Should your electricity fail, you can rely on a solar generator for backup power. To help you find the best solar generator for you and your home, we reviewed five of the best solar generators on the market. Whether you need a solar-backed generator for your home or camping, this guide will help you find the perfect match.
Solar-Powered Generators: Key Considerations
Before you shop for the top options, you need to first evaluate your needs alongside the generator specifications.
1. Your Electricity Needs
To compare power stations, you will first have to decide what you wish to power while you are off the grid. Powering a camper or running appliances requires far more power than recharging your phone and camera. List everything you plan on using and estimate the power consumption.
2. Capacity
When choosing a solar-powered generator, capacity is key. It’s generally better to buy a generator that has at least 40 amp-hours, or 500 watt-hours, which should provide enough power for most people for a weekend trip. For solar-powered generators, it’s best to buy one that has more capacity than you will need and a large solar panel so that it will recharge quickly.
3. Weight and Size
Most solar-powered generators use lithium-ion batteries, which are lightweight and relatively portable. While most of them are lighter, they can still weigh more than 10 pounds if you need lots of capacity. It might be worth opting for a smaller generator if you have a small car or camper and don’t want to carry around a heavy generator.
The Best Solar Backup Generators For Home Use
Once you determine the wattage and size you’ll need, take a look at the pros and cons of the top choices.
1. Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station
With a maximum capacity of 1,002 watt-hours, the Jackery Explorer 1000 is highly rated. However, it boasts a longer battery life and is cheaper and lighter than the Ecoflow Delta.
Pros
- For its capacity, this is a lightweight
- Considering the power it provides, it is reasonably priced
- Numerous charging options
Cons
- The build quality feels cheap to some
2. Goal Zero Yeti 1500X
The Goal Zero Yeti 1500X is great for camping enthusiasts who like to spend several days off the grid, charge lots of electronics, or need backup power for their campers or homes.
Pros
- Good capacity
- It has many optional add-ons to offer more flexibility
Cons
- At 45 pounds, it is heavy
- High-priced
3. EcoFlow Delta Portable Power Station
Among all solar-powered generators on this list, the EcoFlow Delta has more ports so that it can charge more things at once. In a pinch, it is capable of charging an electric vehicle due to its capacity of 1,260 watt hours and a maximum output of 1,800 watts.
Pros
- Fast-recharging from home outlets or solar panels
- 6 AC outlets
- Highest maximum output
Con
- Heavy
4. Maxoak Bluetti EB240 Portable Power Station
A beefcake generator is a great option if you need a high-capacity generator with fast solar charging time. In less than 10 hours, the EB240 can be fully charged via solar panels with a built-in MPPT (maximum power point tracker).
Pros
- Powerful storage
- Easily readable LCD
Con
- Slower wall chargers
5. Goal Zero Yeti 500X
For weekend camping trips, Goal Zero’s Yeti 500X is good for people with minimal charging requirements. A phone can be recharged 42 times, a laptop can be charged 10 times, and a portable fridge can be powered for 20 hours with it.
Pros
- Designed for use with Goal Zero panels
- The capacity is sufficient for most weekend camping needs
- 110-volt outlets with built-in inverter
Con
- Charging some devices from an AC outlet can be slow
