A solar-powered outdoor outlet is a handy device that helps you keep your outdoor gear charged using the sun's energy. It harnesses solar energy through its built-in solar panel and converts it into usable electricity. This way, you can charge mobile phones, power lights, and even run small appliances without an external power source.
Now you might be wondering what makes them different from solar generators with outdoor outlets. While solar-powered outdoor outlets have a small charging capacity, solar generators with outdoor outlets are powerful enough to charge large devices. Jackery Solar Generators are a reliable power source featuring a large battery capacity and multiple outputs.
In this solar generator guide, we will walk you through how to embrace the sun as your new power source for home or outdoor appliances.
What Is A Solar Powered Outdoor Outlet?
A solar-powered outdoor outlet comprises two or more solar panels paired and wired to form arrays. You can find an inverter at the back of each solar panel responsible for converting DC electricity to AC current.
In addition, there is a plug coming out of the microinverter that sends electrical current to the meter. When you plug in your device, the stored AC energy starts powering the appliance.
What Is The Solar Generator With Outdoor Outlets?
Technically, a solar generator refers to any charging technology powered by sunlight. It is a combination of solar panels and portable power stations used as an emergency backup for homes or during outdoor activities like camping, hiking, etc.
Solar generators are an ideal choice for off-grid living and can help you charge all small and large appliances. The solar panels absorb the direct sunlight that falls on them and stores the generated power in a lithium-ion battery.
The multiple ports, like AC output, USB-A output, USB-C output, carport, AC input, and DC input, allow you to charge multiple devices simultaneously. You can power the generator using solar panels, a car charger, or an electrical grid to power devices like coffee makers, laptops, phones, etc.
Solar Powered Outdoor Outlet Vs. Solar Generator With Outdoor Outlet
Both outdoor solar-powered plug outlets and solar generators with outdoor outlets are great options to power your outdoor activities. However, they are a little different from each other.
While solar-powered outdoor outlets have a lower upfront cost, they are small and have limited output capacity. Alternatively, solar generators with multiple output ports can help you charge both small and large appliances, thanks to the large battery capacity.
|
Types |
Pros |
Cons |
|
Solar Powered Outdoor Outlet |
- Lightweight and compact - Portable and easy to set up - Affordable compared to other solutions |
- May not work when the sun is down - Can only charge small gadgets |
|
Solar Generator for Outdoor Outlets |
- Can charge multiple devices due to various output ports - Quiet and safe for indoor use - Reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment |
- High cost compared to solar powered outdoor outlets - Heavier but portable in nature |
Solar Powered Outdoor Outlet
As the name defines, solar-powered outdoor outlets are a system of small, lightweight solar panels that can be plugged directly into an outdoor outlet to provide power. Worried about how to plug something in using a solar-powered outdoor outlet? Fret not; you just need to plug appliances directly into the solar panels.
While these plug-in solar panels are simple and affordable, they also have some limitations and drawbacks. For example, the limited storage capacity means they are unsuitable to power large devices like refrigerators. Below are a few pros and cons of an outdoor solar-powered plug outlet.
Pros
- Relatively easy to install and use.
- They are portable and lightweight, making them suitable for outdoor activities.
- Effective solution to power small devices and appliances.
- Low upfront cost compared to other solar power options.
Cons
- They may not work well in areas that receive limited sunlight.
- They can cause electrical problems or safety hazards if not installed correctly.
- They have limited power output and storage capacity.
- They may not be suitable for electrical power devices that require high power.
Solar Generator for Outdoor Outlets
When investing in a solar solution like generators, some questions that come into mind include "what is a solar generator" and "is it worth investing in a solar-powered solution."
If you are confused, here is your answer. A solar generator is a suitable option that can help you charge lights during outdoor trips or power phones. Instead of fossil fuels, the solar generator uses the sun's energy to power appliances.
Jackery Solar Generator Plus Series includes Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus and Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus, which are suitable to power most of your home or outdoor devices.
Pros
- Unlike traditional gas-powered gases, solar generators require solar energy to work.
- As they have high-capacity batteries, you can charge all the large appliances using solar generators.
- Since solar generators do not have any moving parts, they operate quietly.
- Solar generators with multiple USB ports keep your outdoor gear charged for long hours.
Cons
- Compared to solar-powered outdoor outlets, solar generators demand more investment.
What Size Of Solar-Powered Outdoor Outlets Do I Need?
The power required to charge appliances will determine the size of the solar-powered outdoor outlet. Plug-in solar panels are easy to install and convenient to carry around. Start by unfolding the portable solar panels under direct sunlight, then plug in the devices to charge them.
For instance, if you want to charge small devices like smartphones and tablets, you can choose Jackery SolarSaga 100W Solar Panels with an efficiency of over 24.3%.
It comes with two USB output ports to charge two small devices directly. However, to power other outdoor appliances like coffee makers, electric grills, etc., consider teaming up the Jackery SolarSaga 100W Solar Panels with Jackery Explorer Portable Power Station.
What Size Of Solar Generator Do I Need For Outdoor Outlets?
Similar to determining the size of solar-powered outdoor outlets, you must understand your power requirements to choose a solar generator size.
As a general rule, you need to calculate the optimal power station capacity to understand the watts of each appliance you wish to power. Then, you need to calculate the working time of the generator depending on the device you want to charge.
Example: Let us better understand how to calculate the size of a solar generator to charge a refrigerator.
Suppose you want to charge a 300-watt power-consuming refrigerator with a Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus with a battery capacity of 1264Wh.
Note: You can find the exact watt consumption of the appliance in the user manual.
Apply the formula:
Working time = 1264Wh × 0.85 / operating wattage of your device = 1512 Wh × 0.85 / 300W = 3.5 hours.
That means, with Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus, you can charge your 300-watt refrigerator for 3.5 hours. However, this does not mean you can power the fridge for only 3.5 hours. The pass-through charging feature lets you charge your device while simultaneously powering the generator using solar panels.
If you want to power basic home devices, you can choose Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2. On the other hand, if you wish to enjoy off-grid living and power all devices, Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus could be the right decision.
How Much Solar Power Do I Need For Outdoor Outlets?
To help you understand the required solar power, we have curated a list of appliances, their watts, and other details.
|
Product |
Running Watts |
Additional Surge Watts |
Length of Time |
Daily Power Consumption (Approximately) |
|
4 Light Bulbs (75W) |
300 W |
300 W |
8 H |
2400 Wh |
|
Dehumidifier |
785 W |
1250 W |
1 H |
785 Wh |
|
Electric blanket |
80 W |
1250 W |
4 H |
320 Wh |
|
Space heater |
1800 W |
1800 W |
2 H |
3600 Wh |
|
Laptop |
50 W |
0 W |
1 H |
50 Wh |
|
Electric grill |
1650 W |
1650 W |
0.5 H |
825 Wh |
|
Blender |
350 W |
500 W |
0.5 H |
175 Wh |
|
Coffee maker |
800 W |
800 W |
0.5 H |
400 Wh |
|
Heating pad |
250 W |
250 W |
1 H |
250 Wh |
Jackery Solar Powered Outdoor Outlet
Jackery is a well-known solar generator manufacturer that offers highly-efficient solar panels and power stations to its customers. Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels have maximum efficiency that converts maximum sunlight into electricity. On the other hand, the Jackery Explorer Power Station is portable and helps you to store the power for later use.
Jackery solar-powered outdoor generators are designed to power small and large appliances during camping, hiking, power backup, and other outdoor activities. Below we have listed the three most potent Jackery Solar Generators you can choose for outdoor activities.
|
Series |
Capacity |
Outlets |
Outdoor Appliances Watts |
Working Hours |
|
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2 (Explorer 1000 v2 + SolarSaga 200W) |
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 |
Laptop = 65W Electric blanket = 55W Electric heater = 350W Hair dryer = 1000W Instant pot = 1000W Kettle = 850W |
Laptop = 13.9H Electric blanket = 16.5H Electric heater = 2.5H Hair dryer = 54 minutes Instant pot = 54 minutes Kettle = 1.0H |
|
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus (Explorer 1000 Plus + SolarSaga 200W) |
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 |
Ice shaver = 700W Coffee maker = 1120W Mini fridge = 90W Bluetooth speaker = 10W iPhone 13 = 65W |
Ice shaver = 1.5H Coffee maker = 57 minutes Mini fridge = 11.9H Bluetooth speaker = 107.4H iPhone 13 = 16.5H |
|
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus (Explorer 2000 Plus + SolarSaga 200W) |
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 |
Mini cooler = 90W Blender = 300W Electrical grill = 1600W Coffee maker = 550W Hot plate = 1800W |
Mini cooler = 19.2H Blender = 5.7H Electrical grill = 1.0H Coffee maker = 3.1H Hot plate = 57 minutes |
Solar Powered Outdoor Outlet FAQs
Which one is better: solar powered outdoor outlet or a solar generator with outdoor outlets?
Solar generator with multiple outdoor outlets is an effective solution compared to solar-powered outdoor outlets. This is because a powerful generator allows you to charge all small and large appliances for hours.
Can I use a solar-powered outdoor outlet on cloudy days, in winter, or without the sun?
Yes. You can connect the solar panels to a portable power station to generate electricity in winter or without the sun on cloudy days. The portable power station stores the produced electricity for later use. Jackery Solar Generators feature a powerful and large battery capacity, so you can keep your gear charged for a long time. In addition, the multiple output ports and the ultra-long standby mode ensure you can access power anytime, anywhere.
What can a 100W solar panel use?
Jackery SolarSaga 100W Solar Panels are compact, portable, and lightweight power solutions. The two USB ports – 1*USB-C (5V, 3A) and 1*USB-A (5V, 2.4A) – can directly help you charge two small devices like cell phones and tablets. In addition, by teaming up with Jackery Explorer Portable Power Station, you can set up a solar generator system to power large appliances.
Final Thoughts
Solar panels and power stations are the best solar solutions for all homeowners planning to invest in solar energy. It can help you go green and reduce your electricity bills. Instead of depending on conventional generators, a solar solution can help you reduce your carbon emissions and protect the environment.
You can invest it in a solar-powered outdoor outlet to charge small appliances. Alternatively, a solar generator would be your go-to option for charging small and large appliances during outdoor adventures.
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus features a high battery capacity to power 99% of home and outdoor appliances. Subscribe to the Jackery newsletter to get all the product news, promotional offers, and other product deals.
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