When you have a power outage, it can be stressful to find a way to power your home appliances and charge your devices. Normally, people use gas generators, but these negatively affect the environment and come with high fuel costs. A perfect alternative is getting a solar generator for home appliances.
This post reviews the best solar generators available, the benefits, and the factors that should guide your decision.
Let's get started!
What is a Solar Generator?
A solar generator is a device that can harness and store solar power in the form of electricity to provide a backup in case of power outages. It uses solar panels to capture the energy from the sun. The solar panel converts sunlight into electricity stored in batteries that will power your home if you don't have electricity.
Now that you know what a solar generator is, your top five options are here!
1. BLUETTI EB3A Portable Power Station, Solar Generator
- [30 Min Fast Charging] - A single charging cable effortlessly...
- [Tiny but Mighty] - With a 600W AC inverter, 268Wh LiFePO4...
- [Harness the Power of Sun] - The built-in MPPT controller...
- [Safe & Reliable] - EB3A with LiFePO4 cells, recharges over 3000...
- [What You Get] - BLUETTI 268Wh portable power station EB3A, AC...
The BLUETTI EB3A Portable Power Station is a compact and powerful energy solution for outdoor adventures, emergency power needs, and camping trips. With a 268Wh LiFePO4 battery and two 600W AC outlets (1200W surge), this power station delivers reliable performance for charging devices and powering small appliances. Its fast charging capability, reaching 80% in just 30 minutes, and solar compatibility make it a versatile choice for eco-conscious users.
The BLUETTI EB3A Portable Power Station is a practical choice for light to moderate power needs, offering fast recharge times, durability, and portability. While its capacity may not suit heavy-duty requirements, it excels as a convenient and eco-friendly power backup for small electronics and appliances.
Pros:
Cons:
2. EF ECOFLOW Portable Power Station RIVER 2, Solar Generator
- [1 Hour AC Recharge] - Fully recharge the electric generator...
- [Power All Your Essentials] - With an output of up to 600W, run 6...
- [LFP Long-Life Battery] - Using LFP battery cells, use and...
- [Fast Solar Charging] - Use clean, green renewable energy to...
- [Light & Portable] - With a lightweight of only 7.7 lbs, RIVER 2...
The EF ECOFLOW RIVER 2 is a compact, lightweight power station ideal for camping, RV trips, and home backup use. With a 256Wh LiFePO4 battery and the ability to recharge from 0-100% in just one hour, it offers both convenience and durability. This power station features two 300W AC outlets (supports 600W surge) and multiple ports for versatile charging options, making it suitable for small appliances and electronic devices. It also supports solar charging for off-grid functionality.
The EF ECOFLOW RIVER 2 is a reliable, fast-charging power station tailored for light usage and portable convenience. While its limited capacity makes it less ideal for heavy-duty applications, its durability, fast charging, and solar compatibility make it a great companion for outdoor enthusiasts and emergency preparedness.
Pros:
Cons:
3. Anker 521 Portable Power Station Upgraded with LiFePO4 Battery, 300W (Peak 600W) Solar Generator
- 10 Years of Long-Lasting Power: Anker 521 Portable Power Station...
- USB-C Port Built In: Ditch bulky adapters and use a single cable...
- 600W of Upgraded Power: Anker 521 Portable Power Station uses...
- 256Wh Capacity for Weekend Trips: When you're getting away for...
- 6 Ports for More Charging: Plug in 6 devices or appliances for...
Pros:
Cons:
4. GRECELL Portable Power Station 300W, Solar Generator with 60W USB-C PD Output
- 【288Wh Capacity, 330W Output】330W (600W surge) pure sine wave...
- 【Upgraded Battery Management System】We promise to adopt...
- 【USB-C PD 60W, USB-A QC 18W】PD60W fast charging makes it...
- 【Power 8 Device simultaneously】Equipped with 1*AC output,...
- 【3 Ways To Recharge, Built-in MPPT Controller】GRECELL power...
The GRECELL Portable Power Station strikes a balance between portability and functionality, making it a dependable choice for outdoor enthusiasts and as an emergency backup. While it excels in versatility and design, it is best suited for light to moderate power needs.
Pros:
Cons:
5. ALLWEI Portable Power Station, 280Wh Solar Generator
- 【Empower Your Life】The outdoor generator has 280Wh 78000mAh,...
- 【Fast Charge】It can be recharged by AC Wall Charging, car...
- 【Power 9 Devices】With 9 AC USB DC ports, the battery...
- 【Lightweight Portable】The solar generator for home use with...
- 【Warm Tips】Please charge your devices within 300 watts...
Pros:
Cons:
Why are Solar Powered Generators Better than Gas Powered Generators?
1. Eco-Friendly Performance
The first advantage a solar generator offers is that it produces clean energy. Gas generators operate on fossil fuels, so they release smoke as they run. The gases emitted by gas generators aren't environmentally friendly. As such, if you want an option that's safer for the environment, solar generators are the answer.
2. Minimal Maintenance
Something else you'll get from solar generators is low-maintenance. Gas generators usually feature an engine that will require regular maintenance, which can be a hassle, especially if you don't have a lot of experience. Solar generators don't require maintenance because they don't have moving parts which saves you the trouble of getting your hands dirty.
3. Compact Design
Traditional generators have a large bulky build, making them hard to move around. Carrying your gas generator from where you store it to where you need it can be a hassle. That's why solar generators are much better, especially if you want a travel-friendly option. They are compact and come with comfortable handles that make them easy to carry.
4. Safety
Having a gas generator at home will require you to have fuel stored inside or close to your home. This could be something you want to avoid especially if you have young children around. Additionally, issues like overloading and short-circuiting could easily cause fire hazards since the generators use fuel.
You don't have to face any of these risks when using solar generators since they don't use combustible materials to run. They also don't pose a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning even with poor ventilation.
5. Cost-Efficiency
While solar generators are more expensive than gas generators, the cost of running your gas generator will eventually outweigh the price of a solar unit. Solar generators don't require refueling since they are powered by electric current or solar energy. They are the more cost-effective option for home use in the long run.
6. Quiet Performance
Solar backup generators are more silent than their gas operated counterparts. Gas generators have engines that generate the power you need. Unfortunately, these engines have moving parts that get noisy while your generator operates. So, if you want to eliminate noise while getting the power you need, go for solar generators.
What Types of Solar Generators can I use at Home?
There are two types of solar generators you can use to power your home in case of a power outage. Let's look at them in detail in this section.
1. Solar Backup Generators
When your electrical grid fails, you need a solar backup generator. These solar-powered generators come with multiple batteries because they deliver a high wattage output. You can use them to keep the lights on, power your TV, and operate mid-sized appliances.
It takes a long time to charge solar backup generators to full capacity, which is one of their downsides. The other drawback is that they are usually heavy, making them hard to move. Fortunately, these units can power your entire residence without hassle.
2. Portable Solar Generators
Compared to the backup models, these generators are more lightweight. This makes them excellent for traveling to places like camps where you won't find any electricity. They usually come with a handle that allows you to comfortably grip them to move them about. Plus, their compact form ensures you can easily store them in your car trunk or a room with limited space.
Portable solar generators might have a lower capacity which limits their application at home. This could mean you won't be able to operate multiple appliances simultaneously. Plus, if you have low-wattage solar panels, it'll take a long time to power your generator.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Solar Generator
Here are the things to check for when choosing your solar generator.
1. Battery Capacity
Solar-powered generators come with different battery capacities. The amount of power you need in the generator will depend on the activities you want to handle at home.
Some generators can only support small appliances, electronics, and cordless tools, while others can run larger appliances.
So, you'll need to determine how much power you need to ensure you pick a generator that can meet your electric power needs.
2. Power Outlets
Solar-powered generators are made with several power outlets to let you charge and power multiple devices. Unfortunately, the number of outlets in one generator will differ from that of another. So, you'll need to check how many ports and outlets are available in relation to the household appliances you want to power.
3. Short Circuit Protection
There are risks to powering your appliances directly from your generator because of issues like short-circuiting. That's why you should only select a generator that has some form of protection to ensure you won't be risking the pristine condition of your appliances and devices. Luckily the solar-powered generators in this post come with short circuit protection to ensure your items are safe from electrical damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What’s the best solar generator for home appliances?
The Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer is the best solar generator for household devices and appliances.
2. How does a solar generator work?
A solar generator works by converting solar power into electricity which it stores in in-built batteries.
3. What can you run on a solar generator?
Solar generator power is enough to operate various appliances at home, depending on its capacity. You can use it to charge your phones, keep the TV on, and power your fridge.
