Going off the grid and retaining all the comforts of home has never been easier. Everyone has heard of fuel generators, but for years solar generators have been out of many homesteaders’ price ranges, thought to only be for the wealthy. With the push toward green energy becoming more prevalent, many companies have taken the opportunity to provide solar generators to the general public at an affordable rate.
The importance of moving away from fossil fuels can’t be understated, and as we near the turning point for both our planet and electric grid, many models of sun-charged generators can be found with the click of a button. But what does operating these generators entail, and just what can they be used for? We have a few models to discuss, in which we’ll break down their features, output, and battery storage, before giving you a general idea of what they’d be perfect for.
Keep in mind that these generators typically don’t come with solar panels included, so budget accordingly!
Goal Zero yeti 500x
$700
A lightweight, versatile option perfect for weekends away or necessity-only use, the Yeti 500X is a clear winner in affordability with functionality. Weighing only 13 pounds, this little beast packs 500 watt-hours into an easy-to-use generator, featuring a built-in inverter and a plethora of charging ports for your every need. With four USB ports, a six-millimeter, and two 120-watt inverters, all backed by a two-year warranty, run your minifridge, CPAP, or laptop with peace of mind.
Bluetti ac200p portable power station
$1,500
For this steep price increase, the Bluetti 2,000 watt-hour power station is a substantially larger investment, but one that sells itself. Weighing around 60 pounds, this generator can power 17 devices simultaneously, including a 70-watt minifridge for 20 hours, a 40-watt CPAP for up to 40 hours, or even a 5,000 BTU air conditioning unit for four hours! Charging in just under two and a half hours with two Bluetti solar panels, the AC200P is a heavy investment but one packed with features to power your devices.
Wagan solar e-power cube 1500 plus
$1,500
Our only generator with built-in solar panels, the Wagan 1500 Plus has an excellent 1500 watts of continuous power output and 3600 watts of peak surge power. Thankfully, with its weight at a heavy 125 pounds, this generator comes ready in its own rolling case right out of the box. Six ports (2 AC, 2 DC, and 2 USB) give the Wagan the ability to power nearly any device from its hybrid AGM and gel battery.
Jackery explorer 1500
$1,700
Pumping out 1,800 watts at 1,534 watt-hours, this heavy-duty portable solar generator charges in only four hours with four SolarSaga 100 panels. Jackery’s Explorer model weighs about 36 pounds and can power seven devices simultaneously, even including a DC car-port! Ultra-quiet and fume-free, this generator is protected by layers of technology to ensure optimal function.
EF Ecoflow delta Pro
$3,600
The last heavy-lifter on our list, the Ecoflow Delta Pro is the perfect whole-home backup solar generator. Putting out an unparalleled 3600 watts, the Delta Pro takes only three hours to reach a full charge from empty, from an EV charging station, or well-placed solar panels. With eleven output sockets on the front of the unit and the ability to add extra battery storage, the Delta Pro has won several awards for Ecoflow, and for excellent reason!
These generators are the future of portable power, and with some careful planning, any one of these can change your camping and home-backup plans!