We all know a power failure can happen at any time. A solar powered generator can make the difference between life and death. When the Texas Power Grid failed in the midst of a winter storm many people died of cold. The power ww out for days and in many areas for weeks. I’ve scoured the web for the Best Solar Powered Generator with these three categories:
- Tailgating and car camping
- Emergency Home Power backup
- Backup Power Supply for medical equipment
My wife depended on supplemental oxygen during the last years of her life. One night when everyone was sleeping , the power failed. Fortunately my granddaughter realized the power had failed and got a backup cylinder installed. It was too close, and we realized how important it was to provide backup power.
One of the reasons to stick with on manufacturer when evaluating solar powered generators for different purpose is stuff is engineered to work together. Cheap setups may lack quality solar charge controllers which can result in a fried battery.
Solar Charge Controller Types And Connection Tips
Although relatively sophisticated, solar chargers are not all the same. The two main types are call PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) and MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking). MPPT vs PWM.
PWM are the simplest and cheapest type, although the higher power models can be expensive. Built in high quality solar charge controllers are essential to a reliable generator. PWM are cheapest. MPPT are more expensive, but they are more efficient They charge your battery much quicker. Efficient charging is important when depending on the sun.
Best Solar Powered Generator (Updated List)
Why You Should Get A Solar Powered Generator?
It is no fun being without power. Sitting in the dard is not the worst of it. If you do not open your fridge or upright freezer your food will last about 3 days. Of course, you can’t eat your food if you don’t open your fridge. If you depend on an electric stove, you. better have an alternative way to cook your food.
If you have family members who depend on medical equipment having an uninterruptible power supply can make the difference between life and death.
What to Look for When Buying A Solar Powered Generator
Everyone has different preferences on what is important or not when deciding on a [keyword], but I want to offer my opinion on the most important things that the [keyword] should have.
A strong battery
Get the most powerful battery you can afford.
Look for fast charging
An MPPT Solar Charge Control can make the difference between a long charge time (8 hrs+) and a one hour charge time. It will maximize the charge you get from a weak, winter sun or a cloudy sky.
Waterproof
When you. want to use your generator outdoors, weather proofing becomes important. Batteries do not work well at extreme temperatures.
Best Solar Powered Generator Product Reviews
Here are the reviews of the best solar powered generators.
1. Ecoflow Delta Max
I’ve included the Delta Max as the ultimate portable home battery. The DELTA Pro sports a 3.6kWh capacity that can be expanded all the way to 25kWh. The kicker? You can integrate it directly with your home circuits via the Smart Home Panel. Ideal for home backup.
Power pretty much anything: DELTA Pro leads the industry when it comes to AC output. With 3600W you’ve got a portable generator that can power heavy-duty appliances such as dryers, AC units & more. Need even more power? Pair two units together to hit a massive 7200W.
An expandable ecosystem: DELTA Pro is more than a portable power station. It can be expanded with Extra Batteries, Smart Generators and even the Smart Home Panel. Control it all via your phone with the EcoFlow app.
The world’s fastest charging portable power station: DELTA Pro can charge via one of 6 methods. It’s the first that can be charged from an EV station, and can even Multicharge by combining methods to achieve a rapid 6500W charge. That’s the industry gold standard.
Integrates with your home: By using the Smart Home Panel (sold separately), DELTA Pro can provide power to up to 10 home circuits. Ideal for when a power outage hits, or for regular use to save on your bills.
Pros
- UPS, Switches from grid to battery backup in 30 msec
- 3 AC plugs with pure sine wave
- multiple ways to charge
Cons
- Expensive
- H
2. EcoFlow RIVER Max Portable Power Station
POWER WHEREVER YOU GO: Portable solar power generator + Extra Battery that gives you reliable power for outdoor adventures, indoor use, and emergency situations.
RECHARGE FROM 0-80% WITHIN 1 HOUR: EcoFlow X-Stream Charge technology recharges the power station from 0-80% within one hour, which is one of the fastest recharging rates on the market. Quiet Charging can be enabled from the EcoFlow app.
POWER UP TO 10 DEVICES SIMULTANEOUSLY: The RIVER Max can power some devices up to 1800W with the X-Boost mode on, which lets you power about 80% of essential devices like kitchen appliances and DIY tools. Use devices below 1200W for the best product use.
MODULAR DESIGN: The unique modular design gives you the freedom to adjust the power and portability of the EcoFlow RIVER Max within seconds. The Extra Battery doubles the capacity from 288Wh to 576Wh during situations when you need more power. You can also detach the Extra Battery easily for more portability during traveling, outdoor adventures, or any application where you need to power devices on the go.
3 x 600W AC OUTLETS AND 576Wh CAPACITY: The EcoFlow RIVER Max has 3 AC outlets and a capacity of 576Wh, providing multiple users with incredible power for all of your favorite devices.
Pros
- Modular Desighn
- Second battery. included.
- light. wieght. mobility
Cons
- No car charger
3. EcoFlow RIVER mini Portable Power Station
3 x 600W AC OUTLETS AND 288Wh CAPACITY The EcoFlow RIVER can power up to 10 devices simultaneously. With 3 pure sine wave AC outlets, the EcoFlow RIVER can power some devices up to 1800W with the X-Boost mode on. With a capacity of 288Wh, the EcoFlow RIVER provides enough juice to run essential devices for hours, depending on the actual output.
FIT YOUR NEEDS, NOW AND LATER Double the capacity from 288Wh to 576Wh with an Extra Battery, the modular design of EcoFlow RIVER, is the power that grows with your needs. Designed for mobility, the 11 lbs solid yet lightweight EcoFlow RIVER is slightly larger than a toaster, which is perfect to take out. You can easily double the capacity of the EcoFlow RIVER from 288Wh to 576Wh by integrating with an Extra Battery
This is the unit you want for tailgating and car camping.
Pros
- light wieght, built for mobility
- modular design, can add additional battery
- all the feature of more expensive Ecoflow units
Cons
- only three AC sine Wave sockets
FAQ’s
Here are some commonly asked questions about the Best Solar Powered Generators.
Can the EcoFlow Power Generators function as a UPS?
All Ecoflow Generators are an emergency power source (EPS) not a UPS. A UPS provides power from its battery and its battery is charged when the UPS Is plugged into the grid. That means there is no interruption of power when the grid fails. UPS batteries will keep your computer running long enough to shut everything down without losing data. EcoFlow Power Generators provide power from the grid when they are plugged in. When the grid fails the Ecoflow generators provide power within 30 milliseconds. That is fast, but not fat enough to keep sensitive electronics like desktop computers from turning off. Test your equipment to see what happens when you pull the plug.
Can Ecoflow generators be controlled remotely?
Yes. You can control RIVER using your phone. Just link to it in the EcoFlow app to control it from afar.
Can I use solar panels with RIVER?
Yes. Just make sure your solar panel hits these specs: 11–39V, 8A, up to 100W.
Can Ecoflow generators power high-wattage items?
Up to 1800 Watts
Conclusion
So that is my roundup of what I think are the Best Solar Powered Generators for various purposes from tailgating to powering vital equipment throughout your home. You will run out of fuel so powering your generator with the sun makes sense. The larger the battery the longer your backup power will last between charges. The more solar panels you have the faster your battery will charge but the less portable your generator will be. Make sure you will have the output sockets you will need to charge the equipment you want to use. Look for pure sine wave AC output. Anything less will damage your electronic equipment.
There are lots of choices. We’ve given you what we think are the Best Solar Powered Generators choices. Do your research and make sure you get what is best for your specific purpose.