part that could be forgotten or even lost. It’s not a complete deal-breaker, but it does affect the power generator’s overall usability.

Performance

The Bluetti AC200P contains a 2,000Wh battery with a 2,000W output and a surge of 4,800W. In practical terms, this means that the power generator will be able to run a wide range of small home appliances, including blenders, coolers, radios, and more. It can even power car refrigerators or even low-wattage microwaves and hairdryers, but it really all depends on how power-hungry they are. The biggest consideration is that, while there are six AC outlets, they all share that same 2,000W of power.

Electronic devices like smartphones and laptops, however, will most likely use the DC connections instead. There are a variety of options here, but the majority are occupied by four 5V/3A USB-A ports. There is a single USB-C port and it’s capable of dishing out 60W of power. While that’s plenty for smartphones and tablets, needier laptops won’t be satisfied by this. Those devices will just have to compete with other appliances for one of those AC outlets. There are also two wireless charging pads on the flat surface of the AC200P’s top, each capable of putting out 15W.

When it comes to charging the power generator itself, there is also some flexibility available. The most direct and admittedly the fastest is through that AC adapter that, as mentioned, exists as a separate accessory you’ll have to bring with you all the time. This method tops you up to full in just four hours, which is ideal if you’re in a rush. When you’re outdoors and are confident about your car’s tank, you can even slowly charge it via the typical car charger.

The most environment-friendly is, of course, using solar panels, though that will take some time as well. If, however, you reach the peak 700W input with multiple solar panels, your total time will actually be faster at around three hours. You can also combine both solar and AC charging at the same time for a maximum of 1,100W input to shorten the charging time even further.

The AC200P’s LCD display is a convenient way to easily see important information, especially thanks to a high-contrast scheme and an always-on backlight. Unfortunately, the latter means that this screen also sips up some of the battery that could be used by connected devices instead. It’s also a touch screen, so all of the operations for driving the power generator can be found here. It definitely doesn’t get easier than this, though it would have probably been easier if you could control all those from a smartphone as well.

Sustainability

The biggest benefit of these portable power generators over traditional fuel generators is the use of a battery. Specifically, most of them use a lithium iron phosphate or LiFePO4 battery that also finds its way into electric vehicles. It’s a type of battery that’s known for its safety, reliability, and longevity, which are pretty much the most-desired properties for an emergency power backup.

With a battery inside, you won’t have to scavenge for gasoline to survive as long as you eventually get the generator charged one way or another. More than just convenience, this means that using the generator doesn’t further the planet’s demise, directly or indirectly. It also means that it’s safe to use indoors and also quiet, making it an excellent home power backup that you can leave running overnight if necessary.

The Bluetti AC200P’s real sustainability pull is the ability to be totally green if you really want to. The generator can be charged using solar panels only, which frees you from having to look for non-existent AC outlets when out in the wild. This also means you don’t have to rely on fossil fuel burned by power grids just to charge your battery. Whether you just want to live in a sustainable fashion or you want to journey off the grid, this semi-portable power generator has you covered. Sure, those solar panels will be quite an investment and take up a lot of space when completely laid out, but they will easily pay for themselves over time, especially when you’re trying to live a green life.

The one thing that keeps the AC200P from earning a perfect score is that its construction and build aren’t sustainable themselves. Aside from aluminum, there are plenty of plastic and rubber to go around, materials that don’t exactly translate to being eco-friendly. It’s understandable that Bluetti chose to focus first on durability and ruggedness at this point in the company’s history. The portable power generator market is quite young, so we’ll hopefully see some improvements towards sustainability as the industry grows.

Value

Given the rather rapid growth of the battery-powered generator market in the past two or so years, it’s no surprise that there are plenty of options already available in the market today. Even this Bluetti AC200P is actually one of the company’s older models from last year, and its age shows in the absence of some features like remote control via smartphones. At the same time, the myriad choices available and quick turnout of new generators means that it’s also harder to pick a solid and reliable option. Fortunately, the AC200P has stood the test of time.

At $1,599 (normally $1,699), the Bluetti AC200P offers the standard features of a somewhat portable power generator. The weight might be an issue for those who constantly move around, but the generator is perfect for a stationary emergency power source at home. The 60W USB-C might be a bit disappointing, but most laptops still use a proprietary power brick anyway. The separate AC adapter requires extra attention, but that might only be a problem when you’re bringing the generator outside.

Those nitpicks are very minor, and the AC200P still gets the job done with minimum fuss. It’s definitely a worthwhile investment if you’re a bit cash-constrained and don’t have time to save up for a newer but pricier model. Even after a year since it launched, it still has great value, especially with its current price cut. It has the perfect balance of features, though you might want to come up with a way to give it some wheels if you find yourself constantly moving it around.

Verdict

We have become terribly dependent on electronic devices and, in consequence, on electricity. That means that we’re also burning fuel at an alarmingly faster rate, and power from renewable sources isn’t able to catch up with the demand. Things take a turn for the worse when the power grid fails us or when we travel off the grid, leaving us scrambling for ways to keep the lights on or to keep phones and laptops powered up.

The Bluetti AC200P Portable Power Generator is one such solution that offers great value during those dark times. It has enough power to run essential appliances and charge critical devices without going overboard and burning a hole through your pocket in the process. More importantly, it offers the option to survive completely off the grid and in a sustainable manner, borrowing some power from the sun to power through disasters or camping trips. Safe, clean, green, and a little hefty, the AC200P lets you enjoy the conveniences of modern life even during an emergency without feeling guilty that you’re endangering lives, both the planet and yours.

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Solego is a modular solar power system that’s also green in another way

Posted on 15/04/2022 by JC Torres

Many solar power stations and batteries claim to be green because of how they charge, but this modular solar system is really green inside and out.

A lot more people are becoming conscious of their fossil fuel use, especially when they’re actually trying to live off the grid or survive a power outage. Typical gasoline-chugging generators have long been considered to be not only wasteful but also dangerous, especially when used indoors. A need breed of portable power stations has been presenting cleaner, quieter, and greener options that use safer rechargeable batteries for power. To complete the green picture, these can even be charged via solar power. What might be a convenience for hikers, trekkers, and adventurers might be a life necessity for other people in other parts of the world, and that’s exactly what the Solego 2.0 is attempting to bring to regions where the grid is virtually non-existent.

Designer: Menhert Corporate Design

Clean, green, and renewable energy is nowhere more needed than in locations where electricity is not only expensive but also as rare as gold. These are areas where power generators are the go-to solution of homeowners and businesses, which often translates to gasoline generators. These, after all, are nearly ubiquitous, which means they’re easy to find and, more often than not, inexpensive. They are, however, also the worst in almost all other aspects, so more efficient and more economical options are always in high demand.

Solego 2.0 addresses those needs by being green in two ways, with the most obvious being how it charges its batteries from the sun. The design is modular so that each battery “pack” can be stacked or extended to provide more power as needed. There are enough ports and rod-type DC outlets to power any device, though the size of the pack will naturally determine how much juice it can actually send out. Solego itself doesn’t include the solar panels that will charge the batteries, but those are easily available in the market today.

What makes this solar system different from commercial solar power generators is how the design and composition of the product itself are environment-friendly. The top and bottom shells, for example, are made from a bio-based and biodegradable polymer, while the body uses aluminum that can be recycled later on. Although the batteries do contain chemicals, it is meant to use LiFePO4 or Lithium iron phosphate that doesn’t contain rare earths. This is also the same type of battery used in electric cars and most portable power stations.

With Solego, a small community or business can operate off the grid without feeling guilty that they are harming the environment in the process. While the total power output will depend on how large the batteries are, the system’s modular design means that they can be combined if more power is needed, avoiding wasted energy and material in making larger batteries. It’s definitely an interesting take on the current solar power generator trend and will hopefully become a more common consumer product in the future.

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Bluetti 2022 Easter Bundle will help you leave off the grid in the years to come

Posted on 08/04/2022 by JC Torres

Escaping the city is easy when you have a clean, green, and quiet power you can rely on to continue living the modern lifestyle.

Power banks or battery packs have almost become a necessity these days for any digital nomad, but those small boxes of energy can only go so far. While camping (or glamping) or during emergencies and power outages, you will need a lot more power to drive small appliances or even just charge your faithful MacBook. That’s where Bluetti’s wide assortment of portable power stations come in, offering large batteries that can even power your house in a pinch. Admittedly, these huge boxes aren’t something you’ll want to buy on a whim, but the company’s latest seasonal promos knock down those prices, so you’ll have fewer excuses not to prepare for a rainy or dark day.

Designer: Bluetti

Click Here to Buy Now: Up to $400 off. Hurry, Easter sale ends on April 18!

AC300+B300 Combo – Expandable Power Center

The Bluetti AC300 and its B300 battery module partner are the company’s current champions, offering power and flexibility in the combination you want or need. The AC300 is a 3000W Pure Sine AC inverter that allows you to power even the most demanding appliances. It doesn’t come with its own battery, though, but you can connect up to four of these 3,027 Wh B300 modules. You can even connect two such combinations for a whopping 24,576Wh or 6000W 24V of power to run the whole house. And thanks to its modular nature, you decide just how many modules you want to connect, making it easier to move them around the house or outdoors as needed.

AC200MAX – Versatile Power Monster

The Bluetti AC200 MAX walks the middle ground by containing its own 2,048Wh battery. It’s larger than the AC300 because of that, but it also means you can use it standalone. You can, however, also connect up to two B230 or B300 battery modules when you need more power. Just like its more flexible sibling, the AC200 MAX can power multiple devices or appliances at the same time, thanks to its 16 outputs ranging from AC outlets to USB-C ports.

EP500 – Unparalleled Power Backup

If portability isn’t too much of a concern, the Bluetti EP500 promises to be the only home emergency power backup you’ll ever need, especially with its large 5,100Wh capacity. As big as a suitcase, and thankfully also with wheels, this movable power station can be connected to our house’s main grid so it can kick in the moment power goes down. Bluetti’s Fusion Box lets you connect two of these together for the ultimate home power supply.

EB55 & EB70 – Pack Lighter, Travel Further

In contrast, the EB55 and EB70 go the opposite extreme and come in Bluetti’s most portable sizes. Providing 537Wh and 716Wh of power, respectively, these lighter batteries offer enough juice for a quick, relaxing trip outdoors. Like all of Bluetti’s power stations, these can be charged with solar energy, so you won’t have to worry about the power station itself running out in the middle of nowhere. In fact, Bluetti is also putting its new PV350 Solar Panel on a discount, guaranteeing 350W of power on a sunny day, and won’t break a sweat on cloudy ones.

This Easter, Bluetti is offering big price cuts for these products to help you prepare for worst-case scenarios or simply be more confident and less stressed when spending days away from a wall socket. The AC300 and two B300 batteries, for example, will go for only $5,399 ($400 off a regular $5,799), while a single B300 battery module will cost only $1,899 after a $100 discount. The PV200 Solar Panel is normally $499 but is $70 off at $429 during that promo period. With Bluetti’s product line, you don’t only get the power you need to live off the grid, you also have the choice to go completely green, thanks to solar panels that will charge these clean and quiet power generators.

Click Here to Buy Now: Up to $400 off. Hurry, Easter sale ends on April 18!

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Garmin Instinct 2 flaunts bold colors that will definitely be head-turners

Posted on 10/02/2022 by JC Torres

Some smartwatch owners want their wearables devices to look like regular timepieces, while others want them to stand out. Garmin’s new set is definitely in the latter camp, though it has one interesting trick to help push wearers to stay outdoors more.

Garmin made a name for itself with its car navigation products, but it has been dabbling in smartwatches and wearables for a few years now. It even has a line of smartwatches just for golf players! Not exactly known for looking like luxury watches, Garmin has preferred to target audiences that need their smartwatches to be built like a tank and don’t mind them looking like one. With the Garmin Instinct 2, however, the company is trying to turn these rugged timepieces into fashion statements, ones that scream their colors at you, if that’s your thing.

Designer: Garmin

Garmin’s color selection has always been more on the muted side, trying to match the gear that hikers, adventurers, and even soldiers would have with them on their journeys. This time, however, it wants its smartwatches to be bold and stand out from the crowd, and what better way to do that than with colors that very few smartwatch makers would even dare dream of. Some of the Garmin Instinct 2’s color options will definitely be eye-catching, whether in a good way or otherwise.

Color names like “Electric Lime” and “Poppy” definitely sound atypical for rugged smartwatches, and their almost garish hues confirm these. “Waikiki” and its dual-tone combination might not sit well with some tastes, but the more subdued “Mavericks” might not exactly do better. And if the dozens of preset color options and sizes still aren’t enough, you can also swap out bands for a jaw-dropping 240 possible combinations. Garmin has definitely gone above and beyond customization, though its color palette might leave some cringing.

The Garmin Instinct 2, however, isn’t just a pretty face, whether or not you agree on the “pretty” part. One particular version of this smartwatch boasts unlimited battery life, thanks to a built-in solar panel. Garmin says you only need to spend around 3 hours outside under indirect sunlight each day to achieve this unlimited battery life, which owners of this kind of wearable should have no problem meeting.

Like its predecessor, the Garmin Instinct 2 also sets itself apart from other smartwatches by having a monochrome screen that saves battery and reduces distractions. One unique feature of this smartwatch series is a circular display insert in the upper right corner, mimicking some sports watches. Garmin definitely hasn’t turned its back on its intended audience, but now at least concedes that these people will sometimes want to express their personalities through colors, even ones that might make you want to scratch your eyes out.

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A solar-powered weighing scale concept to help save the lives of babies in remote communities

Posted on 21/01/2022 by JC Torres

It’s easy to take for granted simple things like keeping track of our weight. For babies in hard-to-reach areas, however, that can be a matter of life or death, and this portable solar scale tries to help tip the scales in the baby’s favor.

The first few weeks of an infant’s life are critical not only to their growth but also to their survival. Many parents might take for granted the many tools and resources available to them in watching over babies during this crucial period, conveniences that are not even accessible to remote and socio-economically challenged communities. Even something as basic as a weighing scale for infants is rare and difficult to come by, something that this product concept is trying to solve in the most efficient way possible.

Designer: Craig McGarrell

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 2.4 million children around the world died within the first month of their lives. While there are many factors that contributed to this number, a very big factor in remote regions is the ability to monitor the baby’s weight during that month. Weighing scales used in these areas are often old-fashioned analog scales that can be inaccurate and too heavy to move from one community to another easily. This makes it difficult or nearly impossible for healthcare workers to keep a close watch on babies’ weights, leading to unfortunate neonatal deaths.

The ROOTS Solar Scale concept is an attempt to modernize this critical medical equipment without making them too complicated to use or too expensive to maintain. For one, it is completely digital, which removes the risk of getting inaccurate readings over time. It is also solar-powered so that electricity won’t be an issue.

The design is also meant to be lightweight and easy to carry around, even on foot, taking the form of a backpack when not in use. The weighing bowl inside creates a safe structure for the infant to lie in, while the stiff hinge prevents the lid from accidentally closing with the child still inside.

The Solar Scale is meant to be a cost-effective solution that is easy to make and repair, thanks to having very few parts. Despite relying mostly on solar power, the design isn’t completely sustainable, as it relies heavily on plastic, particularly to give the weighing bowl a smooth surface that will be gentle on the baby’s skin while also easy to clean.

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This prefab traditional farmhouse finds a contemporary twist with energy-efficient building practices

Posted on 10/01/2022 by Shawn McNulty-Kowal

Friends Lab House is a prefabricated, single-story barn-style residence located in the grassy fields of a family-run farm in Hampshire, England.

On the hunt for a home to share with friends and family while spending time on their farm in the English countryside, a young couple looked to AMPS Arquitectura & Diseño to design and build a sustainable, single-story farmhouse. When it comes to sustainability, AMPS architects consider it a top priority.

Designers: AMPS Arquitectura & Diseño

The young couple who reached out to AMPS found that they were on the same page in that regard, leading to a match made in barn-style heaven. Dubbed Friends Lab House, the traditional single-story farmhouse reveals a contemporary flair through energy-efficient principles and artisan details.

Especially true in the wide-open countryside of Hampshire, England, new architecture must blend into its surroundings and that was one of the Friend Labs House’s residents’ main requests. In addition to building an expansive, sustainable home, AMPS ensured the residence would harmonize with its surroundings by mirroring the look of the farm’s other homes.

The Friends Lab House finds its veil with permeable black-stained Accoya timber batten screen cladding that hearkens back to the other blackened timber structures around the property. Just beyond the Friends Lab House, dense woodlands run parallel with the lengthy home, a subtle ode to the home’s sweeping surroundings.

Describing the home’s initial plans, AMPS founder Alberto Marcos says, “A similar formal and color approach to the existing farm was used for the design of the new house, but reinterpreted in a thoroughly contemporary way, from structure to finishes and importantly, a very high level of energy efficiency.”

Characterized as “a house designed to sit silently on the landscape,” AMPS outfitted the Friends Lab House with all of the energy-efficient specs needed for a self-sufficient home. During the home’s prefabricated and industrialized construction process, CLT or contra-laminated timber panels were used to equip the home with strength and dimensional stability.

Punctuating the home’s semi-double-pitched roof, AMPS also set up photovoltaic panels for sustainable energy production throughout the year and changing seasons. In addition to the home’s green construction process and solar-paneled roof, AMPS integrated a ground-source heat pump and a borehole connected to a treatment plant to supply water.

Towards the center of the residence, the living room finds half-bay overhangs and windows that open up completely to the south-facing grassy fields. In direct contrast to the home’s sleek black exterior, the home’s interior combines limestone and lime-based mineral micro-mortar (MORTEX) floors with chestnut paneled and MORTEX walls. While the home’s spacious personality is contained to one level, the double-pitched roofs and high ceilings give the home a lofty, airy feeling.

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These smart homes are designed to adapt to rising sea levels by mimicking a pufferfish!

Posted on 08/01/2022 by Shawn McNulty-Kowal

Puffer Village is a system of smart homes with built-in architectural technology that allows them to adapt to changing water levels and stormy weather conditions.

Sajjad Navidi is a 3D visualizer who uses architecture to prepare for impending climate change-related crises. Upon completing their latest rendering, Puffer Village, Navidi prefaces their project, “One of the major future crises of the world is rising sea levels, which could pose a serious threat to human survival.” To combat the threat of rising sea levels, Puffer Village is conceptualized as a small community of smart homes that adapt to changing tides and rising sea levels by mimicking the defense response of pufferfish.

Designer: Sajjad Navidi

In designing Puffer Village, Navidi looked to areas of the globe that would feel the consequence of sea-level rise sooner than others. Describing the planned location for Puffer Village, Navidi notes, “Ganvie is one of the largest lake villages in Africa in the Benin region. One of the biggest problems for the people of this region is the high sea level.”

As storms sweep the town and tides threaten homes’ foundations, residents of Ganvie have no choice but to face the uncertainty of rising sea levels. Navidi goes on to describe the damaging effects that high tides have on the wooden houses of Ganvie.

Looking to nature, Navidi hoped to find a solution that could adapt to changing water conditions. Finding inspiration in the pufferfish that populate Ganvie’s Lake Nokoué region, Navidi planned out smart homes that would adapt to threatening water and storm conditions the same way pufferfish respond to predatory threats. Describing his findings, Navidi notes, “The biomimetic structure of [the] pufferfish and its strategy [in dealing] with enemies is by inflation with water or air.”

Following periods of research and ideation, Navidi planned a home layout with integrated, automatic inflation and load-bearing smart technology. In its neutral position, each home of Puffer Village remains rooted to the lake’s floor and keeps a flat-roof shape.

Even amidst stormy conditions and high tide, each home of Puffer Village turns into a sort of buoy by filling the home’s bottom compartment with water in order to remain anchored to the lake’s floor.

Navidi also ideated a smart inflation system built into each home of Puffer Village that increases each home’s interior volume by inflating the home’s balloon-skin roof with air. Each home also practices energy efficiency by acquiring the power needed for each smart response system through underwater tidal turbines and photovoltaic panels.

Aquaponics fill out the home’s interior, while solar power is generated from overhead photovoltaic panels and water energy is acquired from underwater tidal turbines.

The home’s layout is inspired by the mating circle created by male pufferfish.

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Solar-powered Architecture designed to help you master that sustainable + off-grid life!

Posted on 06/01/2022 by Srishti Mitra

Solar power is an amazing source of energy and a sustainable and cleaner alternative to fossil fuels. Today solar energy is being used to power almost everything – from tiny battery packs to whole houses! There are no exceptions. And solar-powered architecture seems to be the new craze these days and a very green one too! From holiday cabins to tiny homes, solar energy is being used to power and support all kinds of architectural structures. And we’ve curated a collection of cozy, functional, and solar-powered architectural homes that are comfortable to stay in, aesthetic to look at, and also a boon to the planet. These structures coexist in harmony with their surroundings and do not drain but in fact, respect the natural environment around them! From a tiny home that features a solar system for off-grid living to a 40sqm home with a 30-degree solar-paneled roof – I wouldn’t mind living in one of these homes!

1. E-glamp

E-glamp is a product/service that has been designed to boost economic and tourist development in rural areas. Think of it as an Airbnb-style tiny house merged with a biking network like Bird or Lime. It is an integrated system of modern cabins that are all independently powered by solar panels. These tiny homes are also fitted with smart tech and are connected to the e-bike system which encourages carbon-neutral exploration of the landscape. Biking not only helps to maintain the pristine air quality of the rural area but also helps in getting an enjoyable workout in. All the E-glamp houses are modular, movable, and constructed with sustainable materials like timber. Along with solar panels, it will be interesting to see how the design is able to also repurpose and reuse rainwater for the guest’s needs.

2. The PowerHYDE housing model

Net-zero architecture is what will reduce emissions from the construction industry on a large scale. But make it inclusive as well as scalable and you also get a solution that can lift homeowners out of poverty while building a community! Created for that very purpose, these solar homes are aiming to help solve both the global housing and climate crises with one design. The houses produce their energy, harvest 100% of the rainwater, clean their sewage, and also have the potential to grow their own food! It is called the PowerHYDE housing model and was created by Prasoon Kumar and Robert Verrijt of Billion Bricks from India and Singapore.

3. Kingfisher

Measuring 8m long x 2.4w x 4.2h, Kingfisher keeps an average, approachable size. From the outside, Kingfisher sports a steel frame clad in vinyl with a cedar feature wall to the side that’s lined with vertical timber panels. The aluminum windows are double glazed to provide ultimate thermal insulation during the colder months. Placed on top of the pitched roof, Build Tiny provided Kingfisher with a solar system for off-grid power, consisting of 6 x Trina 270w Honey Poly Module panels.

4. Electric Bungalow

Salmela Architect designed a solar-powered house called ‘Electric Bungalow’. It’s a new style of single-family housing, and a really eco-friendly one. The residents “envisioned a new home that could serve as a prototype for building environmentally friendly, self-powered infill housing that was sensitive to the existing neighborhood form within a relatively modest budget,” said the firm.

5. The Off Grid House

Operable without a backup generator, the Off Grid House is a bi-level home that’s essentially split into two sections. The two sections of the Off Grif House appear as two steeply pitched skillion-roofed boxes facing opposite directions and providing entirely different functions for passive insulation and energy generation. One of the roofed boxes, the sun-lit box, serves as the home’s sleeping quarters, storing the ample sunlight and heat during the day to keep the bedroom warm at night. Then, the escarpment-facing box is on the other side of things, receiving little to no direct sunlight during the day. These opposing orientations leave room for the roof’s 6.7KW solar system that generates power for everything from the underfloor heating and general electricity.

5. Rosie’s Tiny Home

Composed of five shipping containers, Rosie’s tiny home benefits from natural eco-insulation and an industrial build that’s long-lasting and durable. Four of the five shipping containers are dedicated to actual living space, while the fifth shipping container only keeps the home’s mudroom. The mudroom primarily functions as a transitional space between the outdoors and indoors. Inside, Rosie houses the batteries, inverter, and power board for the solar panels that line the roof, keeping the hum of the inverter an appropriate distance away from the bedroom.

6. O-asis

The Ranch Mine designed a courtyard house called ‘O-asis’ in the Arizona desert. The home is designed to be a “respite from city life”. O-asis features a rooftop solar array and Tesla Powerwall batteries. The home lies pretty low to the ground, with a height of only 12.5 feet. “Its strong horizontal form was designed as a datum for highlighting the dramatic shapes of the desert landscape,” said the firm.

7. Gawthorne’s Hut

Gawthorne’s Hut is stationed on an expansive plot of Wilgowrah’s farmland, right beside a small, quaint pond. The tiny home was born out of Wilgowrah’s desire to introduce the possibilities of alternative income sources for farmworkers. Designed in a similar form to other farmland structures like hay sheds and outbuildings, Gawthorne’s Hut’s 30-degree roof hosts an array of north-facing solar panels to provide the farmhouse with internal and external power.

8. Ohariu

Built to be net-zero through several sustainable features and compact enough to meet all NZTA regulations for mobile homes, Ohariu was built by First Light Studio and Build Tiny from a client’s brief calling for, “a refined tramping lodge on wheels.” That’s code for hiking, for all us Americans. Since the tiny home would primarily be used for hiking trips and traveling throughout the outdoors, Ohariu was built to be adaptable and versatile above all else. Inside, the living spaces are described by the architects at First Light Studio as being, “more a large and very detailed piece of furniture than a traditional house build, the fit-out [focusing] on the things that are important and necessary.”

9. Garden House

The architects behind Garden House ensured that the home utilized passive building techniques, filling out the roof with solar panels in addition to outfitting the inside with double studded wall insulation, underfloor insulation, formed from an insulated concrete slab. Even the building materials used were chosen for their sustainable edge, opting for recycled bricks to build the home’s linked pavilions behind its shingled white garage. Inside, the home does not require any gas for internal insulation of any kind–hot water, space heating and cooling, hydronic heating, and pool heating is all supplied through highly efficient heat pumps. In addition to being a fully automated smart home that runs on two Tesla power walls, the designers also did not disrupt the lot’s original landscape and natural greenery in building Garden House.

10. Nolla

Robin Falck created an A-frame mirrored holiday house, ‘Nolla’. Literally meaning ‘zero’ in Finnish, Nolla was designed by Falck for Finnish renewable energy company Neste’s ‘Journey to Zero’ campaign, in an effort to build a world with minimal emissions. Functioning entirely on renewable energy, the cabin is located on the Vallisaari island, near Helsinki. It has been built entirely using sustainable materials such as local plywood and pine. In an attempt to encourage visitors to maintain a ‘zero waste lifestyle’, every element has been designed with the hope of not leaving behind any carbon footprint. Covered by mirrors and supported by wooden stilts, it excludes modern commodities. Nolla is powered by emission-free solar panels, and a Wallas stove that runs on Neste’s MY renewable diesel is provided for heating and cooking purposes.

The post Solar-powered Architecture designed to help you master that sustainable + off-grid life! first appeared on Yanko Design.

Affordable solar homes – a solution for homeowner poverty & net-zero housing!

Posted on 05/01/2022 by Chi Thukral

It is called the PowerHYDE housing model and was created by Prasoon Kumar and Robert Verrijt of Billion Bricks from India and Singapore. The model explores sustainable solutions to empower and facilitate growth opportunities for people without homes around Southeast Asia which has a lot of rural and low-income populations. These homes not only provide shelter but are also a power module to scale sustainable communities that lift homeowners out of poverty!

“A BillionBricks Community is the world’s first carbon-negative solar home community to bring families out of poverty within one generation. PowerHYDE homes are plug-and-play modular structures that do not need any connection to services and could be made functional from the day of completion of construction,” says the design team. The cost-effective solution even won a Holcim Award for Sustainable Construction!

affordable-solar-home

The PowerHYDE homes are built via an indigenous prefabricated technique that makes them easy to assemble in remote locations. The home has a solar array installed on the roof and the homeowner can sell excess power generated back to power companies, generating a profit that helps to pay off the cost of the home. Sample homes have been built in Mathjalgaon Village in India and in the Philippines. BillionBricks now plans to build a community of 500 homes near Manila, Philippines that will generate 10 megawatts of power.

Not only does it reduce the emissions from the construction industry (which is the leading contributor in the world for CO2 emissions) but it also helps more people become homeowners while equipping them with means to create renewable energy thus reducing individual carbon footprint as well. It is a radical concept in housing designed for energy sufficiency, extreme affordability, and education for future generations to adapt to a sustainable lifestyle even in rural areas.

Designers: BillionBricks and Architecture BRIO

The post Affordable solar homes – a solution for homeowner poverty & net-zero housing! first appeared on Yanko Design.

This tiny home designed for off-grid living features movable copper-clad awnings for natural ventilation!

Posted on 19/12/2021 by Shawn McNulty-Kowal

Defined by two distinct towers and movable copper-clad awnings, Permanent Camping II is a sustainable tiny home designed and constructed by Casey Brown Architects. Situated at the base of a gently sloping hill, Permanent Camping II is a prefabricated tiny house located only 500 meters away from the main house on a homestead in New South Wales, Australia.

Designed and developed by Casey Brown Architecture, Permanent Camping II is a tiny house stripped-back to become a “retreat with ‘everything you need and nothing you don’t need’ with the demands of living distilled to the bare essentials.” Measuring a cozy 3×3 meters, the countryside haven leaves just enough room to accommodate two people comfortably.

Defined by two distinct towers, Permanent Camping II keeps an ironbark timber frame and a copper-clad exterior. Staving off the threat of Australian sun damage and extreme weather conditions, the copper-clad facade is built to withstand all the elements.

Since the architects behind Permanent Camping II hoped to find comfort while maintaining a small floor plan, the two towers were “designed to provide the essential requirements for a shelter, bed, porch or deck, fireplace, and bathroom.”

At ground level, Permanent Camping II’s interior leaves room for utilities required for cooking, storage capacities, and heating facilities. When homeowners would prefer a bit more living space, copper-clad awnings can unfurl from the home’s base to create a semi-outdoor living room and outdoor deck. Found right between the two towers, a ladder brings residents to the second mezzanine where the main bedroom is located.

Self-contained and sustainable, Permanent Camping II hosts a solar panel roof, water and sewage systems, and natural ventilation methods. Describing the home’s sustainable amenities in their own words, the architects at Casey Brown explain, “Water is collected on the roofs and gravity fed to the tank above the bathroom and onto the shower and kitchen. A potbelly wood-fire stove heats the cabin at night. Solar panels on the roof provide power for lighting. Permanent access is provided to the roof which doubles as a lightning conductor.”

Designer: Casey Brown Architects