Solar panels are not the only way to go solar. You can also choose to invest in solar generators. They are compact and serve as a reliable source of power backup in times of need. They use solar panels to capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electrical energy to charge or power up appliances.
They are easy to travel with and quite convenient as well. This is why they are not only suitable for indoors but outdoors as well.
There are a plethora of solar generators on the market and deciding on one can be a daunting task. To make it easier, we have picked some of the best solar generators on the market on the basis of quality, features, and power. You can go through them and pick one that best suits your needs.
Let’s dig in and look at some of the best solar generators out there:
1. MARBERO Solar Generator M823
If we had to describe the MARBERO M823 in one phrase, it would be "small but scrappy." It doesn’t demand attention, but the moment you need power in the middle of nowhere, it steps up like a trusty sidekick. We took it out for a weekend in the wild, and while it didn’t replace civilization, it made things a whole lot easier.
The foldable solar panel is the kind of feature that makes you wonder why every portable generator doesn’t have one. No complicated setup—just unfold, face the sun, and let nature do the rest. The multiple output ports mean you can charge everything from a smartphone to a laptop without playing an endless game of device musical chairs. The pure sine wave AC outlet is another underrated win, ensuring our electronics weren’t subjected to any weird power fluctuations. And as for the LED flashlight? It felt like having a Swiss Army knife of lighting—dim, bright, flashing, and emergency mode, all ready to go.
Of course, it’s not perfect. That 300W max output means you can forget about running power-hungry devices like space heaters or coffee makers unless you enjoy watching things shut down unexpectedly. Battery life depends on what you’re running, so if you’re powering multiple gadgets at once, you’ll want to keep an eye on the charge. But for portable, dependable power? The MARBERO M823 punches well above its weight.
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2. MARBERO Solar Generator M168SL30
This thing is almost laughably lightweight at just 3.6 pounds—until you realize how much it can actually do. On our last camping trip, we tossed it in the trunk without a second thought, and it ended up being the MVP of the weekend.
The built-in solar panel is a lifesaver in places where wall outlets are just a distant memory. It won’t power an entire campsite, but it kept our phones, LED lanterns, and even a small fan running, which made sleeping under the stars a whole lot more comfortable. The 167Wh battery size hits a sweet spot—enough to last through a weekend without feeling excessive. And having multiple ports meant we didn’t have to take turns charging our devices.
That said, this generator knows its limits. If you try plugging in anything remotely power-hungry, you’ll find yourself disappointed fast. Battery performance can also be a little inconsistent—some days, it holds a charge like a champ; other days, it seems to drain faster than expected. And while the built-in flashlight is a nice touch, we found it less reliable than we’d hoped. But for a featherlight, grab-and-go power solution? This little MARBERO is a tough competitor.
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3. SinKeu Solar Generator 300W
We took the SinKeu Solar Generator 300W into the wild and gave it a real test run. The verdict? It’s not flawless, but it’s a reliable workhorse with a few quirks.
First off, it’s compact enough to tuck into your gear without a second thought, but powerful enough to make a real difference when you’re off the grid. The 260Wh battery held up well, keeping our solar lights phones, cameras, and even a small cooler running. The solar panel worked efficiently, soaking up the sun without much hassle.
Now, about those quirks. The buttons? A little finicky. Sometimes they responded instantly; other times, we had to press them like we were sending a Morse code distress signal. The plastic casing? It felt like it could crack under too much pressure, so we weren’t about to toss it around carelessly. And the wireless charging pad? A great idea in theory, but we had to fidget with placement to get it to actually work.
Despite the nitpicks, the SinKeu 300W gets the job done. If you need reliable, portable power and can tolerate a few minor annoyances, it’s worth considering.
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4. Jackery Solar Generator 240 V2
Jackery is one of those brands that people trust blindly, and after using the Solar Generator 240 V2, we get why. It’s lightweight, reliable, and offers a solid 256Wh of power, making it ideal for weekend trips or backup energy at home.
What sets this one apart is the convenience factor. Solar charging worked well, and when we needed a faster boost, the Fast Charging feature saved the day. But the real game-changer? The Jackery app. Being able to monitor battery levels from our phone meant we didn’t have to keep checking manually—a small but surprisingly useful perk.
However, solar charging wasn’t without its hiccups. We quickly realized we needed an extra adapter to make everything work smoothly, which wasn’t exactly advertised upfront. Once we sorted that out, though, it was smooth sailing. If you’re looking for a well-built, user-friendly solar generator with a touch of tech, the Jackery 240 V2 is a solid bet.
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5. Apowking Solar Powered Generator
Some generators try to impress you with fancy features. The Apowking Solar Generator? It just quietly does its job, and that’s exactly what we liked about it.
We took it out on a weekend camping trip, and it handled all our power needs without breaking a sweat. Phones, lanterns, even a small electric stove—it powered them all without hesitation. The solar panel efficiency was a pleasant surprise, pulling in a solid 24% conversion rate even when the weather wasn’t perfect. And with multiple output options, we never had to pick and choose what to charge.
Now, let’s talk about the trade-offs. The 300W power limit means you won’t be running anything too demanding. And while the solar panels work well, they aren’t the fastest—we had to plan ahead rather than expect instant recharges. But if you want a reliable, no-fuss solar generator that simply works, the Apowking delivers.
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How Do Solar Generators Work?
Solar generators are slowly replacing conventional generators as they are efficient and also good for the environment.
A solar generator works in a simple way. It traps the sun’s energy using solar panels and stores it in the battery for later use. They capture photos and have an inverter to convert this power into useable electricity.
The bigger the solar panels, the more sunlight they’d be able to consume.
Solar Generator Buying Guide
Solar generators are the “IT” when it comes to getting back up power in times of power outages or when traveling. However, it is a tad difficult to pick one out of so many.
If you are confused about a solar generator and which one you should pick then this buying guide will help you. There are some features that you must look into when buying a solar generator.
- Battery Storage: The metric used with solar generators is Wh-watt hours. The higher the watt-hours, the better.
Different appliances need different watt-hours. For example, an iPhone requires 5.5 Wh while an electric blanket needs 200Wh. This means that you must buy a solar generator that has more than 200wh of power if you wish to charge and power up an electric blanket at the same time.
With that being said, make sure to choose a solar generator that offers lots of watt-hours. It will help you charge multiple appliances and even kickstart a few heavier ones if they require low-wattage. - Pure Sine Wave Technology: Solar generators must have this feature so they can run sensitive appliances without any trouble.
It is important for generators to cause no voltage fluctuation to ensure the units or appliances face no trouble. - Ways Of Charging: Some generators only offer solar charging which can be a bit slower if you are using a 50-watt boulder panel and a small watt-hour battery. Sometimes, it can take up to 18 hours for a small solar generator to charge using these components.
To make sure that you don’t need to wait for such a long time, choose a solar generator that offers other means of charging as well. For example, there are generators that offer electrical charging using an AC outlet. They hardly take 5-8 hours to charge fully.
Moreover, some generators can be charged via the car socket as well on 12V charge.
Hence, go for a solar generator that offers at least two ways of charging. - LCD Display: Running the generator blindly can have disastrous consequences. The LCD screen can show valuable information such as power used, output delivered, charge left, etc.
This information is important to not only understand how the generator works but also to keep it well maintained. - Number Of Outlets: Look for generators that offer at least 6-10 outlets. The more outlets they have, the more number of appliances you’d be able to charge. It’s even better if they have all three types of outlets: AC, DC, and USB outlets.
However, having lots of outlets doesn’t mean that you can simultaneously charge appliances as per your will. You must calculate the amount of power required and the amount of power the generator can deliver. - Portability: Most solar generators are light in weight, still it’s important to pay attention to the size and dimensions.
What Are The Benefits of Going Solar?
There are many benefits of going solar. These include:Help The Economy: Solar generators do not run off of nonrenewable energy and are good for the environment. Plus, they do not cause smoke or pollution.
- Easier to Manage: There are no messy cables, hence they are very easy to use and operate.
- No Operating Cost: Since solar generators use solar energy to produce energy, there is no operating cost to use a generator.
- Perfect for Disasters: Natural disasters can leave everything ruined but they cannot prevent the sun from shining. Hence, a solar generator can be a good choice for such situations as it can be used to power different appliances.
- Savings in the Long Run: Solar generators may be expensive but they actually help you save money in the long-run as you do not have to spend on fuel, etc.
- Tax Benefits: Based on the size of the generator and the state you live in, you may be able to save money as they offer tax credits and other rebates. You may be able to enjoy up to 30% tax credit on eligible units.
- Quiet: Solar generators are usually quiet and result in no noise or disturbance. As a result, you can use them anywhere.
Who Should Buy Solar Panels?
Solar panels are for everyone who lives in an area that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight every day. This is because most generators require this much sunlight to work properly.
Other than this, they are a good option if you want to save the environment while also getting to save money.
How To Properly Set Up A Solar Generator?
The idea of getting a solar generator and using the sun’s energy to charge it up sure looks fascinating but it’s not easy. You must know the right steps to set up a solar generator. Here’s what you need to do:
The rule of thumb is simple, some solar generators require little to no installation while some need to be set up professionally.
When your goal is to power a lot of appliances and your solar generator packs some serious watt-hour capacity then you need to buy large solar panels and install them in an open space. It could be the roof, garden, etc.
The next step involves connecting the panel or panels to the generator to make a connection and then installing a regulator. After that, you need to connect auxiliary batteries to wire the generator.
Now, there are two ways of setting up a solar generator, on-grid and off-grid.
On-Grid Installation
On-grid installation is more common and easier than off-grid installation. All you need to do is position the solar panels on the roof and connect them to a grid inverter which further connects to an electrical network. It will then serve as a standby generator.
All you need to do is connect the solar panel/panels to the solar generator and connect it to a 3-pin plug at home. The solar energy trapped by the solar panels will be utilized by the generator to charge appliances.
However, make sure to use a controller charger to make sure that the unit doesn’t get overcharged.
Off Grid Installation
An off-grid setup is ideal when you want power while on the move.
First, you will need to determine the amount of power required to power the appliances. Once you do that, you need to buy four deep cycle batteries along with 2-3 solar panels.
However, if you wish to power up heavier appliances and support an entire house then you will need a huge budget.
For now, let’s focus on the average solar generator off-grid system:
Solar Panels: You need durable and efficient solar panels to charge the batteries. If you are looking for efficiency then we recommend to go for monocrystalline solar panels. They are durable and last for a very long time because they are made with a sturdy aluminum frame.
On the other hand, polycrystalline solar panels are less expensive but not as efficient as monocrystalline panels. Both these options may come with warranties so make sure to shop around.
Next comes positioning which decides the amount of sunlight panels trap. The best position is south, at an angle of 30 degrees. However, the right position also largely depends on how your house is built. It is best to let experts decide where to install the unit.
Battery: You will need a deep cycle battery to charge the generator using the solar panels. You can choose between lithium or lead acid batteries. Connect the battery to the solar panel for it to work.
Voltage Regulator: A charge controller serves as a voltage regulator here. Its job is to prevent the batteries from overcharging. They are vital components that make sure that total voltage doesn’t exceed actual capacity.
However, they do have a drawback. Charge controllers will cause a loss of power (20% to 60%).
Solar Generators: FAQ
#1 Can I place the generator anywhere?
Ans. The panels must be out in the sun so they can catch sunlight and produce electricity.
#2 Will I have to wait for the generator to fully charge in order to use it?
Ans. Depends on the model, some may require to be fully charged before they can be used but some can be used while charging.
#3 Do solar generators only work when the sun is out?
Ans. No, the batteries can collect power that can be used anytime you need it.
#4 Do panels need cleaning?
Ans. Yes, they do. Dust and pollen can get accumulated on solar panels and prevent sunlight from being collected properly. This is why it is important to clean the panels, especially if there’s no rain.
