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I'm wanting to buy a solar generator but really don't understand the jargon associated with them.
- I'm can spend a maximum of up to $4,000. It needs to suitable as an alternative power supply if the power goes out for a minimum of about a week or two.
- Each day, I'd like to be able to run a small fridge, and for a few hours each day: portable air conditioner, lights.
- For a coule hours, each week a washing machine. I have gas for hot water.
- also to be able to charge my phone and laptop.
Please, if you reply, can you explain what it is you are saying, as something like: "SR Portables Minotaur 1395wh 116ah portable lithium solar generator" means nothing to me, it may as well be a foreign language. Does the lithium refer to the battery??
- Do the generators usually come with the solar panels??
- I'm in a rental and so some panels could go on the garden shed. Is installation more than about $500?.
** would the generator in the image be suitable???
Thank you so very much for any help that you can give.
regards from Jan in Frankston Victoria.
Hi @bkjan,
I’ll break things down step-by-step so it’s easier to understand, and I’ll address each of your points.
What’s a Solar Generator?
A solar generator is essentially a portable power station that stores energy from solar panels and uses that stored energy to power appliances and devices. It typically consists of a battery (often lithium, which is long-lasting and efficient), an inverter (to convert the stored DC power into usable AC power), and charging inputs (to charge the generator via solar panels, wall outlets, or carports).
The term "lithium" does refer to the type of battery, and it’s a good choice because lithium batteries are lightweight, charge faster, and last much longer compared to traditional lead-acid batteries.
What to look for based on your needs:
You mentioned running a small fridge, portable air conditioner, lights, a washing machine, and charging your phone and laptop. The key factor here is the capacity (how much power the generator can store) and the output power (how much energy it can provide at once). Here's a rough idea of how much power things typically use:
- Small fridge: Around 100-200 watts.
- Portable air conditioner: Around 500-1500 watts (depending on the size).
- Lights: Around 10-50 watts (depending on type).
- Washing machine: Around 500-1000 watts for a typical cycle.
- Phone/laptop: Around 30-100 watts when charging.
Given your needs, a generator with at least 1500Wh (watt-hours) of storage would be ideal for daily usage, with the ability to run most of these devices over the course of a day, and possibly a bit longer. For example, 1500Wh could power a small fridge for 1-2 days.
BLUETTI Portable Power Station AC240:
- 1536Wh/2400W means the generator can store 1536 watt-hours of energy and can supply up to 2400 watts of power at once. This is a good choice for your daily power needs.
- 200W solar panel: This is the size of the panel included to charge the generator. A 200W panel can provide around 800-1000Wh of energy per day, depending on the sunlight. So if you’re using the generator during the day and charging it at the same time, this setup can work quite well.
Do solar generators come with panels?
Yes, some solar generators (like the BLUETTI) come with solar panels included in the package, but it’s important to check if it’s an optional add-on or part of the kit. The 200W panel with the BLUETTI is a great starting point, but if you want to ensure quicker recharging, or if you're off-grid for a longer time, you can always buy additional panels.
Solar panel installation
Since you’re in a rental, installing panels may need to be a temporary setup (depending on what’s allowed in your lease). Panels for the garden shed should work as long as they get enough sunlight.
For installation costs, it varies. If you're just setting up the panels on the shed without needing to wire them into the house or do any major work, installation could cost less than $500. If you need professional installation to ensure it’s done correctly, it could be a bit more, but in your case, setting up the panels outside shouldn’t be too complex. You might even be able to set it up yourself, as long as you're comfortable with assembling the panels and connecting them to the generator.
For your budget of $4000, the BLUETTI Portable Power Station AC240 is a solid option, especially if you can top it up daily with the solar panel and are looking for an immediate power solution. If you’re planning for an extended power outage, you might want to add additional panels or look into a larger generator, but for a week or two, this should serve your needs quite well.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
