Embracing Sustainability with Solar Powered Generators for Mobile Home

There is a significant number of UK residents who live in mobile homes. Mobile homes are becoming a popular housing choice because of their affordability, fast installation, versatility, and other attractive aspects. On top of that, these mobile homes are now incorporating eco-friendly technologies, such as solar powered generators, to embrace sustainability. So, let's discuss more about mobile homes in the UK and the importance of using solar panel generators in such homes.

Jackery Solar Generators for Mobile Home

History & Unique Features of Mobile Homes

Mobile homes are a new type of building that can be easily assembled and moved. They are factory-built residences with prefabricated structures on a permanently attached chassis. They are mostly single-family houses, which people can install at one place or move to another using a vehicle. 

Mobile homes, once called park homes or leisure lodges, have a long history going back to the 1500s when gipsies travelled with their horse-drawn mobile homes.[1] They were used both as the home and the vehicle. That's why some people don't consider them as mobile homes.

Trailer coaches were born in the 1920s when automobiles could move mainly for camping trips. They had no kitchen or bathroom space and were mostly used for temporary residence during outdoor trips. After World War II in the 1940s, the demand for housing increased in the UK. That was when the trailer coaches evolved into mobile homes, which included all the basic amenities, such as kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms, etc. 

Since then, the mobile home industry kept improving and modernising with the global trends. Over the years, the demand for mobile homes had ups and downs, but the industry retained its importance. In 2023, the market size of manufactured homes in the UK is $4.2 billion, and this number may continue to rise with the increase in housing demand and prices.[2]

Below are some of the unique features of mobile homes that reflect their market demand:

1. Mobility

Mobile homes are designed on a permanently attached chassis, which allows them to move from one place to another. This allows homeowners to travel to different places and change their surroundings. So, instead of renting new places when they are relocated for work or going out for long adventures, mobile homes provide the freedom and mobility they need.

2. Versatility

There are different manufacturers of mobile homes, which means different varieties of mobile homes are available to purchase. You can choose a small/large home and customise it according to your needs. Mobile houses have the function of regular fixed houses and can also be used as caravans for travel. This versatility of mobile homes makes them suitable for a wide audience who need mobile homes for temporary or permanent residence.

3. Affordability

Constructing a house in today's high-inflation era is very difficult. The construction costs in the UK have increased more steeply than in the EU.[3] Owing to that, not everyone can afford to build or purchase a traditional brick-and-mortar home. 

On the other hand, mobile homes are factory-built residences and are much cheaper than traditional homes. Besides initial costs, mobile homes also cost less in terms of maintenance, utility bills, etc. Overall, they are a much cost-friendly choice for UK residents who want their house but in a budget-friendly range.

Solar Powered Generator: The Necessary Device for Mobile Homes

Living in a mobile home without a steady power supply would be a trouble. If you permanently purchase and install a mobile home in a specific area, you may be able to use the grid supply to power the house. However, mobile homeowners usually need an external power supply to power home appliances. This is where the solar powered generator comes into action.

Solar energy is a clean and low-cost energy source. A solar powered generator includes solar panels to harness solar energy and a portable power station to utilise the converted solar energy to power appliances. Let's first look into the working principle of a solar powered generator to understand its necessity in a mobile home. 

The below steps reflect how a typical solar portable generator works:

  • Solar panels absorb the sunlight, which causes the photovoltaic effect.
  • The electrons in the solar panels flow and generate DC electricity.
  • The solar inverter converts the DC electricity into AC electricity to power appliances.
  • The excess electricity is stored in the built-in battery, while the AC electricity through the inverter is made available for output. 

This is how a solar powered generator works. It converts the freely available solar energy and provides a continuous electricity supply. And its battery can provide the needed supply when the sun goes down.

This way, even if the mobile home has no access to an electricity supply from the grid, the solar panel generator provides the needed supply uninterruptedly. So, you can take your mobile home to any remote place of your choice and still power all the essential appliances, such as a kettle, lights, TV, heater, oven, fridge, etc. All it depends is on what solar powered generator you use. The next sections talk in detail about this aspect.

For more information about home generators, please read How to Generate Electricity at Home for Free With Home Generators.

Jackery Solar Portable Generators

Considerations for Using Solar Powered Generators for Mobile Homes

There are plenty of things to consider before utilising the full potential of a solar generator. Let's shed light on four key things to consider when using solar powered generators:

1. Energy Consumption Analysis

Before you choose a solar panel generator for mobile homes, the first thing to do is analyse your energy consumption and evaluate your total energy requirement. Based on that, you must choose a solar powered generator that can supply the needed power. 

You should list all the equipment that requires electricity, such as refrigerator, microwave, heater, lights, etc. Afterwards, calculate their estimated daily energy consumption. For instance, a TV requires 100W and runs for 4 hours daily, so its energy consumption is 400Wh or 0.4kWh. Similarly, calculate the kWh energy consumption of all the appliances you want to run. 

Once done, sum up all values, and you will get the total of your daily energy consumption. Based on that, look for a solar powered generator that can supply the needed power. 

2. Available Space

The next thing to consider is the available space in your mobile home. Since the solar generator harnesses solar energy, you need a place for solar panels. Besides that, you also need a dedicated space in your mobile home where you can place the portable power station that charges and supplies the needed AC/DC power. 

This reminds you to pay attention to the size of the power station and whether the solar panels can be folded before buying a generator. Excessive size may cause a burden on your limited space.

3. Sunlight Exposure

The solar powered generator is highly dependent on sunlight exposure. Solar panels need proper sunlight to generate the required electricity. Therefore, the location of your mobile home is important to determine the amount of sunlight solar panels will receive.

If your mobile home is in an area with higher sunlight exposure, you can generate more electricity or charge the battery faster. Conversely, if the weather remains cloudy, then you may need large solar panels or battery capacity to ensure a consistent power supply. 

4. Battery Storage Capacity

During the day, you can directly utilise the generated electricity from the solar panel inverter. When there is no sunlight at night, you also need a power supply at night to power appliances. This is where battery storage capacity plays a vital role. 

The battery capacity of the solar powered generator should be such that it can power necessary appliances at night until solar panels start generating electricity during the day. Therefore, evaluate your power needs in mobile homes during the night and finalise your battery storage capacity.

For more information about choosing batteries for solar charging, please read Choosing the Right Batteries for Solar Charging in the UK.

The Power of Jackery Solar Generators

Two Best Solar Powered Generators for Mobile Homes

Many solar powered generators can support mobile homes, making it difficult to pick a reliable one. To help ease this hassle, we have shortlisted two of the best solar powered generators for mobile homes. The details are as follows:

1. Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro is a powerful 2160Wh capacity solar generator. It provides 2200W output power with 4400W surge peak power. It can power all the essential appliances in mobile homes, such as electric heaters, hot plates, portable air conditioners, etc. 

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro is the best choice for mobile homes because of its compact design and fast charging. The Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels offer a high 24.3% conversion efficiency. It can fully utilise solar energy and quickly convert it into electricity when in high light intensity. Moreover, the intelligent charging technology helps to fully charge the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro Portable Power Station in just 2.5 hours with 6 Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels or 2 hours with an AC adapter.

The Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro Portable Power Station only weighs 43lb (19.5 kg) with a foldable handle design. The solar panels can be folded tightly, making them suitable for mobile homes. Below is a quick glimpse of other key features of the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro:

  • Charging Methods:Three charging methods, including AC wall charging, solar panels, and carports.
  • Output Ports:6 output ports, including 2 AC outputs (230V, 2200W), 2 USB-A outputs (18W Max), 2 USB-C outputs (100W Max)
  • Safety:First-rated lithium battery with four temperature core detectors and two dual battery protection chips. BMS provide 12 layers of protection, making you worry-free in mobile homes.
  • Battery Life:Use weekly for more than 10 years.
  • Warranty:3+2 years warranty
  • Noise:Under 30dB, very quiet for mobile home use.
  • Operating Temperature:The operating temperature of the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro Portable Power Station is 14~104°F (-10~40℃), and the solar panels are 14~149°F (-10~65℃)Jackery Solar Generators Meet Your Need

2. Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus

If you have extended power needs to fulfil but want similar features like the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro, then the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus should be your pick.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus provides 2-12kWh of expandable battery capacity with extra battery packs. It can power heavy-duty devices up to 3000W, which makes it able to meet all your needs in mobile homes. Moreover, it is chargeable even faster than the above solar generator. You can charge it in 2 hours with 6 Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels or 1.7 hours with AC wall charging due to its advanced IBC technology. The other key features of the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus include:

  • Charging Methods:3 charging methods, including AC wall charging, solar panels, and carports.
  • Output Ports:7 output ports, including 3 AC outputs (230V, 3000W Max), 2 USB-A outputs (18W Max), 2 USB-C outputs (100W Max)
  • Portability:The Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station weighs 61.5 lbs(27.9 kg) with two wheels and an expandable handle design.
  • Reliability and Safety:Top-notch LiFePO4 battery with a 10-year lifespan. 
  • Battery Life: 4000 cycles at retaining 70% capacity. Jackery's ChargeShield is the leading-edge fast charge technology that enhances safety and increases battery pack lifespan by 50%, ensuring that you can gain enough power for your mobile home.
  • Conversion Efficiency: Industry-leading 25% solar conversion efficiency, making your mobile homes use solar power faster.
  • Warranty:3+2 years warranty
  • Noise:<=30dB while charging
  • App:Smartphone app for remote operations

Simply put, Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is a reliable and feature-rich solar generator that is suitable for all kinds of mobile homes in the UK. Its expandable battery capacity keeps your mobile home away from the risk of an unstable power supply. Jackery Solar Generators Providee Expandable Battery Capacity

Conclusion

Mobile homes provide the affordability, versatility, and mobility that UK residents need in today's inflation-feared and digitalised era. A solar powered generator is necessary to provide an uninterrupted and sustainable power supply free from any dependencies. 

The importance of solar generators for mobile homes is needless to say. Jackery is committed to offering powerful, feature-rich, efficient, and eco-friendly solar generators for all scenarios. So, if you plan to power your mobile home, explore our rich product line of solar generators and find the right capacity generator you need.

References

[1] The History of Mobile Homes. Available at: https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-mobile-homes-4076982   (Accessed: 18 October 2023)

[2] UK Manufactured Homes Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2023 - 2028) Available at: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/uk-manufactured-homes-market.   (Accessed: 18 October 2023)

[3] Brexit: UK construction costs 'have risen much more steeply than EU'. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/jan/24/brexit-uk-construction-costs-eu    (Accessed: 18 October 2023)

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