Solar power is one of the fastest-growing technological advances that has hit the trucking industry in the last 25 years. Going for outdoor trips on trucks or RVs has become easier than ever using free, clean, and renewable energy. Solar-powered trucks allow owners to enjoy their trips without any noise or smell of running a gas-powered generator.
Solar power trucks generally consume around a few thousand watts to more than 9000 watts per day, depending on the appliances you use. Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is a portable, versatile solar power generator suitable for small and large trucks. Since it is expandable by nature, you can extend the battery capacity depending on your needs.
Continue reading to learn everything about solar trucks and how to power them using a solar generator.
What Is A Solar Powered Truck?
A solar power truck indicates a vehicle that uses the sun's energy to work instead of fossil fuels. The solar power system used to charge trucks consists of one or more solar panels, rechargeable batteries, and a charge controller. In addition, it consists of a combiner box, mounting brackets, fuses, and an optional battery monitoring system.
With the help of a combiner box, multiple solar panels are connected to absorb the sun's rays and generate electricity. The generated electricity passes through the charge controller to regulate the charging current. The batteries you find in the solar power system store the energy for later use. You can use the power to charge truck batteries or outdoor appliances when sunlight is unavailable.
Solar Powered Truck Vs. Solar Generator For Truck
When it comes to renewable energy, solar power has been all the rage lately. But which solar-powered option is right for you — a solar-powered truck or a solar generator for a truck?
A solar-powered truck is a solar power system that gets attached to the roof panels, whereas a solar generator for a truck is a compact and portable device. While both are eco-friendly options, the right choice depends on the user's specific needs.
For instance, if you want a portable power solution that is perfect for camping trips or a power backup source during blackouts, a solar generator is the ideal solution. It has fewer components than solar-powered trucks and is convenient to use. Below we compare a solar truck and a solar generator.
|
Types |
Components |
Pros |
Cons |
|
Solar Powered Truck |
- Solar panels - Charge controller - Rechargeable batteries - Combiner box - Fuses and mounting brackets - Battery monitoring system (optional) |
- Eliminate fuel costs. - Power appliances and truck batteries during off-grid trips. - Eco-friendly solution. - Produces less noise. |
- Complex and costly installation process. - Less portable. - Require maintenance. - Expensive compared to solar generators for trucks. |
|
Solar Generator for Truck |
- Solar panels - Portable power station, including a rechargeable battery, charge controller, and an inverter. |
- Can work at night or on cloudy days. - Require no maintenance. - Easy to set up and install. - Quickly charge multiple appliances simultaneously. - Multiple charging options available. |
- Initial investment for the high-power solar generator can be a little more. |
Solar Powered Truck
A solar truck is a vehicle powered by solar energy. Truck owners can attach a solar power system on the rooftop of their vehicle to start charging. They are environment-friendly and do not emit any harmful gases.
Pros
- Solar trucks help you to save money on fuel.
- They are great for off-grid adventures.
- You can generate power even when the truck is parked.
- As it emits no harmful gases, it reduces your carbon footprint.
Cons
- Limited battery storage capacity.
- Limited charging options.
- May not be suitable for heavy-duty hauling.
- Less portable and involves a complex setup.
Solar Generator For Truck
Unlike solar trucks, a solar generator is an efficient, cost-effective, and portable powering solution. Jackery is the leading outdoor solar generator manufacturer. Jackery Solar Generators require minimal upkeep and maintenance.
The high-quality Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels can convert maximum sunlight into electricity, and Explorer Portable Power Stations store the generated power for later use, making it suitable for short and long trips.
For instance, you can choose the ultimate power master to charge your solar truck — Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus. With a battery capacity of 2042.8Wh, it can provide hours of power for daily family use.
Pros
- There are only two components – solar panels and a power station, making installation easy.
- You can eliminate fuel costs while reducing the carbon footprint.
- It is portable and cost-effective, suitable for a wide range of applications, including outdoor trips, power outages, etc.
- The pass-through charging ensures you can charge the truck and power station simultaneously.
- Solar generators operate with unnoticeable noise and work efficiently during cloudy days or nights.
Cons
- There are no such cons to buying a solar generator. However, if you want to power a heavy-duty truck that consumes more than 10,000 watts, you will need a high initial investment.
How Many Watts Does A Truck Use?
Watts measure the power consumed by a specific appliance and may vary depending on amps and volts. In general, the watts required by the solar-power truck will depend on its size and the device you are using. Once you find the right solar generator size, you can power anything from a coffee maker to electric blankets.
- Small Cabin: A 1500-3000 watts solar generator is suitable to power a small cabin.
- Large Cabin:A large-size solar generator capable of generating 3000-5000 watts should be sufficient for a large cabin.
- Pickup Truck: Solar generators of size larger than 5000 watts can help you to charge all the appliances, including drills, compressors, grinders, etc.
How Much Does It Cost To Power A Truck?
The cost to operate a battery-powered truck will vary depending on several factors, including:
- Type of truck
- Electricity cost
- Location
- Installation cost
For instance, if you want to power a large truck, you will have to spend $7000 on a solar-powered truck system. Here we assume that you are using a 1kW solar system. However, it's worth noting that a $7000 solar-powered truck does not include a battery to store power. If you add that feature, the cost will be doubled.
On the other hand, choosing a solar generator for a truck could be affordable. You can easily purchase a powerful Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus with a battery capacity of 2042.8Wh at nearly $3299. The best part about investing in a solar generator for a truck is that it features a large-capacity power station. You can keep your gear charged for long hours even if the sun is not shining.
How Much Solar Power Does A Truck Need?
To calculate the solar power consumed by the truck, analyze the power drawn by the appliances on your truck. You can check the power consumption of the device from the label.
|
Truck Devices |
Watts |
Length of Time |
Solar Power Needed |
|
Fridge |
180W |
6H |
1080 Wh |
|
Coffee Maker |
1000W |
1H |
1000 Wh |
|
TV |
90W |
2H |
180 Wh |
|
Phone |
6W |
4H |
24Wh |
|
Laptop |
90W |
4H |
360 Wh |
|
AC |
1150W |
4H |
4600 Wh |
If you wish to power a truck with a 1000 watts requirement, you will have to install 10*100 watts solar panels. However, if you choose a solar generator, you can power the same size truck with fewer solar panels and a portable power station.
Jackery Solar Generator For Truck
Going solar with a solar generator for your truck has several benefits, including no maintenance costs, low prices, no complex installation, etc. However, not all available solar generators are the same. Jackery is the leading manufacturer of solar generators for trucks.
Not only will the sturdy solar generators support the electrical requirements of the truck, but they are also portable and easy to transport. The most efficient, noise-free, and potent solar generators from Jackery include Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus, Jackery Solar Generator 2000 v2, Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus, and Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh).
|
Series |
Capacity |
Outlets |
Truck Watts |
Working Hours |
|
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 |
Fridge: 180W Coffee Maker: 1000W TV: 90W Phone: 6W Laptop: 90W AC: 1150W |
Fridge: 5.9H Coffee Maker: 1.0H TV: 11.9H Phone: 179.0H Laptop: 11.9H AC: 55 Min |
|
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 v2 (Explorer 2000 v2 + SolarSaga 200W) |
2042.8Wh |
AC Output (x3): 120V ~ 60Hz, 18.3A USB-A Output (x1): 18W Max, 5-6V⎓3A, 6-9V⎓2A, 9-12V⎓1.5A USB-C Output (x2): 30W Max, 5V⎓3A, 9V⎓3A, 12V⎓2.5A, 15V⎓2A, 20V⎓1.5A； 100W Max, 5V⎓3A, 9V⎓3A, 12V⎓3A, 15V⎓3A, 20V⎓5A Car Port (x1): 12V⎓10A Max |
Fridge: 180W Coffee Maker: 1000W TV: 90W Phone: 6W Laptop: 90W AC: 1150W |
Fridge: 9.6H Coffee Maker: 1.7H TV: 19.2H Phone: 289.3H Laptop: 19.2H AC: 1.5H |
|
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 |
Fridge: 180W Coffee Maker: 1000W TV: 90W Phone: 6W Laptop: 90W AC: 1150W |
Fridge: 9.6H Coffee Maker: 1.7H TV: 19.2H Phone: 289.3H Laptop: 19.2H AC: 1.5H |
|
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh) (Explorer 2000 Plus + Battery Pack 2000 Plus + 2*SolarSaga 200W) |
4085.6Wh |
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 |
Fridge: 180W Coffee Maker: 1000W TV: 90W Phone: 6W Laptop: 90W AC: 1150W |
Fridge: 19.2H Coffee Maker: 3.4H TV: 38.5H Phone: 578.7H Laptop: 38.5H AC: 3.0H |
Solar Powered Truck FAQs
What size of solar generator do I need to power a truck?
You can easily calculate the size of the solar generator for your truck by understanding its capacity and working time.
Working Time = Capacity Wh × 0.85 / Operating wattage of the device
Suppose you use a Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus with a battery capacity of 2042.8Wh to power a truck consuming 1000 watts. You can calculate the working time using the formula.
Working Time = 2042.8Wh × 0.85 / 1000 watts = 1.7 hours.
With the pass-through charging feature, you can charge the power station using solar panels while keeping all your devices plugged in.
Note - As there is some loss of power during working, we assume the efficiency to be 85% instead of 100%.
How many solar panels do I need for my truck?
To calculate the solar panels required, you'll need to understand three essential factors.
- How much electricity will your truck use annually
- Solar panel wattage that you want to install
- Number of hours you receive peak sunlight
Typically you will require 7 to 9 solar panels or more to charge a solar truck. However, it's not the case if you choose solar panels and a portable power station. A powerful generator will help you charge a solar truck with a few highly-efficient Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels.
How to choose the best solar generator for my truck?
While choosing the best solar generator for your truck, consider a few following things.
- Calculate the size of the truck to understand the total power requirements.
- Consider how many appliances you want to power with the generator.
- Choose a solar generator with a low noise output but high power output.
- Last but not least, ensure that the generator's cost fits into your budget.
Jackery Solar Generators have multiple features like high efficiency, plug-and-play capability, portability, and more. Depending on your power needs, you can choose the right size and capacity for Jackery Solar Generator.
Final Thoughts
If you plan to purchase a truck or want to go solar with your existing vehicle, consider charging it using solar energy. Investing in a solar generator instead of expensive solar-powered trucks helps you power truck appliances while keeping gear charged during power outages or camping trips.
Jackery is a renowned brand offering portable power stations and highly-efficient solar panels. Different sizes and capabilities of solar generators ensure that you can power everything from small appliances like smartphones to large devices like a truck, RVs, etc.
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is an expandable power source with a battery capacity of 2042.8Wh. It can power your multiple appliances during outdoor trips or as a backup source during power outages. Sign up for the Jackery newsletter to get all the updates about products, promotional offers, or exclusive deals.
Leave a comment