3 Best Solar Generators For Off-Grid Living
Off-grid living is a popular modern lifestyle where one relies on their own power sources. Living completely off-grid is an appealing idea for people wanting to be self-sufficient.
Sustainable life involves disconnecting from electrical grids and living a "green life." However, the idea seems impossible as we depend heavily on electronic devices. That's where a solar power station comes into the picture.
A solar generator is great for off-grid living, as solar energy is always available. In addition, the best solar generators for off-grid living can help you recharge batteries and power electronics.
As long as the sun shines, a solar generator could be a life-saver to charge all your appliances. Post the daytime, the recharged battery will help you power gadgets at night. If you want to switch to an off-grid lifestyle, check out the top 3 solar generators available on the market.
What Is a Solar Generator For Off-Grid Living?
Off-grid living isn't a walk in the park. Having a reliable, safe, and quiet energy source can help you live off-grid while keeping your electronic devices up and running.
A solar generator for off-grid living is a device that converts solar power into electricity. It acts as a power station that generates enough electricity to charge all your appliances, including but not limited to refrigerators, heaters, grills, etc.
A solar generator is great for off-grid living, as solar energy is always available. In addition, the best solar generators for off-grid living can help you get renewable energy and power electronics.
Off-the-grid power stations are not reliant on the electric grid, meaning you'll never run out of power.
What Size Generator Do You Need For Off-Grid Living?
While choosing the right size of solar generator, you must first evaluate the two basic terms: watt and watt-hour.
A watt (W) is a power unit representing the rate at which there is energy consumption or production. You can think of watt as an electric flow measure that powers devices.
For instance, a large appliance like a refrigerator will use more energy, have high watts, and require a more considerable flow than a bulb.
Meanwhile, a watt-hour (Wh) is an energy unit that measures the amount of work performed. Understanding the off-grid energy requirements (watts and watt-hour) will assist you in choosing the best solar generator that fits your needs.
The average off-grid home or cabin generally requires around 5000-7000 Watts of power to run all the home appliances.
Solar generators are an excellent choice to provide power to your off-grid cabin. A solar generator of 1000 watts can charge all the basic appliances like fridges, laptops, toasters, etc.
However, we suggest using a solar generator of 1500 watts and above to charge everything from a small water kettle to a large refrigerator.
Check out the estimated watts for all the appliances in the below table.
Kitchen
Appliances |
Estimated Watts |
Estimated Using Hours /day |
Total wh (=watt*hour) |
Refrigerator |
300W |
8H |
2400Wh |
Electric Fry Pan |
1500W |
1H |
1500Wh |
Washer |
1000W |
0.5H |
500Wh |
Microwave Oven |
1000W |
0.2H |
200Wh |
Electric Kettle |
1200W |
0.5H |
600Wh |
Toaster |
850W |
0.25H |
213Wh |
Coffee Machine |
1000W |
0.5H |
500Wh |
Blender |
500W |
0.5H |
250Wh |
Bedroom
Appliances |
Estimated Watts |
Estimated Using Hours /day |
Total wh (=watt*hour) |
CPAP |
40W |
8H |
320Wh |
Space Heater |
1500W |
3H |
4500Wh |
Lights and Lamps |
100W |
8H |
800Wh |
Washing room
Appliances |
Estimated Watts |
Estimated Using Hours /day |
Total wh (=watt*hour) |
Washing Machine |
500W |
1H |
500Wh |
Dryer |
1800W |
0.5H |
900Wh |
Living room
Appliances |
Estimated Watts |
Estimated Using Hours /day |
Total wh (=watt*hour) |
Laptop |
50-100W |
3H |
150-300Wh |
Flat Screen TV |
60-100W (depending on model and size) |
2H |
120-200Wh |
Central Heating Furnace |
400W |
8H |
3200Wh |
Portable Electric Fan Heater |
2000W |
3H |
6000Wh |
Central Air Conditioner |
2000W |
8H |
16000Wh |
Window AC Unit |
1000W |
8H |
8000Wh |
Tools for work and transportation
Appliances |
Estimated Watts |
Estimated Using Hours /day |
Total wh per day (=watt*hour) |
Sump pump |
1000W |
1H |
1000Wh |
Welding machine |
1800W |
1H |
1800Wh |
E-bike |
500W |
4H |
2000Wh |
Appliances for Winter
Appliances |
Estimated Watts |
Estimated Using Hours /day |
Total wh (=watt*hour) |
Electric blanket |
55W |
8H |
2000Wh |
Electric Heater |
350W |
2H |
700Wh |
How To Choose The Best Solar Generator For Off-Grid Living?
When selecting the best solar generator for off-grid living, many options are available on the market. Below we have compiled a list of crucial factors to consider before investing money in the first solar generator you see.
- Capacity
Solar generator capacity, or precisely battery capacity, is how much energy your solar system can store. If you want to eradicate the need to recharge batteries again and again, go with a bigger solar generator with a large power station size.
The best solar generator for off-grid living should have a battery capacity over 1000 watts. The bigger battery can store more electricity and power your devices for an extended time before you've to recharge them.
- Input/Output Ports
The next vital point you should evaluate is the number of input and output ports. Does it have enough external and internal charging ports that can charge multiple appliances at the same time?
For instance, you can pick Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro to charge up to 8 devices simultaneously. It features a DC input, AC input, carport, USB-A, two USB-C outputs, and three AC outputs to power up all appliances simultaneously.
- Charging Options
Always consider choosing solar generators with multiple charging options, so you don't have to worry about how to charge them. The three common ways to fuel solar generators are charging by car outlet, wall outlet through an AC charger, and solar panels.
- Inverter
Batteries store power in the form of DC, which needs to be converted into AC current to charge up appliances. DC current generally powers 12-volt devices, whereas AC current powers 110, 120, and 130-volt devices.
Generally, the primary function of a solar power inverter is to execute the DC/AC inversion process. Always consider finding a solar system with a verified pure sine inverter. A highly efficient generator can effectively create clean power with less energy loss during the conversion.
- Solar Charging Time
Some solar power generators take more time to charge, whereas others take less. You can determine the charging time depending on the number of appliances you want to recharge and their power requirements.
For instance, Jackery's solar power generator has a fast charging system. You can quickly charge it up and power all your appliances. Jackery 2000 Pro is a quick and efficient solar power generator for renewable power.
- Weight
Solar generators should be lightweight and portable. Think of how often you need to pack and unpack while off-grid living. That said, you should focus on the portability of the generator.
Always check if the solar generator has a foldable handle so you can quickly move it from one place to another. All the Jackery products come with a foldable handle and lightweight nature, so you can focus on enjoying your off-grid living without dealing with heavy generators.
- Price
Finally, everything boils down to what you can afford.
As a general rule, don't go for the most expensive or the cheapest models. Instead, look for a cost-effective product that checks off all the essential points of being the right generator for your needs.
Focus on finding affordable options without sacrificing quality while buying the best solar generator for off-grid living in 2023. Remember, the cost of an off-grid generator will depend on the brand, location, size, and type of system.
Of course, living off-grid requires some preparation. First, you need to have a reliable power source solution by weighing the pros and cons of each available option. Then, you can consider investing your money into the right solar generator that will reduce your dependence on resources, help you attain a modern lifestyle, and lower your carbon footprint.
Best 3 Solar Generators For Off-Grid Living With Jackery
People are planning to switch to off-grid to reduce their environmental impact by generating their own power. But with so many solar systems in line, it can be challenging to choose the generator to get a fantastic charging experience. To help you make an easy choice, here are the three best solar generators for off-grid living in 2022.
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro for Most Off-Grid Living
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro has a 2160 Wh capacity which utilizes the sun's magnificent energy to power all large appliances, including microwaves, ovens, refrigerators, and more. It is one of the cost-effective solar generators for off-grid living and working. The bundle of Explorer 2000 Pro and 6x SolarSaga 200W features fast charging capabilities that can power up in just 2.5 hours. Some other bundle options include Explorer 2000 Pro with 4x SolarSaga 200W, Explorer 2000 Pro with 2x SolarSaga 200W, and Explorer 2000 Pro with 1x SolarSaga 200W panel.
Best Features
- Emits no toxic gases and causes no harm to the environment
- Works with less than 53 DB sound to ensure peaceful and quiet charging
- Supports large appliance charging, including refrigerator, air conditioner, microwave, etc
Customer Review
“You can't go wrong with Jackery. All their products are top shelf. I have 4 generators. Just bought this 2000 Pro. It's a big boy alright! I'm 66 and I can pick it up myself and move it. But it's considerably heavier than 1000. I think having as many of these as you can afford is a good idea. Great peace of mind.” -- Kay Phillips
Jackery Solar Generator 1500 for Quality Off-Grid Living
Another best solar generator that can help you charge most off-grid appliances is Jackery Solar Generator 1500. It combines Explorer 1500 and 4x SolarSaga 100W and can power everything from a mini cooler to an electric blanket, coffee maker, and much more. Furthermore, the 1534Wh capacity of the solar generator can charge up in only 4 hours.
Best Features
- Features 7 output ports that help you charge multiple devices at once
- Six layers of safety and battery system management monitor battery health and protect appliances
- Easy to set up and can power most of the electronic devices required for off-grid living
Customer Review
“I'm a smallish woman in my 70s, so I needed something I could move around and set up by myself. No problem there! Set everything up and got it fully charged, then packed everything away. The generator and only 2 panels arrived in one shipment, but the other 2 panels came today. Very pleased with this...ready for a big pour-out now.” -- AnneTiffany
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro For Basic Off-Grid Living
The bundle consists of Explorer 1000 Pro and 4x SolarSaga 200W panels. The multiple ports allow you to charge up to 8 appliances simultaneously. It takes around 1.8 hours to fully charge and power appliances, including an electric heater, kettle, hair dryer, laptop, instant pot, etc. So if you want a feature-rich solar power generator that serves all your basic off-grid energy needs, choose Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro.
Best Features
- Heat dissipation and high-temperature protection to ensure system and appliances are safe
- Top shock-resistant level 9 and ultra-long standby with 1000 charge cycles
- Foldable handle and lightweight for easy transportation while off-grid living
Customer Reviews
“The Jackery Explorer Pro 1000 and the two 80w SolarSaga panels were well packaged, and arrived quickly. The solar generator package includes everything you need to charge the power station via solar power, AC power, or from an automotive 12 volt outlet. The power station charges in under 8 hours with the two 80w panels in full sunlight (no shadows!!),or in under 2 hours from a household AC outlet. This is a great power station for power outages, and for camping.” -- Tim
Find more about the best solar generator for off-grid living in 2023 in the below table:.
Products |
Capability (wh) |
Appliances |
Solar Charging Time |
Price |
Jackery Solar Generator 2000Pro |
2,160 Wh |
Light(13W) 100H, TV(60W) 22H, Cooler(21W) 70H, Heating Blanket(40W) 68H, Coffee Maker(1000W) 2.2H, Electric Stove(1150W) 90Min |
Takes 2.5 hours to recharge with Explorer 2000 Pro and 6x SolarSaga 200W solar panels. |
From $2,499 - $6,199. |
Jackery Solar Generator 1500 |
1534 Wh |
Mini Cooler (60W) 21H, Ice Shaver (700W) 120 Min, Toaster (650W) 130 Min, Microwave Oven (1000W) 68 Min, Electrical Grill (900W) 75 Min, Coffee Maker (500W) 130 Min. |
Takes 5 hours to recharge with Explorer 1500 and 4x SolarSaga 100W solar panels. |
From $1,998 - $2,899. |
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro |
1002Wh |
Laptop (65W) 9 Times, Electric Blanket (55W) 14H, Electric Heater (350W) 2.5H, Hair Dryer (1000W) 0.9H, Instant Pot (1000W) 0.9H, Kettle (850W) 1H. |
Takes 1.8H to recharge with Explorer 1000 Pro and 4x SolarSaga 200W Solar Panel |
From $1,597 - $3,999. |
Benefits Of Using Jackery Solar Generator For Off-Grid Living
Jackery Solar Generators are a dynamic power backup solution for off-grid living. The best part about the Jackery power station is that they have a lifespan of10 years to 80% maximum capacity.
It is a renewable energy source that meets all your solar energy needs but involves a considerable investment. Therefore, you must thoroughly research, check the available options, analyze features, and then make your final purchase.
Here are a few reasons why Jackery power stations are considered the best solar generator for off-grid living in 2023.
- Reliable and Renewable Energy
Jackery Solar Generator 1500 or 2000 Pro is a reliable option for anyone who wants to go off-grid. To charge up the generator, you can plug the solar panels into the power station until it's fully charged.
Post charging the power station, you can use the generated power to recharge any home appliance or electronic device of your choice. As the power/energy is derived from the sun, you always get access to clean and renewable power.
- Safe to Use at Home
The lithium-ion batteries of the generator last long and produce safe energy. The best part about Jackery Solar Generator is the dual protection chips that monitor the battery during charging and prevent overcharging issues.
The temperature sensor checks the battery pack to prevent overheating while charging and discharging. Hence, you can rest assured that solar generators are safe to use during off-grid living.
- No Fumes, No Need to Use Fuel
Unlike gas generators, Jackery solar generators do not produce fumes. Instead of adding fuel, the best solar generator for off-grid living works on solar energy.
As a result, no fumes or toxic gases are emitted while charging. The SolarSaga panels with a Jackery power station easily connect to the generator for battery charging. The time required to fully charge the battery will depend on the power station size
- Saves Money and the Environment
As we know, solar generators convert solar energy to produce electricity. Therefore, no fuel is used, and toxic gases are emitted while solar to electrical conversion.
That makes Jackery Solar Generator an eco-friendly choice for people wanting to go off the grid for a weekend or extended period.
Going off-grid means you generate your own power utilizing solar panels. That said, you can save money on electric bills while protecting the environment with no toxic emissions.
- Pass-Through Charging
The pass-through feature of Jackery Solar Generator differentiates it from the other generators available on the market. The feature allows you to charge your gadgets even when the generator is recharging.
The solar generator has a handy input and output display. Thus, it means you can view how much power you're putting in and how much energy you're using.
Not to mention your gadgets will remain up and running without worrying about whether the generator is fully charged.
- Quiet
Jackery Solar Generator is quiet as compared to traditional generators at home. The cooling fan in the generator produces no more than 53 dB to keep the electronics cool.
Besides, it does not produce noise while operating and powering your appliances. With that said, you can keep the solar generator on while sleeping. The emission-free and quiet nature of the Jackery Solar Generator positions it above gas-powered generators.
Not only does the solar generator charge appliances, but it also ensures that you can enjoy a modern off-grid lifestyle with the abovementioned benefits.
FAQs About Solar Generator For Off-Grid Living
1. Can you live off the grid with a solar generator?
Yes. The solar generator is an excellent option to cherish off-grid living. It is a safe, reliable, and convenient means of using solar energy to power all your electronic devices and gadgets.
2. How many solar panels does it take to run a house off-grid?
The number of solar panels varies depending on the type of solar generator. Here are the solar panel options for the best solar generator for off-grid living.
- Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro with 6*200W solar panels can power 99% of appliances.
- Meanwhile, Jackery Solar Generator 1500 with 4*100 solar panels can provide you a quality off-grid living.
- 4*200 SolarSaga panels in Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro can build up a solar power system for your basic off-grid living needs.
3. How many solar panels are needed to run a house off-grid?
The number of solar power panels you need to go off-grid depends on the electricity you use, the type of solar generator, the amount of direct sunlight you receive, and so on. For example, the average off-grid house usually requires 5000 Watts of power. So if you can choose the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro (Explorer 2000 Pro + 4* SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels) to fully recharge the power station in 4 hours.
Conclusion
Investing in one of the best solar generators for off-grid living is vital if you've decided to cut connections from the grid and adopt the off-grid lifestyle.
Jackery solar system is an excellent choice for adventurous people. It can be a temporary power backup source to power up all your appliances while camping, off-grid living, during power outages, and more.
If you plan to go for a long time off-grid trip, Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro is the ultimate choice. It features a fast charging mechanism and can power all small and large appliances with multiple charging points.
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