How To Pick The Right Solar Generator For Your Needs

A solar generator will be a wise investment if you’re looking for a backup power source for your home’s essential equipment during a blackout. In addition, those who prefer camping will find solar generators to be useful traveling companions. Because regular electricity isn’t always available on these trips, having a solar generator on hand is a terrific way to rest easy.

What Is A Solar Generator

A solar generator, also known as a portable power station, is basically a large battery that can be charged either by plugging it into an electrical outlet or by absorbing light from the sun. It’s not dependent on the availability of propane or gas.

Solar generators work best when used for short periods of time and when only a few gadgets need to be powered at once. Since they don’t use an internal engine, solar generators are silent when used.

A solar generator can provide power in a variety of situations. You can use one as a portable power source or a backup power supply at home. Solar generators are used to power a variety of devices, including kitchen appliances, pellet grills, TVs, air conditioning units, hair dryers, Wi-Fi routers, PCs, smartphones, and the like.

Now, you may be wondering, ‘What do I need to think about before I buy a solar generator?’. Keep on reading to find out more.

Factors To Consider When Buying A Solar Generator

When deciding on which solar generators to buy, take into account the following criteria:

Safety

Safety features should be a priority when looking for a portable solar generator. It’d be best to make sure the generator is risk-free to use. When looking for a portable solar generator, you need to exercise caution similar to those taken with any electrical appliance.

If you care about keeping your equipment from overheating or damaging in any other way, an overload protection feature is a must. Overloading your device with too many gadgets at once can cause it to overheat and even catch fire if this feature isn’t present.

The overcharging of batteries is primarily responsible for the degradation of their overall quality. If your portable solar generator includes overcharge protection, you won’t need to be concerned about this at all. This will prevent the battery from being overcharged, which might be harmful to the battery as well as to any other equipment that it could be connected to.

PV Input

You should think about the photovoltaics (PV) input of a solar panel, whether it comes with your generator or is purchased separately. The time it takes for your generator to charge is affected by the PV input of your solar panels.

Faster charging of your solar generator is possible with higher PV input. If you require a portable generator that charges quickly, a high PV Input could be a deciding factor in your decision.

Battery Capacity

If you’re in the market for a solar generator and want to make sure it can meet your power needs, one of the most important specs to check is the unit’s battery capacity. This is measured in watt-hours.

The greater the battery capacity, the longer it will last. An example of this is that a 60-watt light bulb may be powered for roughly 17 hours by a 1,000-Wh solar generator.

Inverter Type

Solar generators use inverters to convert the direct current (DC) power generated by solar panels into alternating current (AC) usable for home appliances and gadgets. A modified inverter can be used with a wide variety of electronics and is a cost-effective alternative. While some devices will work fine with this inverter, some might not. Be cautious that your connected equipment can handle the altered wave, or else you could risk damaging or shortening its useful life.

Number Of Outlets

The more outlets on a portable solar generator, the more gadgets you can charge up together. This is crucial if you need to charge many gadgets at once. This isn’t as important if you only have one gadget, but it becomes necessary if there are more people or devices that need charging at the same time.

The ideal portable generator for you will be the one that fits your intended application.

Conclusion

Whether you’re going camping, need to power your home, or are just trying to be more self-reliant, a solar-powered generator is a fantastic method to get your electronics charged up. Investing in a suitable unit means having reliable power, allowing you to power a wide variety of devices without worry.

If you take into account the aforementioned criteria when shopping for a solar generator, you will have a powerful tool at your disposal.