Solar Powered Generators – Which One is Right For You?

Whether you live off the grid, prepare for emergencies or just enjoy the outdoors, solar powered generators provide backup power for lamps, appliances and most gadgets. We’ve tested and compared the best solar generators to find the one that fits your needs.

The core of a solar generator is its battery, which stores solar energy in direct current (DC) electricity. Most solar generators use lithium iron phosphate batteries that can be charged and discharged many times.

How They Work

A solar generator combines batteries, an inverter and solar panels into a portable solar powered generator power station. It can provide backup power for your appliances during an outage or power your camping gear while you’re outdoors. It’s safer to use than traditional gas generators and less expensive to run than other types of power sources.

Solar generators use lithium-ion batteries, which are much safer than other battery types and last longer. They also have a built-in charge controller that regulates electricity voltage before storing it in the battery. This prevents the batteries from overcharging, which can cause them to be damaged. Some of these devices come with an expandable battery to allow for more power and capacity.

The inverter is what transforms the direct current (DC) stored in the battery into alternating current (AC). It’s important to choose one with a pure sine wave, which produces a clean and stable DC output that’s safe for sensitive electronic devices.

Most solar generators have AC outlets and USB ports so you can connect and charge multiple items at once. The number of USB ports and power outlets varies among different models, with some having more than others. Some also have quick-charge ports to speed up the time it takes to recharge the generator when plugged into an outlet at home. Other useful features include digital displays to track usage and temperature control settings to keep the battery cool.

Battery

The solar generator’s battery is key to how long it can run and power devices. This is why you want to look at the battery’s capacity (measured in watt-hours) when comparing models.

The most popular solar generators use lithium-ion or lithium-iron phosphate batteries, which offer better performance and longevity than lead-acid batteries. Lithium-ion batteries can last up to 15 years or more, depending on their chemistry, usage, and climate.

To produce a flow of electrons, the battery needs two electrodes—one called the anode, or negative, and the other the cathode, or positive. Volta used zinc and silver as his anode and cathode in his pile to crank up the voltage.

As the chemical reactions churn away at both the anode and cathode, they create an unstable difference of electricity. Electrons at the anode and cathode repel each other, trying to get rid of this difference by rearranging themselves.

If this process continues, it’s possible that the battery can reach a state of overcharge or undercharge—which shortens its lifespan. To avoid this, always recharge a solar generator at least partially after each use, and don’t let it sit idle for prolonged periods of time. You should also maintain the correct voltage and current when charging the battery. Ideally, you should charge your generator through its AC outlet or with an external 240-volt solar charger that uses a J1772 connector like an EV charging circuit.

Inverter

A solar generator is like a large-capacity rechargeable power station that pairs with portable solar panels. They’re used to reduce dependence on gas-powered generators for backup during blackouts and also work well for off-grid outdoor activities like camping, tailgating and DIY projects around the house.

Solar generators have an inverter that converts DC (battery) electricity to AC power that most devices and appliances use. An inverter can be either a modified sine wave (MSW) or true sine wave (TSW). Both have advantages and disadvantages. An MSW inverter is less expensive and consumes less energy, but it can have a high amount of total harmonic distortion (THD), which can damage electronic equipment like computers and smartphones. True sine wave inverters have a higher price tag but less THD, so look for one of those if you plan to run sensitive equipment on your solar generator.

A generator’s maximum input wattage is determined by its inverter and battery capacity, so make sure you select the right one for your needs. A typical generator can handle up to 400W of panel power, but you’ll need more if you want to run multiple appliances simultaneously. The number of AC outlets on a solar generator varies by model, but most have at least two to four ports and may have as many as six to eight USB ports in a range of capacities from 2.4-volt to 100W for mobile devices.

Panels

The solar panels (also called PV) in a solar generator are what trap and convert sunlight into DC power, which is then sent to the battery, where it’s converted into AC current that’s used by devices. Solar panels are technically separate from the power station, but most people use them in conjunction with one another to create a solar generator.

The watt-hour capacity and recharge times of both the power station and solar panel are important to consider when choosing a solar powered generator. We recommend creating battery supplier a list of the devices you’ll be using it for, as well as the amount of power they’ll require to run. This will help you determine the best size solar generator for your needs, and also how long to expect it to run before needing to be refueled.

Some devices need a quick burst of electricity to start up, and it’s worth checking the specs of your chosen power station to see if it has a surge output. The Bluetti AC200P, for instance, can supply a short burst of 2,400 watts for a few seconds.

Whether you’re going off-grid or just want to lower your carbon footprint, solar power generators can be a great choice for a variety of reasons. They’re especially useful during a blackout, and many can even be used to power appliances like refrigerators or ovens.