Basically, a solar generator is nothing more than a large, portable battery with power connections. You can charge it with the help of solar panels or via a household socket. The solar generator is usually equipped with USB sockets and other connections. In contrast to conventional fuel generators, the electricity is not generated directly – which is why the name generator is not quite correct. Even if the term solar generator has prevailed, this is a portable power station in the narrower sense.
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What good are solar generators?
Solar powered generator with an integrated battery enable a self-sufficient power supply far away from the power grid. This makes you mobile and independent of your own socket, which is why solar generators are useful for camping, mobile homes and gazebos. Thanks to various connection options including a 230 V socket and sufficiently high continuous output, the devices can even be used as an emergency power supply.
Can I also charge the device from the socket instead of using the solar panel?
Solar energy is not the only way generators can be charged. Most of the devices on the market can also be charged from wall sockets, with some models supporting different charging methods. Solar generators are therefore much more flexible here than conventional generators.
What should I pay attention to before buying a solar generator?
Before you buy a solar generator, you should think about what you want to use the device for. Three factors depend on this: the battery capacity, the performance and the number of power connections.
- Battery capacity
The first and most important factor to look out for is battery capacity. A larger lithium battery 12v, 24v, or 48v usually means more capacity, which is specified in watt hours (Wh). The more watt hours the generator has, the longer you can power your devices before you need to recharge the battery. The generators usually work with lithium-ion technology. However, the engineers face the challenge here that the energy density is lower in comparison to other energy storage devices. Accordingly, the batteries are relatively large as soon as you want more storage capacity. Most solar generators therefore usually “only” offer a capacity of up to 1,000 watt hours (1 kilowatt hour). The generators can still be carried and still be able to operate the most common devices such as smartphones, laptops, etc. Solar generators that have a higher capacity – for example to supply your household as an emergency solution in the event of a power failure – are usually no longer sustainable.
- Performance
The power of the various mobile devices ranges from under 200 watts to over 2000 watts and determines which devices can be supplied with electricity at all. Here you should think again about which devices you actually need. For example, if you go camping and only need power for a smartphone, laptop and other small devices, then you do not need a high-power generator. Devices with up to 1000 watts (1 kW) are completely sufficient here. But if you want to take electrical devices such as electric grills, projectors, etc. with you, you usually have to pay around 1,500 watts. A hair dryer or kettle often even requires around 2,000 watts. Devices with more than 2,000 watts already fall into the category of emergency power solutions, with which the whole house can sometimes be supplied for a short time. 5000 watt solar generator must be what you need most.
- Number of power connections
You should also think about how many devices you connect and whether several people want to draw power from the solar generator at the same time. There are now a variety of models on the market that offer a decent selection of many different connections.
Can I use a solar generator while it’s charging?
Yes, most solar generators allow you to charge while devices are connected. You should make sure that the solar panels generate more electricity than the connected devices are consuming at the moment. Modern solar generators show both values on a display. Charging mobile phones or lamps does not eat up too much electricity. However, if you plug in power-hungry devices such as refrigerators, microwaves, and heaters for long periods of time or simultaneously while charging, the generator usually can’t keep up.
How do I properly store a solar generator when not in use?
In most applications, such as when used as an emergency power generator, solar generators are only used a few times a year. Even when used in mountain huts, for example, where the generators run several hours a day for several days at a time, there are also long periods of time when the device is not used. In order not to damage the technology, dust-free and dry storage in a cool place is crucial. In order not to damage the battery, you should charge the device half full. Check every two to three months that the battery has not discharged and recharge it to about 50-60 percent if necessary. If you simply put the generator on the shelf when the battery is low, you risk deep-discharging the device and needing to be replaced. Use a dedicated battery charger to charge your solar generator to maximize its lifespan.
Can I use the solar generator as a reserve canister for the electric car?
In principle this is possible, but most solar generators fail. Because the charging cable would draw too much power that the generator can no longer handle. In addition, the generator would have to be of a certain size so that enough electricity flows into the electric car. But such batteries would be heavy and you would have to carry this weight around in the car all the time.
