How To Pick out the Best Off Grid Solar Generator

Off-grid solar power systems are an excellent eco-friendly alternative for people who want to reduce their dependency on the power grid and lower electricity costs. Many homeowners are now looking towards the best solar generator off-grid as their sole source of energy. With solar generators becoming more efficient, they are now more than capable of powering the energy needs of a household.

 Since there is usually no backup source of energy, you will need to be careful and conduct thorough research to make an informed purchase decision. In the following post, we take a brief look at what is required to build a reliable off-grid solar power solution.

Know your solar power generator better

Before moving on to the factors for selecting the best generator, here is a brief introduction to what consists a solar generator. Essentially, a solar power generator uses solar panels to convert sunlight into usable electricity. The main components of a solar generator include:

Solar panels

Solar panels collect energy from the sunlight and convert it into direct current. These panels are available in various capacities and you will need to select a suitable configuration depending on the energy requirements of your house.

Charge controllers

These devices attach to the solar panel to regulate the incoming direct current from the solar panels into the battery, protecting it from overcharging.

Rechargeable solar battery

The battery stores the power from solar panels and charge controllers. Most solar generators today use lithium-ion batteries, while the best portable solar generators use lithium iron phosphate batteries.

Inverter

An inverter converts direct current into alternating current that is used by most appliances in a household. There are several types of inverters available in the market and you will need to consider your requirements before purchasing one.

Key considerations when sizing your off-grid solar generator

As with any generator, you will need to ensure that the best solar generator off-grid you select is able to keep up with your energy demands. However, selecting the best solar generator off grid can be a tricky task as there are several factors one needs to consider before making the purchase. For generator sizing, here are some of the key metrics you will need to consider.

Daily average energy consumption (kWh)

One of the most important factors to consider when buying an off-grid solar power generator is the average energy consumption of the household. This requirement changes depending on the season as you will need to run heaters in the winter to keep warm. To calculate the average energy consumption, you can add the power consumption of individual devices and multiply that with the number of hours you want to run them. For instance, a 500 Wh generator can power a 20W bulb for 25 hours or two 50W appliances for 5 hours, etc.

Peak load (kW) - The maximum power drawn from loads

The starting watts measurement, i.e., the peak power is a measure of the brief power output required to start an appliance before settling into running output. Since you will most likely be running appliances that contain a motor, you will need to pay close attention to the peak load capacity of the generator as this much wattage is required to start appliances like refrigerators, ovens, etc. Note that the peak load will be higher than the continuous load and you will need to check both of these to determine the specification of the unit you will need to buy.

Average continuous load (kW)

Continuous load refers to the rated kilowatts measure of the generator, i.e., the continuous wattage that the generator can produce. The best solar generator off-grid should produce enough continuous load to sustain all the appliances that you want to run off the generator. For reference, studies indicate that a house requires about 7000W of power and an electric generator will need to produce around this value to sustain on its own. Ideally, the rated running watts of the generator should be around twice the continuous output of the inverter.

Solar exposure - Location, climate, and shading

When generator sizing for off-grid living, you will also need to consider the peak sun hours that your house receives. Note that peak sun hours are different from the total sun hours, which is the difference between sunrise and sunset. Peak sun hours refer to the amount of time for which the sun can deliver 1000W of solar per sq. m. This measure significantly affects the recharge time, which can be found in the manufacturer’s documentation. Cloudy weather will affect the charging times, so you will need to factor this in when selecting a solar generator for off-grid living.

Backup power options - during poor weather or shutdown

With solar generators, there is a possibility that they might not be able to keep up with your power demands. If you want to live completely off the grid, you can opt for hybrid generators that use gas as a backup power option. During poor weather when the sun cannot recharge the batteries completely, this backup source can keep your appliances running till the bad weather subsides.

Type of solar panels

As stated above, solar panels are available in various shapes and capacities. You will need to pay close attention to the specifications of the solar panel to determine the number of panels required to power your house. As a rule of thumb, the larger the panel, the better its performance. This is because more photovoltaic cells can be fitted in a larger solar panel framework, allowing for better performance. So, if you were to generate the 7000W mentioned above, you will need about 18 panels of 400W capacity.

With this buying guide, you should now be able to make an informed purchase decision and select the best solar generator off-grid for your house depending on your specific requirements. For more information, get in touch with the experts at a reliable manufacturer who can provide you with the insights necessary to make the purchase.

Technology