How can apartment renters economically harness the power of solar energy?

Question

How can apartment renters economically harness the power of solar energy?

Answer 1

you can start by putting solar lights in or on your window sills.

Answer 2

If you have south facing windows, assuming you live in the northern hemisphere, add passive solar to a room by putting down plastic over the carpet and  put down a cheap dark colored tile to act as a passive solar heat collector. This is not against most leases (yet). Be sure to use thin tiles if your apartment isn't on the ground level, as it could add to much weight to the structure. If you are on the ground level go for thicker to increase your thermal mass. Open the windows of that room when the sun will shine on your floor **** most important ****  close those windows when the sun goes and insulate with a slip in panel of structural foam, 2 inches thick would work great.

There are also a lot of small portable  PV systems available,  

Try this site to get some ideas and get started;

http://www.blackenergy.com

Good luck... and don't give up!

Answer 3

Use roof top solar panels as well as black body water heaters.

thnks