10 Best Solar Generators:
Definitive Review (Buyers Guide) 2024

Think about this for a moment…

What can be purer than the energizing rays of the sun?

Using these rays to generate safe and renewable power is one of the best eco-friendly choices you can make.

On top of that, there are the low maintenance costs and silent operation.

Having a “green” solar panel generator as a backup for your home or for camping trips is definitely the smart step to take.

But then you start to worry about what to look for when making the perfect choice.

The good news for you is, we’ve listed all the important points to consider when buying a solar generator, right here.

So, before you choose yours, here’s everything you need to know about them.

What Are The Different Types Of Solar Generators?

From an operational point of view, they can be classified into three types. Let’s take a look:

1. On-grid solar systems – This is a solar generating system that has no battery but is connected to the power grid of a country or a region. The panels generate DC current by making use of photovoltaic effect. This DC current is converted to AC through solar inverters and can be used in homes.
2. Off-grid solar systems – These units aren’t connected to the grid. So apart from the panels, it needs an inverter and a battery bank for storing the electricity. They’re good choices during emergencies or when you head off-grid. The best small portable battery generators are modified off-grid units.
3. Hybrid systems – These systems use a battery and a battery inverter while also being connected to the grid. So, they can store any excess energy generated. This is less costly than an off-grid system and can make use of any excess solar power without wastage.

Features To Look Out For

Here’s our list of the most important aspects:

• The first step is to decide your own power requirements. The low capacity generators ranging from 300 to 400-watt hours can be used for charging laptops or mobile phones. If you have a higher power requirement, choose a model that can deliver between 1400 to 1500-watt hours.
• Solar generators are often designed to suit specific activities. While some are for use in your home, others are more suited for outdoor activities liking camping or hiking. A degree of portability is essential for any model. However, models with a higher battery capacity are usually on the heavier side. Note, you’ll also need to carry the solar panels along with the generator.
• While a solar generator is designed to generate power from the sun, it’d be a good idea to have a backup system in place in case of bad weather. Many manufacturers provide additional options for recharging the batteries. This can include connecting with a car battery or plugging it into a wall socket.
• The solar panels needed to charge your generator are no less important. It’s best to choose a model that’ll allow enough flexibility to increase the number of panels in the future. If you buy panels with higher efficiency, the generator will charge faster. However, make sure not to overload it and stick to the specifications.

Product  & Specifications Explained

Manufacturers use specifications for solar generators which many of us may not be aware of.

Here are some of the important ones for your reference:

• Like oil generators, solar ones also have a ‘Continuous’ and a ‘Surge’ rating. The Continuous Rating is the amount of power in Watts the generator can supply steadily for long periods. The Surge or Maximum Rating is the power it can supply for brief intervals and that very much depends on the product. This excess power is often needed to cover the starting load for larger electrical items.
• Note that many solar generators are equipped with a pure sine wave inverter. AC current generates a continuous sine wave that’s characterized by a smooth and repetitive oscillation. A smooth and rounded sine wave signifies low harmonic distortions which help in preserving the life of sensitive electronic products.
• By now you may have noticed the battery capacity of any solar inverter generator is measured in Watt-hours (Wh). This is the product of the voltage of the battery and the current (in Amps) it produces in a given time. The current produced in hours is represented by Ah or mAh.

Things To Consider

When you buy a solar powered generator you’ll be looking for great long term performance. So it’s worth making notes on a few important aspects to consider when you make your buying decision.

To start with, you need to decide on the storage capacity of the battery. Keep in mind that while batteries are rated in amp-hours, the appliances are rated in watt-hours. So you need to convert – so as to rate the battery accurately.

Here’s an example:

A 12v 120amp/hr battery will be rated 2400w/hr. This is done by simply multiplying the amp/hr value with the volts.

Battery manufacturers recommend regularly using 2/3rd of a battery’s full capacity to preserve its life

Next, consider the solar panels you’ll use if the generator doesn’t have inbuilt panels. The capacity of the panel is measured by the number of watts it generates. Remember the panel will deliver full power only when the sun is at the peak and the rays fall directly on the panel surface.

Finally, check the quality of the components of your chosen generator. A solar power generator that’s able to withstand tough outdoor conditions and comes with a long warranty is a great place to start. High-quality metal casings ensure the unit will be sufficiently durable. If the product comes with wheels, make sure they’re built to last.

Jargon Buster

At times, technical terms can be daunting. Here’s a TopNotch guide to the jargon related to solar generators.

Power Capacity & Capability

The power storage capacity of a battery in a solar powered generator is measured in watt-hours (Wh). It’s the product of the battery voltage into the current – in amperes, it delivers in an hour. Since the voltage is fixed for most batteries, the ampere delivered per hour is most important. It’s designated by Ah or mAh (1000mAh = 1Ah).

On the other hand, the power capability (C) is the ampere-hour value divided by one hour. In the case of a 2Ah battery, the value of C is 2A. Note that a battery with a high value of C will allow you to draw more current from it without getting exhausted.

Solar Panels

The main function of a solar panel is to capture solar energy and convert it into electricity. These panels consist of multiple solar cells that use photovoltaic effect to convert light into current. You’ll find these panels can be monocrystalline solar or polycrystalline. While the former uses a solar cell made from single silicon crystals, the latter use cells made from multiple silicon particles fused together.

AGM Battery

The Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) battery is a special lead-acid battery that’s lightweight and highly efficient. The most important feature is the use of a fiberglass mat that absorbs the generated sulphuric acid, reducing the chances of spillage. This makes the battery suitable for use in places where there’s a restriction on hazardous materials. Apart from that, these batteries can deliver higher currents and they have a longer life.

Inverter

Basically, an inverter in a solar generator converts DC current into AC – most commonly used in household appliances. Most of the modern inverters use oscillator circuits to do this. Since AC current forms a sine wave, high-quality inverters also have filters that make the wave smoother and more round. This makes the current safe enough for sensitive electronic equipment.