Contents: What Are Solar Generators Used For?
Why Do You Need a Solar Generator?
Solar generators are devices that store energy from the sun in batteries. The stored energy can be used to power electrical devices when there is no sunlight available.
Solar generators are usually used in remote locations where there is no access to the grid, or in emergency situations when the grid is down.
So, when you need backup power for your house during power outages, or you need electricity for your RV, camping, or for off-grid living, a solar generator connected to solar panels can be used to create free electricity anywhere in the world.
Solar generators are used for various purposes, from charging small devices like a phone or a laptop to running refrigerators, blenders, electric frying pans, lawnmowers, power tools, microwaves, TVs, lights, and CPAP machines. Some more powerful solar generators can even charge electric vehicles.
Solar generators are a great alternative to traditional gas generators. They’re much more environmentally friendly, quiet, and easy to use (Typically, you just have to connect solar panels to the solar generators, and you’re good to go!)
These generators can be portable or stationary, and they come in a variety of sizes. Some solar generators are designed for emergencies, while others are meant for everyday use.
What Can You Power With a Solar Generator?
A solar generator is a convenient way to power devices when you’re away from an outlet. But what can you actually power with one?
Solar generators are generally small and portable, making them perfect for powering small devices like laptops, phones, or tablets. But they can also handle larger items like a fridge or TV. In fact, a solar generator can provide power for just about anything that runs on electricity.
So if you’re looking for a way to stay powered up while camping, traveling, or even during a power outage, a solar generator is a perfect solution. Just be sure to check the wattage rating before purchasing to make sure it’s suitable for your needs.
When I was shopping for my Ecoflow solar generators (Amazon), I really appreciated the “Hours of Appliance Run-Time” charts they have on their Amazon listings where you can see how many watt-hours you’ll need according to what devices and appliances you’ll be charging and using.
Can You Use a Solar Generator All the Time?
Yes! My wife and I have been living off-grid 24/7 for awhile now and we mostly live on our 5 Ecoflow solar generators (Amazon) and Renogy solar panels (Amazon).
We have the River Mini, the River, the River Max, The River Pro with an extra battery, and an EcoFlow Delta Pro to run our entire off-grid home. My wife and I also work full-time from our home office.
However, we are very aware of how much energy we use and we downsized our fridge to a 58-quart Alpicool CF55 Portable Refrigerator/Freezer (Amazon) and got a Craftsman 2500-watt gasoline portable inverter gas generator (Amazon) to run our washing machine and dryer.
We also sometimes use, but rarely, the gas generator to recharge our batteries if it’s been 3 or 4 days of cloudy, rainy, or snowy weather.
Can a Solar Generator Power a House?
You could run an entire house with just the EcoFlow Delta Pro (Amazon) with either an extra battery or 2, or with a gas generator to recharge the battery if you ever need it.
The best part about the Delta Pro is that you can expand its capacity from 3.6kWh to 25kWh with extra batteries if you decide you need more power later on. (Rumor has it that the EcoFlow Delta Pro will also support an EcoFlow wind turbine in the near future, which is exciting!)
However, if you want to go completely off-grid but you use a lot of electricity (especially if you have kids), then you should really think about investing in a bigger solar power system installed by professionals.
Conclusion: Is a Solar Generator Worth It?
Whether or not a solar generator is worth it depends on your needs.
Let’s look at the benefits and drawbacks of solar generators so that you can make a more informed decision on whether or not to buy one.
What Are the Advantages of Using a Solar Generator?
There are plenty of advantages to using solar generators, which include:
- Solar generators are quiet compared to gas generators.
- Solar generators are non-polluting, making them a great choice for people who want to reduce their environmental impact.
- Solar generators can be used to power lights, appliances, and even entire homes in times of emergency.
- Solar generators are a great way to save money on energy costs, as they can reduce or even eliminate your need for traditional grid power.
- Solar generators can be used off-grid or grid-tied, making them a versatile option for many people.
What Are the Disadvantages of Using a Solar Generator?
Some of the disadvantages of using solar generators include:
- Solar generators can be expensive to buy and install, depending on how much electricity you need.
- They require sunlight to work. This means that they may not be useful in areas with limited sunlight or during times of the year when there is less sun available.
- Their fans can be noisy, which may not be ideal for having it next to your bed at night.
- They might need regular maintenance to keep them running properly. However, this isn’t an issue with many smaller, portable solar generators like the Ecoflow (Amazon), Jackery (Amazon), and Bluetti (Amazon).
If you are considering buying a solar generator, be sure to do your research and find the one that is right for you.
Obviously, I’m a big fan of the EF Ecoflow line of portable power stations (Amazon) for off-grid living because they charge really fast and you really get your money’s worth.