If you are looking to buy a portable solar generator, you have come to the right place.
A good generator is supposed to have three output options:
- AC outlets
- 12V DC outlets
- USB ports
Deciding to buy a portable solar generator is a decent undertaking.
Unfortunately, choosing the right solar generator for a home is not easy. As a result, some generators are not readily available in all stores. This means you may have to spend a lot of time searching through the internet to find the right one.
Here is where we came in.
We have a well-researched article guide to help you save your time and money. We help you to know the work of a solar generator. Read our top complete explanation on how solar generators work here.
Table of Contents
What is A Solar Generator?
A solar generator is a device that uses energy from the sun. However, people who use the term often talk about portable solar setups customized with a battery system attached to them.
The solar power system is used to supply the power to other machines or powered grids. The energy from the sun is stored in the portable battery pack to be used later on.
How Does A Solar Generator Work?
A portable solar power generator consists of some main parts: BMS(Battery Management System) , battery,charge controller and inverter.
Any of the solar generators have a main component, as we discussed below:
BMS
Battery management system undertakes voltage control, temperature control and more advanced safety operations, ensuring complete protection for you and your devices; and it hazes Zero emissions, therefore does no harm to personal health, nor to the nature.
Most of the battery management systems are controlled by an APP and you can see the status through a display screen.
Battery
The lithium-ion battery is the most commonly used in the solar generator, which is light weighted and works in high efficiency and less conversion loss.
The chemical energy is converted to electrical energy when needed. It helps the solar generator to continue running when the grid power off.
Charge Controller
The charge controller helps to modify the current when charging or recharging the solar generator. The main function for the charge controller is to protect and promote the durability of the generator battery.
It has a different characteristic for charging and discharging depending on the type of battery you are using.
It is used to prevent the battery from over-charging or over discharging. And also equipped with industrial-grade STM 8 microprocessor to control the charger and discharge process and it has reliable battery to charge and discharge period management
There are 2 different type of charge controllers that are widely used in solar power system. One is PWM solar charge controller, another is MPPT charge controller.
MPPT charge controller has the higher charging effiency than that PWM charge controller since with a PWM solar controller, the current is drawn out of the solar panel at just above voltage battery.
But with a MPPT solar controller, the current is drawn out of the maximum power voltage of the solar panel automatically.
Inverter
The inverter’s function is to convert low voltage(DC) from the battery into the high voltage(AC), which can be used in your home. The DC output can bypass through the inverter because electricity does not need to be converted. The solar panel makes possible the elimination, and it needs AC for long-distance transmission.
Step by Step Working of a Solar Generator
- When the solar panel is connected to the battery through the charger controller, and the sun is exposed to sunlight. Therefore, it starts generating DC power to flow through the charge controller.
- Incoming voltage is DC voltage, which the charging controller passes through the power battery. It will convert DC power to more constant power when your battery is full. If the battery is fully charged, it will automatically stop.
- The charger controller’s current will create a chemical reaction inside the battery where it stores the energy. Thus is converted to the potential chemical energy and comes back to electrical energy.
- Portable solar generator is rated for DC voltage and connected to the battery. It supports only AC input and power convert to the invert.
- The AC is used to support the laptop’s appliance and an inverter that modifies DC votage then converted to the 110V-120V or 220V-230V.
Portable Solar Generator Pros and Cons
There are many advantages you should consider for a solar generator compared to a fossil fuel generator. The main reason we write them below.
Pros
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Silent Operation and Low Maintenance
The good thing with solar generators emits no noise at all. The cooling fan turns on during operation, but even it is quieter compared to a diesel generator.
It does not have a moving part that is why breaking its parts is lower. Therefore, it reduces the cost of maintenance as compared to the gas generator.
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Free Fuel From the Sun
The use of a gas-powered generator will require you to buy fuel for you to start using. However, with a solar generator, no cost of fuel is needed. You will only set up your solar and enjoy free sunlight.
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Wide Range of The Size
A solar generator is available in a wide range of sizes to choose from. This allows you either to go for a , backpacking, hiking and camping with it. And it is a helpful device in an emergency.
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Safe to Operate Indoors
Has no fume, unlike a fossil-fuel-powered generator that releases carbon monoxides. The solar generator does not release any of the fumes; that is why it is a safe option to use indoors.
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Lightweighted
The weight of the portable solar generator is cut out because the portable power station has an only battery. That is why the solar power generator is lightweighted and weighs less than 25 pounds. The manufacturers also understand the need to use it for people and created a portable design for all people.
Cons
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Price
Solar generators tend to be in more expensive categories. When you look for the investment the solar is much higher compared to fuel. However, the solar power generator’s maintenance cost and running cost are lower than a fuel-powered generator.
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Slow Charging
A portable solar power generator battery is only recharged when the sun is out. The charging option is generally slow and can take you more than 8 hours of 100 watts.
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Temperature Sensitivity
When you are using it in a very hot climate, you need to make sure the power station is kept cooler while positioning solar at the maximum sunlight exposure.
How Do You Charge a Portable Solar Generator?
There are three typical ways you can use to charge your portable solar power generator, namely:
Solar charging
This is the first way to charge the solar generator through the energy of sunlight.
It would be best to plug the solar panel output into the solar power station’s relevant inlet with charging commences. It has an indicator light with the normal springing of life.
Through the AC Wall Outlet
The solar generator can be charged through the alternative current (AC) of wall outlets. Because of the portable device, it normally comes with a portable charger kit.
Car Charging
It has 12 volts cigarette lighter port, which is normal for the portable solar generator.
Let us check the practical aspects to check whether the particular portable solar generator is used while you are charging.
What Should You Consider When Choosing a Portable Power Station?
Here I am sharing with you some important factors to consider when buying a portable power station.
Design and Weight
A portable generator should be your first thing to look for. It would help if you had solar that is easy to carry along. We highly recommend the weight range of 10 to 200 pounds, that will depend on the capacity. The battery of the generator contains the major weight of the solar generator.
The latest solar generator features a lithium-ion battery, which makes them lightweighted. Therefore, you need to look for a balance between lightweight and high power.
Battery Capacity
The capacity is an important thing to look at when choosing any solar energy. If you invest big in the portable solar power generator, you better consider the huge capacity.
The battery is supposed to be efficient so that it does not deplete when you store energy. It would be best if you considered the battery uses DC voltage with a portable solar panel.
Anyway, with the limitation of current technology, the higher battery capacity often requires bigger batteries.
Charge Controller
This is a crucial factor to look for the solar panel.
It acts as the voltage regulator, and it also controls the current going from the solar panel. It helps to cut the connection of the solar and battery when it is fully charged. Therefore, protect the battery from overcharging or over discharging.
Durability
Another important aspect to look for in the portable power station is durability. It would help if you made sure the surface you put your battery on is clean and sturdy. If you want your portable power station to last longer, do not put it in a wet or uneven place.
You need to consider about the capacity of your battery, which results in durability.
Conclusion
If you stay in a location with no power, you need to consider a cost-effective portable solar generator.
And in this guide, we shared with you various advantages of solar power genetator compared to fossil fuel-powered. And how does a solar power generator work.
Now it turns to you:
Do you know how to build a solar generator?
Are you looking for the best portable solar generator for 2020?
Let me know in the comment below, and I will be happy to answer you soon.