Going on an outdoor adventure doesn’t mean you have to forgo modern conveniences. With a portable solar generator, you can enjoy the natural beauty while also having fun with your gadgets. And the best thing is that you can power up these devices for free.
Solar portable generators capture sunlight to generate power. These generators then store the power in a battery. They usually produce sufficient power for lights, computers, smartphones, laptops, and other small and medium-sized appliances.
Here are some of the benefits of portable solar generators that will make any outdoor adventure pleasant and comfortable.
1. Free Power
The main benefit of portable solar energy systems is that you get free power. You will save hundreds of dollars by using portable solar generators. The generators don’t require gasoline. You also don’t have to add generator oil.
You will only need a battery that will provide backup power when the sun goes down. The battery can be charged fully in about 24 hours. But the time varies depending on the number of solar panels, battery size, and the amount of sunlight during a day.
Your solar generator will pay for itself. With the rising gasoline prices, solar power generators are the best option. You can recover the cost of the generator within 2 to 4 years. The solar panels will provide you with free energy for decades.
Buying a portable solar generator will allow you to enjoy the comfort of modern appliances without having to break the bank. You can get an unlimited supply of power for free when you buy a portable solar generator.
2. Use on the Go
A great benefit of solar power generators is that you can take them anywhere. The generators are lightweight and smaller as compared to gasoline or diesel generators. You can easily move them anywhere. The generator can be taken to a remote offsite camp without any problem.
Whether you are on the beach, in the mountains, or in any other scenic spot, you will have a portable source of power for your devices.
An outdoor trip can be made more fun with a portable generator. You can have a projector screen, Hi-Fi speakers, and other entertainment options during the outdoor adventure. You can bring portable TV to view movies or sports matches during a camping trip or on the beach. Also, you can keep yourself warm and comfy at night with an electric blanket.
3. Clean Energy Source
Another great benefit of solar generators is that they don’t pollute the environment. Unlike gasoline or diesel-powered generators, solar generators don’t release harmful gasses into the environment. As a result, you won’t have to worry about the negative environmental effect of using a generator.
Diesel and gasoline generators generate carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen that pollutes the environment. If the generator is not maintained properly, it will also release unburnt hydrocarbons that do serious damage to the environment.
Solar generators are a clean and renewable energy source. The generators don’t release any type of pollutants. You can feel good knowing that your devices are powered by a clean source of energy. You don’t have to worry about your carbon footprint when enjoying modern conveniences during an outdoor adventure.
4. Prevent Food Wastage
One of the worries during an outdoor adventure is food waste. Perishable food items such as meat, dairy, and fish get spoilt quickly. They must be stored at 400F or below to avoid contamination due to bacterial growth.
With a solar portable generator, you don’t have to worry about this as it can power a small fridge. You can store perishable items in the fridge when on an adventure trip.
5. Quiet Operation
Gasoline portable generators make a lot of noise. A small generator can produce about 85 decibels which are similar to the noise of city traffic. Larger generators generate even more noise similar to the sound of a jet engine.
Using a traditional generator spoils the peace and serenity of the outdoors. In contrast, solar generators make significantly less noise. The only sound you hear is the whirring of the fan that keeps the invertor components cool. You can sleep without getting troubled by the noise of the generator. There is no incessant rattle in the background while you try to sleep at night.
6. Less Maintenance
You will save a lot of money by buying a solar portable generator for an outdoor trip. Solar generators don’t have any mechanical parts. This results in less wear and tear. You don’t have to worry about costly replacements and repairs.
With solar generators, you won’t have to replace the engine oil regularly. There is also no need to clean or replace filters. In fact, you don’t have to do any maintenance apart from keeping the solar panels clean. This makes solar generators worth the extra cost as compared to traditional portable generators.
7. Durable
Solar generators are a long-term investment. They are built to last a long time. With proper care, solar generators can last for decades. They can work for 25 years or more without any problems.
In contrast, gasoline and diesel generators last for just 5 to 7 years. They also lose efficiency and consume more fuel over time. This is not the case with solar generators.
Solar generators also come with a manufacturer’s warranty. You might only have to purchase a solar generator once in your lifetime. The long life and high efficiency make solar generators a worthy purchase.
8. Safe to Use
Solar generators are safer as compared to gas-powered generators. You can use the generator inside and outside without any problem. The generators can be used around children and pets without any worries.
You don’t have to worry about placing the generator next to your tent. There is no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning with solar generators. You can safely use the generator in any outdoor location with sunny weather conditions.
9. Easy to Operate
Solar generators are much easier to operate as compared to gasoline generators. You don’t have to add fuel. There is also no need to add generator oil since there are no mechanical parts. The convenience of operating the generator makes them ideal for an outdoor adventure.
What Size of Portable Generator Should I Buy?
Solar generators are available in different sizes. Selecting the right size generator for the outdoor adventure can be tricky. You must buy a generator that will meet your power requirements during the outdoor trip.
Here are some tips to select a solar power portable generator for your outdoor adventure.
1. Determine the Power Requirements
The foremost consideration in buying a solar generator is power needs. You should calculate the power needed for the appliances that you intend to use during the outdoor trip.
Generator size is measured in watts (W). The table below shows the estimated power in wattage of common devices and appliances used during an outdoor adventure.
Appliances |
Wattage |
Light (LED) |
10-20 |
Energy Saver Light |
25 |
Mini-Fridge |
80 |
Laptop |
50-75 |
Portable fan |
40-80 |
Small Heater |
400 |
Mini Electric Stove |
200 |
Smartphone Charger |
10-35 |
You must add the wattage of all the appliances and devices that you will use during the outdoor adventure. This will let you know the size of the portable solar generator that will be best for you.
An important thing to remember is that the solar generator for an outdoor trip should not be too large. It is impractical to carry three to four panels around with you during a camping trip. Consider buying a solar generator with no more than two panels that will provide between 600 and 800 watts.
2. Battery Size
Battery size will determine the duration of backup power during the night. Larger battery size will provide you with power for longer periods. Consider buying a battery with at least 200 Ah as it can provide sufficient backup power to last you the night.
Smaller batteries of about 100 Ah are suitable for the bare minimum such as lights or smartphones. If you want to power a bit more, you can buy medium-sized batteries of 150 Ah. This will save you a lot instead of buying a larger battery that won’t be used to its full capacity.
3. Generator Features
Another important consideration when buying a solar power generator is the available features. Consider buying a solar generator that has USB sockets for charging a smartphone and other mobile devices.
You should also consider a generator with a smart display screen. This will allow you to know about power input, load, and available battery power.
4. Solar Panel Type
Portable solar generators can have different types of solar panels. Monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient that can operate even in cloudy weather conditions. These panels also work best at high temperatures without losing efficiency.
Polycrystalline panels are less costly but they are also less efficient than Monocrystalline panels. The third type is the thin film solar panels that are even less efficient than polycrystalline solar panels. The panels are the cheapest option. But you get what you pay for when it comes to efficiency in generating power.
5. Surge and Sine Wave Rating
An important consideration when buying a solar power generator is the surge and sine wave ratings. The surge rating specifies the surge in power that can be handled by the generator. It applies to fridges and motors that have an electric surge when they are started. Consider buying a surge rating of two times the maximum power rating for 20ms or more.
Sine Wave rating refers to the quality of power output. Most high-quality solar inverters have a sine wave rating of 90 to 95 percent. These can be used safely for powering sensitive devices such as laptops, CFL bulbs, and mini-fridge. The devices transform the DC power of the battery to the AC power that you get from your wall outlet at home.
6. Charging Modes
Consider the charging modes when buying a solar power generator. The best portable solar generators can be charged through the sun as well as an AC source and 12V battery. This will give you more options to charge your generator during your outdoor trip.
With an AC charging source, you can charge the portable generator when staying at an inn. This will allow you to charge your generator battery during the night if the power is low.
A generator with a 12V battery charging feature can be charged with the battery of your vehicle. But you must keep the car running when charging the solar generator otherwise your car’s battery may become dead.
7. Brand Reputation and Seller Integrity
You can find sites that sell many different brands of generators. But not all the brands are reliable. You must buy a solar power generator manufactured by a reliable company.
In addition, it is also important to buy a generator from a reputable seller. Some sellers may be selling counterfeit generators at a cheap price. Make sure that you do some research before buying a generator online.
Welcome to a World of New Possibilities
A solar portable generator is an excellent investment as you can get clean power at night. You can also charge your smartphone, watch movies on your laptop, and read books with lights turned on. You can also power an electric stove to whip up a quick snack. Additionally, you can keep fish, meat, and other perishable items fresh by keeping them in a mini-fridge.
With a portable solar generator, you can enjoy the convenience and comfort of the home while outside. You can take the generator with you on camping trips, beaches, and any other type of outdoor adventure.
Bluetti has a large selection of solar generators and accessories, including batteries and other items for your portable solar generator. So, what are you waiting for? Get your solar generator today to make your outdoor adventure more enjoyable.
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