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Solar panels charge your solar battery through a solar generator. However, it can charge other devices too. With increasing global warming and climate change, we must look to alternatives to fossil fuels to better help our planet. This includes portable solar power generation.
Solar generators release fewer greenhouse gasses than traditional ones, generating clean electricity. With increased solar demand, manufacturers in this industry are working towards efficient and reliable solar backup generators so traditional generators can be phased out of the market.
Solar Generator
A solar generator consists of an inverter, portable solar panels, a battery charger, and batteries packed in a single device. This allows you to store, distribute, and capture sunlight easily. Solar generators are mostly used for RVs, emergency backup power, camping trips, and boating.
A solar generator has four components:
Solar Inverter:
Converts electricity (DC) into usable electricity (AC).
Solar Charge Controller:
Monitors and manages the charge entering and exiting the battery.
Rechargeable Battery:
Stores energy.
Portable Solar Panels:
Convert sunlight into electricity.
To simplify things, a solar generator is a portable battery fitted with solar panels. A solar generator can be very useful if you suffer frequent power outages, are on the road, or are camping. Your situation can vary, and a solar generator with various outlets is preferable. This is useful in emergencies when you have many power-hungry devices.
Solar generators usually come with AC outlets, USB ports, and 12-volt sockets which are sufficient for charging many devices. You have many options to charge and in different ways too. You can charge your phone either by plugging its charger into the AC outlet or just charging it through a lead by connecting it to the USB port.
You can also buy components like solar panels and battery storage individually. Or if you want everything in one place, then an all-in-one kit will do the job. You should buy the required accessories to produce and store sufficient electricity.
The Working of Solar Generators
A simple way to understand the working of a solar battery generator is to know that it generates electricity from sunlight and stores it in a battery. The detailed process is listed below:
- Solar panels capture sunlight to generate DC electricity.
- This electricity then passes through a charge controller.
- A charge controller’s job is to regulate voltage, and it knows if the correct amount of current is going to the battery.
- All the solar energy is stored in the battery.
- When energy is needed, the inverter converts DC electricity to AC power.
The Benefits of Solar Generators
Solar generators are an ideal backup power choice since they don’t rely on fossil fuels to produce any kind of pollution but generate clean energy from renewables. They are really useful since they can be used in any situation or emergency. Some people who benefit from solar generators are:
Outdoor People:
Solar generators can help in a variety of situations. Like you can get continuous power access during a boating trip or camping through solar batteries. With backup power, you can also power up lights, charge your devices, run small kitchen appliances, and do many more things which were not possible in the past.
People That Hate Fuel Smell:
Traditional generators generate a lot of sound and smell, especially old ones. All of this is due to the burning of fossil fuels. The burning of fuel causes a bad smell, while the operation of the generator produces the sound. Even with the right maintenance, these generators do not become less smelly or noisier. Here, a solar power generator can solve everything since it doesn’t produce any of those things.
Eco-Friendly People:
People who want to do good for the planet and are actively lowering their carbon footprint might not approve of traditional generators. Instead, they can use solar generators that do not produce pollution and generate clean, safe energy.
Things To Look For When Shopping For A Solar Generator
You need to pick a solar generator that matches your needs. However, it’s very difficult to choose one since many generators of different shapes and sizes are on the market today. To avoid confusion, follow the shopping list created below to help yourself navigate the market. It helps to know what you are going to use your generator for. Check these things before you decide on a solar generator.
Warranty Coverage:
You should always examine everything the warranty covers. Reputable and reliable companies will often provide more perks in warranty. Some things you should look for in warranty are a long time coverage of warranty for your solar generators and providing replacement parts for any necessary repairs.
Benefits and Features:
The higher number of features in a solar generator, the more you’ll use it and enjoy the experience. An example is having more power outlets and USB ports in a solar generator. This allows you to charge many devices simultaneously. Also, look out for weight. A generator with a higher weight will be difficult to transport since batteries weigh a lot so look for solar generators that manage to keep the weight down.
Charging Time:
Monitor how much time a solar generator’s battery takes to reach full charge. Some generators will come equipped with a quick charge mode too. Noting charging times will help you know how much power you can pull from a generator in emergencies.
Electricity Capacity:
Watt hours measure a generator’s time to provide power to any device. You never know when you’ll get the next charge, so aim for a generator with high efficiency. You can enjoy any activity for a long time with backup power.
Energy Requirements:
In most cases, your solar generator’s size depends on your energy need. You’ll have to calculate the energy needs of every device to know how much total energy you’ll need from a solar generator.
Advantages Of Solar Generators
Smooth and Efficient Operation:
Unlike traditional solar generators, solar generators don’t need maintenance, fueling, starting, or oiling. They just need to be turned on and connected to your devices. Your devices will charge themselves.
Clean Energy:
Solar generators employ renewable solar energy. They don’t produce pollution or emit harmful gases compared to traditional generators, which run on fossil fuels and add greenhouse gases to the atmosphere accelerating global warming and climate change. Also, solar energy is free, unlike fossil fuels.
Reduced Maintenance:
Traditional generators have many moving parts, which, over time, are subject to wear and tear. This leads to high maintenance costs for repairing the parts or even for installing new ones. In solar generators, there are no moving parts, which reduces the need for repairs.
Portability:
Traditional gas-powered generators weigh a lot since they have many heavy moving parts and a storage tank for storing fuel. Solar generators, on the other hand, are lighter than most traditional generators and a better choice for outdoor activities and emergencies. A few will come with a luggage-like pull handle to increase portability.
The Drawbacks
Slower Energy Generation:
Solar generators can have difficulty generating instantaneous power because once they’re out of charge, you have to charge them and wait for them to power up. In the case of traditional generators, you just have to add more fuel for additional power.
Reduced Energy Storage:
Solar generators are mostly used for portability but not for times when power demands are too high. Solar generators can provide power to some devices during a power outage, but plugging in many devices could cause immediate power loss and faster charge loss.
Higher Upfront Cost:
The initial cost of buying a solar generator is higher than traditional generators. However, solar generators will save you more money once purchased than traditional generators because their operating costs are low.
Benefits of Traditional Generators
Electricity On-Demand:
Instant power is only possible with traditional generators since you can always add more fuel. On the other hand, solar generators require that you charge them once they are out of energy.
Familiar Technology:
They are the first kind of generators in the market. So, traditional generators are more well-known to people. This market dominance has hindered their growth since they haven’t improved much due to the absence of competition.
Portability:
You can find a variety of sizes for traditional generators. Smaller sizes are also available for traveling or camping. The only drawback to all this is that you also have to bring gasoline which makes solar generators more portable than them.
The Cons
Regular Maintenance:
Traditional generators have many moving parts that need to be taken care of. This involves paying extra cash for constant repairs, oiling, and cleaning. Plus, fuel sitting in the tank for a long time can go bad. You also need to replace that. In short, constant maintenance is pure hard work.
Loud:
The moving parts cause all the noise, as a traditional gas-powered generator is never silent. Small generators are especially noisy since their weight and size are prioritized over noise prevention.
Harmful Emissions:
You can expect a lot of pollution from traditional generators. Each gallon of gasoline can release 20.35 pounds of carbon dioxide. Emissions can reach 1-2 pounds of carbon dioxide per hour. Other toxic gases are sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide, and nitrous oxides.
Fuel Costs:
Fossil fuels are costly, especially since they’re rapidly depleting with every use, so the demand is high. With time, their price will only increase, so having traditional generators is not a good economical choice. Your distance to a fuel source or a gas station matters. The farther away you are, the more capital it will take to transport that fuel to you.
What You Should Do?
The demand for solar generators will only rise since people will move from fossil fuels to clean energy. There are some drawbacks to having solar generators, but none of them compare to the destruction that traditional generators cause. Solar generators can improve, but traditional generators have reached a standstill in technology. Therefore, a wise choice would be to invest in solar generators.
