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How to Buy a Home Solar Generator: A Simple Guide for First-Time Buyers

Homeowners are not as interested in solar generators as they used to be. But, they come with many benefits and can lead to substantial cost savings on your energy bills over time. These days, most people purchase their home solar generators instead of renting them from the power company.

If you’re considering buying a home solar generator, here is everything you need to know about buying a home solar generator and whether it makes sense for you. If you have ever rented a home in an apartment complex, there’s probably a home solar generator somewhere on your property.

These units provide power throughout the entire property and reduce the load on local power grids by reducing demand during peak hours. That way, everyone has access to affordable energy whenever they need it most.

What Is a Solar Generator?

Solar generators work with solar panels to provide constant emergency backup electricity to your home. It is beneficial if your electricity goes out. Still, you may also use it for off-the-grid living and camping. Generators are available in different options that include styles, sizes, utilization, and brands. 

You can purchase a ready-made solar generator or build your own. It all depends on your needs and what you have access to. But the important thing to consider is the customer support of the company, which will be helpful in the near future if you have problems with your unit.

The most common type of solar generator uses an array of solar panels to generate electricity and store it in a battery. During the day, when there is sunlight, the solar panels produce electricity. This electricity is then stored in a battery to be used at night when there isn’t any sunlight.

These generators work well for providing backup power in case of an emergency, as well as for off-the-grid living. You may also consider choosing a light weight unit to easily move it. 

An electrical outage can be quickly remedied by installing one of these kits, which includes a backup generator, solar panels, and a transfer switch. You’ll also be able to connect your solar generator system to all of the necessary wires and electrical components as smoothly as possible. 

How Does a Solar Generator Work?

A solar generator produces DC electricity from sunlight using a solar panel. The charge controller regulates the flow of electricity from the panel to the battery. An inverter converts the AC electricity generated by the inverter into accessible DC electricity.

You can use this power to charge phones, run appliances, like the fridge, or power lights. The size of your solar panel determines the amount of power generated. To get the most out of your solar panel, it is essential to position it correctly.

You’ll receive the most power in the summer when the sun is the strongest. The tilt of the solar panel also matters a great deal. Most panels should be angled between 35 and 45 degrees from horizontal to receive the most sun.

You’ll also want to ensure that your panel is clean, as dirt and debris can significantly reduce its efficiency.

Powered Backup Generators

Consider a powered backup generator if you’re looking for a reliable backup power solution. These generators are designed to provide backup power during power outages and can be used to power essential appliances and electronics.

Powered backup generators are available in various sizes and configurations to choose the suitable model for your needs. When shopping for a backup generator, consider the following factors:

Size

Powered backup generators come in various sizes, from small portable models to large stationary units. You should choose the right size generator for your needs.

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Fuel Type

Powered backup generators can run on gasoline, propane, or diesel. Choose the fuel type that best suits your needs.

Runtime 

Consider how long you need the generator to run during a power outage. Choose a model with a runtime that meets your needs.

Noise Level

Some backup generators can be quite noisy during times of their operation. If noise is a concern, look for a model with a low noise level.

Ease of Use 

Some backup generators are easier to use than others. If you’re not familiar with generators, look for a model that is easy to operate.

The Benefits of a Whole-Home Backup Generator

A backup generator is a beautiful addition to any home. They provide peace of mind during a power outage and can keep your family comfortable and safe. There are many benefits to having a whole-home backup generator, including:

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• Ensuring that your family has access to electricity during a power outage.

• Keeping your home warm or cool, depending on the season, in the event of a power outage.

• Running your home’s appliances and electronics during a power outage.

• Giving you the ability to cook meals and have access to clean water during a power outage.

• Keeping your home’s security system and alarm system operational during a power outage.

• Allowing you to charge your cell phone and other devices during power outages.

Backup generators are an excellent addition to any home, and their benefits are invaluable. 

Harmful carbon emissions are created when they burn fossil fuels. If you are considering purchasing a backup generator for your home, be sure to consult with professional installers to ensure that you select the correct size and type for your needs.

Other Benefits

Save Energy and Save Money

Solar generators can save you money in two ways. First, you will save money on your electric bill if you generate your electricity with a solar generator. Second, using a solar generator to power your home or business during a power outage will save money on generator rental or fuel prices.

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Solar generators are a great way to save energy and money. A solar generator is a perfect solution if you want a clean, efficient, and cost-effective way to generate electricity.

Integrated Ecosystem

Less Dependence

Solar generators are less dependent because they rely on the sun for their power. It means that they are not as affected by the weather or other environmental factors. They are also not as dependent on the power grid, which can be unreliable—solar generators power homes and businesses.

Cleaner Energy

They are cleaner and more efficient, and they have the potential to provide a renewable source of energy.

Top Solar Generators for a House Reviews

A solar generator is a great way to keep your home powered up in an outage or natural disaster. But with so many products on the market, it can be hard to know which one to buy. This list of the top solar generators for a house will help you choose the right one for your needs.

The Best Overall Option

BLUETTI AC300

BLUETTI Portable Power Station AC300 & B300, 3072Wh Solar Generator LiFePO4 Power Station w/ 7 3000W AC Outlets (6000W Peak), Work with Alexa, Modular Home Battery Backup for Emergency, Vanlife

The BLUETTI AC300 is the latest addition to BLUETTI’s solar power generator lineup and is our pick for the best house solar generator.

The Upgrade Option

EcoFlow DELTA Pro

EF ECOFLOW Portable Power Station 3600Wh DELTA Pro, 2.7H to Full Charge, 5 AC Outlets, 3600W, 120V Lifepo4 Power Station with Expandable Capacity, Solar Generator for Home Use, Blackout, RV

The EcoFlow Delta Pro has the second-highest expandable backup capacity and the most significant AC inverter capacity.

The Value Option

Goal Zero 6000X

Goal Zero Yeti 6000X Portable Power Station for Homes, 6000 Watt-Hours, Solar-Powered Generator with USB-A/USB-C Ports and AC Outlets (Solar Panel Not Included), Emergency Power Supply, (5th Gen)

There is an extravagant quantity of electricity and an inverter that is large enough to operate your whole house at the Goal Zero Yeti6000x.

BLUETTI AC300

BLUETTI Portable Power Station AC300 & B300, 3072Wh Solar Generator LiFePO4 Power Station w/ 7 3000W AC Outlets (6000W Peak), Work with Alexa, Modular Home Battery Backup for Emergency, Vanlife

The BLUETTI AC300 is the latest addition to BLUETTI’s solar power generator lineup and is our pick for the best house solar generator.

The second highest surge capacity in its category, 3,100 watts, is delivered by the second-largest pure sine wave inverter, the MPPT, which may be linked to up to 1,200 watts of solar panels. Its modular design makes it simple to transport.

It features a detachable battery with a capacity of 3,072 watts which, in conjunction with one or three extra batteries, may be extended up to 12,288 watts. The device may keep your house going for nine to twelve hours with a fully charged battery.

BLUETTI AC300 generator

You may simultaneously charge it with two energy sources, AC or DC. You can connect two AC300s in series to provide 240V power using the Fusion Box Pro, but you must purchase the device separately.

In addition to its five-year warranty, the AC300 is one of the most durable solar generators in this category because of its five-year warranty extension. Another solar generator, on the other hand, offers a 24-36 month warranty period. 

It can be charged using a solar system, car charger, other batteries, and grid power. You may also call the manufacturer of this unit for the available shipping option.


EcoFlow DELTA Pro

EF ECOFLOW Portable Power Station 3600Wh DELTA Pro, 2.7H to Full Charge, 5 AC Outlets, 3600W, 120V Lifepo4 Power Station with Expandable Capacity, Solar Generator for Home Use, Blackout, RV

The EcoFlow Delta Pro has the second-highest expandable backup capacity and the most significant AC inverter capacity. It includes an inbuilt battery capacity of 3,600 Wh, which can expand to 10,800 Wh by attaching two 3,600-Wh batteries.

The inverter capacity is 3,600 W with a surge capacity of 7,200 W, making it suitable for operating heavy loads. With the expandable battery capacity, you can run your entire home for 7 to 10 hours. 

You may simultaneously charge the battery using AC power [grid/gas generator] and DC power. The PV input capacity of 1,600 W and AC input capacity of 3,000 W makes it possible to charge the battery in less than two hours fully.


Goal Zero 6000X

Goal Zero Yeti 6000X Portable Power Station for Homes, 6000 Watt-Hours, Solar-Powered Generator with USB-A/USB-C Ports and AC Outlets (Solar Panel Not Included), Emergency Power Supply, (5th Gen)

There is an extravagant quantity of electricity and an inverter that is large enough to operate your whole house at the Goal Zero Yeti6000x. It is simple to transport due to its cart.

It has a 600W AC input that is not the best in its category and a 1,200W PV input capacity that can connect to 1200W solar panels. Its 6,071 Wh Li-ion NMC battery can sustain your home for 4 to 6 hours.


Goal Zero 3000X

Goal Zero Yeti 3000X Portable Power Station - 3032Wh Battery Capacity, USB Ports & AC Inverter - Rechargeable Solar Generator for Outdoor, Off-Grid & Home Use

Goal Zero offers yet another car-mounted solar generator, the Yeti3000x, which includes an inverter with a 2,000-Watt capacity and a 3,000-Wh battery. It can keep your home going for 1.5 to 3 hours.


BLUETTI AC200 Max

BLUETTI Portable Power Station AC200MAX, 2048Wh Solar Generator Expandable to 8192Wh, 5 2200W AC Outlets, LiFePO4 Battery for Camping, Emergency

When buying a solar generator for your residence, you won’t find one superior to the Bluetti AC200 Max for under $2,100. This device’s modular construction includes an inverter capacity of 2,200 W and a surge capacity of 4,800 W.

You can upgrade the in-built battery capacity of 2,048Wh up to 8,192 W by adding more batteries. The cigarette lighter and RV ports are among thirteen output ports on this device, as well as a wireless charging pad and a 30A RV port. 

Under this price range, you won’t locate any solar generators. You may recharge this machine with solar energy, car chargers, other batteries, or grid electricity.


EP500 Pro

BLUETTI Solar Power Station EP500, 5100Wh LiFePO4 Battery Backup w/ 4 2000W AC Outlets (4800W Surge), UPS Battery Backup, 1200W MPPT Solar, Solar Generator for Emergency, Power Outage, Home Use

If you’re looking for a huge-scale MPPT solar generator with a flush-mounted array of ports, look no further than EP500.

With 18 output ports in this list, you can charge your gadgets via two wireless charging pads, charge your devices via a 30A RV port, charge your gadgets via four 120V AC outlets or three 240V AC outlets, and charge your gadgets via 100W USB-C port. 

You can use the EP500 to charge your devices via six 000 W of AC power and 2,400 W of PV power. It includes a 5,100-watt backup ability that can keep your household running for up to five hours without solar. The backup time will be 7 to 15 hours if you have solar panels.


EcoFlow DELTA Max

EF ECOFLOW Portable Power Station DELTA Max 2000, 2016Wh Expandable Capacity, 1.8H to Full Charge, Solar Generator for Home Backup, Emergency, Outdoor Camping(Solar Panel Optional)

The EcoFlow Delta Max appears similar to its Pro version but features a 2,016Wh battery and an inverter output of 2,400W. With the detachable Delta Max smart batteries, you can increase its backup capacity to 6,048Wh.

Its AC input wattage of 1,800 and PV input wattage of 8,000 are more significant than its closest competitor, the AC200 Max. Although its Lithium-Ion NCM battery is lower than the AC200 Max, its NCM battery falls short.


Installing a Solar Kit as a Whole House Backup Generator

Despite being relatively new, solar generators are now offered in all-in-one packages. Solar generator systems have been around for decades, but the recent release has spurred production and marketing.

DIYers or anyone interested in taking on a home improvement project may install solar kits as a backup system for their whole household. The only difference is that each component of the solar generator is acquired and installed separately, which can save space and costs.

We will discuss the key components of a solar kit for whole-house generation in this article and the important factors to consider when buying and installing them.

Solar Panels

You want a high-quality solar panel installation to build a home that generates all of its electricity. Your house will only be able to run its electrical equipment as long as there’s electricity in the battery if you don’t plug your power station into a renewable energy source.

You may determine how many solar panels you require to operate your generator optimally with a solar generator. Solar generators are usually rated with a maximum solar input wattage to safeguard electricity production. 

ecoflow generator

Solar generators of medium size can charge approximately 100 to 500 watts of solar energy, while the Titan can accept up to 1,000 watts. When purchasing a standalone solar kit, you should consider your electrical load, spatial limitations, panel efficiency, and warranty periods.

You should also consider your anticipated electrical load when determining the size of your solar array.

Solar Batteries

The most significant part of an off-grid generator is the solar battery, which is the lifeblood of your home’s backup system. To prepare well for a crisis, the general rule of thumb is to have as much energy as possible. When selecting an off-grid backup system, you must consider the voltage.

While a 24V system charges all parts at the same rate, a 12V solar panel array charges 12V batteries. 

When purchasing a solar battery, you must know the voltage, chemistry, and storage capacity in addition to voltage and chemistry. You should buy one or more batteries capable of storing your approximate electrical demand while temporarily independent of the grid.

Charge Controllers

The two charge controllers in the Titan generator allow it to receive such a large amount of solar electricity.

Most solar generators and small stand-alone systems have only one charge controller, so two charge controllers may be required between the panels and the battery bank in a full-home off-grid solar storage system.

MPPT vs. PWM Solar Charge Controllers

There are two primary types of charge controllers: MPPT and PWM. Although MPPT controllers are more sophisticated, a PWM controller may be sufficient to maintain a battery bank for occasional use.

Choosing What’s the Right Solar Generator for You

There are a few things to consider when choosing a solar generator. 

  • The first is what you will be using it for. If you need it for emergency power, you will want a generator that can provide enough power for your needs. 
  • The second is how often you will be using it. A smaller generator may be all you need if you only need it occasionally. 
  • The third is how easy it is to use. 

Some generators are very easy to use, while others require more knowledge.

Conclusion

For many people, buying a solar generator sounds like an impossible task. The truth is that a solar generator is not nearly as expensive as you may have heard in many articles or reviews and has numerous benefits.

For example, buying a solar generator can help you save money on your monthly utility bills and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time. These generators are powered by the sun and don’t use any fuel, so they can run nonstop, even in cloudy weather conditions.

Before you buy your first home solar generator, you should know the advantages and disadvantages of this kind of technology and how to buy one.

FAQ

Which is better, a whole house generator or solar?

There are pros and cons to both whole house generators and solar panels. Solar panels are more environmentally friendly but require a sunny area and can be more expensive to install. Whole house generators can be used anywhere and are less costly to install, but they use more fuel and are louder.

What size generator do I need to live off-grid?

Inverters should be around twice the size of their continuous output to power them correctly. For instance, you should connect a 4,000-watt inverter to an 8,000-watt generator. A minimum generator size of 8kW would be sufficient to power the loads and recharge the battery bank.

How many hours will a solar generator last?

A solar generator with a lithium battery is an excellent investment for anyone who wants to be prepared for a power outage. The watt-hours delivered by lithium batteries typically last 2 to 3 years, regardless of how often they are used.

A battery backup is a good investment. However, lead-acid batteries have shorter life cycles. You can also use battery storage to save money on solar incentives and offset peak demand rates.


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