Small Off Grid Cabin DIY Solar Kit
Do you have a small off grid cabin or retreat that you’d like to run with solar power? This kit is perfect for you! Sized at 5.4kW, this kit is the ideal size for a completely off grid cabin under 800sqft. with fewer electrical loads than an average home. Compatible with 120v loads only.
Solar is easier than ever when you order a DIY Solar Kit through Practical Preppers. Our team will be by your side from the beginning to the very end. Our kits are the most DIY-friendly kits available with the all-in-one, pre-wired Sol-Ark inverters. This small, off grid do-it-yourself solar kit includes the Sol-Ark 5k-1P-N 120 volt inverter, SnapNRack roof mounting hardware, solar panels, batteries, and more with an optional Rapid shutdown add on available. Read the full details of what’s included below.
This small off grid kit has a small battery bank, so there will be power interruptions due to prolonged inclement weather. We recommend pairing this system with a Honda 2200 EU Generator in order to avoid power interruptions. Please reach out if you have questions about pairing this kit with a backup power source.
There are many variables that affect your solar requirements. If you are unsure if this kit is right for you, please start your consultation before purchasing and we will make sure you have exactly what you need! While necessary changes can be made after purchase, this kit is non-refundable upon purchase.
How DIY Solar Works
When you order a DIY solar kit through Practical Preppers, you won’t really be on your own. We can provide you with your solar system plan and design, one-line drawings, 3D renderings, permit packages, and much more! We will also take care of shipping and logistics and will make sure you have every piece of solar equipment you need. From start to finish, we will be by your side and remain available for assistance. To get started on your DIY Solar project with us, follow these steps:
Step 1: Buy your DIY. Once you purchase we will follow up with you to get you prepared and to work out logistics like shipping.
Step 2: Receive your materials. Your materials will come in multiple packages/shipments that will require different needs for unloading.
Step 3: Install. We recommend the help of a local electrician to install the electrical components (we can assist you and your electrician along the way).
Rapid Shutdown Add On:
Rapid shutdown is an NEC code (NEC 2020 690.12) requirement to ensure safety. Most AHJ’s require Rapid shutdown equipment in order to permit a roof mounted solar array. If you have any permitting requirements for your system we recommend adding the Rapid shutdown option to your order. If you have any questions about permitting requirements or Rapid shutdown, please contact us!
DIY Solar Customer Testimonial
I purchased it all (DIY Solar System Equipment) from Scott Hunt, owner of Practical Preppers LLC as a complete package. He provided everything but the concrete and wire (although he did provide all of the project-specific cables for the batteries and panels which greatly simplified the build). Everything was shipped to my home via truck freight and arrived in a very timely manner… If you’re looking for any sort of alternative energy, water, or other such non-typical, self-sufficiency types of projects, I urge to you check them out. There are lots of businesses out there doing these things in what is a hot and growing industry, but going through someone who lives the life, and isn’t just tapping into a lucrative market segment, carries a big weight with me.
Small Cabin Power Generation
Providing small cabin power when you live off-grid involves several different elements normally provided by your local power company: production or power generation; storage; and delivery or conversion. There are several options here and we’ll look at each of them in turn. I like to approach a small cabin like a boat. Although you can use a portable generator, the best approach is to set up your own stand-alone energy system using solar power, wind, or micro-hydro; a battery bank, and an inverter.
Before you can delve into the small cabin power source options, it’s a good idea to determine some numbers that approximate your small cabin energy needs. Otherwise, you’re working blind, making guesses as to how much power you need to generate and whether that’s even feasible. I’ll take a guess and say that most small cabins will probably fall into a range of around 100-200 amp-hours per day.
Power Generation
Your choices for power generation boil down to a portable generator or a renewable energy source. Each choice has pros and cons. A portable generator can run high loads and charge batteries quickly but is loud and expensive. Renewable energy is clean and quiet but requires more investment in the setup.
Portable Generators
The easiest option would be to simply purchase a portable generator, whether diesel, gasoline, or propane driven. Most propane-powered generators are also dual (or even tri-) fuel, meaning you can also burn gasoline (or natural gas). The obvious limitation here involves having to maintain a fuel source at your cabin. You could also have the generator running a high-output alternator for charging a battery bank. This way you would only need to run it for a short time as needed.
Generator Joe is an excellent resource for calculations involving HP, BTUs, energy conversion, and propane sizes.
The other drawback to using a portable generator is the noise and smell that comes from running this full-time. You don’t go off-grid into the woods in order to listen to a noisy generator hammering away. However, this is a viable option for powering tools when building your log home or cabin.
Renewable Energy for Small Cabin Power
There are several options when you consider renewable energy for your small cabin power source. Off-grid power generally comes from three different sources, each of them clean, green and free once past the initial capital costs. The best setup would be to include more than one of these methods of harvesting free energy in a hybrid approach that will keep you in power no matter what the weather or season.
Solar Power
Solar panel installation is pretty straightforward since you just have to install the panels and wire them up to the battery bank. But it’s also important to include a charge controller that regulates the incoming charge from bulk to float.
- 【New Design】Face Lift for 14% reduction in the panel length. Higher cell efficiency by using 9 busbars technology. Compared with 5BB solar panel cells, the 9BB 166mm solar cell has a better and longer lifespan.
- 【Dimension】55.2827.761.38inch. High winds (2400PA) and snow loads (5400PA).
- 【Maximum power】200W, Voltage at Pmax (Vmp):18.6V, Current at Pmax (Imp): 10.75A.
- 【Easy Installation】Diodes are pre-installed in the junction box, with a pair of pre-attached 3ft MC4 Cable.
- 【Warranty】2-year limited material and workmanship warranty. 10-year 90% output warranty. 25-year 80% output warranty.
Solar panels have been dropping in price over the years and there is a huge range of panels available. Performance warranties on solar panels typically last between 25 and 35 years. A 100-watt panel under ideal conditions will generate 100 watt-hours of electricity each hour in ideal sunlight and a 200W panel will generate 200 watt-hours each hour, so you can expect to pay about double the price for the 200W panel.
Let’s break it down into the three main types of solar cells:
- Monocrystalline silicon. these offer both high efficiency and good heat tolerance but are more expensive. Better for space-constrained installations where the higher efficiency is more important.
- Polycrystalline silicon (also known as multi-crystalline). these are lower-priced but also have lower efficiency, although this is constantly improving. Generally the more popular choice for off-grid, small cabin applications.
- Amorphous (or thin-film) silicon. these are the least efficient so need more mounting space; can be difficult to install and less durable. But they can be made flexible, which opens up potential applications, and high temperatures and shading have less impact on the panel performance.
The optimal situation would be to have your solar panels following the sun as it traverses the sky, but since you have a fixed array the best direction is true south (in the northern hemisphere). This is another consideration to bear in mind depending on how your cabin is situated. If you’re using a compass to orient the panels, you need to take magnetic variation into account so you’re not pointing at magnetic south.
Solar Panel Tilt Angle
Assuming your latitude is between 25° N and 50° N, then the best tilt angle would be:
- For summer, multiply your latitude by 0.92, and subtract 24.3 degrees.
- For spring and autumn, multiply your latitude by 0.98, and subtract 2.3 degrees.
- For winter, multiply your latitude by 0.89, and add 24 degrees.
If you’re just fixing your solar array in one position and leaving it, choose the season where you use your small cabin the most and use that tilt angle.
Wind Power
Once you have determined your energy needs you can see what size system is needed and whether your local winds can provide sufficient small cabin power. Experts recommend that small wind turbines be mounted at least 30 feet above nearby obstructions, such as trees. For a small cabin situation, this can be difficult.
Wind power for a small installation isn’t cheap. Typical costs range from 4000-9000. And most small wind turbines do not perform quite as well as their manufacturers would lead you to believe.
- FEATURES: Made for both land and marine. Integrated automatic braking system to protect from sudden and high wind speed. Easy DIY installation methods with all materials provided. Can be used in conjunction with solar panels. MPPT Maximum power point tracking built into the wind turbine generator. Made with high quality Polypropylene and Glass Fiber material with a weather resistant seal.
- PROTECTION AGAINST: Salt water corrosion, UV protection coating, Sudden voltage surge and wind gust, high wind speeds with integrated automatic braking system manual braking switch and over charging of battery.
- SPECIFICATION: Rated power: 400W, Rated speed: 28 mph, Voltage system: 12V, Cut-in wind speed: 6.7mph, Suggested battery capacity: 50A or larger, Number of blades: 3, Rotor diameter: 4 ft and Light weight: 25 lb.
- INCLUDES: 1 x Center piece tail (including generator MPPT), 3 x Blades, 1 x Nose cone, 1 x Manual brake switch voltmeter display box, 9 x Hex bolts (Large), 2 x Hex bolts (Small), 1 x Hex key, 11 x Nuts, 20 x Washers, 1 x Unilateral open wrench and 1 x Operational installation manual.
- WARRANTY: 1 Year manufactures warranty. wind turbine is made and shipped directly from TAIWAN. Our company strongly believes that only by shipping directly from our factory in Taiwan directly to your home, we can ensure the best quality and the authenticity of the product.
Power available from the wind is proportional to the cube of the wind speed. In other words, if the wind speed doubles, the power available from the wind increases by 8 times. You’re better off if you have varying winds that die off but that blowhard occasionally than if you live somewhere where the wind blows constantly, but only lightly.
The power equation can be stated like this:
- W = 0.0052 A v³
- Where W is the power in watts, A is the area swept by the turbine blades in square feet, and v is the wind speed in miles per hour; and A = π r².
Although this suggests an exponential increase in wind power as wind speed increases, the actual power increase is more linear than is predicted because a wind turbine is not perfectly efficient.
Boats regularly use small wind generators that can be mounted on a pole and swivel easily to face the wind. This is probably the best option to use for a small cabin power source, and you need to look very closely at the numbers to determine if there is sufficient wind to justify the cost. This is best thought of as a supplement to solar for a hybrid system.
Micro Hydro or Water Power
This is the least common of renewable energy sources. Very few people are using micro hydro power but if you have access to moving water this can be a good option for your small cabin power sources. It is efficient and reliable, although you may experience seasonal fluctuations due to changing water flow.
Energy output derived from the water flow is mainly dependent on two factors:
- Vertical Drop. Also known as head, this is the vertical distance the water falls through the water turbine. A drop of as little as two feet will generate electricity.
- Flow. This is how much water runs through the system. As little as two gallons per minute will generate electricity.
It’s not necessary to have a two-foot waterfall to achieve the drop. You can pipe in water from upstream to run through the water turbine and achieve a higher head this way. To give an estimate of the capacity,
Where P is the power in watts, H is the head in feet, and F is the flow in gallons per minute.
As an example, if you’ve measured the flow of your stream and determined that you are getting 20 GPM and you can pipe the water such that you have a drop of 30 feet, then you would be able to generate roughly 50 watts. Over an entire day, you would generate 1200 watt-hours or 1.2 kWh.
Here we’ve looked at three options for small cabin power generation. Living off the grid requires you to be self-sufficient. That means providing your own power source, along with energy storage, and delivery or power conversion. One option is to think of your small cabin like a boat and use some of the same power generation and battery banks that they use.
For more information, here’s a good resource for all sorts of renewable energy and small cabin power generation: Home Power
This is part of our series on handling various aspects of building small cabins. You can check out all the articles here:
- Small Cabins
- Small Cabin Site Preparation
- Small Cabin Heating
- Small Cabin Water Supply
- Small Cabin Power. this page
- Small Cabin Energy Storage
- Small Cabin Energy Needs
- Free Small Cabin Plans
Small Cabin Pages:
Free Small Cabin Plans Free small cabin plans are available for download for the DIY log home builder.
Tiny Cabin A tiny cabin reduces the impact on resources, the environment, and your wallet.
Pallet Cabins Pallet cabins are one way to affordably build a tiny home using cheap, recycled materials.
Build a Small Log Cabin How To Build a Small Log Cabin: Reprinted from December 1983 Popular Mechanics by Michael Chotiner with illustrations done by Harry Schaare.
Small Cabin Energy Needs Calculating the small cabin energy needs can be tricky when you’re trying to set up an off-grid energy supply. Let’s look at how to determine your energy needs.
The 5 Best Solar Generators: 2023 Buyer’s Guide
Alora Bopray is a digital content producer for the home warranty, HVAC, and plumbing categories at Today’s Homeowner. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of St. Scholastica and her master’s degree from the University of Denver. Before becoming a writer for Today’s Homeowner, Alora wrote as a freelance writer for dozens of home improvement clients and informed homeowners about the solar industry as a writer for EcoWatch. When she’s not writing, Alora can be found planning her next DIY home improvement project or plotting her next novel.
Roxanne Downer is a commerce editor at Today’s Homeowner, where she tackles everything from foundation repair to solar panel installation. She brings more than 15 years of writing and editing experience to bear in her meticulous approach to ensuring accurate, up-to-date, and engaging content. She’s previously edited for outlets including MSN, Architectural Digest, and Better Homes Gardens. An alumna of the University of Pennsylvania, Roxanne is now an Oklahoma homeowner, DIY enthusiast, and the proud parent of a playful pug.
April 26, 2023 December 6, 2022
We analyzed 50 Solar Generators across more than 1000 unique data points to bring you our recommendations for the best Solar Generators on the market to suit a variety of uses.
As solar technology improves and our understanding of the climate crisis deepens – especially in the face of steep price hikes to gas and oil – more and more of us are turning to alternative renewable energy sources to meet our needs. Solar generators, whether intended to be portable or stored at home, provide all-in-one solutions for both storing and using powerful solar electricity.
However, it can be near-impossible to separate sales jargon from genuine user reviews in a burgeoning solar market. At Today’s Homeowner, we only deal in clear and concise information gleaned from our expert research and personal experience to give you a straightforward, no-nonsense breakdown of the best solar generators available to you for various purposes and to suit a range of budgets in 2023.
Who we are
Today’s Homeowner is an educational website focusing on home improvement, with a FOCUS on DIY solar and wind energy solutions for the home, business, and individual. We are a proud member of and contributor to the broader renewable energy community, and our team is made up of clean energy enthusiasts. We spend most of our time scouring reviews, forums, and online stores to find the best products and the most reliable information with which to inform our readers.
From our own personal experience, we know that renewable energy – and in this case, solar generators – often requires significant initial investment before the long-term pay-off can be enjoyed. We know that what a manufacturer says about its product isn’t necessarily representative of the real-life experience of that product’s users, and we know that not all solar generators put out the advertised continuous inverter wattage, hold the advertised battery capacity, or last for the battery life cycles they are supposed to.
Here, we have collated a list of our favorite solar generators available on the global market today.
How we chose these solar generators
We haven’t just picked five random solar generators, nor have we been paid to advertise these specific units. Instead, we’ve carefully and meticulously selected the products on this list based on a few key metrics and with a variety of potential solar enthusiasts in mind.
First, we compiled a product tracker to chart the specifications, reviews, and real-life output of over 50 different solar generators across 30 parameters, from price to protection systems, voltage, battery capacity, number of ports, and more—all in all, that equates to a comprehensive product tracker covering over 1,000 unique data points. The full table can be found at the end of the article.
Next, we identified the 3 key parameters which matter most when choosing the right solar generator for you. They are battery capacity, weight, and price. Whilst other metrics are, of course, also important to factor into your final decision, it’s these three parameters that affect the portability, affordability, and versatility of any solar generator. Thus, it’s these three parameters that dictate how suitable a given generator is for your purposes.
Here’s a look at how our research helped us to chart which were the optimal solar generators available to buy across our three primary concerns:
Editor’s Picks
Having researched the market, here are our top picks for solar power gate openers, at a glance.
Best for Budget and Solo Adventurers: Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 160
Best for Off-Grid Living: Hysolis MPS3K
Now that you know who we are, why we’ve written this solar generator product review for you, and how we came to pick our top 5 solar generators of 2023, let’s dive straight into the product reviews themselves. With each solar generator, we’ll lay out all of the essential information you need to know, and then examine the product in greater depth, with a range of specific use-cases in mind, and stemming from our own personal research.
Bluetti EP500 – The generator of the future
The Bluetti EP500 is at the forefront of domestic-scale solar generation and storage, with some of the most impressive specs we’ve seen to date. If used for a full battery cycle every day, this solar generator has an estimated lifespan of a little over 16 years. Best suited to the homeowner with a large-sized solar array, the sheer bulk of this thing prohibits it from use as a portable generator, though its wheels do allow for mobility around the home.
Pros Cons
- Competitive price point for its impressive battery capacity
- Extremely long lifespan (16 years)
- Modern functionality includes wireless charging pads and numerous, varied outlet ports
- Fast-charging (4.75 hours with solar input alone)
- Quiet and efficient, with built-in true UPS relay
- Remote control smartphone app for improved ease of use
- The heaviest of all the solar generators on today’s market, confining it to home use only
- Maneuverability questionable, despite the 5 attached wheels, especially up and down stairs
- Quality of Bluetti customer support can be inconsistent
At the time of writing, Bluetti’s EP500 is fresh off the production line, hitting stores for the very first time. As such, it’s hard to say just how accurately the final product is living up to the hype. Having said that, it’s hard not to be impressed by the specs on this monster. Building on a long history of quality machines, Bluetti have sought to push the boundaries of contemporary solar generator design with the EP500.
It also retains some of the much-beloved features of other Bluetti generators, such as the inverter from the AC200P series which kicks out 2,000W of continuous power (enough to power a range of small to medium-sized household appliances and gadgets at once), with a surge capacity of 4,800W. We like the innovative battery, too, which is a LiFePO4 (Lithium-Iron-Phosphate) unit designed to retain a full charge for several months with minimal loss. Additionally, the technology to pair two EP500s together to double their potential output is also in production.
What all of this means for you is that the Bluetti EP500, once available, will serve as a super-reliable home backup power generator for use in sudden, unexpected emergencies, whilst at the same time doing a fantastic job on a more daily basis as an additional source of power for most average household appliances. On the downside, it’s just so heavy that we feel its applications are somewhat limited. We don’t think, for example, that most buyers would be able to lift this generator upstairs or push it along carpeted flooring without significant help. And it most certainly is not suitable for transportation outside the home.
The price may be high, but we think it’s worth it, especially if you already have a large solar array installed and intend to use it regularly; though only at home, and only on the ground floor.
EcoFlow RIVER Max – The generator for mobile adventures
We were hoping to find a nice mid-market solar generator option for those who want a quality piece of kit but who are working with a relatively tight budget, and in EcoFlow’s RIVER Max we think we found it. Perfectly suited to camping, hiking, and road trips due to its durability and light weight, we would however recommend against purchasing the RIVER Max as a home-based backup generator, as it doesn’t hold a charge for long.
Pros Cons
- Provides an above-average /Wh ratio (0.87) making it good value for money
- Being super-lightweight makes the RIVER Max ideal for taking with you on the go
- Top-rated customer service from EcoFlow
- Detachable additional 2.5kg Li-ion battery for even lighter travel
- Multitude of outputs for simultaneous charging of different devices
- Remote control smartphone app for improved ease of use
- Relatively slow-charging (up to 10 hours with a 160W solar panel)
- Users complain of poor power retention (only holds a charge for up to 5 days)
- Relatively short lifespan reduces number of viable applications
- ‘X-Boost’ feature does not boost functionality as advertised, but merely prevents shutdown
Let’s get one thing straight, the EcoFlow RIVER Max is of no use to you if you’re looking for a home-centered backup generator. In fact, we’d go so far as to say that even as an additional source of power around the home, you’d be better looking elsewhere. Home solar generators tend to be in fairly constant use, which would render the RIVER Max (with a battery life of around 500 cycles) obsolete within a year and a half. over, the RIVER Max can’t hold a charge for very long (despite claims made by the manufacturer). As such, it’s not going to be of any use as a backup generator in a blackout.
Where the EcoFlow RIVER Max does shine, however, is in its use as a lightweight, portable, and highly-functional solar generator for up to week-long camping, hiking, and road trips. Fully charged, the RIVER Max can quite comfortably look after your smartphones, laptops, GoPros, drones, speakers, camping lights, and other gadgets, with the capacity to charge up to 9 devices at once. Here, 500 life cycles mean 500 adventures with your solar generator in tow which, depending on how often you venture out, could give it a lifespan of a decade or more.
For a decent battery capacity and an inverter with continuous 600W output and 1,200W surge capacity, the price point on the EcoFlow RIVER Max is definitely impressive and would be our number one choice for portable purposes only. It’s also reputedly very durable – one customer remarking how his RIVER Max survived a fall from the roof of his car whilst traveling along a highway at speed.
Find the EcoFlow RIVER Max on:
Hysolis MPS3K – The generator for off-grid living
If you’re here, as we know many of you are, looking for the best solar generator for off-grid living – be that in an RV or motorhome, on a boat, or in an off-grid home on private property – then look no further. Hysolis are a truly trustworthy and reputable brand, and the MPS3K of theirs is a no-thrills, heavy-duty workhorse with exactly the right kind of battery capacity, life cycle, and surprisingly-impressive inverter to work perfectly in both sedentary and nomadic settings.
Pros Cons
- Huge battery capacity at a very respectable /Wh cost of 0.86
- Exceptionally easy-to-use with minimal fuss from the outset
- Dependable UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) in-built
- 3,000W continuous inverter with incredible 6,000W surge capacity lends itself to powering large home and vehicle appliances on a daily basis or in an emergency situation
- Small, but heavy unit – whilst portable, it will require help to move
- Few handy extras like a smartphone app or wireless charging pads
Here’s why we chose to include this (let’s face it, kind of ugly) solar generator on our list of the very best top 5 generators on the market: it doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not. At first appearance, the MPS3K from Hysolis is bulky, heavy, and unattractive, but that’s because the manufacturers have put their time and money, not into aesthetics, but into performance.
Note that, despite the fact the MPS3K has a Lithium-Ion battery (rather than the slower-draining LiFePO4 of the Bluetti EP500), its battery capacity is almost equal to that of the first entry on this list, despite being markedly cheaper and lighter. Similarly, it has an impressive life cycle and would last you at least 5.5 years if charged and drained every single day. What’s perhaps most impressive, however – and the aspect which we think makes the Hysolis MPS3K perfect for off-grid living – is the inverter inside it. This thing is more powerful than any other solar generator inverter on the market. It has a continuous output of a staggering 3,000W and can surge up to 6,000W. Thus, whether you’re running your off-grid refrigerator-freezer, your TV, your power tools, your lighting, or a small mix of everything, the MPS3K is – for its price – the best your money can buy.
Naturally, there are a few downsides to all these positives, the major one being the weight. Though small, the MPS3K is super heavy (121lbs or 55kg). Thus, whilst still just light enough to be portable on an RV, boat, or around your off-grid complex, it is of no use in scenarios such as camping or on a casual road trip. Equally, there are no techy extras to whet your appetite. It’s a simple machine that does the job it’s built for well. But then, that’s kind of what we love about it.
Find the Hysolis MPS3K on:
Goal Zero Yeti 6000X – The most powerful generator of them all
We’d be loath to write a list of the best solar generators in 2023 without including the most powerful solar generator of them all: the Yeti 6000X from Goal Zero. With a battery capacity of 6,071Wh and an inverter with a continuous output of 2,000W (3,500W surge), the Yeti 6000X is what we’d turn to if looking for a full-blown green energy backup generator for our home.
Pros Cons
- Most powerful solar generator on the market
- Below average /Wh ratio at 0.89 (better than most high-capacity generators, including the EP500)
- Light enough to be portable, with a handy luggage-style pulley handle and wheels
- Holds a charge for 3-6 months, making it super-reliable, and thus ideal as a backup home, RV, or off-grid generator
- Only has 2 AC output ports, which is half the number you’d want on a unit this size
- Relatively short battery lifespan makes it best-suited to use as a backup rather than a daily generator
- Low battery voltage (just 10.9V compared to the 53.1V of the Bluetti EP500)
- Few handy extras like a smartphone app or wireless charging pads
What is perhaps most surprising about the enormously powerful Goal Zero Yeti 6000X is that it’s actually lighter than many other units of far lesser power. That’s not to say it isn’t still bulky, however. At 106lbs it’s no spring chicken. Thankfully, though, it comes with a carrycase-type handle and wheels, which means that lifting it won’t often be a necessity. Though not suited for camping trips, it could certainly be taken with you on road trips, or incorporated into an off-grid mobile (or stationary) lifestyle.
6,000W capacity battery and a decent (though, to be honest, weaker than we’d like) inverter, a large number of small and medium appliances can be run with the Yeti 6000X, including a not-insubstantial number of larger appliances too. Where the Goal Zero Yeti 6000X works best is as a backup generator, since it will hold a charge for almost a half year before requiring recharging (which is an especially good thing considering it takes about 11 hours to fully charge with solar panels). In such a role, its short lifespan (500 cycles) becomes a negligible issue.
A few downsides to consider: It only has two AC outputs and has a surprisingly low voltage (10.9V) for its size. It also doesn’t come with any fancy extras (though, as we stated in the previous review, this doesn’t have to be a negative). On the upside, the Yeti 6000X is competitively priced, especially considering its rank as the most powerful generator around. All in all, it’s our top-rated product on this list (provided it’s only used as advised).
Find the Goal Zero Yeti 6000X on:
Jackery Explorer 160 – The personal generator for solo-adventures
Don’t be put off by the low price point or the meager 167Wh battery capacity. For the price you pay, the Jackery Explorer 160 is an absolute powerhouse, and both our highest recommended budget option, as well as our highest recommended personal camping and road trip option. It’s got respectable battery voltage, an in-built inverter (which to have at all at this price is commendable), and 500 life cycles: especially impressive when you consider the Goal Zero Yeti 6000X above has the same lifespan.
Pros Cons
- The most affordable portable solar generator around
- So lightweight you’ll barely feel the addition to your camping gear
- 3 AC outlets, even though it’s so tiny
- Fast-charging (around 4.5 hours to full charge with solar)
- One of the highest-rated solar generators according to global customer reviews
- Surprisingly long lifespan for cost and size
- Few handy extras like a smartphone app or wireless charging pads
- Too small and weak to power anything above camping essentials such as gadgets, lights, and perhaps some small cookers, etc.
Forget about using the Jackery Explorer 160 at home, as a backup power generator, or as a permanent off-grid solution; it simply wasn’t designed to cope with the associated demands. Even in your RV, motorhome, or boat, the 100W continuous inverter power (150W surge capacity) from a 167Wh battery isn’t going to cut it. But when taken out into the field on a camping, hiking, or road trip, that’s where this little monster really shows off.
As you might expect, given its name – Explorer – the Jackery 160 is built to be taken on adventures. Fast-charging (needing just 4.5 hours solar power to reach full charge), it will then hold its charge for long enough to cover the duration of most long-weekend trips. During that time, you’ll find that its 3 AC outputs and multiple USB ports will keep your smartphone, speakers, camping lights, and camping stove topped up. Paired with a portable solar panel for charging on the go, the Jackery Explorer 160 becomes quite the unstoppable force.
Now, don’t get us wrong, there are limitations to a solar generator this small. However, we just don’t think you can argue with the price here. There are lots of other solar generators boasting a 100-200 price range, and yet the vast majority of them tend to malfunction, put out less power than advertised, or come with some questionable user reviews. Not so the Jackery Explorer 160. This is one of the most beloved portable solar generators in the entire world, simply because it does what it says it will.
Provided you are using the Explorer 160 for your own, small personal devices and appliances, and only for relatively short trips out into the backcountry, you’ll find that you’ve struck serious gold. If you need to power larger appliances, though, or wish to share your portable power source with friends, we’d recommend you look at the EcoFlow RIVER Max, instead.
Find the Jackery Explorer 160 on:
Conclusion
Our top 5 best solar generators available to buy in 2023 cover a range of needs, from the full-blown daily home generator and reliable backup generator to the off-grid power supply, portable powerhouse, and.size personal gadget-charger. Though there are other great brands and fantastic products out there, based on our research into solar chargers – framed against our priority for weight, price, and battery capacity – we strongly believe that the best 5 solar generators in 2023 are: Jackery Explorer 160, Hysolis MPS3K, Goal Zero Yeti 6000X, EcoFlow RIVER Max and, of course, the Bluetti EP500.
Other Solar Product Reviews
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Alora Bopray is a digital content producer for the home warranty, HVAC, and plumbing categories at Today’s Homeowner. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of St. Scholastica and her master’s degree from the University of Denver. Before becoming a writer for Today’s Homeowner, Alora wrote as a freelance writer for dozens of home improvement clients and informed homeowners about the solar industry as a writer for EcoWatch. When she’s not writing, Alora can be found planning her next DIY home improvement project or plotting her next novel.
Roxanne Downer is a commerce editor at Today’s Homeowner, where she tackles everything from foundation repair to solar panel installation. She brings more than 15 years of writing and editing experience to bear in her meticulous approach to ensuring accurate, up-to-date, and engaging content. She’s previously edited for outlets including MSN, Architectural Digest, and Better Homes Gardens. An alumna of the University of Pennsylvania, Roxanne is now an Oklahoma homeowner, DIY enthusiast, and the proud parent of a playful pug.
The Best Solar Generator for Off-Grid Living: Top 7 Choices
Whether you’re a hardcore camper or survivalist or simply like the idea of living off the grid, having a solar generator is extremely important. The best solar generator for off-grid living will offer you the chance to live emission-free and save tons of money on gas and fuel for refilling a traditional generator.
Regardless of your motivations, solar generators could be extremely beneficial to your off-grid lifestyle. So, without further ado, let’s dive into how to find the best solar generator for off-grid living and how to go about choosing one.
What Is a Solar Generator, and How Do They Work?
Solar generators use solar panels to harness energy from the sun to convert it into electricity. Each generator can attach to solar panels that harness the energy, then transfer it to the generator. The generator then stores this energy until it’s at total capacity and is ready for use.
Solar generators are mostly designed to power small devices such as laptops and phone chargers or lights. However, advancements are being made in solar technology, and generators are being designed bigger and better than ever. While solar generators are still recommended as a backup or supplemental source of power, there are a few that can power your desire for off-grid living.
How to Choose the Best Solar Generator for Off-Grid Living
When choosing the best solar generator for off-grid living, the main things to keep in mind are your goals and how big of a generator you need. Each of the below considerations affects your generator’s capabilities and what you can use it for.
Storing Power
A generator’s power storing ability is measured in watt-hours. Most solar generators have storing capabilities of less than 100 or 500 watt-hours, which is only enough to power a light bulb or charging device.
However, a heavy-duty generator, the best solar generator for off-grid living, will have power storage capacities of several thousand-kilowatt hours. However, this doesn’t mean that you can power your home for several thousand hours straight. To figure that out, you have to add up the wattage amounts of each of the appliances and devices you want to power.
For example, if you want to power a refrigerator that uses 500 watts and your generator has a capacity of 2,000 kilowatt-hours, you could power your 500-watt refrigerator for four hours. Simply take the wattage of what you’re powering and divide it by the storing capacity.
Charging Capability
Along with power storing abilities, the best solar generator for off-grid living should be able to recharge quickly is extremely important. The size and amount of solar panels you have will largely determine how quickly your generator recharges after using its stored power. If you hope to continually run appliances or have permanent power, charging capability and speed is vital.
You’ll also want a generator that you can charge via other means, such as a 12-volt battery. If the sun isn’t shining and you need your solar generator to recharge, batteries, outlets, and other power sources are necessary.
Output Capability
Output capability refers to how many different devices the generator can power at once and how many different sources of power it has. Sources of power refer to the types of outlets, plugs, and ports on the generator itself. The best solar generator for off-grid living should have many different styles and sizes of ports and a maximum output that’s higher than its maximum input.
Portability
You also want a solar generator that’s portable and easy to move from place to place. This is especially important for off-grid living, including camping, boondocking, and any other living situation you can think of. The typical best solar generator for off-grid living will range in size from 10 to 100 pounds, but don’t forget about any cords, batteries, or solar panels you have to transport.
Durability
Finally, you don’t want a solar generator that works well enough but will need to be replaced often. For true off-grid living, you should have a solar generator to match. Conditions might get rough and dirty, and having the best solar generator for off-grid living means having one that can withstand bumps and bruises and last a long time.
Overall Best Solar Generator for Off-Grid Living
Jackery Explorer 1500
The Jackery Explorer 1500 offers excellent output capability, portability, durability, and comes in a tiny package. Each of these things are important to consider when purchasing the best solar generator for off-grid living. While it might not be as good in each area as other generators, it does the best job of combining each aspect and taking our top overall spot.