What is a solar generator?
A solar generator can refer to any energy production system powered by solar energy. The most common term solar generator, also known as a portable power station, refers to a portable, easy-to-use package that harnesses solar energy wherever it is needed.
Controversy over the term “solar generator”
There are many opinions on the term “solar generator“. You may have seen people debating in Youtube and Facebook comments whether they should be called solar generators. The usual logic is “they don’t even generate anything, so how can you call it a solar generator?”. That’s fair enough, however, it begs the question, can gas generators really produce anything?
They all convert a different source of “fuel” into usable electricity, which we call generators. So, for the sake of simplicity, we decided to use the term solar generator.
The only major difference between gas generators and solar generators is that solar generators require solar panels to input (fuel) solar energy, whereas gas generators require some type of fossil fuel to generate electricity.
Overview of the development of solar generators:
Solar generators have been around for years and were popular in the DIY community back in the early 2000s, and around 2007 there was Target Zero, the first form of a done-for-you portable power station.
From there, many brands entered the market, some of the most famous solar generators being Inergy Kodiak, Inergy Apex, Jackery Honda, MaxOak’s Bluetti Solar Generator, Point Zero’s Titan Solar Generator, and EcoFlow’s Delta.
The solar generator market has evolved a lot over the past 10 years, which is why you may have started to consider more and more. Just a few years ago, solar generators were not that powerful and cost twice as much. Over time, we believe they will only become stronger and more cost-effective.
What are solar generators usually used for?
Electricity is a part of everyday life, and we often take it for granted. Unfortunately, we tend to realize how much modern society relies on electricity when it’s not available.
As a convenient way to create, transport and use electricity, solar generators are useful in many different scenarios.
Before we dive into it, it’s important to understand that a solar generator is very similar to a gas generator except that it burns solar energy instead of gas. Below, we’ll outline some of the most common uses for solar generators.
Solar generators as emergency backup power
If your home doesn’t get electricity from the utility company, that can be extremely stressful. For your safety and well-being, you will need a power source that can power refrigerators, fans, medical equipment (CPAP machines), phones, and more. In some areas, grid outages can last for hours, days and weeks without any real indication of when service will be restored.
As an emergency power source, solar generators are especially useful in the following areas:
- Hurricane season
- Wildfire
- Windy
- Or frequent power outages
In critical situations, it may not be safe to travel and live with loved ones. For households in areas with potential power outages, it is important to provide life-sustaining resources in the home. With an emergency backup solar generator kit, you can keep your appliances and communication equipment powered by completely free energy. As long as the sun is shining, you can harness and deploy solar energy wherever you need it.
Solar Generator Kits – What Are They? Advantages Disadvantages:
Before we dive into the best solar generators available today, let’s quickly talk about solar generator kits. What they are, how they work and the benefits of getting a complete solar generator kit.
The solar generator kit is a done package for you that includes everything you need to get up and running including solar panels, breakout connectors and mc4 pv solar panel extension cables.
Advantages of solar generator kits:
- Includes everything you need! – You don’t have to worry about getting anything.
- Panel Compatibility – It is important that the solar panels are compatible with the solar generator and that they meet the proper specifications.
- Bulk Pricing – Often when you buy the complete kit, the pricing will be better than buying everything individually.
Disadvantages of solar generator kits:
- Solar Panel Options – You may be limited to the types of solar panels included in the kit.
- PV Extension Cables – There may not be enough extension cables in the kit, so you will have to add more cables to your order.
- Beyond that, buying a complete solar generator kit is usually the way to go because it’s easier, simpler, and gives you peace of mind knowing that everything will work together.