Solar-powered lanterns are nifty gadgets that illuminate outdoor adventures or provide light during power outages. But not all solar-powered lanterns are created equal. Some have built-in solar panels, while others rely on a separate solar generator.
Lanterns with in-built solar panels are lightweight and compact, making them easy to carry around. They are typically more affordable than solar generators and use about 6-300 watts of power, depending on the type, size, and model.
While lanterns with solar panels have shorter run times, using solar generators for lanterns ensures that you get a consistent lighting supply for an extended period. Jackery Solar Generators come in a wide range of sizes, making them suitable for all small and large electrical equipment.
Keep reading to learn about the best solar method to charge lanterns.
What Is A Solar Powered Lantern?
A solar-powered lantern is a portable, reliable, and clean lighting source. It absorbs solar energy and converts it into electrical energy by using photovoltaic cells. A solar cell consists of multiple crystalline silicon layers with negatively-charged electrons and positively-charged spaces.
Simple solar lanterns are widely preferred to light up indoor and outdoor areas. It is an excellent alternative to traditional lighting solutions that use fuels or gas. It consists of three main components, including
- Solar PV panel
- Storage battery
- Lamp
The working process of solar-powered lanterns is simple. First, the SPV panel works by converting solar energy into electrical energy. Then, it stores the power in a sealed, maintenance-free battery for later use, especially for nights.
Solar Powered Lantern Vs. Solar Generator For Lantern
Solar-powered lanterns and solar generators for lanterns both rely on solar energy to operate and provide illumination. However, they differ in certain aspects, like brightness, portability, cost, etc.
Lanterns with built-in solar panels are small, portable, cost-effective lighting solutions. However, they produce less energy and have short battery life. On the other hand, solar generators for lanterns are powerful and larger. In addition, they are designed to offer power for an extended time.
Below we compare the pros and cons of different types of solar lanterns and solar generators for lanterns.
|
Types |
Pros |
Cons |
|
LED Solar Lantern |
- Highly efficient. - Long-lasting power source. - Bright light output. |
- High upfront cost. - Limited range.
|
|
Fluorescent Solar Lantern |
- Energy-efficient - Bright light output. - Cost-effective. |
- Shorter lifespan than LED. - Fragile bulb. - Take some time to warm up. |
|
Incandescent Solar Lantern |
- Warm light compared to cold LED colors. - Low cost. - Easy to replace. |
- Not energy efficient. - Short lifespan. - Highly fragile. |
|
Solar Generator for Lantern |
- Versatile and can charge multiple appliances. - Charge fast even in low sunlight. - Keeps devices charged for a long time. - Provides power during nights, cloudy days, etc. |
- High upfront purchase. - Heavier than solar-powered lanterns but portable. |
Solar-Powered Lanterns
Solar-powered lanterns are a renewable alternative to traditional lanterns, as they rely solely on clean energy. There are three main types of solar-powered outdoor lanterns: LED, fluorescent, and incandescent solar lanterns.
- LED solar lanterns are a popular and most common outdoor lighting source. They are highly efficient and can provide long-lasting power.
- Fluorescent solar lanterns are also energy-efficient but are bulkier and less durable than LED.
- Incandescent solar lanterns are the least efficient and use a lot of energy. In addition, they have a shorter lifespan than LED and fluorescent lanterns.
Pros of Solar Lanterns
- Solar-powered lanternsare environment-friendly and cost-effective.
- They require less maintenance.
- They do not require electricity or batteries for operation, so they are ideal for outdoor activities.
Cons of Solar Lanterns
- They require direct sunlight to operate. Therefore, they are less suitable for cloudy days.
- They do not work efficiently during the night.
Solar Generator For Lanterns
You can choose a solar generator to light up your space if you want a stable power source. The generator combines solar panels and power stations to capture the sun's power and convert it into electricity and power appliances.
Jackery Solar Generators are portable, affordable, easy-to-use charging solutions with a longer life expectancy. The inverter in the solar generator system converts DC output from the PV panels to AC energy.
The best part about Jackery Solar Generator is the multiple output ports. In addition to charging solar lanterns, you can charge refrigerators, mini coolers, lights, fans, etc., during power outages, off-grid living, and outdoor adventures.
Pros of Solar Generator
- The high-efficiency solar panels absorb the sun's energy even on cloudy days.
- They are clean sources of energy that charge appliances using solar energy.
- Solar generators emit no fumes or harmful gases, so they are safe for indoor use.
- The pass-through charging feature helps you to charge appliances while the solar system stays connected to the solar panels.
Cons of Solar Generator
- The initial investment is higher than for solar-powered panels.
Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus, Jackery Solar Generator 600 Plus, and Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2 are some highly recommended solar charging solutions for lanterns and other small appliances.
How Many Watts Does A Solar Lantern Use?
The number of watts used by a solar lantern will depend on the lumens. A lumen is a simple measure of visible light that determines how many watts the appliance will use. The higher the number of lumens required, the more the brightness.
Here we reveal the power consumption of three main types of bulbs, including LED, fluorescent, and incandescent solar lanterns.
|
|
450 Lumens |
800 Lumens |
1100 Lumens |
1600 Lumens |
2600 Lumens |
5800 Lumens |
|
LED |
6 W |
9-10 W |
13 W |
16-18 W |
24 W |
45 W |
|
Fluorescent |
8-9 W |
13-14 W |
18-19 W |
23 W |
40 W |
85 W |
|
Incandescent |
40 W |
60 W |
75 W |
100 W |
150 W |
300 W |
How Many Lumens Does A Solar Lantern Need?
Before understanding the lumens required by the solar lantern, it's crucial to get a simple idea about the lumen.
Simply put, a lumen measures the brightness of visible light, regardless of how much power is required. A lantern with the most lumens is the brightest LED bulb. On the other hand, wattage measures the amount of electrical energy consumed by a light bulb.
Below are the lumen requirements of different types of lighting.
|
Types of Lighting |
Lumens Requirement |
|
Path Lighting |
100-200 lumens |
|
Step Lights |
12-100 lumens |
|
Flood Lights |
700-1300 lumens |
|
Motion Sensor Lights |
300-700 lumens |
|
Pond/Pool Lights |
200-400 lumens |
|
Hardscape Lights (on walls) |
50-185 lumens |
|
Landscape |
50-300 lumens |
How Much Power Does A Solar Lantern Need?
The solar power required by the lantern will depend on the watts and length of time you wish to run it.
Generally, solar-powered lanterns take 4-10 hours to charge fully when placed under direct sunlight away from any shadows or clouds.
Below we illustrate the power consumption of different types of lanterns along with the watts they consume.
|
Product |
Watts |
Length of Time |
Daily Power Consumption |
|
LED Solar Lantern |
6-45 W |
8 H |
48-360 Wh |
|
Fluorescent Solar Lantern |
8-85 W |
6 H |
48-510 Wh |
|
Incandescent Solar Lantern |
40-300 W |
4 H |
160-1200 Wh |
Jackery Solar Generator For Lanterns
Solar generators are a reliable choice for people who want to power their lanterns for an extended time. Whether you're planning to go on a camping trip or you want to light up gardens, solar generators provide consistent power for long hours.
Jackery Solar Generators feature a high-capacity battery and highly efficient solar panels. The solar generator has a pass-through charging feature that ensures you can charge the generator and power appliances simultaneously. As it has a portable power station, you can carry the generator on camping trips to store the generated power and use it at night or on cloudy days.
Below we include the best portable Jackery Solar Generators you can choose to power lanterns and other electrical appliances.
|
Series |
Capacity |
Ports |
Solar Lanterns Watts |
Hours |
|
Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus |
288Wh |
AC Output (x1): 120V, 60Hz, 300W (600W Peak) USB-A Output (x1): 15W Max 5V⎓3A USB-C Output (x1): 15W Max 5V⎓3A USB-C Output (x2): 100W Max, 5V⎓3A (5V, 9V, 12V, 15V, 20V up to 5A) Car Port (x1): 12V⎓10A |
LED Solar Lanterns 6-45W Fluorescent Solar Lantern 8-85W Incandescent Solar Lantern 40-200W |
LED Solar Lanterns 5-40 hours Fluorescent Solar Lantern 3-30 hours Incandescent Solar Lantern 1-6 hours. |
|
Jackery Solar Generator 600 Plus |
632Wh |
AC Output (x2): 120V~ 60Hz, 6.67A USB-A Output (x1): 18W Max, 5-6V⎓3A, 6-9V⎓2A, 9-12V⎓1.5A Car Port (x1): 12V⎓10A Max USB-C1 Output: 30W Max, 5V⎓3A, 9V⎓3A, 12V⎓2.5A, 15V⎓2A, 20V⎓1.5A USB-C2 Output: 100W Max, 5V⎓3A, 9V⎓3A, 12V⎓3A, 15V⎓3A, 20V⎓5A |
LED Solar Lanterns 6-45W Fluorescent Solar Lantern 8-85W Incandescent Solar Lantern 40-300W |
LED Solar Lanterns 9-70 hours. Fluorescent Solar Lantern 5-55 hours Incandescent Solar Lantern 1-11 hours. |
|
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2 |
1070Wh |
AC Output (x3): 120V ~ 60Hz USB-A Output (x1): 18W Max 5-6V⎓3A, 6-9V⎓2A, 9-12V⎓1.5A Car Port (x1): 12V⎓10A USB-C1 Output: 30W Max 5V⎓3A, 9V⎓3A, 12V⎓2.5A, 15V⎓2A, 20V⎓1.5A USB-C2 Output: 100W Max 5V⎓3A, 9V⎓3A, 12V⎓3A, 15V⎓3A, 20V⎓5A |
LED Solar Lanterns 6-45W Fluorescent Solar Lantern 8-85W Incandescent Solar Lantern 40-300W |
LED Solar Lanterns 18-140 hours. Fluorescent Solar Lantern 10-106 hours. Incandescent Solar Lantern 2-21 hours. |
|
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus |
1264Wh |
AC Output (x3): 120V~60Hz, 2000W (4000W Peak) USB-A Output (x2): 18W Max, 5-5V⎓3A USB-C Output (x2): 100W Max, (5V, 9V, 12V, 15V, 20V up to 5A) Car Port (x1): 12V⎓10A |
LED Solar Lanterns 6-45W Fluorescent Solar Lantern 8-85W Incandescent Solar Lantern 40-300W |
LED Solar Lanterns 18-140 hours. Fluorescent Solar Lantern 10-106 hours. Incandescent Solar Lantern 2-21 hours. |
|
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus |
2042.8Wh |
AC Output (×4)：120V~ 60Hz, 20A Max AC Output (×1)：120V~ 60Hz, 25A Max USB-A Output (x2): Quick Charge 3.0, 18W Max USB-C Output(x2): 100W Max, (5V, 9V, 12V, 15V, 20V up to 5A) Car Port (x1): 12V⎓10A |
LED Solar Lanterns 6-45W Fluorescent Solar Lantern 8-85W Incandescent Solar Lantern 40-300W |
LED Solar Lanterns 38.5-289.3 hours. Fluorescent Solar Lantern 20.4-217 hours. Incandescent Solar Lantern 43.4-5.7 hours. |
Solar Powered Lantern FAQs
Now that we have covered solar-powered lanterns in detail, here are a few questions asked by the buyers.
What size of solar generator do I need to power an outdoor lantern?
The size of the solar generator to power your outdoor lanterns will depend on various factors. To calculate the size of a solar generator, you can use a simple mathematical formula.
Let us suppose that you are using Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus with a battery capacity of 1264Wh.
Working time = 1264Wh × 0.85 / operating wattage of the outdoor lantern = 1264 Wh × 0.85 / 100W = 10.7 hours.
It's worth noting that this is just an estimate, and the pass-through charging feature allows you to charge the generator while simultaneously powering your appliances. So you don't have to worry about power if you have a Jackery Solar Generator by your side.
How to choose the best solar-powered lanterns?
Some factors to consider while choosing outdoor solar lanterns include the purpose of using solar lights, lumens of the lanterns, battery type, recharge time and run time, etc.
Can I charge solar lanterns on cloudy days, indoors, or without the sun?
Yes, you can charge solar lanterns on cloudy days, indoors, and without the sun with the help of a solar generator. Jackery Solar Generator combines SolarSaga Solar Panels and Explorer Portable Power Station to power appliances. The SolarSaga solar panels convert sunlight into electricity which is then stored in the power station for later use.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to powering solar lanterns, solar generators are a reliable choice. Unlike solar-powered lanterns, they can charge multiple electrical devices and provide long-lasting power.
Jackery is the top-rated brand in the solar generator market, known to manufacture high-capacity and durable products. They are perfect for emergencies and outdoor activities.
If you want to power small and large appliances, Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus can work efficiently. It is one of the most reliable solutions to charge solar lanterns and other electrical devices like laptops, etc. Sign up for the Jackery newsletter to get all the updates in your inbox.
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