Solar-Powered Generators Picking a Solar Power Pack That’s Right for You
This guide shows how solar generators work and what features you’ll find on most units. Solar generators differ in terms of power output, so you’ll learn how to pick the right-sized generator to fit your needs as well as typical for various sizes and features.
| Minimum Watt-Hour Capacity You Need |
Knowing how many amp-hours of capacity you need will help you decide the size of generator you need to buy. Generally, the more you will demand of your generator, the larger the generator needs to be.
Classes of Solar Generators
The solar industry has evolved. Consumers today have a wide range of options, from mini-models that charge mobile phones to large, heavy-duty units for construction sites and military bases.
How It Works: Solar Generator Secrets
A solar generator is a simple system consisting of five key components. Look for these five things when buying or building a solar generator:
Local weather patterns make a difference, but almost everyone has access to sunlight via a roof, porch, terrace, yard or nearby clearing. The best location for your solar generator is the one that receives the most direct sunlight each day.
This is a panel filled with individual photovoltaic cells, which have the ability to convert photons of sunlight into electricity. Solar cells are made of silicon crystals cut into super-thin wafers or a film made of silicon, cadmium telluride or other materials. The cells are connected in a series to develop an electrical current that charges a battery.
The battery stores power so you can draw upon it later, even when the sun’s not out. The most common batteries are the lead-acid type. For a solar generator, you’ll want a high-capacity, deep-cycle type rated for 12 volts.
Battery power is direct current (DC), and your appliances need alternating current (AC). So you need a device to convert DC to AC, called an inverter. Look for an inverter with one or more AC plug inputs to accommodate your appliances. A 2,000-watt voltage inverter provides sufficient power to run most home appliances or power tools.
Your battery’s DC output will charge laptops, phones and other devices that have internal inverters. For appliances, you need a safe and reliable way to bring the electricity back to your home, which can vary from a heavy-duty extension cord to a more permanent wiring solution.
Your generator should come equipped with a voltmeter or some other indicator to let you know the panels are producing power. Solar panels generate between six and 24 volts of direct current (DC) power. As the infographic shows, the charge controller handles topping off your generator’s battery.
You’ll find that efficiency levels among solar panels differ. Efficiency refers to how well each cell converts the sun’s photons into electrical current. So a panel with a 15 percent efficiency rating produces 50 percent more electricity than one with a 10 percent rating. (Don’t be alarmed by the seemingly low efficiency numbers: the world record for solar panel efficiency is just over 40 percent). The other main difference among panel brands is how long they take to recharge.
Depending on your solar generator goals — the number of appliances and how much power they draw — you may want more than one solar module and battery, so you can string the modules together and produce more electricity. A solar panel typically costs a few hundred dollars and is available from a provider in your area. With proper installation and maintenance, your solar panel will last, on average, for 20 years.
Common Solar Generator Features
Most solar generator units have digital displays that show energy usages, recharge rates, and stored energy levels. You’ll find a range of options when it comes to power outlets and inputs, controls and packaging.
Power Outlets
Many solar generator configurations supply three types of outlets:
USB ports for mobile phones and tablets
Familiar outlet in homes and offices throughout North America
Common outlet found in autos and trucks for the last 60 years
The number of outlets featured on a solar generator is somewhat related to the amount of power the unit can generate. It’s generally not a good idea to increase the number of outlets by adding a power strip unless you first determine that the generator can provide the power necessary for additional appliances.
For heavy-duty use, a solar generator may include an external 30- or 50-amp outlet for charging external batteries or powering an RV.
Power Inputs
Some units have inputs that enable you to charge your generator by connecting it to a nearby wall outlet, which can be useful when your stored energy is running low and the weather is overcast.
You might also look for a unit with one or more heavy-duty inputs that allow you to add solar panels.
Generator Controls
As solar generators become more sophisticated, they may include displays and controls beyond energy usage and amount of stored energy, including:
- Gauges indicating average usage per day and month
- Indicators showing how much CO2 you’ve avoided by using solar energy
- Wi-Fi-based controls for remote monitoring and online management
Packaging
Look for convenience features, such as beefy handles and rain resistance. Big, heavy generators should have built-in wheels.
Solar Generators CPAP: Medical Devices On the Go
Traveling with a medical device isn’t hard. Most medical devices and all of those sold as portable devices will work with the 12-volt power outlet in your car. You may be considering a solar-powered battery pack for your continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, oxygen concentrator, infusion pump or nebulizer, which will allow you to go camping or otherwise live off the grid and still keep your medical device powered.
Follow this guide to determine which size commercial solar-powered battery pack you need and how to make your own compact solar-powered battery pack that costs much less than a commercial pack.
Does Your Medical Device Use a 12-Volt Adapter?
Most medical devices labeled as “portable” can plug into a 12-volt DC outlet in a car as well as a wall outlet, which provides 120 volts AC. If your CPAP machine or oxygen generator has an option for plugging into a 12-volt automobile outlet, then you’re halfway there.
For example, Respironics offers 12-volt adapters for some of its CPAP devices. (See image to the right.) An adapter like this replaces the cord you use to plug your device into a wall outlet.
This does not necessarily mean you can use a Respironics 12-volt adapter for any CPAP machine. Buy one designed to work with your device. Contact the dealer or manufacturer to learn whether you can buy a 12-volt adapter that will work.
What To Do If Your Device Doesn’t Have a 12-Volt Adapter
Even if the manufacturer of your device doesn’t offer a 12-volt adapter that’s compatible, you aren’t out of luck. You will need to learn the meanings of two technical terms: “inverter” and “sine wave.”
An inverter converts 12 volts DC power — like what comes out of a car battery — into 120 volts AC power, which is the amount that comes out of a U.S. wall outlet.
Inverters are nifty devices, but they are not perfect. Most are inefficient and waste about 20 percent of the power they receive from batteries. In simple terms, if your battery is rated to power your device for 10 hours, your inverter essentially throws away about two hours’ worth of power, leaving you with about eight hours of power to use. Inverter inefficiency is why you should use the manufacturer’s 12-volt adapter when operating on battery power.
This is not a physics lesson, so we’ll skip ahead to our recommendations. Inexpensive inverters often output energy in what’s called a “modified sine wave,” which often isn’t compatible with major appliances. You do not want a modified-sine-wave inverter. Instead, look for an inverter that offers a “pure-sine-wave.” It likely will cost more than the modified type, but it’s what most electrical devices are designed to run on. If your device won’t run on 12-volt power, then be sure to buy a pure-sine-wave inverter.
How Large Does Your Battery Pack Need to Be?
Battery capacity is like a gas tank in a car. Generally, a car with a bigger tank will allow you to drive farther than a car with a smaller tank. However, we know it’s not quite that simple. Some cars get better mileage than others. In order to know how far you can drive on a tank of gas, you need to know both your car’s average miles per gallon and the size of its tank.
When it comes to batteries, here’s a fair rule of thumb: The heavier the battery, the greater its capacity. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule — batteries are packing more power per pound as technology advances. U.S. gas tanks are measured in gallons while battery capacities are measured in amp-hours (AH). Like the gasoline capacity of auto fuel tanks, the more amp-hours in a battery, the better.
You’ll need to know how many amp-hours of battery capacity are required to run your device for a set number of hours. An 8 AH battery will power a device consuming one 1 amp of current for eight hours. Or, the same 8 AH battery will power a 2-amp device for four hours or a half-amp device for 16 hours.
The following table shows how much power these medical devices need to operate for eight hours:
Power consumption varies with flow rate, efficiency of device, and its settings. Humidifier use increases power consumption dramatically.
Here is a list of five commercial battery packs you can buy that will power CPAP and other medical devices.
You have the option to build your own solar-powered generator, and you can find instructions for doing so on several websites. However, if you’re not handy or experienced with wiring electrical parts, you’re better off buying a preassembled solar charger. If you prefer to do it yourself, consider the Zamp kit in the table above.
Resources
Choosing a solar generator requires doing your homework. Fortunately, many online resources are available to help you through the process.
- My Gen Set Find information about how to choose a solar generator, along with a handy chart of ratings, wattages, and for a select number of brands.
- Choosing a Portable Renewable Energy Generator A good guide provided by AltEnergyMag.com for those who are looking to match personal usage to the right generator.
- Choosing a Backup Generator From Mother Earth News, this article offers a detailed examination of backup generators, including solar, with lots of useful information (though some of it may be dated).
- Portable Solar Home Generator Buying Guide This well-written, comprehensive article from eBay covers all the important points of the solar generator buying process.
- Portable Solar Generators 101 An examination of factors to consider when choosing a solar generator, such as “sustainable maximum output load.”
This page was created for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding your medical equipment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you read here.
Industrial solar generator
Home / Machinery Equipment / Off-Grid Solar Generator Market
Off-Grid Solar Generator Market Size, Share Industry Analysis, By Type (Below 40 KWH, 40. 80 KWH, 80. 150 KWH, Over 150 KWH), By Application (Government, Industrial, Commercial, Residential) And Regional Forecast 2023-2030
An off-grid solar generator system allows electricity to be captured by solar panels and stored in a battery, giving an independent power source to the house or company without a direct connection to the power system. In general, an off-grid solar system is a unique invention that supplies with autonomous solar energy. This system is made up of the components like solar panels, battery bank(s), inverters charge controllers. The effectiveness of the components of an off-grid solar energy system determines its inventiveness. The solar panels, charge controllers, battery bank, and inverters of a solar energy system all work together to power your laptop or refrigerator.
The market is highly fragmented with key players trend of using off-grid solar generator for saving environment as well as money. The surge in population and industrialisation has resulted in enormous energy consumption. Additionally, to fulfil rising demand, non-renewable energy sources have been used, resulting in poor climatic conditions and the possibility of fossil fuel depletion. As a result, off grid solar generators are utilized as an alternate source of clean energy that is available at all times. Increased government initiatives to stimulate the use of renewable energy will increase market demand for Off-Grid Solar Generators.
One of the major factors driving the market’s growth is a decrease in the cost of energy generated through traditional means and a rise in the cost of solar power generation. Government laws requiring energy producers to convert from traditional energy generation to renewable energy generation have compelled them to do so. Off-grid solar generator generators’ scalability are major advantages that favour their adoption. For Instance, India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has sset an ambitious goal of achieving 225 GW of renewable energy by 2022, which will boost demand for off-grid solar generator.
However, the COVID-19 had a significant impact on nearly every industry on the planet. The market for off grid solar generators has also experienced a substantial decline. Additionally, Lockdowns enforced in several nations’ impacted cross-border traffic, increasing the gap between demand and supply. However, with the recovery of various nations’ economies, demand for off-grid solar generators would rise, reviving the industry.
Key Players Covered:
Some of the key players in this market include Goal Zero, Hollandia Solar, Altern Limited, Jaspak, Sunvis Solar, BioLite, Powerenz, SolSolutions LLC (SolMan), SolaRove, SolarLine Group, Voltaic Power others.
Regional Analysis:
North America expected to witness major growth in off-grid solar generator. Additionally, companies will be compelled to convert from traditional energy sources to solar energy as a result of severe CO2 emission laws. In the addition, the market for off grid solar generators will expand as people become more concerned about climate change. Furthermore, this increase is mostly due to a move away from non-renewable to renewable energy sources in order to minimize carbon emissions and the use of solar energy to lower company costs. Therefore, due to significant cost reductions in solar, businesses in the United States are rapidly embracing solar generators.
Europe is expected to witness high growth rates in the off-grid solar generator in the forecast period. Additionally, factors like high acceptance of automation technology in the region is further fueling the market growth. Due to the technological advancements along with rise in industrilaization urbanization is further fueling the market. Furthermore, this region places a greater emphasis on long-term decarbonization of the EU energy system, as evidenced by the installation of 76.6 GW of grid-connected solar plants and representing a 30% year-on-year increase. Europe aims to install 1 terawatt of solar power by 2022.
Furthermore, Asia Pacific region is anticipated to experience profitable market throughout the forecast period. The growing population of the countries like China and India in the region is further creating opportunities for the growth in the market. Especially in India, the National Solar Mission was established in 2010 with the goal of installing 100,000 MW of grid-connected solar power by 2022. Furthermore, Rapid urbanization in several ASEAN nations as well as rising per capita energy consumption, are expected to boost the market in the area.
Middle East and Africa are expected to witness considerable growth in the off-grid solar generator market due to the region’s modest overall development and lack of government involvement.
Segmentation
By Application
- North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico)
- Europe (U.K., Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Benelux, Nordics and Rest of Europe)
- Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, ASEAN, Oceania and Rest of Asia Pacific)
- Middle East Africa (Israel, Turkey, GCC, North Africa, South Africa and Rest of the Middle East Africa)
- South America (Brazil, Argentina and Rest of South Africa)
That’s why savvy homeowners invest in the Rebel Solar Generator. providing 120V/240V of off-grid support to power their entire home.
Free from the loud noise levels, high fuel expenses, and carbon monoxide risks of gas generators, the Rebel offers a full spectrum of customizations such as battery capacity, output, solar panels, and wind turbine controls. You can even plug and play your own batteries and solar panels. The Rebel Solar Generator is perfect for homes, RV’s, cabins, well pumps and any other 240V or 120V applications.
Made right here in the USA, the Rebel brings heavy-duty, premium quality to your home that’s ready immediately upon delivery. In turn, homeowners can count on greater power input output, functionality, and durability than the Rebel’s flimsy and lightweight competitors.
All the while, the Rebel’s modular design means simple part replacements and easy additions for more solar panel or battery connections.
Whether you’re looking to stay prepared for anything or are in need of a long-term, off-grid solution, the Rebel offers uncompromising peace of mind. Not to mention, the Rebel ensures immediate ROI by cutting down grid spending during peak hours.
When it comes to your family’s safety and wellbeing, gas generators and cheap imported solar generators simply miss the mark. Only the Rebel delivers the features that matter with the dependability you need.
Order now to make this the last season your home was left unprepared.
Winner of the 2022 Best Solar Generator Award from the American Wind Solar Association!
Features
- Totally Plug and Play: No crimping, splicing, or extra wiring needed. Easily connects to your home’s breaker box via a transfer switch (optional).
- 120V and 240V outlets, The same familiar connections as a typical gas generator
- Weatherproof and outdoor rated. Exterior connections are waterproof and designed for outdoor use. The Rebel is designed to live outside 24/7/365.
- Totally modular:
- Exterior post terminals for connecting as many additional batteries as you need. Use our lithium batteries or use your own batteries.
- Easily add multiple solar panels to speed up charging.
- Car charger and faster wall chargers available for purchase. Integrated 240V AC charger included as standard.
- Expandable: Add batteries as you go
All models except the 3000W include the 240V AC charger.
Electrical / Software features
Low frequency inverter:
The Rebel features a low frequency inverter. Low frequency inverters are extra heavy duty. They use powerful transformers (lots of copper!) which makes them more reliable and sturdier than the cheap high frequency inverter’s MOSFETs. MOSFETs use electronic switching and are more prone to damage, particularly at high power levels.
- Low frequency inverters have a much higher tolerance for harsh and humid environments, making our solar generators ideal for use in emergency situations. Plus, our Rebel’s inverter has conformal coating on the PCB, further reducing the potential water/moisture damage to the electronics.
- Low frequency inverters have a higher surge output than high frequency inverters. (300% surge versus typical 200%) For example: The 4,000W Rebel has a 12,000W surge rating.
- The surge rating of 300% is for a full 20 seconds! Almost all solar generators except the Rebel have a surge rating of about 10 milliseconds to 2 seconds.
All models except the 3000W include the low frequency inverter.
For TONS more options and customizations, check out our beta features and generator accessories.
Rebel Advanced Features
The Rebel Advanced Features are not intended for beginners or novice users. However, all it takes is a little bit of reading and some patience to become an advanced user. The following features can be accessed on all Rebel Solar Generators. They are described in detail in the Rebel Inverter Manual, but feel free to ask us if you have any questions.
- Automatic transfer switch operation: This is similar to a conventional UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) used with computers and electronics. This requires the Rebel’s 240VAC input AND240VAC output to be continuously connected to your home or building. Note: The Rebel’s Input is sometimes referred to as Shore power or shore connection. With this feature enabled, your home or building will continuously run on power from the grid until the grid goes down. Within 8 milliseconds of the grid going down, power will be transferred to the Rebel’s inverter/battery off-grid system only. Visit Rebel Inverter Manual section 2.5.5 for more details.
- Gas Generator Auto-start for backup charging: (Only works with gas generators that have auto-start function). When the Rebel’s battery voltage drops to 10.0V DC (21.0V DC on 24V models), the Rebel will send a signal to start your gas generator. The gas generator will remain on until the batteries are fully charged. This allows you to maximize your free solar/wind power, but still have the reliability and dependability of a gas generator. The auto-start feature is completely automatic, so no more waking up in the middle of the night to start up the generator! Visit Rebel Inverter Manual section 2.5.13 for more details.
Combining these two features equips your home or business with the most cutting-edge backup power system available on the market. The system takes advantage of the best of both worlds; free and reliable solar power as primary, but still the option of falling back on traditional gas generator power. These two advanced features (along with Rebel’s other features) will provide a fully automatic backup system that you will never have to think about!
All models except the 3,000W include the above-mentioned advanced features
Specifications
Pure sine, split phase (240V AC and 120V AC)
Inverter rated power output:
Continuous output:
Surge output:
Maximum solar panel input open circuit voltage (VOC rating on your solar panel label): 100V DC
Maximum solar panel input power:
(UPGRADEABLE)
3,000W / 4,000W / 6,000W Models: 1,200W (40A @ 24V) Max solar input
8kW / 12kW Models: 2,400W (80A @ 24V) Max solar input
18kW Model: 2,880W (60A @ 48V) Max solar input
Maximum 240V input charging power:
Standard feature but not required to use the Rebel. (240V charging can be from the grid, a Level 2 EV charger, a gas 240V generator, or another Rebel Solar Generator. )
Please note: This feature is North American 240V only, not 120V. For 120V charging, see wall chargers.
Rebel version:
240V input charging power:
3,000W / 4,000W / 6,000W models: (1) Solar panel connector pair
8kW / 12kW Models: (2) Solar panel connector pair
18kW Model: (4) Solar panel connector pair
- Battery hookup cables (with 3/8 ring terminals)
- 1 x 30A 240VAC/1PH/60HZ Input, NEMA L14-30P (Accepts 240V grid / 240V gas generator)
- 1 x Pair input/output heavy duty and universal 3/8” post terminals for connecting wall charger (optional), external batteries or devices
- 1 x 30A 240VAC/1PH/60HZ Output (Standard North American Split Phase 240V), NEMA L14-30R
- 3 x 3-prong outlets, 15A max, Waterproof household 110/120VAC/1PH/60HZ wired with heavy duty 12AWG wire
- 1 x 12V socket, 30A (360W max output), protected by circuit breaker
- 1 x Pair input/output heavy duty and universal 3/8” post terminals for connecting wall charger (optional), external batteries or devices
(1) USB-C PD (1) USB-A QC 3.0: 18W Max. Output Power (5V@3.4A, 9V@2A, 12V@1.5A)
- Supports DCP (BC1.2, Apple, Samsung)
- Supports Qualcomm Quick Charge Protocol QC2.0 and QC3.0
- Supports Samsung Fast Charge Protocol AFC
Operating temperature range (Not including batteries):
(With fans on, tested 60dB at 3ft)
- Models over 150lbs will ship freight with residential drop off free of charge within the continental US.
Battery chemistry compatibility:
Cutting Edge Power Lithium 7S or 14SDeep Cycle Lead Acid Flooded Lead Acid Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) / Gel Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4)
Complete solar generator: 5 years
Solar charge controller: 5 years
Lithium Battery (If equipped): 5 years
There is no limit to the capacity of batteries you can use with the Rebel Solar Generator. When ordered, the lithium batteries you selected will be factory installed in the Rebel housing. If you ordered more batteries than this table shows, they will be shipped loose and will be ready to plug and play with the Rebel.
Background
An introduction to solar generators and Cutting Edge Power:
Solar generators are an excellent investment for hurricane / natural disaster preparation, backup power for your home, camping, tailgating, medical devices, refrigerators, air conditioners, construction equipment and tools, CPAP machines and more. Future maintenance of Cutting Edge Power products is easy with simple hand tools and off-the-shelf parts, unlike some solar generators that are worthless if one component fails. Designed in America and professionally wired in Houston, TX so you can rest assured you’ll have the best performing solar generator available.
Featuring our new high performance solar charge controllers, these solar generators can be used with virtually any battery on earth. Installing your own batteries is super easy: Just connect the supplied 5/16” ring terminal wires to your battery’s posts.
Cutting Edge Power lithium battery packs are welded, assembled and tested in Houston, TX. Even better, our lithium batteries are factory-installed when purchased with a solar generator. Our lithium batteries provide about 450% lifetime and 100% run time over traditional lead acid batteries. Plus, they’re about half the size.
about our lithium batteries
SAFE. COMPATIBLE. POWERFUL.
Cutting Edge Power’s wind and solar lithium-ion battery modules are the best way to pack more power and run time into a smaller space. Leveraging the amazing performance of our lithium cells and the resulting smaller footprint, our battery modules provide up to 450% lifetime and 100% run time over traditional batteries!
The cells are imported from the most reputable cell manufacturers in the world that also supply Tesla and other high performance companies. Cells are arranged in plastic holders. These plastic holders are a custom in-house design and they’re made in our shop. The cells are then welded together using a special machine designed and built by Cutting Edge Power! The plastic holders are then assembled and mounted inside your solar generator. All of this is done in Houston, TX.
Each cell array is continuously monitored by redundant Battery Management Systems (BMS), not just one like most battery manufacturers. If one module were to go out, you would still have the remaining modules in operation. The multiple BMS systems protect all cells against overcharging, overdischarging, as well as overcurrent. They also equalize all the cell voltages and keep the pack running cool.
#2: COMPATIBLE.
PERFECT FOR SOLAR OR WIND TURBINE CHARGING.
Our lithium battery modules will be factory installed in any Cutting Edge Power solar generator when purchased together. Adding a lithium batteries to an existing Cutting Edge Power solar generator is as easy as ordering a pizza with our custom drop downs.
We call them modules, because our entire solar generator product line is modular. We understand sometimes you need testing before you know how many batteries you need. battery modules can easily be added later and it only takes about 5 minutes.
We don’t believe in proprietary connectors or special permanent installations. No other connection or additional assembly on your part is required! Terminals on our battery modules allow you to quickly and easily replace old batteries. You can even replace our batteries with a different type or manufacturer!
Why are they so small, what’s the catch?
Our battery cells were pioneered by the auto industry so they have a high energy density in order to keep cars lightweight and extend their range. This means a smaller battery pack can have up to 2x the run time as a standard SLA battery. Combining the small size and higher energy density, our batteries will maximize your run time in a compact solar generator!
DIYers love our lithium batteries for the small footprint, cool operating temperatures and high energy density!
Only our lithium batteries provide about 450% lifetime and 100% run time over traditional lead acid batteries. Plus, they can do this in about half the size!
Compared with traditional batteries, Cutting Edge Power lithium ion batteries have a higher run time, higher cycle lifetime, better power density and charge faster. They also weigh less than LiFePO4 and a single module can even provide a higher discharge rate than multiple SLA or LiFePO4 batteries! In wind and solar applications, our lithium batteries have proven to be superior against lead acid, NiCd, AND lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries.
Solar Panel (IndustrialCraft)
The Solar Panel is a variant of renewable power generators that utilizes the energy of the sun to generate EU. This means that they cannot work during the night, during rainstorms, underground, underwater, in the Nether, or the End. However, transparent blocks (such as glass blocks or panes) allow sunlight to pass through, hence still allowing the panel to produce power. Some half blocks, like snow, will not affect the solar panel’s productivity.
Solar Arrays are upgraded versions of the Solar Panel. They are useful if a smaller space is required, or if one needs faster power.
Usage
Solar Panels output power at a rate of 1 EU/t during daylight hours (from 6:20 to 17:45). Power will output to any side except the top. Inclement weather (i.e., storms) affects energy production. For example, you could charge an Extractor for a large amount of Rubber instead of wasting coal in a Generator, or you can transfer your power into a BatBox, MFE or MFSU to conserve your power for a later use. Artificial light sources cannot be used to replicate sunlight for the Solar Panel.
Solar Flowers
Due to the relative weakness of power generation, Solar Panels are often assembled into so-called Solar Flowers (when using Copper Cable), whereby as many Solar Panels as possible are connected to a power storage device (such as a BatBox) using cable lengths of four segments or less. These constructions provide the benefit of compact and relatively cheap Solar Panel arrangements without energy losses. This was the most efficient design that existed in IC 1 and earlier versions of IC 2. The addition of Tin Cable, which allows voltages of 5 EU/t or less to be carried 40 blocks, has made other arrangements equally feasible. Now, solar flowers are outdated because they are very inefficient compared to solar farms with Tin Cable (.1 EU/40 blocks), Copper Cable (.1 EU/5 blocks) and Glass Fibre Cable (.1 EU/40 blocks).
When you have a steady Energy condenser a solar flower is easier to make.
A flower can now contain 13 panels.
Refined Iron = 10×13 = 130×256 = 33280
Redstone Dust = 6×13 = 78×64 = 4992
Copper = 6.5×13 = 84.5×13 = 7182
Rubber = 4.333×13 = 56.33×24 = 1352
Total EMC value = 65,253 for 13 Solar Panels
Tips
If attempting to reclaim a Solar Panel do NOT use any type of pick, as this has adverse effects on the fragile components of the block. This will revert the panel back to a Generator. Use a Wrench (IC 2 ) or Electric Wrench to remove the panel properly. The safest method is using the electric wrench in Lossless mode (Activated by M right click). However, Solar Arrays can be mined safely with a pick.
You’re best off using Tin Cables or Glass Fibre Cables to transfer the power from the Solar Panels due to high energy loss with other cables.
Effectiveness
Solar Panels are one of the two generators that do not require a resource to maintain effective power output (like the Wind Mill). However, they must remain in use for a very long time to pay off the resource cost incurred in creating the panel. In addition, the effects of weather will completely stop Solar Panels, which can make Solar Panels less cost effective. Upgrading to Solar Arrays will compact 8 Solar Panels into one block, but the costs to do so are prohibitively expensive. (A single LV Solar Array, for instance, outputting 8 EU/t, will cost 10 times as much as a single charcoal generator, outputting 10EU/t). However, if the setup has sufficient access to light, Solar Panels can prove to be a reliable way to keep lower tier machines powered, even while large EU is drawn to fulfill other tasks.