What Size of Solar Generator Do I Need for Off-Grid Living
Off-grid living is a growing trend and for a good reason. It offers some benefits, including reducing reliance on the electrical grid, increasing self-reliance, and living more sustainably.
Solar generators are one of the most popular and effective ways to power an off-grid home. The off-grid solar generator harnesses the free energy of the sun to produce electricity, which can then be used to power appliances like refrigerators, lights, and other devices.
Jackery Solar Generators are a leading brand in the solar generator market. With a battery capacity of 2160Wh, the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro can power 99% of your home appliances efficiently.
|
|
- 2160Wh that can power up to 99% of off-grid appliances - Unique quiet canyon cooling system for silent operation - Ultra-fast charging using Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels - Functional in temperatures up to 40°C /-10°F - Industry-leading BMS (Battery Management System) for safe operation |
Can A Solar Generator Power Off-Grid Home
Before diving deep into whether a solar generator can power your off-grid home, it's vital to understand "What is the best off-grid generator."
Simply put, an off-grid solar generator supplies power to homes with no connection to the mainline power supply. This type of power system is becoming an increasingly popular choice as homeowners are planning to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.
These generators combine photovoltaic solar panels and a solar battery to keep electric appliances like refrigerators running. Solar power panels absorb the sun's rays and convert them into electricity. The generated power can be easily stored in the solar battery to charge your home appliances.
One worthy thing to note is that the amount of sunlight captured by the solar power panel array will depend on its efficiency and rated power. It's better to choose the best solar generators for off-grid living that have highly-efficient solar panels.
Here are a few reasons why you should invest in an off-grid solar system.
- A solar home power backup system offers uninterrupted electricity access even during prolonged blackouts.
- Although the initial costs of solar technology are substantial, the savings from reduced electricity bills make an off-grid solar system cost-effective.
- The lithium-ion solar batteries in the generator produce safe energy. Hence, it is suitable for indoor usage.
What Size Of Solar Generator Do I Need For Off-Grid Living
Calculating the right size solar generator for off-grid living will vastly depend on your energy requirements. For instance, if you wish to power your entire home, it's essential to choose an off-grid solar system with a large battery capacity. However, if you want to power a few small devices like smartphones, a small solar generator would suffice.
Jackery offers robust solar generators and power stations in various sizes. Jackery Solar Generators are designed to supply reliable and safe power to all home appliances. You can consider Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro if you want to power 99% of home appliances.
On the other hand, you can consider an expandable Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus to increase or decrease the battery capacity according to your power needs. Connecting Jackery Battery Pack 2000 Plus with the Explorer 2000 Plus lets you expand capacity from 2kWh to 24kWh.
Below we will reveal starting and running watts of some common appliances.
Starting and Running Watts of Typical Household Appliances |
||
Appliances |
Rated (Running) Watts |
Starting Watts |
Dishwasher |
1300 |
1800 |
Washing Machine |
1200 |
2300 |
Refrigerator/Freezer |
700 |
2200 |
Light Bulb |
60-75 |
0 |
Microwave |
600-1000 |
0 |
TV |
500 |
0 |
Toaster |
900 |
0 |
Vacuum |
1440 |
2500 |
Coffee Maker |
1000 |
0 |
Blender |
300 |
800 |
Clothing Iron |
1500 |
0 |
Dryer |
5400 |
7000 |
Toaster Oven |
1200 |
0 |
Curling Iron |
1500 |
0 |
Space Heater |
2000 |
0 |
Laptop |
50-300 |
0 |
You can add the watts of your home appliances and choose the compatible solar generator. For instance, if your total home power consumption is nearly 2000 watts, it's better to choose a battery backup that can seamlessly supply 2000 or 3000 watts of power.
Jackery Solar Generators For Off-Grid Living
Living off-the-grid means charging appliances without relying on the electricity grid. Jackery Solar Generators are designed for exceptional power featuring optimal portability.
The independent power generation system combines highly-efficient monocrystalline Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels and portable and reliable Explorer Portable Power Stations.
In this section, we will reveal the three most popular solar generators that are capable of powering most home appliances.
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus offers a leaping performance and can charge heavy-duty devices up to 6000 watts. It has a battery capacity of 2042.8Wh that can be easily expanded to 24000Wh. The ChargeShield technology uses a unique variable-speed charging algorithm. It can boost the battery life by 50%, allowing you to charge 99% of home appliances for long hours.
Key Features
- Equipped with advanced IBC technology that offers fast solar charge in only 2 hours.
- Easy to expand using Jackery Battery Pack 2000 Plus.
- Feature LiFePO4 battery that can last for 10 year
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro
The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro features a battery capacity of 2160Wh that can be charged using 6*SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels. With the sun's powerful energy, you can charge 96% of home appliances. The first-rate lithium battery houses chips to ensure safe and reliable charging.
Key Features
- Offers all-around safety with superb BMS (Battery Management System).
- Ultra-fast solar charging in only 2.5 hours using 6*SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels.
- IP67 waterproof rating to withstand harsh outdoor conditions.
Customer Review
"This off-grid setup works excellently in the SW with abundant sunshine and is a great way to scale back on fossil fuels. We used this setup for our kitchen electric single burner for meals and an electric kettle for morning tea and coffee." — Lorina M.
Series |
Capacity |
Ports |
Recharge Time |
Off-Grid Appliances |
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 AC Input: 120V, 60Hz, 15A Max DC Input: 11V-17.5V, 8A Max, Double to 8A Max 17.5V-60V, 12A Max, Double to 24A/1400W Max |
Takes 2 hours to charge using 6*Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels.
|
Light (5W): 347H Cooler (21W): 82H Phone (29W): 59H Fan (70W): 24H Coffee Maker (1000W): 1.7H Outdoor Grill (1000W): 1.7H Refrigerator (700W): 2.4H
|
Solar Generator 2000 Pro
|
2160Wh |
AC Output (x3): 120V, 60Hz, 2,200W (4,400W Peak) 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 AC Input: 120V, 60Hz, 15A Max DC Input: 11V-17.5V, 8A Max, Double to 8A Max 17.5V⎓60V, 12A, Double to 24A/1400W Max |
Takes less than 2.5 hours to charge using 6*Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels.
|
Light (5W): 367H Cooler (21W): 87H Phone (29W): 63H Fan (70W): 26H Coffee Maker (1000W): 1.8H Outdoor Grill (1000W): 1.8H Refrigerator (700W): 2.6H
|
How To Choose Off-Grid Solar Generators
There is no doubt that off-grid living is a sustainable and rewarding lifestyle. However, you'll need an off-grid solar generator to ensure your energy needs are met efficiently. Below we reveal a few key factors that you need to consider while choosing the best solar generator.
Battery Capacity: You need to choose a solar generator with enough battery storage. It should be powerful enough to charge home appliances like refrigerators, ACs, etc. You can even consider expandable battery systems like Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus to meet your growing power needs.
Solar Panel Efficiency: The higher the efficiency of solar power panels, the faster they can charge your power station. Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels have a higher efficiency of nearly 24-25%, making them ideal for areas with limited sun exposure.
Portability: If you want a charging solution that meets your indoor and outdoor power needs, consider a powerful and portable solar generator. Jackery offers foldable and portable solar panels that are compact. Similarly, Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro Power Station for home backup features wheels, making the solar generator a portable choice.
Ease of Assembly and Usage: Most off-grid systems require additional accessories for installation. Jackery offers off-grid solar systems that feature plug-and-play functions. You don't have to worry about complex installation if you have Jackery Solar Generators by your side.
Off-Grid Solar Generator Vs. Solar Panels
When it comes to choosing the right power solution for off-grid living, the two popular options are solar generators and solar panels. While both technologies let you harness the power of the sun's energy, they differ in a few aspects. Let's compare portable solar generators with solar panel installation systems.
|
Pros |
Cons |
Off-Grid Solar Generators |
- Clean, quiet, and renewable energy - Portable nature lets you charge appliances efficiently - Can be used during camping, RV, and outdoor trips - High battery capacity that lasts longer - Requires little to no maintenance - Reliable power backup source |
- Requires a little higher upfront costs - Different generators have different power abilities |
Off-Grid Solar Panels |
- Green and clean energy - Quiet and emit no harmful gases - Provide unlimited power when the sun is shining
|
- Permanently installed solar panels are stationary - Requires maintenance - Need batteries to store power to charge appliances during the night - Rely on the availability of sunlight |
Off-Grid Solar Generator FAQs
How long will it take to recharge my solar generator?
The exact answer will depend on how much capacity of solar generator you have and how many panels you use to recharge. The larger the solar generator, the more time it will take to recharge.
For example, Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro Portable Power Station has a battery capacity of 2160Wh. If you use 6*Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels for recharging, you can fully charge the battery in under 2.5 hours.
How long do off-grid solar generators last?
Solar generators can last as long as their battery storage functions appropriately.
Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro Portable Power Station has a powerful lithium-ion battery lasting up to 10 years, assuming you use it twice a week.
Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Power Station uses a superior LiFePO4 battery that delivers seamless power for up to 10 years, even if you use it once daily.
Is an off-grid solar generator worth it?
Off-grid solar generators are perfect charging solutions to power appliances on the go. It's like a moving powering method suitable to charge devices even in the remotest of regions with no on-grid energy. In addition, investing in a solar generator ensures that you no longer have to worry about fluctuating utility prices, power outages, or electricity bills.
Final Thoughts
Investing in the best solar generator for off-grid living ensures you can save money on electricity bills and reduce your reliance on power grids. Besides powering appliances like refrigerators, ACs, etc., at home, you can carry the off-grid power system during tent camping, vans, etc.
Jackery Solar Generators are designed to power heavy-duty devices for long hours. These off-grid solar generators feature a sizable battery capacity that can charge 99% of your home appliances. With these portable and robust battery backups, you can enjoy a harmonious and peaceful off-grid living experience.