Best Solar Generators For Off-Grid Living

Introduction

Nowadays, a solar generator is an essential thing, if you follow off-grid living. Its power and durability will help you a lot. It comes with so many features, and it gives you the confidence that it will withstand even the worst weather. So always choose the best solar generator for off-grid living.

You should be prepared for anything that the outdoors may throw at you while venturing into the wild. With a good solar generator, you might consider yourself self-sufficient for off-grid adventures.

These generators are portable, quiet, hygienic, and beneficial to the environment. The best aspect is that your gadget will always have power because it is solar rechargeable, meaning it can run on sunshine.

What is a solar generator?

A solar generator is a device that creates electricity from solar power. It is made of solar panels that accumulate sun rays and turn that energy into electricity before storing the electricity in a battery system.

Why do you need a solar generator for your off-grid living or camping?

If you follow the off-grid living, you must have a solar generator. For starters, you get free and easy energy. After the installation process is complete, you won’t need to do much else or even pay for anything else.

Besides, the sun is everywhere, so as long as it shines, you will always have energy. You won’t need to fill any tanks or burn fossil fuel; it is the easiest energy ever! You will love it.

The fact that everything is automatic after the installation process makes solar generators quite sufficient. Since you will never have to refuel, you can agree that running a solar generator is quite inexpensive. The fact that you don’t have any maintenance costs such as repairs, makes it quite the affordable choice.

Something else you will enjoy when dealing with solar energy is the portability of solar generators. When you compare the weight of a solar generator to that of a gas-powered one, you will realize that solar generators are lighter.

They are designed to be easily portable to promote efficiency, especially for people who are going camping or those who are constantly engaging in outdoor activities.

Solar generators are quite easy to use and they offer an all-in-1 solution to all solar energy users. All you need is to plug your solar panels into your generator and then put the panels in the sun to collect those sun rays.

How to choose the best solar generator for an off-grid living?

Do you fully comprehend what off-grid living means? Well, it signifies something different for different people. Essentially, however, it means fully severing any connection between your home and all your machines from the national power grid. In place of electricity, you will start using solar energy for all your power needs.

As such, before purchasing the best solar generator for off-grid living, you have to carefully consider 3 basic factors. These include backup capacity, battery type, inverter, power output, and price.

1. Backup Capacity

You need to choose a generator with a high backup capacity so that it can effectively and efficiently support all your power needs. You should only consider generators with the capacity to support a full-size refrigerator, all your electronics, lights, and a swamp cooler, which will be essential during summer.

However, you must assess your power requirements, as they fluctuate from one individual to the next. If you run a big home and have many appliances, then you need to choose a generator that’s even more powerful. Essentially, the best solar generator for off-grid living must have a backup capacity of at least 5kWh for efficient off-grid living.

If you already purchased your generator without considering this aspect, and now you feel like you are in a jam with all the inconvenience, you have the option to expand your battery backup. Yes, that’s right. You can purchase external batteries to boost the overall capacity of your generator.

A few good options on the market include:

• BLUETTI AC300, WHICH HAS A DETABLE battery of 3,072Wh and you can expand it to 12,288Wh

• Eco Flow’s Delta Max with an internal Li-ion NMC battery of 2,016Wh, and you can expand that to 6,048Wh

• Delta Pro by Eco Flow has an inbuilt LFP Battery of 3600Wh and you can expand its capacity to 10,800Wh

• AC200Max by Buletti whose inbuilt LFB Battery has a capacity of 2,048Wh and is expandable to 8,192Wh

• YETI 6000x by Goal Zero comes with a Li-ion NMC Battery with a capacity of 6,071Wh

• EP500 Pro by Buletti has an inbuilt capacity of 5,100Wh

2. Battery Type

When you start dealing with solar power you will realize that manufacturers always ensure to use Lithium-ion batteries in all their products. There are two main types of batteries: lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries. The latter is preferred because it’s better than the former in almost all aspects.

Consider the longevity, battery capacity, safety, and even affordability of Lithium-ion batteries; much better than lead acid batteries. If you want to make a long-term investment in solar generators, you know Lithium-batteries arise the way to go. Even for short-term investments, you will never go wrong with a Li-ion battery.

3. Inverter

Your battery will produce DC (Direct Current) energy; your devices need AC (Alternating Current) to function. As such, you need an inverter to change the power from DC to AC so that you can power and run your devices.

Only a few appliances out there operate on DC energy. If you have such devices, you won’t need an inverter, but it is very rare to find electronics that work with DC. Since most devices consume AC, you will need an inverter.

Choose a model with a certified clean sine inverter that also provides high efficiency. You will enjoy cleaner power, suitable for your home and the generator will use very little battery for that.

4. Power Output

When considering the best solar generator for off-grid living, ensure that its power output is proportional to your energy needs. As such, you must assess the generator you need to buy in terms of size. The higher your power requirements, the bigger your generator should be. Be careful not to go home with a generator with a lower power output than what your devices consume.

5. Price

When making any purchase, you have to consider the price of the product to ensure that you maintain the purchase within your budget without having to sacrifice quality. With solar generators, you will always find good-quality ones at reasonable prices. Before settling for one, always incorporate installation charges in your overall price calculations.

15 The Best Solar Generator For Off-Grid Living

1. Bluetti AC200P

Among the top best and most powerful solar generators is the BLUETTI portable power station. When you purchase this generator, you need not worry about powering your off-grid home, campsite, or any devices at all. It has the battery capacity to supply as much electricity as you need.

Pros

• With a 2000Wh battery capacity, the Bluetti AC200P is a powerful monster and can power over 99% of all devices you have in your home. As such, it gives you confidence in the event of an emergency.
• Fast charging batteries-charging each full recharge in 2.5 hours
• A total of 17 power outlets including 6 AC ports, normal USB-A/Type-C/Car ports, and 2 wireless charging pads. You can also use the available 12V/25A DC port to power your DIY projects
• Efficient and secure: over-charge, over-temperature, over-current protection, and an efficiency of up to 23.4%
• Long-lasting and Portable: Comes with a zippered pouch to store and protect your cable, a water-resistant junction box, and a durable, splash-proof, and scratch-resistant ETFE laminate
• Perfect for outdoor adventures
• Two-year warranty

Cons

• You have to purchase the solar panels separately
• It is quite heavy

2. OKMO Solar Generator

Are you looking to start a long-term off-grid life? Well, this is the generator you want to invest in. It is built for long-term service. The Okmo generator battery can serve you for over a decade with an average of 500 to 3,500 charging cycles.

OKMO takes on Vehicle-Grade NMC batteries as well as the BMS battery management system, which assures customers of the safety and efficiency of the product. With this amount of energy, you can power a full-size fridge for over a day. If you have installed air conditioning, this is enough energy to run it for several hours.

This generator is majorly impressive! If you are on an off-grid living lifestyle, and only have normal electronic requirements, the OKMO solar generator will serve you very well, and for a very long time.

Pros

• Huge storage capacity
• Wattage: 1000 Watts
• Compact and portable
• Durable
• Huge battery capacity
• Powerful output

Cons

• You only get 3 output ports
• Expensive

3. Jackery Solar Explorer 1000

The Jackery Solar Explorer 1000 generator is among the top most popular solar generators. It is especially popular for its portability; it is small and lightweight. Most people who go for this generator get to appreciate its compact size.

The Jackery Solar Explore 1000 is quite reliable and will serve you sufficient power in a home with a TV, fried, stove, and heater. Impressive, right? It gets better because you can use it in your off-grid home, while camping, and even in an RV.

If you are looking for a powerful, but compact generator that you can easily move around, it is perfect. It also comes with solar panels, so it saves you the need to buy extra ones.

Pros

• You get the generator together with 2 solar panels with this purchase
• The generator is quite compact, making it very portable and convenient
• It has several power outlets, which gives you the much-needed flexibility
• You get an LCD screen whose display shows you the live charging status and battery level
• The generator is extremely quiet, which means that you won’t notice that it’s even there

Cons

• Inadequate charging power
• Unusual power measurement

4. Hysolis 3000W Portable Power Station

The Hysolis 3000W is the best solar generator for off-grid living, because this solar generator is quite powerful, with 4,500-watt hours of Lithium-ion battery capacity. It is also expandable, making it adequate to charge all your electric devices for days.

The advantages just keep going with this specific generator model. It has a great user interface, which is also quite easy to use, and because you have access to so many output ports, you can plug in multiple electronic devices simultaneously.

You can easily get power with the touch of its ready-to-use button. The generator gives you uninterrupted power in that it aids auto transfer between the batteries and utility energy.

Pros

• Fast charging batteries
• Excessive storage space
• This generator model is simple, durable, and effective
• You have access to many ports
• Expandable battery capacity

Cons

• It’s quite heavy considering its size

5. LEOCH Solar Generator

The LEOCH power station is a great option for off-grid living and outdoor adventures. You can always count on it to give you a sufficient electricity supply. Its battery capacity is also very reliable and is compatible with most household devices including hot showers, hot water kettles, and even stoves.

The LEOCH power station for an off-grid living has a built-in battery with a capacity of 18,620mAh, and its output capacity is 2000 watts. Due to the high wattage, y can easily use this generator with heavy-duty electrical appliances including microwaves, refrigerators, hair dryers, and even electric cars.

With this generator, you can operate 13 different appliances simultaneously as it offers many output connections. It uses a LiFePO4 battery, which has over 3000 charge cycles.

LiFePO4 batteries are chemically compatible with the design of the controller temperature, which makes them highly safe for use both inside your home and for outdoor adventures. These batteries also have a very long lifespan and could last you for over a decade.

Pros

• It’s durable
• Has a built-in battery capacity of 18,620mAh
• Its output capacity is 2000 Watts
• Has many outlet ports
• It is quite easy to connect it to the solar panels

Cons

• It is quite expensive

6. GOLABS Solar Generator

You could never go wrong with this portable power station. It has quite a reliable battery capacity and is compatible with most household devices including hot showers, hot water kettles, and even stoves.

The Golabs R300 portable solar generator for an off-grid living has a built-in battery with a capacity of 93,437mAh, and its output capacity is 300 watts. Its battery capacity can charge your laptop up to 5 times before you have to recharge it again.

It uses a LiFePO4 battery, which is chemically compatible with the design of the controller temperature. As such, they are highly safe for use within the home and even outside. With approximately 2000 charge cycles, these batteries have a very long lifespan and could last you up to a decade.

Pros

• It’s durable
• It is quite affordable
• Has a built-in battery capacity of 93,437mAh
• Its output capacity is 300 Watts
• Compact and portable
• Has many outlet ports
• It is quite easy to connect it to the solar panels

Cons

• Very low output wattage

7. Rocksolar Portable Power Station 400W Nomad RS650

This generator is quite efficient and suitable when serving as a power source for small electronic devices. It is also compatible with a few different solar panels.

If you choose to buy the foldable panel, you could have an added advantage as you would be able to collect solar energy and recharge the batteries of your power station efficiently. If you are on the move, the Rocksolar Portable Power Station 400W Nomad RS650 is quite an excellent option to charge your devices.

You can have your batteries fully charged within 8 hours, with a total of 400 Watts. The best part of this power station is the fact that the solar panels fold up to give you an easy time while in transit. If you are planning an adventure, this would be the perfect power station to carry with you, and you would be sure to stay connected throughout your time in the great outdoors.

Pros

• Compact, lightweight, and portable
• Multiple ports available
• Fast charging system
• It comes with solar panels that are also foldable for easy transportation

Cons

• No master power off

8. MAXOAX Solar Generator

The MAXOAKE B150 is a portable solar generator for RV that has a battery capacity of 1500Wh. It is a popular generator that’s mainly known for its compact and silent nature as well as its ability to power devices that require higher energy levels to operate. It powers electric drills, blenders, and hair dryers, among other home appliances.

When connecting your devices, always ensure that their battery capacity doesn’t exceed 1000W. Once your generator’s batteries are fully charged, the 1500Wh will last you a long time without having to charge it over and over again.

It is the best solar generator for off-grid living on the market. Besides solar panels, you can power this generator using your car’s battery or any powerful source of AC. As such it is quite convenient, especially if you need to charge it while on the move.

It has a great panel display compared to others within its class. You can easily and swiftly use it to charge your devices simultaneously, which promotes efficiency.

Pros

• It has multiple ports for charging your devices
• 1000 Watts output capacity
• It is compact and portable
• It is extremely powerful
• The built-in battery capacity of 101351mAh
• Quiet and faster charging
• Has the capacity to power a wide range of electrical appliances

Cons

• Not as reliable as others on the market in the long run

9. Eco Flow’s Delta Pro

This solar generator is especially popular for its expandable battery capacity and fast-charging ability. With a PV input capacity of 1000Watt, however, it charges quite slowly compared to its competitors.

Compared to others in its class, the Delta Pro Eco Flow has the highest backup capacity, and you can still expand its battery if you need to. Its battery has a capacity of 3600Wh, but you can expand that two more times to give you 10,800 Wh.

Pros

• High battery capacity
• Expandable batteries
• With an AC input port of 3kW, it is among the fastest charging solar generators
• It has a total of 14 output ports, which means you can operate up to 14 different devices simultaneously
• It is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled

Cons

•  It is quite heavy

10. Flashfish Portable Power Station

When purchasing a generator, or electronics in general, it is always advisable to go for a trusted brand. The Flatfish generator is one of the most popular brands of solar generators on the market, which makes it a great option.

This generator has a 60,000mAh battery capacity and an output of 3000 Watts. Given these specs, you are sure that this is a powerful and highly reliable generator. It is also made from high-quality material, which makes it highly durable and suitable for the outdoors.

You can always take this generator with you on all your outdoor adventures. It is quite compact and portable and can reach full charge in 6 to 7 hours.

Pros

• Built-in battery with a capacity of 60,000mAh
• The Exterior is designed for the great outdoors, so it is very durable
• Has a pocket-friendly budget
• Compact, lightweight, and portable
• It is a fast-charging generator
• It offers a wide range of charging ports

Cons

• If you are planning a long trip the battery capacity could be too low to sustain all your needs
• You cannot extend its backup capacity

11. Lipower Portable Power Station

The Lipower solar generator is a great option when considering efficiency in the off-grid lifestyle. With it, you will have access to sufficient energy and efficiently power all your household appliances. It is popular for its transparent display that allows you to check energy consumption and improves its ease of use.

The generator, which weighs 12 kg, is quite compact and portable. The generator will reach at least 80% battery charge after collecting light for 11 hours. You never have to worry about overcharging or short-circuiting with this generator as it is protected from such accidents. Besides, it supports temperatures ranging between -4F and 104F, which is a wide range, making the generator quite adaptable.

Pros

• Multifunctional ports
• The generator comes with solar panels
• It is light, compact, and easily portable
• Wattage: 1000W

Cons

• It is a bit on the pricier side
• Does not support wireless charging

12. Goal Zero Yeti 3000X

This generator qualifies to be on this list mainly because of its high conversion rate. It is extremely important to have a generator with a high conversion rate when you decide to join the off-grid living lifestyle. It is essential to ensure that you always have enough power supply to charge your electronics and meet all your energy needs effectively.

The YETI 3000x is durable and long-lasting. It has built-in wheels to support easy transportation and promote mobility. It comes with many charging ports, to give you much-needed flexibility and efficiency when charging your electric devices.

As the name suggests, this generator can generate up to 3000 Watts of electricity, which is sufficient to charge up to 10 devices at the same time.

Pros

• Extremely durable
• Weather resistant
• Suitable to provide power to a wide variety of home appliances
• It has an outstanding panel that’s also light photovoltaic
• Since it is free, it will effectively help you lower your monthly electricity bills
• The wheels are great for mobility

Cons

• It is quite costly

13. Anker Portable Generator

Anker Portable Generator is extremely popular for its compact size, lightweight, and mobility. It is amongst the most powerful generators on the market. It is a great backup option for your off-grid cabin or home. Due to its compact size and weight, it is quite portable, which makes it convenient.

It has a 770 Watt power output, which means that it will demonstrate fast charging to your electronics. The power station can also attain full charge within 4.9 hours, which is quite impressive.

Pros

• The simple and rapid charging process
• A light, compact, and portable generator
• It is quite powerful for its size
• Fast-charging mechanism

Cons

• Does not support wireless charging
• It is very expensive

14. Rockpals Portable Power Station 500W

The Rockpals portable generator is ideal for camping. If you are an outdoors fanatic in need of a compact, portable, yet strong solar generator for an RV, this could be the perfect option for you. It will give you an ample supply of electricity throughout your outdoor adventure.

Although it would be much better if this unit came with solar panels, you can appreciate its affordability. You will realize that even after adding the price of solar panels, it still maintains one of the best prices on the market.

Pros

• Robust and reliable
• Compact and portable
• You can use pass-through ports for charging
• Fast charging mechanism: it has an incorporated MPPT to aid in the battery’s accelerated charging process
• Multiple integrated capacities
• Quite affordable

Cons

• It doesn’t have a master power-off button
• You have to purchase solar panels separately

15. Westinghouse iGen600s

If you are looking for a pocket-friendly generator, this could just be the one for you. It can handle charging up to 8 devices simultaneously and can run for hours before the stored power gets depleted. It also has an LED display to show you the level of charge, wattage, and battery percentage.

Pros

• Many output ports charge at least 8 devices simultaneously
• The generator has a capacity of 596Wh, which means it will charge your appliances for hours on end without getting depleted
• Compact and Portable
• Quite affordable
• Has an LED display

Cons

• Does not support wireless charging

Conclusion

Solar generators for an off-grid living are becoming increasingly popular as more people seek ways to cut off electricity bills and live in a more environmentally friendly manner.

While the price tag varies per generator, you will always find one that’s suitable for your needs and that’s also within your budget.

For some people, it is still a debate about solar generators being more expensive compared to traditional ones, but in the long run, the benefits of a solar generator create value for money. Besides, it’s a one-off budget; you won’t need to set aside a maintenance budget.

Solar generators are easily lovable due to their quiet nature, environmental friendliness, and their versatility. Besides, unlike traditional generators, they come in really handy in the face of adversity.

So, yes. GO ahead and invest in the best solar generator for an off-grid living you have been contemplating purchasing.

FAQs

Q. How long is the lifespan for solar generators for off-grid living?

Ans. If the battery system of your solar generator is still effectively functional, you can still enjoy its services. On average, however, you can expect your generator batteries to last at least 10 years, but when you assess lifespan in terms of the solar panels, you are likely to enjoy service that lasts anywhere between 25 and 30 years.

Q. Should you invest in an off-grid solar generator?

Ans. Yes, if you want to join the off-grid lifestyle. However, you can still invest in one if you are an outdoors fanatic and are constantly on the move or on camping and hike trips. An off-grid generator will always be useful no matter how you look at it.

Q. Name a few uses of a solar generator

Ans. The main use of a solar generator is to provide electricity. You can use its power for your off-grid home, car camping, or transformation. If you are living in an RV you can get a solar generator for an RV. These are just a few places you can use your solar generator; it is quite diverse in its use and will come in handy in a lot of situations.

Q. How does your solar generator work in an off-grid setting?

Ans. The first step is to set up your solar panels and connect them to your generator. The panels will then collect energy from sun rays and use it to charge the batteries in your solar generator. For any electric appliance to work, you will have to plug it directly into an inverter, which is directly connected to your generator. The inverter works to convert DC energy produced by the generator into AC energy, which is what most appliances use.

Q. How long can I expect my solar panels to take before charging my generator to full capacity?

Ans. Well, that depends on the number of panels you have and the capacity of your solar generator. The larger your battery capacity the longer it will take, but by increasing the number of panels, you can reduce the total amount of time it takes for your batteries to be charged to full capacity.

Q. Why choose solar generators for electricity?

Ans. Although solar generators are not the best source of electricity, they have a few unbeaten advantages. With solar, you get clean and renewable energy, which means you don’t have to endure smelly fumes. It is also quite cheap to run and maintain a solar generator as compared to any other source of energy. You will also appreciate the quiet, which is not the case with a gas generator.

Q. Can people live off the power generated from solar?

Ans. Yes, it is possible to get off the grid and live off of solar energy. You just have to ensure that you have enough solar panels to generate enough power to cater to your electricity needs. Secondly, you must ensure to set up an off-grid system that caters to your power requirements even on rainy and cloudy days. Finally, if you are choosing to invest in solar energy, ensure to purchase a good quality generator that effectively caters to all your renewable energy requirements. All you need is proper planning and execution.

Q. Is the investment in solar generators worth it?

Ans. Yes. Currently, the solar power industry is becoming increasingly popular as people seek new ways to become more self-sufficient and maintain a life off-grid. As much as solar generators are pricier than traditional generators, they are worth the investment because they are more efficient in comparison, and cheaper to maintain even in the long run.

Besides, you get to enjoy clean, quiet, and environmentally friendly energy. People who are on the grid can still use solar energy when the grid fails.