It’s an exciting feeling, starting your own business. Charting your own path and expressing your values through your enterprise. One of the overhead costs and limitations of running a business is electricity and access to an outlet – depending on the type of business you have.
But what if you could become energy independent and lower your electricity costs? That puts more profit in your pocket. And it’s good for the environment too and shows eco-conscious customers your commitment to a greener, cleaner world.
It’s possible with portable solar panels. But what kind of businesses can run independently with solar panels and what are the nuances you should look out for? That’s what this article explores.
1. Mobile Espresso Cart
Espresso carts are great for mobile businesses because they provide an important service that people cannot get at home. The espresso cart can serve coffee and other caffeinated drinks, making it perfect for events like weddings, birthday parties, and other large gatherings where people need something to keep them energized and alert during the festivities.
A portable solar panel can help you keep your espresso cart running by providing free energy from the sun. The solar panel can recharge your battery pack or power the coffee machine directly, allowing you to stay out longer without needing any alternate power source.
2. Food Truck
Food trucks are popular among people who want to start their businesses but do not have enough capital for an expensive storefront location. They are also perfect for people who want to move around frequently since they are easy to transport and set up wherever you go.
The only problem with food trucks is that they cannot be connected to the primary grid like a permanent storefront. That is where portable solar panels come in handy! A portable solar panel will help you keep the food truck appliances running with minimal effort. The panel will collect energy from the sun and store it in an attached battery.
You can set up your mobile kitchen anywhere there is sunlight and plug your appliances right into the battery pack on your portable solar panel so they will always have power no matter where you want to do your business. Even when the sun goes down, the stored energy will power appliances through the night or even longer if needed.
3. Aesthetic Lights Kiosk
Businesses that sell aesthetic lights are not only great for people who are looking to make money. Aesthetic lights are like tiny lamps that can be placed anywhere and used as decorative lighting. These lights come in various colors, shapes, sizes, and designs so that you can customize them according to your preferences.
If you want to sell aesthetic lights in your local area, all you need is a kiosk where you can display them for sale. As long as there is enough space for customers to walk around the kiosk and see all the items on display, then it will work just fine! You can use a portable solar panel with a battery pack to power up your display light to always stay on when needed.
4. Caricatures Art
Portable solar panels can also be used for businesses that require a lot of power, like caricatures and other art pieces. Artists who make caricatures or paint faces are hired for special events such as exhibitions or art festivals. This business requires a lot of equipment, such as laptops and tablets, to operate. Portable solar panels can easily supply all the power needed for these businesses without worrying about buying expensive batteries or plugging them into an outlet.
5. Cell Phone Charging Station
If you are a tech-savvy person with some electrical skills, you can set up a charging station for people to charge their cell phones. You can also make money by selling phone accessories like earphones, chargers, and cables. The best part is that you can use your portable solar panel and batteries to power the entire thing.
You will need to know how much electricity your portable solar panel can provide so that you get enough customers during the day. If it is just enough to charge one phone at a time, this may not work out well for you unless a lot of people want to wait around for their phones to charge. It is best to set your cell phone charging station in crowded places like outdoor festivals or parks to ensure increased foot traffic.
6. Locksmith Services
Locksmith services can be an excellent business to start with a portable solar panel because they are constantly on the go. They are often called to repair broken locks or install new ones at different locations, so they must have enough power to do their job correctly.
With the help of a portable solar panel, you will never have to worry about running out of battery while working on an emergency lock change or key duplication. You can connect your power source to the battery pack on your portable solar panel and keep going without finding an outlet or running out of juice.
7. Bike Repair Shop
You may not think bike repair shops need a portable solar panel, but you would be surprised. If you live in an area with many cyclists, you will likely have a lot of clients coming in with dead bike batteries.
This can be frustrating for you and your customer because it takes time to get the bike back up and running. A portable solar panel will allow you to bring everyone's battery back to life quickly so they can get back on the road and continue riding.
8. Travel Photography
If you love taking pictures and want to earn money from them, this could be an excellent business. You can set up a portable photo studio with your portable solar panel at places like outdoor festivals or parks and take photos of people who want to get their pictures taken. You can also offer editing services so they can have better-quality photos after leaving your studio.
This is a great way to make money while traveling because you only need your camera, laptop, and portable solar panel. The good thing about this business is that because it requires minimal equipment, you do not have to spend too much money upfront.
You can also use social media to get more people into your photo studio by promoting yourself online and letting people know where they can find you when they need photography services.
9. Landscaping
Landscaping is another business that can be started quickly with a portable solar panel. You can use the power generated by your solar panel to power all kinds of tools used for landscaping and gardening.
For example, you can use your power to run weed eaters, leaf blowers, and lawnmowers. This way, you will not have to worry about having long extension cords running around your client's yard, which can become dangerous if someone trips over them or if they get caught on something else.
10. Vending Machine
If you are a foodie or creative, you can get into vending machines in parks. This is a great way to make money with your portable solar panel because you can have several machines at once and sell different things. You can sell hot drinks, snacks, and even toys for kids.
You will need to keep in mind that these vending machines will be outside, so there will be some wear and tear on them over time. It is best to purchase durable materials like steel or aluminum to last longer. You should also consider buying a waterproof casing for each machine, so they do not get damaged by rain or snowfall.
Factors to Consider When Starting a Business With Portable Solar Panels
If you are thinking about starting an off-grid business with portable solar panels, there are several factors to consider first:
Permission to Operate
One of the most important factors to consider when starting a business is the permission to operate. This applies to any business you want to start. Even if you are selling food on the street, you must make sure it is legal.
For your business to operate legally, you must have the right permits. As such, you should apply for a license or permit with your local government before you start selling anything. If your business involves selling food, then you need a food operator's license from health and safety officials.
In addition to having permission from local officials, it is also crucial that you get permission from private property owners before setting up your kiosk in their area. If you want to set up shop outside on public property such as sidewalks or parks, then there may be certain restrictions on where exactly one can set up their booth or stand depending on where it is located and what hours it will be open for business during the day or night time hours depending on where one is setting up their business.
Safety
Theft is a common problem for small business owners because thieves may be interested in taking their products and selling them for profit. If you are starting a business involving portable solar panels, you must take precautions to ensure that your products are safe from theft. One way of doing this is using a security system such as an alarm system or surveillance cameras.
Another way of ensuring safety is by using lock mechanisms on your portable solar panel products so they cannot be easily removed or stolen by anyone. This protects your investment and ensures nothing goes wrong during transit or storage.
Power Needs
When choosing a portable solar panel system for your business, it is important to consider the amount of power required by your equipment and how many hours of operation per day. There are many different types of portable solar panels available today. You can choose from these types depending on the equipment you will use in your business.
If you have a small kiosk or food cart where there are not too many lights or other electrical appliances, then you could use a 120-watt panel.
The Bottom Line
The concept of off-grid power is appealing to people who want their independence from their local electric companies. Owning your own business can be exhilarating – even more so – when it’s energy independent. If you have any questions about what items you might need for your particular set up feel free to reach out to our customer care team. We’d love to hear from you.
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