Solar Power Generators is the most efficient and cost-effective to have extra energy when the grid is down. It is sustainable, eco-friendly, and are cheaper in the long run. Unlike fuel generators, the portable solar power generators for homes do not give the best possible generation. But overall, they should be sufficient to cater to every need for the day-to-day operation.
Scroll down to find out everything about solar power generators. Should you buy them, should you avoid them? You will find answers to these as well as many other questions in this informative-yet-concise guide.
What Are Types of Generators for Your Home?
1. Fuel generators
There are numerous types of fuel generators, namely Gasoline-powered, Propane-powered, Natural gas-powered, and diesel-powered generators. And while they differ based on costs, efficiency, availability of the fuel, the right one for you depends on the budget and individual's needs. For instance, Natural gas is available in all homes throughout the country.
So if you choose a Natural gas-powered generator, all you have to do is hire a professional to connect the pipelines. And there will be no trouble transporting and storing the fuel. However, there may come times when the pipelines may get damaged due to natural disasters or any other factor — you may have no source of energy.
Other factors like safekeeping of the generator away from the house (emits carbon monoxide) also should be influential while deciding between fuel-based or battery-based generators.
2. Battery generators![]()
Battery generator, unlike their fuel counterparts, is an indoor thing. They are less efficient than the fuel generators because the output capacity depends on the amount of charge the battery has received.
2.1 Lead-acid battery
The first type of rechargeable battery, a Lead-acid battery comes cheap but has relatively low energy density. They have a discharge rate of 3-20% per month and the durability is limited to 350 cycles. Lead-acid batteries are known for being cheap and providing high current.
2.2 Lithium-ion battery
Unlike Lead-acid batteries, Lithium-ion batteries are high-density and cost more than their earlier stated counterparts. Lithium-ion batteries have a discharge rate of 0.25-3% per month and the durability is over 1200 cycles. They are particularly known for being cost-effective, more efficient, and require less charge time.
Part 2: Features of Solar Power Generators?
Solar power generators for homes have highs and lows, but when you weigh up’s against the downs — the ups will outweigh. Here are the features of the solar power generators:
1. Ecofriendly
As stated earlier, solar energy is sustainable and easy on the environment. The sun’s energy is available in abundant, and you can effortlessly draw it using solar panels. Unlike fuel-powered power generators, solar power generators do not emit any harmful gases, meaning you do not have to worry about installing them 20-feets away to keep your children and family members safe and sound.
2. Solving urgent needs
Having multiple power cords, solar power generators could be useful to power several appliances simultaneously.
3. Easy to move
Being lightweight and portable, small solar power generators are carriable anywhere and turn out to be helpful in most situations, not just as an emergency battery backup for your home. For instance, you could take the portable solar generators while camping and have a power source to light up the bulbs and recharge your electronics like cameras, phones, laptops, and more. Of course, you could also carry them inside the home effortlessly and run the appliances depending on the need.
4. Higher upfront cost
Solar generator for house could costs thousands of dollars initially. But given that they do not require any additional expenses — it is worth paying. Moreover, you do not even have to worry about the wear and tear, and there is no mechanical operation whatsoever.
Furthermore, solar power generators are made to withstands physical injuries. And generally are water-resistant — so you do not have to worry about any damages. And as stated earlier, solar panels do not require any attention whatsoever.
5. Limited capacity
One of the major downsides of solar power generators, portable solar power generators to be more accurate, is they do not have the capacity to run power-hungry appliances.
Part 3. What a best Solar Power Generator should have
1. Battery Capacity
The most influential characteristic of a solar powered generator for house is its storage capacity. And the greater the battery capacity of the power station, the more energy ( measured in watt-hours) it can store for later use. Some solar power generators could only harness 2kW, while some could store up to 10kW. Depending on the daily energy usage — like the things you want to power — you could decide the best one for your home.
2. Number of Outlets
When considering solar power generators for homes, another hallmark and the deciding factor is the number of outlets the solar generator has. Some consumers will have to power many things — from pools to air conditioners — while some may find two outlets as more than sufficient.
The standard ones in the market have two AC outlets, and that should do for most of you, but most solar power generators even have thirteen to seventeen ports, so consider accordingly.
The best solar power generator should have the following outputs:
- DC outport
- Cigarette lighter port
- USB-C output
- USB-A output
- Wireless charging
- US AC output
3. Power Output
Measures in watts, a solar powered generator for house should supply enough power to run the appliances in your homes when needed. Do not confuse this with the battery capacity, as power output is the amount of energy the generator delivers. For instance, the low output solar power generators couldn’t run high-end appliances.
3. Expandability
Expandability, well, allows you to maximize the number of panels attached to the generators. As more number panels attached will increase the amount of energy, the device could receive more energy. It may not be a much-necessitated factor in the start. But the expandability could be useful at times.
Part 4: Running Time
The running time of the solar power generators depends on the particular batter capacity and power outage. The more the battery capacity, the more will be the running time of the generator.
For instance, one of the best portable power stations — the BLUETTI AC200P, has a 2000Wh/2000W Higher Output/Larger Capacity. The capacity of the generator is enough to run a portable light source(500 watts), Coffee maker (1000 watts), Microwave oven (1000 watts), Ceiling fan (60 watts), refrigerator (700 watts), dishwasher (1500 watts), pressure cooker (700 watts), toaster (850 watts), vacuum cleaner (200 watts), Laptop, TV, Blender, Washing machine, and many other things.
However, concurrently connecting them depends on the power consumption of the appliances you have. The BLUETTI AC200P also includes high wattage and low wattage outlets and 17 output ports to connect multiple devices simultaneously. In all, the device is capable of backing small appliances for a long time. But do not expect the generator to run power-consuming appliances like heat pumps (or AC units, for that matter).
Still, if you are looking for a backup battery capacity capable of running all the appliances in your home — then consider a stand-by unit. Of course, the cost of installing high-end power stations is more (initially).
Here are the best solar power generators for home capable of catering to any need.
BLUETTI AC200MAX POWER STATION+3*PV200 PANEL COMBO
Another great module from Bluetti innovations, the AC200MAX POWER STATION+3*PV200 PANEL COMBO, is one of the most cost-effective power stations in the market.
Having solar input of 900 watts and 500 watts via the adapter, the Bluetti AC200MAX model allows you to charge it via solar panels and the wall simultaneously. Like the other variant mentioned here, this model too could run power-hungry appliances. Like air conditioners, refrigerators, electric grills, coffee makers, and more.
If you want an additional battery pack to expand the capacity of the solar generators, B300 will be the best choice for you.
B300, the extension battery pack owns 3072Wh capacity to support BLUETTI AC200MAX series. AC200MAX can support up to tow B300 battery packs to reach 8192Wh capacity. This setup can be an emergency power center and run your home essentials for over a week, or with enough solar panels, you can even run your entire whole house, off-grid indefinitely.
Part 6: Storage and Maintenance
Solar power generators for home may not require you to run to the store whenever there is a fuel shortage. For the solar generators to offer optimal power generation — you will have to ensure effective operation and maintenance. Do not fret; it does not demand much from you. However, some practices could keep the entire power station running efficiently.
Read the user manual specific to the particular product, and you will have all the information on the safekeeping of the solar power generator and panels.
FAQ
1. Can a battery-powered generator run a house?
It depends on the backup battery system. For an average American house, 90 kilowatts of electricity are needed to run all the appliances for three days. Of course, portable solar generators for house are not designed to withhold that amount of energy. The short answer is: it depends on the individual capacity.
2. How long can a solar generator run a fridge?
Again, it depends on the backup battery generator. The average American refrigerator and freezer up to 115kW of power to run all through the month. Of course, installing four or five hours having a battery capacity of 1kW to 4kW could run a refrigerator, but not for long.
3. How can I charge my solar generator?
All you have to do is pair the solar generator with an appropriate number of solar panels to charge the generators. The best solar generators like Bluetti’s mentioned above have a built-in controller to avoid overcharging.
