Super-easy solar panels hang out your window

I think I can safely say that we all wouldn’t mind getting a little greener in our everyday lives, but one of the most obvious steps — going solar — is simply impractical for people of limited means like myself. By making a solar easier and, if not cheap, then at least cheaper, Veranda Solar is surely only one of many companies that will grow on this new wave of green. These little panel arrays are simple, lightweight, and can be installed in an hour or two. That’s more than can be said about practically any solar solution today.

As you can see from the picture, they’re designed to hang right out of a window. I get a lot of indirect sunlight on my apartment’s biggest window, but I think I’d have to keep the thing open all the time (the heat tradeoff isn’t worth it). Who knows, though, right? If I could run just my chargers off sunlight (60-70 watts should be enough) that’d be nice.

I’m afraid I don’t have the estimated $400-$600 that a big one will cost, though. Plus, utilities are included in my rent, so I’d really only be saving my landlord money. I don’t think I’m ready to take that step yet.

[via Treehugger]