Solar Generators 101: A Guide To Portable Solar Power

Harnessing energy wherever you go may have sounded impossible decades ago. But throughout the years, technology has achieved countless milestones by obtaining one advancement after another. Take the energy industry, for example. At some point, it’s only a matter of time until experts start drawing energy from several sources.

Besides fossil fuels, there are other options for households, and renewable energy is the best example. Renewable energy is energy obtained from non-depleting natural sources. Given how quickly they replenish, many prefer them over traditional energy sources. Today, experts use various technologies to convert water, wind, and sunlight into energy.

If you’re investing in solar energy to power your house, finding the best solar generator for off-grid living might be challenging. After all, running complex processes often entails an overly complicated layout for them to work. But this article will help you make this undertaking hassle-free. 

How Do Solar Generators Work?

Solar generators have four components for them to work: a solar panel, a solar battery, a charge controller, and an inverter. The solar panel is a common denominator when harnessing solar energy. After all, photovoltaic (PV) technology is designed solely for absorbing sunlight and converting it into electrical energy.

Once the solar panels have converted energy, it’s stored in the solar battery. But before that happens, the charge controller serves as a regulator to ensure the transferred energy has the correct voltage and avoids overcharging the battery. After ensuring it’s within manageable amounts, the sunlight absorbed by the solar panel can be used for a later purpose, thanks to the solar battery.

With the energy stored, it’s almost impossible to use it for external purposes, considering the output collected by the solar panels is direct current (DC). Since commercial appliances typically use alternating current (AC), inverters work to convert the current into the right one. Now, you can use solar energy for any electrical device.

How To Choose Solar Generators

With many sizes and shapes available, looking for the right solar generator might be challenging. Regardless, each one is catered to fulfilling whatever your preferences are. But to make your search easier, here are some qualities you must look for:

• Durability

It’s rare for travelers to be seen without a portable solar generator in their bags, especially those backpacking off-grid. Because compared to wind or hydroelectric energy, solar energy is much more stable when it comes to energy flow. However, considering you’re bringing it on your travels, ensure that the solar generator you’ve picked can withstand any environmental condition. Choose one that features full-frame steel or high-strength plastic to protect its interior.

Aside from external forces, durability also applies to how long your solar generator will last. Since it’s the storage, your solar battery eventually wears out the more it’s used. However, that doesn’t mean it should only last for a few months before its capacity grows smaller and smaller. Various battery types are available for this purpose. Ideally, it’s best to pick lithium-ion batteries since they have a longer lifespan that could last around ten years.  

• Energy Capacity

Your energy capacity of choice indicates how often you use your solar generator. With this in mind, the more frequently you intend to use your solar generator, the bigger the energy capacity you will need. However, you’ll be sacrificing its mobility, considering how units are bigger when they possess large energy capacities.

Those who want to use their solar generators as an emergency backup in the house must calculate the wattage each appliance consumes. Once you have the numbers, multiply them based on how long you’ll use them. Do it for every household electronic device or appliance and get the total watt-hours. Ensure that the generator’s energy capacity balances out with the power output. Otherwise, it might take a while to run a single appliance.  

But if it’s for outdoors, your portable solar generator must have enough battery capacity to last a few days. After all, with you staying outdoors, you’ll probably need it to charge your gadgets. Although, that changes when you’re going on a family trip. Either way, you must conserve your energy sufficiently.

• Security

Although examining the product itself is crucial, see if the solar generator manufacturer has a good enough reputation to be well-known in the market. After all, the more reputable the name, the more benefits its products might have. Check if they offer excellent warranties on their solar generators, from repair coverage to long expiration periods.

How To Care For Solar Generators

Although they’re meant to be durable, solar generators must be handled carefully. Avoid moving them too much. Otherwise, you might damage their sensitive interior parts; the same goes for high water pressure. Clean their solar panels diligently to ensure they absorb as much sunlight as possible.

Takeaway

All kinds of energy sources are available everywhere. However, without the right equipment, they’re left underutilized. Solar energy is the most common source besides fossil fuels because it replenishes itself faster than it is consumed. And using a solar generator makes it possible to store solar energy for later use.