In today's modern society, there is nothing worse than the power going out when it is needed the most. Power outages can be an inconvenience for anyone which is why it is more important now than ever before, to ensure that every home has some form of a backup power system.
While there are a number of options on the market today when it comes to providing power during emergency situations, solar power generators are the most advantageous. They can be set up in just a matter of minutes, and with the push of a button can begin producing usable power for any of your standard household appliances.
What is A Solar Generator
When we generally think of the term generator, the first thing that comes to mind is a loud gas-operated device that generates electricity for use during emergency situations. But solar generators are a very different type of solution. These generators come complete with solar panels that are able to collect the energy of the sun and convert that energy into a direct current. That current then passes through a charge controller, to charge up a series of batteries so the energy can be accessed even without any sunlight. With the help of a power inverter, the direct current stored within the batteries is transformed into the alternating current we need for appliances and other household devices.
How Does A Solar Generator Work?
In its simplest form, a solar generator takes the power of the sun and turns it into a usable alternating current. But the process of harnessing the power of the sun is a little more complicated.
Solar Panels
The most important part of any solar generator is the panels themselves. Silicon solar panels come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, but they all function in the same manner. That is, they are able to convert the visual light into direct current. Each cell within an array is only capable of producing a small voltage and watts, but when these are wired together, they are capable of producing substantially more.
Battery
The only downfall of solar power is that the panels cannot produce energy when there is no light. For this reason, a good solar generator needs to have a quality battery backup system in order to store that excess energy for later. Today, the best systems feature lithium-ion batteries, which are lightweight and have a higher energy density than lead-acid car batteries.
Charge Controller
In order to properly charge the lithium-ion batteries, it is important that every solar generator has a quality charge controller. The purpose of the charge controller is to provide energy to the batteries in a manner that allows them to be charged efficiently, while simultaneously protecting them from being overcharged or overheated. Without a proper charge controller, it would be impossible to store excess energy from the solar panels in the batteries, without also destroying the batteries.
Inverter
But the power from the sun is converted into direct current by the solar panels and is stored in its direct-current form within the lithium-ion batteries. For use with most household items and appliances, that energy needs to be converted to alternating current. The job of the inverter is to convert the direct current into alternating current at the voltage needed for things to operate properly.
Jackery Solar Generator vs Gas Generator
When it comes to choosing a generator for life off-grid, emergency backup, or even for a weekend out in the country, there are only two options to real choose from - solar or gas.
Solar Generators
Solar generators are capable of producing electricity with the help of solar panels. These panels collect the energy from the sun and run it through a charge controller so the excess power can be stored in batteries for later use. With the help of a power converter, the direct current is converted to an alternating current so that standard household items can be plugged into the generator.
Solar Generator Benefits
There are many benefits to using solar generators over gas generators. For starters, they are completely silent, they require no combustion or moving parts in order to operate efficiently. Because they have no moving parts, solar generators do not require the same level of maintenance that a gas generator does. More importantly, they do not consume any form of fossil fuels, which allows them to be used inside the home.
Gas Generators
Gas generators on the other hand produce electricity through the burning of gasoline or diesel. In operation, they convert the chemical energy of the fuel through combustion, in order to create mechanical energy that can spin an electric generator. The power generated, must be used when it is produced, because gas generators do not include any form of battery backup. The power created by the generator is already provided in an alternating current form, which allows it to be used to power household appliances. But, due to the many moving parts, gas generators require regular maintenance.
Gas Generator Benefits
Compared to solar power, gas generators are generally more compact. Since they do not need solar panels in order to generate power, they are able to produce a large amount of electricity without taking up a lot of space. They are also fairly easy to operate, as they only require gas or diesel to power them. As long as you are able to continuously supply the generator with fuel, it will continue to produce electricity until it mechanically breaks down. Because of their size and simplicity, gas generators are generally cheaper than solar generators.
Jackery Solar Generators — Best For Home Power Outage
Jackery is a leading brand that manufactures solar panels, portable power stations, and solar generators. They feature highly efficient LiFePO4 or NMC batteries that can charge almost all household appliances for extended periods during the event of a power outage. The below-mentioned solar generators can connect with the home's electricity system with the help of the Jackery Manual Transfer Switch or Jackery Smart Transfer Switch to seamlessly switch from on-grid power to battery backup in a few milliseconds. However, it is important to consult a certified electrician to complete the installation process of the manual or smart transfer switch.
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus
The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is a large-capacity solar-powered generator that is ideal for off-grid living and extended power outages caused by hurricanes, winter storms, and heatwaves. It can power 99% of the essential household appliances, such as refrigerators, CPAPs, electric blankets, etc. Connecting the solar generator to the utility grid ensures essential appliances like refrigerators and CPAP remain powered in the blink of an eye during sudden power outages.
Customer Review
"The battery backup kept my in-laws' refrigerator and my father-in-law's C=Pap running after hurricane Helene." — John Bindeman.
Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro
The Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro is a smart power master with a large battery and high power output that can charge 99% of household appliances. It can provide reliable backup power during blackouts, brownouts, and long-term power outages. With the help of the Jackery Manual Transfer Switch, the solar generator can be integrated into home circuits, so you can choose up to 6 circuits from the breaker panel and power essentials in a blink of an eye.
Customer Review
"The power source performs to spec: great output, rapid re-charging, predictable performance, and easy to maneuver. With the solar panels, I now have complete peace of mind that I'll forever have power for my most important items in all situations." — William Nowacki Jr.
Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus
The Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus is the most trusted whole-home battery backup that can charge almost all household appliances during extended power outages and blackouts. The expandable battery capacity and massive power output ensure power lasts up to two weeks. The best part about the solar generator is the dual voltage compatibility, which lets you charge appliances working at 120V or 240V, such as dryers, refrigerators, water pumps, ACs, and more.
Customer Review
"Incredible whole home set-up! Easy installation (per the electrician) and very versatile. I look forward to adding more power for a longer backup. Great job, Jackery!" — Customer.
|
Products |
Capacity |
Home Appliances |
|
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus |
2042.8Wh |
Refrigerator (520W) = 3.1H Pellet stove (100W) = 16.3H CPAP (60W) = 27.2H Electric Blanket (100W) = 16.3H Fan (50W) = 32.6H |
|
Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro |
3024Wh |
Refrigerator (520W) = 4.6H Pellet stove (100W) = 24.1H CPAP (60W) = 40.3H Electric Blanket (100W) = 24.1H Fan (50W) = 48.3H Air Conditioner (900W) = 2.6H |
|
Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus |
5040Wh |
Refrigerator (520W) = 7.7H Electric Blanket (100W) = 40.3H Fan (50W) = 80.6H Microwave (1160W) = 3.4H Kettle (900W) = 4.4H Washing Machine (1500W) = 2.6H |
Note: The appliance running times mentioned in the table are based on mathematical calculations, and the actual runtime may differ.
Conclusion
The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus, Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro, and Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus come complete with everything that you need in an emergency, or to go off-grid. The solar generators can charge most of the household appliances during extended power outages. They are easy to set up in a matter of minutes, and with the simple press of a button, can begin providing enough power to operate everyday household appliances, including air conditioners. Whether you need a system to help you go off-grid completely, or just need emergency backup power, the Jackery Solar Generators are an ideal choice.
If you are interested in getting access to exclusive deals and discounts and want to stay up-to-date with all of the latest tips on solar power generation and living off-grid, then you need to sign up for the Jackery newsletter today.
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