Today, the majority of the world depends on oil for fuel, which is a non-renewable resource. But alternative power sources are beginning to gain popularity so there are some people looking for the best solar generators.
If you like the idea of living off-grid or maybe you just want to have another power source for your needs, as backup, then a solar generator may be right for you.
Solar power is more efficient and accessible than the majority of the energy sources out there, especially if you live in a remote location. It is also eco-friendly and able to save you money.
There is a lot to consider when selecting the best solar powered generator. That’s probably because there are so many choices available to you. It’s important to choose the best one for your needs. To do this, you will need to define your usual energy requirements.
8 Best Solar Generators (2021)
Brand | Wattage | Weight | Rating | Check Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Jackery Explorer 500 Editor's Choice | 500W | 13.3 lbs | 100% | |
2. Expert Power Alpha 1900 High Performance | 1900W | 17.5 lbs | 99% | |
3. Baldr Solar Generator Budget Friendly | 330W | 7.6 lbs | 96% | |
4. Westinghouse iGen160s | 100W | 3.75 lbs | 95% | |
5. Rockpals Solar Generator | 250W | 5.5 lbs | 97% | |
6. Maxoak Power Generator | 1500W | 37.9 lbs | 98% | |
7. Flash Fish Generator | 300W | 5.6 lbs | 94% | |
8. Duracell Power Source | 1800W | 56.8 lbs | 99% |
1. Jackery Portable Solar Generator Explorer 500
Best Solar Generator (Editor's Choice)
The Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 500 is the best solar generator on the market. It's a convenient and handy power supply for the outdoors.
Features
It features a pure sine wave ac outlet has a portable power station which provides steady power capable of providing power to various devices such as TVs, projectors, small blenders as long as it’s under a 500 watts.
If you’re someone who enjoys nature and camping, you can take advantage of portable power. This power station is great for people who own RVs, because it’s portable for trailers. It packs enough power to operate an RV ceiling fan, RV lightings and other electronics devices.
You can also use it if you want to have an outdoor grill party, because it can energize a small blender, small ice shaver or projector for a nice movie and grill party with loved ones.
For you safety concerns, it features a pure sine wave inverter so that you can rest easy when using you important devices such as phones and laptops without fear of short circuit and damage. It also has the added benefit of being quiet, because it’s engineered to lower electrical noise.
It you intend to use it at home, it’s great for your important wifi router, home security system and lights, so that you will always have them up and running.
With the Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 500, set and use is quite simple and you can use multiple outputs at the same time for various devices. You also have voltage protection and temperature protection, to protect you and your devices during use.
Performance
It can be quickly recharged in the sun with Jackery Solar Saga 100W Solar panel. The charging takes approximately 9.5 hrs of maximum sunlight. You can also charge it with your carport and it takes 16 hrs, with a convenient charging cable included in the package. Or you can use an AC wall outlet and be fully charged in 7.5 hrs.
2. Expert Power Alpha 1900 Solar Generator
High Performance
The ExpertPower Alpha1900 Rechargeable Solar Powered Station Combo is energy revolutionized. It surpasses almost everything on the existing transportable in-class solar generator market.
Features
Featuring a state of the art battery capability specially engineered for lengthier use and constructed for supreme dependability. It’s powerful enough to handle bigger machines such as power-tools, mini-fridges, washers, microwaves, TVs, or anything below 2000W.
It also features a revolutionary plug and play technology offering convenient on-demand energy to over six appliances at the same time with ease.
The informative LED screen shows vital charging info such as output / input power, battery capacity, and charging/discharging time so you know what is happening to your devices in any situation.
It has built-in wheels as well as a telescoping handle to assist with transport so that its weight will not be a problem. It comes with two 100W portable solar panels is made with top-quality Monocrystalline cells. These panels also have foldaway stands and a solid carrying handle for easy portability.
Performance
These panels can produce 100 watts each, working with a total voltage of 18V and 5.56A and come with two sets of MC4 cables. Each panel weighs 17.5lbs and is 26 x 20 inches long when folded out. The great thing about them is that they can work with almost any solar generator or standalone batteries.
To ensure that you are safe, it has total protection with a ground breaking battery management system (BMS), so that your generator and devices are protected against low-voltage, over-voltage, short circuits, overload, and over-heating.
3. BALDR Portable Solar Generator
Budget Friendly
The BALDR Portable Power Station 330W is a large capacity transportable energy generator. It has a 297wh energy capacity which can successfully charge the same devices for more time than competing batteries.
Features
Perfect for travel, home and camping and able to charge a variety of devices like tablet computers, mobile phones, tablet computers and CPAP machines.
It is also efficient and safe to use with a built-in battery management system (BMS) to help with battery utilization, and prolong battery life with protection from short circuits, overheating overvoltage, overcurrent and overload.
It’s most special feature is its wireless charger and a built-in multi-mode flashlight able to rapidly power the mobile phone in case of a disaster. The pure sine wave inverter, is steady and stable operating at a faster pace with less noise.
Performance
It performs efficiently with three easy charging methods and works with any compatible 100W solar panel. The solar generator can be fully charged in 5-8 hours using solar energy. You also have the option to plug in the wall outlet to be charged within 5-8 hours.
For car charge, it take 7-8 hours for a full charged. For an added benefit, it only weighs 7.1 pounds, so it’s highly portable. It has a multi-function output port and 1 pure sine wave AC power socket.
4. Westinghouse iGen160s Solar Generator
The Westinghouse iGen160s Portable Power Station is an innovative high performing machine. It’s a lot smaller than others in its class but caters for many charging needs.
Features
It’s built with no engine for clean power without fuel, fumes, or noise and has solar panel capability.
This generator is intended for festivals, camping, or even home backup, and has 100 running watts and 150 peak watts. It is a great energy solution with two 120V outlets, four USB ports including a USB-C and QualComm Quick Charge 3.0 USB outlet.
It also has three convenient 5mm DC outputs and 3 Mode Lighting. Weighing only 3.5 lbs, it’s simple to transport and store whether in a vehicle or your backpack.
Performance
Powerful enough to operate many devices great selection for home use as an emergency backup in a power loss. It’s powered by lithium-ion batteries effortlessly charged with wall charger (included), car charger, or optional solar panel.
It runs seamlessly with 12V 5. 5mm DC Outputs, two USB Ports, QualComm Quick Charge 3. 0 Port, two 120V Household Outlets, and a USB-C Outlet. So it’s great for charging small devices such as tablets, laptops, and smartphones. Specially designed with overload, short circuit, and overheat protection for your battery and connected devices.
5. ROCKPALS 250W Solar Generator
Featuring a pure sine wave inverter, the Rockpals 250w portable power station, is an exceptional generato rable to produce clean energy comparable to what is supplied by the electricity company. It has a fast motor that operates cooler and is able to a variety of devices.
Features
It can be simply recharged in three main ways. Firstly, you can charge it with the energy of the sun, using a compatible 60 watts or a 100watt solar panel, which is separately sold.
Secondly in eight hours the battery can be fully charged when you plug it in to the wall socket. There is a car charger included in the package so that you can charge the generator by plugging it into your car’s 12 volts socket.
Performance
It performs seamlessly with an amazing USB and 12v outputs that have been upgraded to powerful 250-watt AC. It’s a great alternative energy for any occasion that can charge a range of small appliances, like, laptops, iPhone, iPad and CPAP machine.
The high capacity lightweight lithium power pack stores a generous amount of energy and it only weights 5.5lbs. It is a convenient addition to you camping plans and can be easily stored in you RV or home emergencies.
6. MAXOAK EB150 Solar Generator
The spectacular Maxoak portable power station BLUETTI can be recharged easily with solar or AC power.
Features
Compatible with any solar panel with open circuit voltage 16V-60V and it takes less than 6 hours more powerful solar panels will have it charged in a shorter time. For approximately 8 hours, you can charge it fully by plugging it into the wall socket.
It also features short-circuit, overvoltage overcurrent, temperature control and more safeguards and an MC4 solar charging cable is included. It’s battery management system (BMS) will help to prolong the battery life while keeping you and your devices safe.
To observe you charging progress, there is an LCD and an Error Code will be displayed for any glitches. It has a special auto shut off design that powers off the machine when it is fully charged.
What is special about this generator is that it has larger capacity and can charge more powerful devices like electric drills, hair dryers, blenders as long as the maximum of the device is no more than 1000W, but it still maintains a small size and light enough weight.
Because of its large capacity of 1500Wh, your device doesn’t have a long charge time, so there is no need to charge it over and over again.
Performance
It runs with a super long lasting lithium power station and built in top-brand LG battery cell. You can rest assured of its safety and quality as it can handle larger devices and appliances.
It can be used both indoors and outdoors.
7. Flash Fish Solar Powered Generator
The Flashfish G300 portable power station is upgraded for increased power supply to meet your needs. You can enjoy indoor and outdoor activities because of the specially designed handle them.
Features
It’s portable and convenient for fishing, camping, and everything else in between. Get rid of the hassle of having no power when there is a disruption is service at home.
It features a silver case that is metal and with a sturdy and durable black ends made up of plastic. You get 300W continuous power and 350W peak power. It has a 60000mAh battery capacity and a pure sine wave, can power your devices more steadily but only weights 5.6lbs So it’s portable and light weight enough to fit snugly in your backpack.
A car charger is included in the package for easy recharge via into your car 12V socket. You may also use any compatible solar panel. Or simply plug it into the wall if you have access to electricity.
Performance
It has multiple USB port and able to charge multiple devices. It also has the added benefit of built-in multi safety protections such as low-voltage, short-circuit, lock-on, overheat, over-voltage and over-current protection.
8. Duracell Power Source Solar Generator
The amazing Duracell PowerSource Quiet Gasless Portable Power and Solar Generator has 4 AC outlets, 2 USB ports and a 12V DC port for your vehicle.
Features
It has an outstanding 1800 Watts of peak output power and 1440 Watts continuous power output so you can operate heavy appliances such as TVs or refrigerators with ease.
It uses a standard Anderson connector so that it can work with most solar panels. You may even charge it using your car through the use of daisy chain terminals. Or simply use AC power when available.
It also features a digital LCD display so you can check on the status with one glance. There’s an “Input” indicator for details on recharge from car, AC or solar power and there’s an “Output” indicator for the level of power used from the generator in Watts. You can also view the remaining power in the battery.
With this generator you can prepare for power loss and put your mind at ease. Or you can use it for fun outdoor activities like camping, to inflate your mattress or use in you RV.
The most distinctive and convenient feature of the Duracell PowerSource is the Instant On - Uninterrupted Power system. With this feature you can keep the generator on and plugged into the wall and have continuous power for equipment that you don’t want to be unplugged.
If there is a disruption in power, the PowerSource will automatically transfer from the AC wall power to the internal battery power to maintain charge to your devices, without interruption in power.
Performance
This generator has an abundance of power to maintain your devices charged but it may also be daisy chained with an external battery to access even more power.
The battery is noiseless and is ideal for devices that need to be continuously powered as it is capable of seamlessly transitioning from AC power to the internal battery power. This makes the generator a very wise investment.
What Are Solar Generators and How Do They Work
To put it simply a solar generator is a compact electrical box that consists of three main components. These are an inverter, a battery and a charge controller.
Solar panels collect energy from the Sun which the generator in a high capacity battery. To release the energy for use, an inverter is needed so that's a wide variety of devices and appliances may be charged.
If you are worried about the negative effects of gas and diesel on the environment, solar generators are an excellent choice. Solar generators are convenient because They are not harmful to the environment and since they use the power of the Sun they are great in a power outage and also for people who live in remote locations.
Solar generators work by trapping power of the sun and placing it in the battery and then transforming that power via and inverter for use. And inverters job is the transform low and direct current (DC) power from the battery into alternating current (AC) so that you can use it to charge your devices and appliances.
The battery stores the energy captured by the sun and lithium-ion are the most effective and affordable. The charge controller works to safeguard the life of the battery. You can consider this the generator’s brain.
How To Determine What Solar Power Generator Size You Need
Different people have different needs, so to decide what size of solar power generator you need to buy, you would first need to determine what your power needs are. So start by making a list of all the devices and appliances you need to power and the amount of time you use them.
For a proper calculation you would need to know how much power in watts the appliances and devices consume. Then you would need to calculate the watt hours. You can do this by multiplying the number of hours you use the appliance by the watts of each appliance or device.
For appliances that turn on and off due to the thermostats, like refrigerators and freezers, you will have a harder time calculating their power consumption. To calculate the watt usage for these appliances you will need to do research on how much power they use in a year than simply divide this number by 365 for the daily amount.
In addition, you’ll have to determine the total amount of watts you will consume at any period because you may want to use a few devices and appliances simultaneously, so you will need to know if your generator can handle the load. Then use this comprehensive list we have compiled and select the best solar generator for your needs.
Things to Consider When Looking For the Best Solar Power Generator
Solar Panels
The energy production of solar panels is calculated in watts. The amount of sun hours that the panel gets determines the water rating of the solar panel. This is not an exact science though, because on certain days the sun may shine brighter than others. There may also be low light in certain seasons and this may affect the performance of the solar panel. So we may look at the rating as an approximation.
The three main types of solar panels are:
1. Monocrystalline solar panels these are the one most widely used around the world and are produced from single-crystal silicon wafers. They are known to be more effective than polycrystalline, but also more costly.
2. Polycrystalline solar cells are created from melted pieces of silicon due to the fact that electron movement is reduced between pieces. They are known to be less effective than monocrystaline panels but only slightly.
3. Amorphous crystal, or thin film panels, are a new type of solar panel that is cheaper but less effective than the previous two. It should be noted however, that they are lighter, slimmer and more durable.
Battery Capacity & Power Rating
The maximum amount of energy that a solar battery can store up is known as the battery capacity. But this is no indication of the amount of power it can offer at any given time. To determine that, you will need to look at the energy rating of the battery.
Perhaps the highest standard of a solar generator, is its ability to be used, while being charged, performing these tasks at the same time. This may prove to be a useful feature in order to cover your energy requirements on a given day.
Without this feature you will be out of power when you have to charge the battery, if you don't have a spare. If your generator takes a long time to charge, this may be a great inconvenience to you.
This is why battery capacity is so important; you need to ensure that the battery capacity of your solar generator is enough to supply your needs even if it needs to be recharged.
Battery Type
There are different types of batteries but lithium-ion and lead acid are the most popular. The least expensive one are the lead acid you will mostly find them on cars. They have a shorter life span what are cheaper. Some of them use gel to lengthen the lifespan an increase their safety, but they have the same power performance. Deep cycle batteries are more durable but cost a little more than well.
For a lengthier lifespan we have lithium-ion battery these batteries are found in cord-less appliances because they are compact and lightweight. Even though there are a bit pricier, the much more portable which makes them popular for solar generators.
Power Inverter Rating
The alternating current (AC) that powers your devices is not the same as the electrical current that is captured by your solar panels. This is where power inverters come in! Power inverters transform the direct current (DC) into the alternating current to be used by your devices. Alternating current is the same type of power that's comes out of the wall sockets in your home.
All power inverters however are not the same. Inverters usually come with a water rating so that customers will know how much power they are capable of handling. This rating should always be at least the maximum amount of power the system can produce.
Pure sine wave inverters are generally more costly, but also more effective and result in reduced depreciation of appliances.
Weight
The weight of the generator is an important factor when it comes to portability. It’s important to consider how the weight is distributed within a generator than the weight itself. You need to also look at the handle and the materials used because you won’t want you unit to fall apart.
Generators that are compartmentalised in a durable box are better in the long run. Some generators even have wheels to be carried easily. The foldable solar panels are usually easier to transport since there is not much you can do about the weight without decreasing its quality. If you don’t intend to move your generator then the weight is less of an issue so you should focus more on the performance.
Charge Controllers
The solar panels will overcharge the battery without a charge controller. Charge controllers adjust the amount of power that the solar panels send to the batteries. Simple charge controllers work by simply cutting off the supply of power to the battery when the capacity for the battery's voltage is achieved.
Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) it's able to control the flow of electricity more efficiently and may result in you having more power. For a good working system your charge controllers should be waterproof and should come with an LED display so that you can or the status of the charge.
Final Words
The best solar generator that you can buy is the Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 500, because it is a convenient and handy power supply for the outdoors and indoors. It features a pure sine wave ac outlet has a portable power station which provides steady power capable of providing power to various devices.
For you safety concerns, it features a pure sine wave inverter so that you can rest easy when using you important devices such as phones and laptops without fear of short circuit and damage. It also has the added benefit of being quiet and light weight.
With the Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 500, set and use is quite simple and you can use multiple outputs at the same time for various devices. You also have voltage protection and temperature protection, to protect you and your devices during use. It has everything you could need in a solar generator.