Determining The Size of Battery Backup You Need

To choose the rights size battery backup for your house, you need to consider the following:

Determine Your Average Consumption

The first step to estimating the size of the battery backup is to determine the average power usage. You can get this information from your monthly utility bill. Alternatively, you can measure how much power each appliance uses monthly using a power meter. 

For example, common kitchen appliances such as microwaves, refrigerators, and electric ovens have varying energy consumption ratings. A standard refrigerator will use between 100 and 350 watts while high-end units will use between 350 and 780 watts. Electric ovens use more power as a standard unit will use 3000 watts while high-end models use up to 5000 watts.

Heating and cooling systems use the most power than other household appliances. For example, a typical air conditioner uses between 1000 and 5000 watts. Of course this depends on the size and type of air conditioner. If you have a heating system, it consumes between 1000 and 5000 watts per hour.

Smaller devices such as laptops and TVs consume less power. A typical computer consumes anywhere between 50 and 300 watts while a TV consumes between 100 and 500 watts. Of course your lighting system consumes less energy, especially LED lights. 

As you’d expect, consumption is relative, meaning it depends on usage patterns, appliance efficiency, and brand. By estimating how much power your devices consume per month, you can easily estimate the size battery backup you need. 

Determine Critical Load

Critical load is the total electrical power your devices consume. Keep in mind that not all appliances require backup power during a blackout. So, to determine the size battery backup, you should identify the critical load. 

In short, consider the power consumption of the most necessary appliances. Focus on the refrigerator, light system, and heating and cooling systems. You can refer to their manual to determine their power consumption.

Consider The Power Outage Duration

Once you determine your critical load, you should consider how long the outage will last. If you live in an area prone to prolonged power outages, consider installing a robust battery backup system. This is to ensure you have adequate power to last days or weeks. An ideal option is the BLUETTI EP900+B500 Home Battery Backup.

Flexible Energy Solution, Grid Optional

BLUETTI EP900 + 3*B500 Home Battery Backup
①14,880Wh Capacity; ②9,000W Output Power; ③BLUETTI App (WiFi/Bluetooth); ④<10ms On and Off-grid Switching Time; ⑤Noise ≤ 50dB; ⑥IP65 Water Resistant; ⑦10 Years Warranty

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This model is suited for prolonged power outages. Thanks to its high capacity of 10000Wh, expandable to 20000Wh, it can power your house for days or weeks on a single charge. The model comes with a 9000W running wattage allowing you to power small to large appliances. Whether you want to run your refrigerator or heating and cooling system, the BLUETTI EP900 + B500 got you covered. 

During power outages, you want to manage your power consumption so it can last for extended periods. This model lets you do so through its smart app. With it, you can adjust power output, monitor its charging speed, and get alerts when its fully charged or when the battery is running low.  

If your area is not prone to prolonged outages, you can consider installing a smaller battery backup system. Alternatively, you can buy a robust portable power station.

Calculate The Total Load

Finally, calculate the total load to determine the size battery backup and multiply it by the number of hours you need the backup to last. For example, if the total critical load is 3000 watts and you need backup power for 12 hours, your total critical load will be 36kWh (3000W x 12 hours). 

With this figure, you can choose the most ideal battery backup system. Keep in mind you need to install one with a higher rating than 36kWh to avoid overloading the system. 

What To Consider When Choosing Home Battery Backup 

Battery Capacity 

As you’d guess, the most critical aspect to consider when choosing a battery backup is its capacity. Measured in Wh or watts-hour, it is the amount of energy it can store. BLUETTI battery backup systems have some of the highest capacities. 

You might need a high-capacity battery if you need prolonged backup power. Besides capacity, you should consider its power output. Contrary to popular belief, high capacity does not always equal high power output.

If you need to connect low-usage devices like TVs and computers, consider installing a high capacity and low power output battery backup. Low capacity but high output batteries are ideal for short-term backup power.

Battery Type

There are several battery types including lithium-ion, lithium iron phosphate, and lead acid batteries. Each type comes with its advantages and disadvantages. If you want high output and efficiency, consider lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries. They also have a longer lifespan compared to their counterparts.

Off-Grid & Residential Energy Storage System

BLUETTI EP800 + 2*B500 Home Battery Backup
①9,920Wh Capacity; ②7,600W Output Power; ③NEMA 4X / IP65; ④<20ms UPS Time; ⑤BLUETTI App (WiFi/Bluetooth); ⑥10 Years Warranty;

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Lighter and more compact, they can be used in homes with limited spaces. A perfect example is the BLUETTI EP800+B500 Home Battery Backup. The LiFePO4 battery has a 9900Wh capacity that can be expanded to 19800Wh. And thanks to the high power output, you get an upwards of 7600W to run high-voltage appliances. With a 90% depth of discharge, you can use as much power as you need. 

Recharging Options

Another aspect to consider are the recharging options. Ideally, you want a battery backup that has several charging options. BLUETTI backup battery systems provide several charging options such as solar, AC, generator, and lead acid. This ensures the battery is always charged even during a power outage. 

We recommend using the solar charging option since it is eco-friendly and you won’t incur maintenance costs. Furthermore, you’ll be energy independent, meaning you won’t rely on the grid to recharge the battery backup. 

Safety

Well, battery backup systems store a lot of energy which can be fatal if mishandled. As such, you should ensure your unit comes with industry-standard safety features. It should offer protection against overheating, short circuits, and overcharging. 

BLUETTI battery backup units are some of the safest on the market since they have LiFePO4 cells. They are less prone to overheating mitigating susceptibility to explosion or fire. They can also withstand extreme temperatures. 

You should also consider the IP rating of the battery backup. An ideal option should have IP65 rating, allowing you to use it for indoor and outdoor applications. 

Lifespan 

You should also consider the lifespan of your system. As mentioned, LiFePO4 batteries have an extended lifespan of up to a decade. Warranty plays a critical role and for this, you should choose a unit with a longer warranty. Ideally, more than five years. 

What Can Affect The Lifespan of Your Battery Backup?

The lifespan of your battery is affected by the usage cycles. This is the number of discharge and recharge. 

The more you discharge your battery, the shorter the lifespan. LiFePO4 batteries have life cycles in their thousands. For example, most BLUETTI batteries have a life cycle of over 3500. This means you can use battery backup for a decade or more. 

If you’ll be using a lead-acid battery, you can expect a shorter lifespan, between 100 and 700 life cycles. 

Another aspect affecting lifespan is temperature. Lithium batteries can withstand extreme temperatures ranging between -20 and 60 degrees. However, if you expose them to higher temperatures, their performance will decrease. High temperatures can lead to high internal resistance and decreased storage capacity. 

Likewise, low temperatures can cause the battery’s electrolytes to thicken, increasing internal resistance. As such, the capacity and power output is reduced significantly.  

Finally, the battery chemistry determines its lifespan. Generally, lithium-ion batteries have a longer lifespan than lead-acid batteries. This is thanks to their low self-discharge rate. 

The newer lithium-ion batteries, lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) have the longest lifespan. Most LiFePO4 batteries have over 4000 life cycles which is equivalent to over ten years of use. They also have a higher efficiency than conventional lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries. 

As you’d expect, lead-acid batteries have the shortest lifespan, spanning five to ten years. They are heavier and require regular maintenance, which is often the source of their short lifespan. Furthermore, they are sensitive to sudden temperature changes. 

So, if you want a battery with a longer lifespan, consider buying LiFePO4 batteries. 

Final Thoughts

To determine the size battery you need for backup, you should consider the total critical load. This is the total wattage of the appliances you’ll be connecting to the backup generator. Consider using solar generators since they are eco-friendly and use sunlight which is in infinite supply.

Today, there are numerous solar panel manufacturers in the US. Many foreign companies have also started manufacturing operations within the US. The demand for solar panels is ever-increasing, and people are embracing the benefits of solar energy in terms of climate protection and costs. This blog views US solar panel manufacturers from a broader perspective; you’ll find a list of top manufacturers, current solar market trends, and more. Let’s dive deep;

Top 3 Solar Panels Manufacturers in the US

The list of Top 5 Solar Panel Manufacturers in the US is based on the volume of sales. All these companies sell american-made solar panels in the US markets. However, the ownership of companies may be traced back to foreign countries. They produce american-made panels, but they’re not necessarily US companies. 

   1. First Solar 

First Solar serves the utility market with its advanced CdTe thin-film solar panels. It has a huge production facility in Ohio. The company had overbooked its production capacity in past years. The demand is continuously increasing, and sales are on an upward trajectory. The company plans to start a new production facility in Alabama. They may enter the residential market with tandem solar panels soon. 

   2. Qcells

Sounds familiar? Qcells is the market leader in the residential solar panel category.  The company is part of the Korean solar panel manufacturer Hanwah Solutions. It currently has a manufacturing plant in Georgia, which serves the entire US market demand for Qcells panels. Their popular product is mono PERC, one of the most reviewed solar panels sold in the US. The company has a 2.5 billion dollar expansion plan for the US. 

   3. Silfab Solar 

Silfab is leading the solar manufacturer market in the US with hi-tech solar panels, their recent elite solar series has created a huge buzz. The company has two manufacturing facilities in Washington state. The headquarters is based in Ontario, Canada, but most manufacturing and sales are in the US. Silfab has expansion plans for the US, it’s working to integrate another manufacturing facility in South Carolina to cater to geographically distributed demand. 

Latest US Solar Panel Market Updates

The government is fully supporting the solar manufacturing industry in the US with their manufacturer-friendly policies. In recent developments, some programs under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 have provided tax incentives to US solar panel manufacturers. The 48C ITC offers tax credits for properties to be used for the production of solar panels. It’s the reason numerous manufacturers have commenced their expansion plans. 

Not just that, the government is also giving a 10% bonus tax credit to consumers who install US-made solar panels under section 48D of ITC. These decisions are changing consumer preferences about solar products. An American should consider a domestically produced solar panel to support the local industry. Our American brethren are employed in these industries, and these companies contribute to the US economy. 

According to Reuters, solar manufacturers have announced ten billion dollars in investments after the Inflation Reduction Act. The number of employees in the industry will increase by 17000. Although the market is currently struggling, it’s expected to stabilize with government support to US solar panel manufacturers. The major challenge to US manufacturers is global price decline due to excess production. 

Why Choose Made-in-US Solar Panels?

As an American, the best way to contribute to the economy is by buying US-made products. The money will stay in the US and be used for economic growth. It will pay for the American employees working in these companies. With investment in R&D, solar technology will advance, and America will become the global leader in renewable energy technologies. 

Isn’t it enough reason to choose made in US solar panels? Let’s find some more practical factors that will make you select american-made solar panels. 

Quality Assurance and High Standards

US regulatory bodies have high standards for solar panel quality. The US Department of Energy controls the solar panel industry and sets standards for quality, efficiency, and reliability. The strict checks on manufacturers assure high quality in american-made solar panels. This may not be the case in other countries; the regulatory bodies have inefficient systems. 

When you buy a US-made solar panel, the quality is guaranteed. It’s why most US manufacturers provide 25 years of warranty with their solar panels. Other imported solar panels don’t come with long warranties. The testing of US-made solar panels is also done in the US climatic conditions, which increases their reliability.

Customer Service and Reachability 

Most foreign companies selling solar panels in the US don’t have customer service centres. It creates trouble when you have to claim a warranty or come across other issues. The replacement and repair both take a long time. Considering the dependability of solar panels and high upfront costs, it becomes a headache. 

Moreover, reachability to foreign manufacturers is another problem. Usually, there are distributors and first and second-tier suppliers in the supply chain. You’ll find yourself in a whirlpool when trying to get your issues resolved. In the US-manufacturer case, the service centres are within the US, and reachability is quite easy. You’ll not be directed to different channels to get your issues resolved. 

Government Incentives 

The government has recently announced tax incentives for consumers installing US-made solar panels. You can get a 10% tax incentive for using solar panels manufactured in the US. Although it isn’t a significant benefit, the government is trying to encourage US citizens to buy American-made products. The tax incentive was announced under section 48D of ITC. You can get this benefit from the government. 

It’s fairly possible that the government will announce more tax incentives and rebates on US-made solar products. You should stay ahead to benefit the most. 

Current Market Solar Panel Rates in the US 

The solar panel rates are subject to constant variability. Most solar panels in the US are imported, and their rates depend on macro environment factors like global trends, transports costs, supply disruptions, etc. The US-made solar panels have relatively stable rates, but they’re more expensive than imported ones. 

If you go to buy an imported solar panel, maybe a chinese one, the rate will be around $0.70 and $0.80 per watt. Remember, the rates are variable, you should check the current market rate on the Internet. These rates don't include the installation costs and other indirect costs like transportation. 

The rates for american-made solar panels are slightly higher. The solar panel will cost you around $0.80 to $1.10 per watt. With installations, the costs will go up to $2.85 per watt on average. The difference in rates of local and imported panels is due to a number of factors, like taxes, imports, etc. 

Do I Need a Home Battery Backup for Use with Solar Panels?

Yes, a home battery backup is necessary for use with solar panels. You cannot access solar energy 24/7, the battery backup allows you to store power and use it later. The battery backup will give you energy independence to stay off-grid for as long as you want. It’s also helpful during supply disruptions and electrical failures. 

BLUETTI is a world-leading manufacturer of advanced solar technology. It has brought a revolution by providing portable power solutions for complete energy independence. The company was started from Nevada and currently operates in the global market. Let’s explore different BLUETTI solar panels that are available for sale. 

BLUETTI AC300 + 2*B300 Home Battery Backup

The BLUETTI AC300 + 2*B300 Home Battery Backup is designed to keep you off-grid with solar power. It has an expandable capacity from 3,072Wh to 12,288Wh. The battery backup can fulfil all your power needs seamlessly. It comes with advanced LiFePO4 battery packs having high efficiency and longer life up to 3500 charge cycles. The battery backup supports multi-recharge for added convenience, you can charge it through solar, grid supply, or any other power source.

You can also use the dual-recharge (AC+Solar) facility for fast recharging. The EPS option is enabled to provide an uninterruptible power supply. The system stays on stand-by and automatically starts when the power disconnects. There’s more: you can control and monitor the system through a smart mobile application, which shows battery levels, charging, and other critical metrics. 

BLUETTI EP500Pro Solar Power Station 

The BLUETTI EP500Pro Solar Power Station is a portable power solution for indoor and outdoor use. It has a sleek design with a wheelbase for easy manoeuvrability. The total power capacity stands at 5120Wh to cater to all your power needs. It has built-in ports to connect multiple devices. The power station supports flexible recharging, you can use solar or grid supply. 

Moreover, it has advanced LiFePO4 battery packs to ensure durability and longevity. The housing is IP65-rated for protection against water and dust. You can use the BLUETTI PV420 Solar Panel to recharge the power station. The panel is highly durable and efficient, it has an ETFE coating to prevent weather damage. The design is portable and foldable, just like the power station. They both make a good combo!

Wrapping Up

This marks the end of our comprehensive blog on US solar panel manufacturers. It has touched on different aspects to give you a brief overview of the industry, top players, current market trends, and the future. The American solar panel market is evolving, the dynamics are more likely to change after government intervention. Hopefully, the US will become the next big player in the global solar panel industry.  

Sounds terrible? Most people using solar kits are actually falling short of power due to inefficient batteries. It’s not that the battery capacity is insufficient; instead, the battery efficiency decreases over time. Among other factors, the major issue is with the consumer’s choice of technology, brand, and usage patterns. This blog helps you select the best solar batteries for your home. So that you can stay worry-free and enjoy energy independence!

How Solar Batteries Work

Solar batteries are similar to water tanks in your home. You fill them up and use the water whenever needed. Similarly, you charge the batteries and use the stored electricity when needed. Their function is no more than energy storage. Let’s see how batteries work with solar panels;

Connection to Solar Panels

The batteries are connected to solar panels via an inverter. It acts as an intermediary to direct solar energy to charge batteries and fulfill home power needs simultaneously. However, the primary function of an inverter is to convert DC power to AC power and vice-versa. The inverter can also charge the batteries with grid supply,  in case solar energy is unavailable. 

Solar Batteries Charging 

Solar batteries charge on 12-volts DC power. Your solar panels produce the same which flows through the inverter to batteries. The power storage mechanism varies with the battery technology, but the core principle is similar. The energy is stored as chemical potential during charging. When power is needed, the charging process is reversed (discharging). At core, it's the flow of ions (positive and negative charges) which create current. 

Solar Batteries Consumption

Once charged, the solar batteries can power your house. The inverter collects power from batteries, through a discharging mechanism, and transfers the power to your home. The inverter converts DC power to AC power in the process. Most appliances, electrical installations, and devices run on AC power. The battery capacity is measured in ampere-hours, representing the amount of current discharged in time (hours). 

Solar Batteries Recharging

Solar batteries are rechargeable just like your smartphone battery. You can recharge batteries with solar power or grid supply through an inverter. However, they have fixed cycles for charging and discharging. The battery efficiency declines once the cycles are exceeded. Some inverters also support multi-recharge facilities, allowing you to recharge from other accessible power sources like generators, cars, etc. 

Types of Solar Batteries 

Solar battery technology is evolving every then and now. The advancement has increased the usability of solar kits. You can expect up to 90% efficiency from batteries. There’s a range of battery types available in the market. We’ll explore batteries that are most compatible to use with solar kits. 

Lithium-ion Batteries 

Lithium-ion batteries are most popular to use with solar kits. They are known for their efficiency, longevity, and safety. Previously, lithium-ion batteries were not preferred due to fire and explosion hazards, but the technology has improved a lot, making them one of the best options. They provide higher discharge depth, taking efficiency to 90%, without needing any maintenance. 

You can find nickel-manganese-cobalt, lithium polymer and lithium iron phosphate batteries on the market. They’re more or less the same, but their efficiencies vary. Lithium-ion batteries also have some demerits, like high costs and temperature sensitivity. You may require to maintain the temperature at recommended levels. 

Lead-acid Batteries

Lead-acid batteries have been in the market for decades. The lead-acid battery technology has matured, it has now become a cost-effective battery solution. However, lead-acid batteries lack in terms of efficiency and durability. They are not long-lasting compared to other advanced battery types. There's a continuous need of maintenance for optimal use. It’s the reason people are not preferring lead-acid batteries anymore. 

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly solution, lead-acid batteries are a good option. It’s recommended to go for sealed lead-acid batteries, they’re a better version with high durability and longevity. You can upkeep the batteries with a strict maintenance schedule. 

Nickel-cadmium batteries

Nickel-cadmium batteries are getting increasingly popular for solar kits. They are efficient with high depth of discharge and less temperature sensitivity. Moreover, the nickel-cadmium batteries are not recommended for residential use. The cadmium is a toxic element and poses serious health hazards if mishandled. 

The nickel-cadmium batteries are competitively expensive. The costs are justifiable with durability and efficiency. These batteries are best for commercial use, especially in industrial environments where temperature is usually high. 

Factors Affecting Solar Batteries’ Costs

Batteries make up the biggest portion of overall solar costs. There are numerous factors contributing to these costs. Some are significant and some are not. Let’s see how you can save on battery expenses when choosing solar batteries. 

Battery Capacity 

The battery capacity you require determines the number of batteries needed. More the batteries, the more the costs. Some people calculate their required battery capacity on their own while others rely on solar system installers. It’s not necessary that you must have enough capacity to power all your house. You may go with limited capacity to fulfill basic power needs. It depends on what you expect from a solar system. 

Keeping  a limited capacity can save you costs as it reduces the number of batteries. But you’ll have to manage consumption to avoid power shortage. If you’ve limited capacity, and you increase the load with one additional light bulb, you'll be left with no power. Therefore, it’s not recommended to limit battery capacity. Many people still do it for cost-savings, and the battery level monitoring through smart mobile applications makes it more convenient. 

Battery Type & Features 

We’ve discussed multiple battery types in the previous section, each has different features and efficiency levels. The costs vary with what you get in both these terms. High efficiency batteries with no maintenance tend to be costly. You can take example of nickel-cadmium and lithium-ion batteries, they offer up to 90% efficiency, high durability, and low maintenance. All these features add up to the costs. 

The cheaper option can be lead-acid batteries which are less durable and require maintenance. You will have to check water levels, maintain temperature, etc. There are ways to save money and get an efficient battery at the same time. For instance, lead-acid batteries have a better version called sealed lead-acid batteries, they’re much more reliable, and available at fraction of costs of other battery types. But the trade-offs will still be there. 

Installation Costs 

Although battery installation costs are minimal, they can still have an impact. A large number of batteries will need more space, you may have to install racks or make other arrangements which increases labor costs. Usually, solar installers don’t charge extra for battery installations, they just give you total installation costs. It further depends on the time of battery installation whether it’s with the solar unit installation or after you’ve installed the system. 

You can save battery installations by doing it yourself. If you have a pre-installed  solar system, the battery addition is not rocket science. You can check on the internet or take the expert’s help online. It’ll save you costs and keep you from the hassle. In case you think it’s beyond your expertise, don’t try!

Choose the Best Solar Batteries for Home

We’ve filled you with information about solar battery types and the factors that drive costs. Here are some additional things you should consider when selecting solar batteries for home:

Battery Capacity 

The battery you’re choosing should have enough capacity to meet your power needs. The battery capacity is measured in ampere-hours. You can calculate required ampere-hours based on your daily energy consumption in kilo-watt-hours kWh. 

Battery Efficiency 

The product specifications mentions the battery efficiency in percentage. The more will be the better. Other factors like number of cycles and depth of discharge also determine the battery efficiency. 

Battery Warranty 

Batteries come with warranty from the manufacturer. A ten year warranty will imply that the manufacturer is confident about his product. You can keep the warranty as a critical factor when selecting batteries. 

You can go for BLUETTI solar batteries on our recommendation. BLUETTI is a leading manufacturer of advanced solar technology including solar panel, battery packs, power stations, etc. Its products stand out with superior quality, top-notch technology, and best prices. 

BLUETTI EP900 + B500 Home Battery Backup

BLUETTI EP900 + B500 Home Battery Backup is the best power solution for homes. It has an expandable capacity of 9,920Wh to 19,840Wh. You can shift your entire house load to the battery backup without a worry. 

The advanced lithium-ion iron phosphate batteries can take up the load efficiently. The system comes as a 360-degree solution with multi-recharge facility for use with solar power and grid supply. It comes with Wifi and bluetooth connectivity for smart monitoring and control. 

The sleek design saves you space and IP65 rating allows outdoor use. It’s compatible for use with the existing solar system. The installation and connectivity is seamless. You would not require additional fittings. The BLUETTI 10-year warranty comes in handy with the product.

BLUETTI EP500Pro Solar Power Station 

Take energy independence to the next level with BLUETTI EP500Pro Solar Power Station. It has a 5120Wh capacity to cater to your power needs. The design is portable with a wheelbase for indoor and outdoor use. You can control the system over WiFi through the BLUETTI user interactive mobile application. The system can run in EPS mode for uninterruptible power supply.

The BLUETTI EP500Pro Solar Power Station has advanced LiFePO4 battery packs. You can recharge it using solar and grid supply. The BLUETTI PV420 Solar Panels are best suited for this powerstation. They have a foldable design and ETFE protection for outdoor use. The solar panel efficiency is higher than that of competitor options. The panels are designed to support fast-recharging. 

Final Thoughts

We’ve covered every aspect of solar batteries to help you make a sound purchase decision. What are you waiting for then? Go for a market hunt to choose the best solar battery for your home. You may select the battery type that best suits your needs. Consider our tips on saving extra and making your transition to solar energy less costly. Signing off!

Remember, any generator would not work. There are multiple factors to consider when setting up a backup generator. The most critical question is how big of a generator would be sufficient. We’ll help you in choosing the right generator size and provide expert insights on different aspects like specs, associated factors, etc. So you can get a generator already before you have to tackle any emergency situation which causes a power outage. 

What Determines the Generator Size for Emergencies?

Emergencies are always unpredictable, and power outages can go on for days or weeks. The havoc it may bring in your life is immense. Experiencing continuous power outages can impact basic life necessities like drinking water availability, home heating/cooling, connectivity, food cooking etc. Since impact is high, you must be considerate about preparing to cope with it. 

Here’s a few factors that are more likely to determine generator size, especially if you’re accounting for emergency situations like storms, floods, etc. 

Power Outages Frequency

How often do you experience power outages? Depending on power outages frequency in your area, the generator size would change. For instance, a few hours of disconnections can be sustained with a portable generator. In case, the disruptions last days, you would need a large stand-by generator. You should also account for events like thunderstorms, heavy snowing, and electrical failures.

Daily Power Requirements

Checking your daily power requirements in watts also determines the generator size. You can check the specifications of all appliances to know their power requirements in watts. Adding them will give you a number like 3 Kilo-watts or 8 kilo-watts, which will be a reference for generator size. During emergencies, you can run  the generator on minimum consumption, using essential appliances only for one or two days depending on the fuel. 

You can check the following table for reference:

*You should refer to product specifications on your appliances/devices to check actual watts.

Fuel Availability

During normal operations, fuel may be readily available for generators. However, when there’s an emergency like a flood, fuel availability becomes a problem. No petrol or diesel generator would work without fuel. In this case, solar generators are gamechangers. They run on solar energy and power your house seamlessly. You can consider these options to tackle emergency power outages better. 

Understanding Generator Specifications

You often come across technical jargon like wattages, amperes, and volts when browsing for generators. These terms are related to generator specifications. Understanding them will keep you in a good position to determine the right generator size. 

Wattages

The power output from a generator is calculated in watts. A  thousand watts make up a single kilo-watt. You can also calculate your power requirements in watts by adding up the wattages of your appliances. The information is written on the product or can be seen on the internet.  Don’t confuse starting wattage, rated wattage, and surge wattage, they’re different. 

Surge Wattage

It is the maximum wattage a generator can produce. Usually, a surge refers to a sudden increase in power. Whenever the generator first takes the load, a surge is observed. The phenomenon is inherent to electricity. Keep an additional room for surges when determining generator capacity. 

Starting Wattage

Some heavy appliances like motors, electric ovens need a high starting wattage. It is different from their rated wattage, maybe 1000 or 2000 watts higher. The generator must provide for this starting wattage for smooth operation.

Rated Wattage

Rated  wattage is the amount of watts an appliance would consume during normal operation. For example, the rated wattage of an electric stove may be around 5000 watts. Similarly, it’ll have different starting watts and surge watts. 

Amps and Volts 

Amps or Ampere is the unit of measurement for current whereas volts is the measurement unit for voltages. When we multiply volts and amperes (wattage = amps x voltage), the result is watts. You will come across numbers like rated voltage 110V and rated current 0.8 amps on different product specs. These will help you calculate power in watts. Don’t want to get into detail? You can use any online tool to make the calculation.

How Big of a Generator Do I Need for Emergencies?

Choosing the right generator size is no rocket science. You will have to do some basic math and that’s all. Let’s take you through the step-by-step process:

Calculate Your Power Needs 

Now that you know about watts and the science behind it, you can easily calculate your power needs. Make a call whether you want to run your entire house during power outages or just some essential appliances. Account for all the appliances that you would be running. In case, you will be relying on batteries, you should also consider the time in hours  that the appliances would run. 

Keep Some Extra Room 

Power needs fluctuate or you may miss out on something in your calculations. It’s always better to keep a 10-20% room in capacity. You should not assume that the generator will run at 100% capacity at all times. Additionally, be very considerate about starting/surge wattages. If any of your appliances/devices have a higher starting wattage than your generator can provide, it won’t run. 

Generator Sizes 

Generators come in different sizes based on their power capacity in watts. You can find portable, small-to-medium, large, and extra-large generators on the market. Portable and small generators are not suitable for running house loads, especially during emergencies. You can choose between medium, large, and extra-large generators. Let’s explore more:

These numbers can vary from product to product. It is to give you a rough estimation about generator sizes and what to expect when browsing the market. You should select the generator size that fits your power needs. 

Solar Generator Kits for Better Reliability

The world is moving towards sustainable power options. One of the best solutions for power outages, especially during emergencies is solar generator kits. They offer great energy independence and seamless power connectivity. You will not need to worry about fuel availability or starting and shutting down the generator manually. It’s automatic, smooth, and highly reliable. 

Are you considering this option? BLUETTI is the world's leading manufacturer of solar generator kits. It offers hi-tech devices that connect with your existing system to keep powering it. You can stay completely off-grid with solar generator kits. There's a wide range of products with different capacities to cater to your power needs. Let’s explore:

BLUETTI AC200MAX + 2*B230 + 3*PV200 Solar Generator Kit is a complete solution for your home backup. It has 2048 Wh capacity and to run all your essential appliances. You can expand the capacity up to 8193 Wh with addition of new battery packs. It comes with advanced LiFePO4 battery technology that’s known for reliability and longevity. The solar kit supports dual-way charging, you can charge using solar and grid supply simultaneously. 

You will get three solar panels of 200 watts each. They will recharge the batteries independently. The BLUETTI PV200 Solar Panels are high efficiency and portable. They are durable and can withstand rough usage. The Long-lasting ETFE coating acts as a protection shield for the panels. Moreover, the panel design is foldable and you can store it conveniently when not in use. These panels are a key element of the solar kit. 

The BLUETTI 2*AC300 + 4*B300 + 1*P030A + 6*PV200 Solar Generator Kit is an ultimate power solution for home backup. You can rely on this system for days without needing to connect with grid supply. It has 12288Wh expandable capacity and can provide up to 6000 W surge capacity. The system has EPS which enables automatic start during a power outage. It supports dual fast recharging for added reliability.

This solar generator kit comes with advanced LiFePO4 batteries having high efficiency and longevity. In case you are stuck in a difficult situation with no grid supply or solar power, the system can recharge through other sources like car generators and portable fuel generators. You will get six 200W solar panels with the system. Get it now!

Final Thoughts

Although power has become a commodity, power disruptions are still a reality. The electrical infrastructure is prone to damages, especially during weather emergencies and other similar situations. No one would want to live without access to power even for a few minutes. What in case you face a long power disconnectivity? Your life will turn upside down affecting your normal routine. 

It’s imperative to prepare for such a situation beforehand. Generators are a reliable solution and convenient to use. Hope this guide has answered all your queries related to generator sizing and associated factors. There’s a key takeaway at the end; be very critical about your capacity and keep some additional room for varying needs. Signing off!

Along with this, we will also be helping you understand what type of apartment generator you need, depending on your requirements. So, make sure to read till the end. 

How to Choose a Perfect Apartment Generator?

You have now embarked on a journey to obtain a reliable apartment generator for your apartment. Accordingly, the very first step in this process is understanding the power requirements for your apartment. 

1. Power Requirements

How many electrical appliances do you have in your apartment? These devices will vary from those being your essential needs to those that you require but would not need in case of a power outage. 

You might have a refrigerator, a microwave oven, a toaster, a washing machine, a coffee maker, lamps, a laptop, among others. First of all, figure out which devices you will definitely need in case of a power outage and if you go off-grid. 

It is because these essential devices are what you will run with your apartment generator. After that, you need to find out the wattage - i.e., the power requirement - of each of these electrical appliances. Their wattage will be listed in their user manuals.  

Add all of these up, and you know the average power output that your apartment generator must have. 

2. Frequency of Use

Do you live alone in your apartment? Or do you have a complete family? Are you at home 24/7? Or do you have a job that enables you to be at home only at night and in the early morning? 

Depending on the number of people living in the apartment and your occupation, your power requirements will vary. When you are at the apartment for the whole day, or you have a whole family with you, more electrical appliances will be used for longer durations.

On the other hand, suppose you live alone, or your occupation requires you to be out of the apartment for a longer duration of the day. You will obviously use fewer electronic products and for shorter durations. 

You need to assess these factors before venturing out to buy an apartment generator. After all, you need an apartment generator that fits right with your requirements - neither overkill nor insufficient. 

3. Size and Storage

Now, the next thing to consider is whether you have enough space to place the apartment generator that you will purchase. When you buy it, you will be placing it somewhere in your apartment. So, where will that place be? 

The size of the apartment generator you will buy will depend on the storage space you have. A relatively bigger generator will not fit if you have less space for it. Conversely, a relatively smaller generator will not consume as much space and will fit well. 

Essential Features for Apartment Generators

Besides your own power requirements, there are several other things you need to keep in mind when choosing an apartment generator. 

1. Noise Levels

In an apartment building, there are various apartment rooms side by side. Any slight noise that your generator makes will disturb the others, and noise complaints will arise. 

Keeping this factor in mind, opt for generators that have a low decibel level. It will not only not trouble your neighbors, but you also will not feel irritated by the continuous noise. 

2. Safety Features

An apartment generator is not omnipotent. It, too, requires some safety features. Always look for generators that have overload protection, carbon monoxide sensors, and automatic shutdowns. 

These features will ensure that your apartment generator is protected at all times and will not self-destruct with threatening stimuli. 

3. Power Output 

There is a reason why we instructed you to calculate your power needs at the beginning of the article. You need to choose an apartment generator whose power output matches your power needs.

An apartment generator that has less power output than your requirements will not prove to be a sufficient device. Conversely, an apartment generator that has a much greater power output than your power needs will be an overkill.

4. Fuel Availability

Different types of generators run on varying fuels, such as gasoline, diesel, and propane, or are battery-powered. You need to be careful in choosing an apartment generator that has fuel that is not only available to you but can also be stored in your apartment space. 

After all, what will you do after buying an apartment generator whose fuel you don’t have access to in your vicinity or one that you cannot store in your apartment?  

Types of Apartment Generators Available 

Having considered the various factors to be mindful of when purchasing an apartment generator, let’s now look at the types of generators available in the market. 

You will find various types of generators in the market - from portable generators to inverter generators, standby generators, diesel and gas generators, solar generators, and battery-powered ones. 

However, not all of these are suitable as an apartment generator. Nonetheless, three of these have proven themselves fit to be placed in an apartment.  

1. Inverter Generators

You will find inverter generators quite the right type for an apartment generator; they are excellent for indoor operation. As their name suggests, they use electronic circuitry to convert power from DC to AC.

Besides this, they have a clean and stable power output and are fuel-efficient. Owing to their lack of emission production and noise, they are a great choice as apartment generators. 

What further makes them tempting is that you can easily carry them around and place them wherever you want - they are portable. The only downside with this generator is that it is expensive.

2. Solar Generators

Solar generators differ greatly from fuel-powered generators as they convert sunlight into usable power using solar panels. They are yet another great generator for an apartment that is quiet and does not produce emissions.

Owing to their reliance on sunlight, they are environmentally friendly and have a never-ending power source. Both portable and stationary solar generators are available, so you can choose between what is more suitable for you.  

One disadvantage of solar generators is that they are ineffective where there is no sunlight and are on the pricier side. Nevertheless, their return on investment is significantly high. 

3. Battery-Powered Generators

As per their name, these generators store electrical power in their batteries and then use that as a power backup source. These generators can also be recharged using two methods - AC power or solar panels. 

However, their power capacity and duration of use are rather limited due to their fuel. Thus, they can only power small devices and serve as a backup power source for only some essential electronics. 

Though it has limited use compared to other types of apartment generators, if your power needs are not as great, then it is a great choice. After all, it is portable, quiet, and emission-free. 

BLUETTI Solar Generators for Your Apartment 

Now that we have all the information we need, it is time to look at the industry’s best apartment generators. When we compare all options, solar wins; when choosing solar products, BLUETTI is the go-to brand.      

1. BLUETTI AC200P Portable Power Station 

The BLUETTI AC200P Portable Power Station is a robust power station with remarkable features such as its inverter capacity, battery capacity, long battery life, and versatile outputs. 

Key Features:

Inverter Capacity: This device has a 2,000W AC Pure Sine Wave Inverter, along with a 4,800W surge power, thus powering up even appliances requiring a high starting power.  

Battery Capacity: With its capacity of 2,000Wh, you are guaranteed reliable and efficient energy storage, thus powering up all your appliances, even your apartment generator.  

Long Battery Life: Featuring a LiFePO4 battery with over 3,500 life cycles to 80% capacity, this device offers long-term reliability. 

Versatile Outputs: It has 17 output ports, allowing you to power up multiple devices simultaneously without any issues. 

2. BLUETTI EP500 + 3*PV200 Solar Generator Kit

The BLUETTI EP500 + 3*PV200 Solar Generator Kit is yet another remarkable product as an apartment generator. You will simply love its battery capacity, charge cycle, UPS mode, and off-grid energy storage. 

Key Features:

Battery Capacity: Boasting a capacity of 5,120Wh with LiFePo4 battery, you are assured longevity and durability. 

Charge Cycle: It also has a 6,000 plus charge cycle, again signifying its long life.

UPS Mode: Featuring both an in-grid UPS mode and a flexible UPS mode, this solar generator kit will serve as an exception power backup in power outages or off-grid scenarios.

Off-Grid Energy Storage: Since it can store energy even in an off-grid setting, you can also carry it around with you when you go for outdoor activities.

Speaking of off-grid power sources, find out how many solar panels you need to go off-grid. 

Final Words

So, now that you have all the necessary data you require to search for an ideal apartment generator, it is time to stop dilly-dallying and get to work. In your quest, pay special attention to BLUETTI’s products; they will not disappoint you.

With various options available, the choice of the best portable power station could be overwhelming. This article aims to be a comprehensive guide for understanding and selecting the best portable power station in 2024.

Best Portable Power Station to Buy in 2024

As we step into 2024, there is a visible shift in portable power station technology. Whether it's about their advanced features, more reliable battery options, or elegant look, there are scores of options available on the market. So, what is the best portable power station to buy in 2024?

We have enlisted the top 5 portable power stations from BLUETTI. They are efficient, reliable, and highly compatible. Review them and select what aligns best with your portable power station goals. 

BLUETTI EB3A Portable Power Station

Keep your electronic devices charged always with BLUETTI EB3A. The unit comes with 600W power and a surge capacity of up to 1200W, ensuring that it can support almost all your rechargeable gadgets. With its 268Wh output capacity and LiFePO4 battery that goes 2500 plus life cycles, it is the most sustainable solution to your power needs when off the grid. 

But that’s not all. BLUETTI is the name of innovation, so this portable power system has smart app control and 9 outlets to charge multiple devices simultaneously. 

Talking about its recharging method, it offers 6 easy ways to recharge, including AC, Solar, Car, Generator, AC+Solar, and Adapter. 

Furthermore, what sets this product apart is its price match guarantee. This means you will get a refund of any extra price if you find any product cheaper than this within 30 days of purchase. 

BLUETTI PS72 Portable Power Station

From your mobiles to laptops and mini-refrigerators, BLUETTI PS72 has got you all covered for your off-grid power needs. With its 700W power capacity, 1400W surge, and 716Wh output, it has something for everyone. 

It can be easily recharged through 4 easy streams that include AC, solar, car, and generator. With its 12 charging outlets, it is designed specifically to support all your gadgets and appliances. 

The power station also comes with a price match guarantee. Lastly, it is integrated with LiFePO4 batter with 2500 plus life cycles, ensuring a long shelf life and your promise towards a green future.

BLUETTI AC180/P Solar Portable Power Station

If you are a person who is always in a rush and needs a portable power station that recharges instantly, here is BLUETTI AC180/AC180P for you. With its amazing recharge time of 45 minutes from 0-80%, this unit has everything you wish for.

Its two variants, AC180 and AC180P, have output capacities of 1152Wh and 1440Wh respectively. Both variants come with 11 output ports and 4 flexible recharging means. 

Its control through a smart app makes its use convenient and smooth. Talking about its compact size, it is perfect for both indoor and outdoor use. It weighs only 17 kg and has dimensions that measure 340 mm x 247 mm x 317 mm (L x W x H). 

Despite its high compatibility with small devices like mobile phones and laptops, this portable power station flawlessly runs other daily use appliances like ovens, small refrigerators, coffee makers, and portable AC. 

Indeed, the unit is a way to go for everyone who is planning their next trip off the grid and wants all everyday use appliances running. 

BLUETTI AC200P Portable Power Station

Next on our list is BLUETTI AC200P, a system that is powerful enough to run 5000BTU AC for around 4 hours, an electric grill for 1.5 hours, and your car fridge for almost 20 hours. 

With a power rating of 2000W and surge capacity of 4800W, BLUETTI AC200P features a LiFePO4 battery with 3500 plus life cycles. In simple words, with each charge cycle every day, the power station has a shelf life of 10 years. 

It’s not a giant only because of its capacity but also because of its 17 output ports. Additionally, its fast charging through 7 convenient means makes it a perfect choice whether you are off the grid, suffering through a blackout at home, or planning your next trip to the mountains.

BLUETTI AC200L Portable Power Station

Whether it's power, output capacity, charging speed, price match guarantee, or compatibility, BLUETTI AC200L is setting a benchmark amongst its competitors. 

The power station offers an in-house power capacity of 2048Wh, which is expandable up to 8192Wh with additional batteries. What’s astonishing about this power output is the charging time, which is 45 minutes from 0-80%.

Furthermore, talking about innovation, like most BLUETTI power stations, it can be managed through smart app. In addition, it also supports Bluetooth and Wifi monitoring, making it truly exceptional.

For users who have safety and reliability concerns, AC200L has a LiFePO4 battery and is integrated with a Battery Management system that makes it trustworthy anywhere, anytime.

AC200L’s other specifications include 6 different recharging streams, including a solar input of 1200W. Indeed, this is a unit that offers unparalleled power, convenience, safety, and reliability.

What is a Portable Power Station?

Portable power stations are small facilities that can store energy and are composed of rechargeable batteries. This energy can help you as an emergency backup to recharge your devices when conventional power grids are not accessible.

These stations are specifically designed for easy transportation and have a compact size, which makes them ideal for use during camping trips, outdoor activities, and blackouts. 

Portable power stations come with multiple outlets like DC outlets, AC outlets, and USB ports. This makes them compatible with almost all the devices like fans, smartphones, small appliances, and laptops. 

Talking about their charging, depending on their type and model, they can be recharged through solar panels, conventional grid power, or car batteries. 

What Can Portable Power Stations Do?

Portable power stations are crucial when you go off the grid. They keep your devices charged to connect you with your loved ones and help you keep your business running. As a trustworthy and handy machine, the bar of their popularity is continuously increasing.

Portable power stations are integrated with multiple outlets. This means they can support the power supply of almost all appliances depending on their battery size. 

However, while reviewing their practical applications, one critical aspect is the surge power of the appliance you want to run with these power stations. Surge power is the power required when a device is switched on. This is usually higher than the normal current required to run that device. 

Portable power stations are compatible with recharging small appliances like mobile phones, fans, and laptops. But when it comes to heavy-duty electronics like AC, checking the surge power is crucial.  In case your portable power stations do not have the capacity, additional watts can be added. 

Related articles: How Do I Know What Size Portable Power Station I Need?

Is a Portable Power Station Better Than a Generator?

What Is the Difference Between a Power Bank and a Portable Power Station?

How Many Years Do Portable Power Stations Last?

One thing that is common in all humans is their wish for a lifelong battery life on their mobile phones, laptops, or any battery-connected device. But despite many technological advancements, this is yet to be possible, and every battery-connected device needs recharging and has charge cycles. 

The charge cycle is fundamental when discussing the life span of a battery. In simple words, a charge cycle is the process when a battery is fully charged and then completely discharged. The more charge cycles the battery has, the longer its life span will be. 

These charge cycles are directly proportional to the lifespan of a battery. And the lifespan of a portable power station, being a battery-connected gadget, is not an exception. Portable power stations with small batteries have fewer charge cycles as compared to those with big batteries and 3000-plus charge cycles.

Casually speaking, portable power stations that are used once or twice a week will last for 1-2 years as compared to those that are used occasionally, like a single time a month could last for many years.

Another factor that determines how long your power station will last is how it is maintained. If it is prevented from humidity and kept in a clean and dry place without any dust or impurities escaping into it, this can effectively boost the overall health and shelf life of your station. 

How Long Can You Run a Portable Power Station?

The answer to this question is dependent on various factors, including the capacity, output ratings of portable power stations, and how many devices you want to run. 

The capacity of a portable power station is measured in Watt-hours Wh. To calculate the run time of your station, divide the total power of your portable unit with the devices you want to run. 

For example, consider a BLUETTI portable power station with a power of 1000Wh. And you want to supply a TV with a power rating of 200 watts. After simple arithmetic, that is, dividing 1500 by 100, you will get a run time of around 5 hours. 

However, one important thing to mention here is the power losses during conversations. It is recommended to consider 85% of the total power output of your station while calculating the run time, as around 15% of power losses occur during operations. 

Additionally, to further better understand, reviewing the real-life comments of users who have tested these products could offer valuable insights. In case you want to boost the run time, additional battery packs may be added to serve the purpose.

Final Thoughts

The popularity of portable power stations is getting nowhere. There are various options available in the market that serve the purpose. While every brand claims to be the best, it's confusing to opt for a product that actually delivers up to the mark. 

BLUETTI stands out when it comes to portable power stations with its innovation, outstanding tech, sleek designs, and extended product life span. Thus, it is strongly recommended. Further, ensure the quality of the product by reviewing the feedback of previous customers, which will surely stamp your confidence in BLUETTI products. 

However, selecting a generator that will meet your camping needs can take time and effort. Numerous varieties of generators come in different sizes. So, our guide to finding the right-size Generator will lay everything on the table so that you can pick a Camping Generator that is fit for you.

Why You Need a Generator For Camping?

Camping is a top way of communion with nature and fleeing from the city noise. Camping in nature may mean being off the grid, forced to use only nature's provided tools for igniting your fire, and creating your sources of heat and light without any electricity. However, we have smartphones, cameras, portable speakers, and other similar devices which must be charged. Therefore, a camping generator is a must-have to take care of items such as device charging, non-battery lighting, cooking appliances, and refrigerators, among many others.

What is the Right-Sized generator for camping?

Power

Here's a quick rundown of common camping devices and their wattage:

Laptop – 60-80 watts

Television – 120 watts

Coffee maker – 600 watts

Mini fridge – 500 watts

Portable heaters – 250-1500 watts

Camping stoves and ovens – 100-1500 watts

As you can note, camping cooking devices and heaters consume more energy compared to others in the list of gadgets. For you to power them, you will require a generator with at least 1500 watts of output power.

Surely, you will not run the devices simultaneously. You may be able to do just with a portable generator providing 800W if these are all of your electric requirements, like running a small desktop computer and mini-fridge at once.

Generators are labeled as the running wattage or the peak surge wattage. The running wattage is the amount of power that the set can sustain for long hours or continuously. On the other hand, the peak surge wattage defines the output capacity of the generator. 

The ideal generator for you should be able to handle the starting watts of your appliances. For instance, you will need a generator with a starting power of at least 1,100 watts in order to run both your coffee maker and mini fridge. The starting watts are higher and should, therefore, be factored in while determining the generator size.

Type

These include gasoline, diesel, gas, and solar-powered generators. However, not all of them can be used in camps. Among all types of generators, the most common is portable ones. They are small and portable hence good for use in camping. Solar generators are normally portable generators. They operate on solar power, thus making you not worry about being short of fuel. Apart from that, solar generators are also quiet, unlike diesel generators; hence, they will not disturb your camper neighbors.

Conventional generators run on petrol and gasoline. They are usually louder, run longer, and consume fuel, though they are generally stronger than others.

Things To Consider In Generators

Wattage

First of all, you need to ask yourself how much power you want. Indeed, every camper's camping generator needs will be different. For example, if you only need to recharge your smartphones, laptops, and fans, then go for a small solar generator. 

However, if you need a generator for running more appliances continuously, go for a large recreational camping generator. Tally the starting watts of all the things you need to power then purchase a generator with high enough power for that purpose. Oversizing the generator by approximately 20% should always be done because you wish to avoid having a constant run at 100% load.

Noise Level

You will not wish to have a super loud generator that is hated by everybody on the campground. Therefore, there are then some decibel-limits depending on which place you will camp, and going overboard may lead to either expulsion or a massive fine.

Solar camping generators do not have an internal combustion engine and hence, there is no noise made by them, making them the quietest camping generators.

Fuel Type

Camping generators can be powered by gasoline, propane, and solar energy. Some dual-fuel generators even let you flip between fuel options such as propane and gasoline to give you some variety. Nevertheless, high fuel costs, noisy engines, and pollution will soon undermine the utility of gas-powered items in camping. On the other hand, solar generators have been making their impact because of their environment-friendliness and hushed operation. 

Clean Power

Clean power is essential for some of the most valuable devices that you would like to work on during your camp, for instance, your cell phone. The genset must have a THD of less than 5%. Your device gets fried any amount that exceeds this limit.

This kind of clean power is only assured by both the inverter and solar generators. You can use your smartphone, laptop, tablet, and other devices with no worries.

Portability And Ease Of Use

You should always remember to take into account the size and weight of a generator while making a purchase. However, it will affect your usage of this generator. Hence, please choose a light one. Carrying a heavy generator for camping would be tougher as it would take longer before one can move around the campsite.

Ensure you choose a portable camping generator that is lightweight and easy to transport without missing out on the additional useful qualities needed. It should be user-friendly and operable.

Related articles: What Size Portable Generator Do I Need for Camping?

How Do I Choose a Portable Power Station for Camping?

How Do I Know What Size Portable Power Station I Need?

Calculating Watt Usage for Camping

Let's now turn to simple mathematics. To estimate your power needs, use the formula:

Watts × Run time= watt-hours 

Therefore, if you use 100-watt appliance for 2 hours, you will consume 200 watt-hours.

3 Handpicked Solar Generator Kits

BLUETTI AC200P Solar Generator Kit

BLUETTI AC200P solar generator boasts an insane, monster-size 2000Wh! In addition, this camper is designed with a special Lithium Iron Phosphate high-performance battery that provides up to 10 years of service before being replaced – it may be used for many camping trips. You know what’s even better? You can recharge the battery with solar panels that you get with this kit. Smart BMS ensures constant check-ups of your device and maintaining its safety. It's a superpower for your gadgets that can keep them away from any threat at all.

What's tempting is the three 200W PV solar panels you get with this kit! BLUETTI solar panels are monocrystalline magic, rated at a 23.4 % conversion efficiency. Which means it is boss-like, and turns sunlight into power. In addition, the slick 95 % transparency also makes it outshine polycrystalline panels regardless of the light level.

And guess what? The power does not stop here. We have a USB-A/USB-C with a cigarette lighter port and a 12V/3A DC port. But wait, there's more! The special 12/25RV ports and 15W wireless charger give you lots of options as you charge up your items during camping. Therefore, always carry the BLUETTI AC200P with you on any camping trip to have the ultimate camping experience.

BLUETTI AC200MAX Solar Generator Kit

The coolest power station ever for your camping adventures is BLUETTI AC200MAX. What's super awesome about it? Yes, it features a huge 2048wh battery and a monster 2,200w inverter – basically bringing your miniature power station. Imagine that it is possible to recharge batteries while somewhere in the wilderness.

But wait, there's more! The AC200MAX still has another trick that may make you want more power—remember that you can always connect additional batteries there up to two. It’s similar to increasing your maximum energy at a time by eight times. It is going all the way to 32 kW which brings 8192 Wh total. So many things are you can charge with that much power of camping devices.

And guess what? The AC200MAX becomes a complete solar-powered machine with BLUETTI PV 200S Solar Panels. At turbo speed with the panels, you are not only charging; you're absorbing energy.

These BLUETTI panels with the awesome 23.4 % conversion rate can gather in some incredible solar power by giving up just 6 hours of prime sunshine, which adds up to about 2kWh per day. That's enough juice to run your gadgets for hours on end. And the secret? Monocrystalline solar cells are used in the made-up of these panels, as well as multi-layered ETFE which provides superior light transmittance and efficiency with a lifespan that keeps the good times rolling. 

The AC200MAX comes with endless outlets. This product boasts sixteen different sockets that one can use to power all their amazing items concurrently. This power station will charge your cell phone, run a blender, and even your RV's gadgets. Talking about RVs, the AC200Max is definitely a superstar among RVs. Additionally, it features an exclusive 30A NEMA TT-30 outlet as well as a supreme 12V power 30A DC outlet that will take care of all your power requirements in the RV.

BLUETTI EP500 Solar Generator Kit

BLUETTI EP500 is the ultimate power wizard to cater for your campsite parties and unscheduled household blackouts. What's so cool about it? Talking about superpowers! a 5100wh battery and 2000w inverter… In other words, the batteries will remain plugged in so that there is no difficulty lighting up houses, charging laptops, or driving electric cars.

For example, while you are camping with your family, at the same time, the EP500 is brightening your campsite. They are quiet; they don't run on gasoline; all you get is complete and straightforward power. And guess what? It is even good that you have to wait for only one minute when recharging it using 1,200 watts. Using this kind of stove is similar to having a small photovoltaic power plant in the wilderness.

What makes EP500 complete is BLUETTI’s three PV200 solar panels. Made of monocrystalline solar cells, these can turn up to 23.4 % sunlight into pure energy-it doesn't care about the weather playing games with you either. Need to avoid scratches and water splashes? Fear not. With ETFE coating and an IP65 junction box, it's just rugged enough for camping, fishing or hiking.

However, this is different from where the awesomeness ends. The EP500 is a power wizard. It could also link up with a network, accessing updates that will improve its functionality over some time. It's never done; there is no end limit to its goodness!

Cautionary Procedures Applicable To Generators While Camping

Although a generator enhances the camping experience, it may be harmful when misused. Here are a few things to keep in mind when using a generator while camping:

Before use, read the generator's manual. It sounds obvious, but it is a surprising number of those who neglect this rule. The manual will contain essential safety instructions on operating the generator. An important thing to note is that you do not use generators in the tent or RV. If enclosed in a small space, the exhaust coming from the generator can be lethal, but this is not the case with solar generators. 

Ensure that there is ample circulation within the generator to prevent overheating or fires. Carbon dioxide is released through the exhaust of the generator. With time, it can develop a lethal effect if it accumulates in an area. The fact is that you should never run a generator close to open water. Water can also cause the generator to spark and start a fire if placed close to it.

Final Thoughts

Keep in mind that it doesn’t need to be something big and heavy, but you do want it strong enough for all your appliances. OK, so look at all the stuff you need to run that needs power and that will give you an idea of how big a generator is necessary on your next trip.

How Much Generator Power Do You Need?

Well, this will depend on the appliances and running requirements. Some appliances, such as refrigerators and dishwashers have starting and running wattage. This can affect the size of the generator you’ll need. And if you have many small and large appliances, you’ll arguably need a large generator with more power. That said, a 5,000W to 8,000W rated generator can power an American home with ease.

What is Starting, Running, And Surge Wattage？

To understand the right size for your needs, there are several terms you need to know their meaning. They are starting, running, and surge wattage. Let’s look at each.

Starting Wattage

This is the wattage needed for an electric appliance to start. Ideally, it is twice or thrice the running wattage of the said appliance. Most appliances, especially large ones, require more wattage to start than to run normally. 

When there’s a power outage, a generator must handle the starting and the running wattage. Common appliances with a starting wattage include refrigerators, heating systems, and dishwashers. An ideal generator needs to handle the highest starting wattage of your appliances.

Running Wattage

Also known as rated wattage, it is the amount of wattage any appliance needs to operate normally. Most appliances have their running wattage on the user manual and shipping boxes. You can also get the same from the manufacturer’s website.

Surge wattage

Surge wattage is the highest wattage your generator can produce. As you buy BLUETTI generators, you’ll find some with a 7,000W or 10,000W rating. This is the highest power they can produce. If you’ll be running several large electric appliances, having a generator with an additional 2,000 watts can be a boon.

What Difference Between Watts, Amps, And Volts?

Understanding the difference between watts, amps, and volts can help you choose the right generator for your home. It means you’ll buy just the right size of generator mitigating the need to size up or down in the future.

Voltage is the pressure that pushes electrons in a conductor from one point to another. This pressure is measured in volts. Ideally, voltage travels from a high-voltage area to a low-voltage point. 

Amperage is the measure of how strong a charge flows through a conductor. It measures the amount of electricity running through a circuit. Amperage is denoted as amps and is named after the French physicist Andre-Marie Ampere. 

In a breaker box, you’ll find several circuit breakers with different circuit breakers listed as 30 amps, 20 amps, and 15 amps. As you’d guess the larger the amperage, the more electricity can flow through the circuit.

Types of Generator

So, which generators are recommended in most American households? Let’s find out.

• Portable Generators

As the name suggests, they are portable, meaning you can transport them from one place to another. Better still, they are compact in design allowing you to store them in tight places. Whether you want to keep them in your basement or store, you won’t need much floor space. Unfortunately, they produce less energy than inverters and standby generators. It means you can only use them to charge small electric appliances.

• Solar-powered Generators

Solar-powered generators are stand-alone power systems that provide a reliable source of electricity for outdoor activities, emergencies, or off-grid areas by capturing sunlight and converting it into electricity. They typically include solar panels, battery storage, and an inverter, allowing users to charge electronic devices, lighting, and small appliances without traditional power sources. This portable, environmentally friendly energy solution is widely used for camping, outdoor adventures and emergency backup. Nowadays, solar-powered generators also offer a variety of charging options, which can be the perfect solution to the shortcomings of not being able to charge when there is no sun.

• Inverter Generators 

Another popular generator in American homes is inverter units. Unlike conventional generators, they convert AC power into DC power and then invert it back to stable AC power. They do this through a rectifier. They are ideal for running appliances such as refrigerators, air-conditioners, and heating systems. As you’d expect, they are compact and lightweight.

• Standby Generators 

Also known as backup generators, they are the most popular options for residential and commercial backup power solutions. Most modern models turn on automatically when there’s a blackout. Convenient but noisy units, standby generators run on diesel or gas. This means they produce toxic gases, hence their ban in most residential areas. A downside for using standby generators is that they require regular maintenance, which often becomes costly.

Factors to Consider When Buying a Generator

If you are wondering what factors should influence your buying decision, this section got you sorted. From power requirements to fuel choice, here are aspects you need to consider when choosing a generator.

• Power requirements 

What appliances will you be running? For how long? Answering these questions will help you determine your power requirements. As mentioned, portable generators produce less energy, meaning you can use them on phones, TVs, and other small appliances.

On the other hand, inverter, solar, and standby generators can power large and small appliances. To know the power requirements, make a list of the devices the generator will be powering. If possible, list in terms of wattage. Ideally, air conditioners, space heaters, and dryers have the highest wattage requirement.

• Fuel Source

If you’re not using a solar generator, you need to consider the generator’s fuel source. There are three types of fuel sources: gasoline, natural gas, and propane. Most generators will run on gasoline since it is the most available fuel.

• Budget

Your budget is arguably the chief determinant of the generator you can buy. If you are cash-strapped, a portable generator might be your best bet. If you can splash money on a large unit, we’d recommend going for the standby or a large solar generator. 

Related articles: House Generators--A Perfect Solution To Power Outage

How to Choose The Best Whole House Solar Generator?

Tips for Choose the Right Size Generator

• Consider The Load Size

First, you need to consider all the appliances the generator will be running. Make a list and add up the total wattage. This will help you determine the electrical power required in your household. You can find the wattage info on the silver nameplate or the manufacturer's website. Keep in mind that some appliances have starting and running wattage. Factor in the highest starting wattage when sizing your generator.

• Convert kW to kVA

Once you add up the total wattage, you’ll end up with the kW requirement. This is the actual power the load will use to produce ample power. Generators, whether solar or inverter, are rated in kVA. Ideally, kW is equal to kVA. 

However, generators are not 100% efficient. As such, you’ll need to convert kW to kVA. To do this, you’ll need to know its efficiency which falls between 0 and 1. Generators have a power factor of 0.8, according to international standards.

To convert kW to kVA, use the following formula:

kW / Power Factor = kVA

• Consider The Running Requirements 

Will you use the generator as your primary or backup source of power? If you’ll use it as the backup option, you can purchase that which meets the running and starting wattage. If it will be your primary source of power, especially during prolonged power outages, you’ll need to size for at least 70% capacity.

3 Generators Recommend for You

BLUETTI EP500 Solar Power Station

This workhorse will provide just the right power to run most of your critical appliances. With 5100Wh capacity, whether you want to power your refrigerator, AC, or freezer, this option got you covered. The best part is that it comes with a built-in storage system. As such, you can use it at night or during periods of little to no sunlight. 

It is also equipped with a 2000W Pure Sine Inverter that ensures the produced power is stable and safe for use. You also get rubberized wheels for optimal maneuverability. Unlike conventional generators, it allows you to connect many devices simultaneously. For convenient control, you get an App and a smart touchscreen. 

While a workhorse, it comes in a compact design, weighing 76kg, and has a size ideal for tight spaces. You’ll also love its elegant design.

BLUETTI AC300 + 1*B300

If you are looking for a generator that is expandable, this is the perfect choice for you. It has a minimum capacity of 3,072Wh and a maximum capacity of 12,288Wh. This ensures you get enough power to run large appliances such as refrigerators and AC systems. What’s more? It is equipped with a 3,000W pure sine inverter for stable and clean current production.

Like most BLUETTI power stations, it provides up to seven charging ways ranging from AC, lead-acid, solar, and your car. This means you can recharge its battery from 3 to 20 hours. And for fast charging, it comes with a dual charging feature, allowing you to use solar and an AC power source. This combination gives you a maximum output of 5400W.

BLUETTI AC500 + B300S

Finally, get yourself this powerful generator from BLUETTI with a maximum capacity of 18,432Wh. It also features an app control which works on Bluetooth and WiFi. this means you can control and monitor it from any room in your house. You recharge it using your car, AC, lead-acid, and solar.

With a 5000W inverter, you are sure your devices are running on maximum power. Furthermore, the inverter ensures your devices are safe from distorted and unsafe electricity. This generator is an ideal option if you want to run large appliances simultaneously. It is suited for temperature levels of between -20 C and 40 C.

Make Your Decision

Your power requirements, appliance wattage, and battery capacity will determine the generator size you need for your home. Make sure to choose a generator that provides more than the required power to prevent it from running at full load.

Luckily,  the all-new BLUETTI new UPS solar batteries of 2024 are here to mitigate these challenges. It will help you harness clean energy, store it effectively, and power your home and commercial spaces anytime. Keep reading to know everything about BLUETTI new UPS solar batteries and other important information.

New BLUETTI UPS Solar Batteries of 2024

Here are the new BLUETTI UPS solar batteries of 2024:

BLUETTI EP900 + B500 

The all-new BLUETTI EP900 + B500 Home Battery Backup is a beast when it comes to storing solar power. It can be paired with solar panels or AC units as you want. It stores and converts the electricity to usable electricity(AC) for all home and commercial needs. 

It has a 9,000W power output (good for all light to heavy appliances), which can power all 120V/240V devices. You can scale its storage capacity from 9,920Wh~19,840Wh according to your needs.

Moreover, It features a modular design that can be installed inside and outside as it is IP65 water-resistant. The presence of a premium LiFePO₄ battery, 10-year coverage, BLUETTI APP via WiFi or Bluetooth control, etc., makes it effortless.

One of its striking features is that it sells extra electricity back to the grid, which makes it more budget-friendly. There can be scenarios where you don't use the harnessed energy or may be out of home. In such cases, it sells electricity back to the grid. Moreover, it can be paired with AC units and new and existing solar energy solutions.

It comes with B500, which has a noise level of <25dB, which makes it really noiseless. The premium quality, expandability, flexible options, and modular design make it the perfect energy solution for all needs.

BLUETTI EP800 + B500

BLUETTI EP800 + B500 is another one of the most amazing battery solutions. It has a great 7,600W power output, which is perfect for all light to heavy appliances. You can expand its energy capacity according to your need from 9900 Wh to 19800Wh with additional battery packs. Also, It can power all 120V/240V devices. 

The battery quality is top-notch as it features a LiFePO₄ battery. You can install it with a grid or solar system, which can be new or existing. Moreover, it has taken energy consumption to the next level. It has a smart storage feature that stores energy during off-peak demand to supply you with high demand. This ensures lower bills. 

Also, with solar solutions, it smartly stores energy and provides power at night. You can also install it outside as it's IP65 water-resistant. It's a valuable addition to any home with a 10-year warranty, smart control, and other flexible features.

BLUETTI EP900 vs. EP800 

BLUETTI EP900 and BLUETTI EP800 are both powerful, scalable, and flexible battery solutions for storing solar energy. However, here are some pros of each, which will help you choose the best ones according to your needs.

BLUETTI EP900:

• It's great if you have heavy-duty appliances, as its rated power is 9000 W.
• Its dimensions are 636mm×324mm×368mm, and its weight is 44 kg, which makes it really easy to handle.
• You can scale it from 9,920Wh~19,840Wh with additional batteries.

BLUETTI EP800:

• It's good for you if you have an average power need of 7600W, and it can handle light to heavy appliances, too. 
• It's slightly more compact than the EP900 as its dimensions are 626 × 324 × 368 mm and weighs 44 kg.
• It's scalable from 9900 Wh to 19800Wh.

These home battery solutions best fit small to large homes and even commercial spaces. If you have budget constraints and appliances with average power needs, you can go with the BLUETTI EP800. However, if you have a very high power output demand, then the BLUETTI EP900 with 9000W is amazing. 

How Do Solar Batteries Work?

Solar batteries maximize the installed solar energy solutions by storing the surplus energy. The stored energy can be used at night or during bad weather when solar panels cannot create electricity.

The solar batteries work in systematic steps like:

• Solar panels have various solar cells that absorb sunlight and convert it into Direct Current (DC) electricity. Then, the inverter converts it to Alternating Current( AC) to power home appliances.
• The extra energy which is not used is directed towards the solar batteries.
• The battery stores the surplus energy created by the solar panels in the form of chemical energy.
• At night, the battery discharges and converts the chemical energy to electrical energy.
• It further converts the DC to AC for various home needs.

The batteries follow this continuous process of storing the extra energy created by the solar panels or power itself from AC units. These batteries with stored power ensure that you face no blackout for any reason.

How to Choose the Best Solar Battery？

Here are some tips for choosing the best solar battery:

Determine power needs: You should assess the power needs of all the appliances in your home, their running time, etc. It will help you choose the right battery with compatible power output.

Check for battery capacity: The battery capacity mentioned in Kwh or Wh is the energy the battery can store. If you face long outages for some reason, you should go for high capacity. Also, choose a battery solution that can be upgraded over time with additional battery packs.

Warranty: It's important to check the running time and warranty of the battery solutions. The more, the better it will be.

Cost analysis: It's advised to choose the budget and then choose the best one in the range. However, the battery solution may have a high upfront cost, but it pays through the years with low bills.

Types of Solar Batteries

Here are popular types of solar batteries:

Lithium-ion batteries

They are the most popular ones due to their high energy capacity. It means it can store more energy in less space. Also, they are more safe, compact and energy efficient. However, it can be costly, but it lasts for years. For example, BLUETTI energy solutions feature LiFePO₄ batteries, which are the best in the class known for their reliability and safety.

Lead-acid batteries

It's widely used for off-grid needs. It has low cost, is efficient, and uses new technology. However, it has low density, which makes it less efficient for home needs.

Flow batteries

They are very large, with around 2.2 MWh of capacity. This size suits them for grid-scale energy storage and industrial applications.

Nickel-cadmium batteries

Nickel-cadmium batteries are great as they can work in extreme temperatures and have high energy density. However, nickel-cadmium is toxic and is banned in certain parts of the world. 

How Much Does a Solar Battery Cost?

A solar battery may cost $1,000 and $2,000 per kWh of energy storage. It also depends on the home power needs, the battery capacity, additional battery packs, etc. According to the US Department of Energy, it can range between $12,000 to $22,000. Also, you can get a smaller battery of 8kWh or less for less than $10,000 before installation.

Why Choose BLUETTI?

BLUETTI is one solution to all power needs, whether in home, outdoor, or even commercial spaces. The BLUETTI features premium batteries, great power outputs, scalability, and storage capacity.

Some of the reasons to choose BLUETTI for home energy solutions are:

• They feature premium LiFePO₄, which lasts even after significant charge cycles.
• The BLUETTI solution has great scalability, which means you can expand the battery capacity according to your needs.
• Many home energy solutions from BLUETTI can be recharged with AC units, solar energy solutions, cars, generators, etc., and other combinations to boost recharging.
• Many energy solutions have various output ports to charge the appliances directly. For example, BLUETTI EP500 + 3*PV200, solar generator kit, has around 18 well-regulated ports.
• The App, WiFi, and Bluetooth monitoring help in effortless operations.
• The amazing warranty periods ensure that your product is safe.
• One of the most incredible perks is the customer support. You can contact BLUETTI anytime, which offers instant support.

With great flexibility, durability, and easy operations, you can also customize the BLUETTI energy solutions according to particular needs. Moreover, access to power 24/7 with smart storage and supply means peace of mind always.

Final Thoughts

The UPS solar batteries of 2024 featuring BLUETTI are truly amazing. It's the new path for using clean energy, access to power 24/7, and bringing convenience. You can assess your power needs and unique requirements to choose the best ones. A reliable UPS solar battery will help you store extra energy, save bills, and use cleaner energy. So, go through all the above mentioned factors and bring BLUETTI to your home to elevate the energy solutions. 

You can clip the solar panels onto your belt or put them in your pocket. You can use larger versions of portable solar panels to charge bigger appliances. In this article, we look at how you can use portable solar panels in various outdoor situations and off-grid living.

What Are Portable Solar Panels?

Unlike a conventional solar panel that goes on your roof, a portable panel is generally encased in a sleeve made with plastic or mesh fabric. Small panels can produce 5 to 50 watts. On the other hand, bigger ones can produce 300 watts or higher – the same as a regular rooftop panel. Small-sized panels are usually a single sheet of silicon solar cells, whereas bigger panels might have two to three panels in a foldable case.

Portable solar panels have a single jack or multiple jacks to supply power to several devices. You might also find a USB port and a DC output jack to directly charge your electronic devices. In a lot of cases, portable solar panels are connected to a lithium-ion battery so that you can use their power under all conditions. The battery can have a vast number of output devices, from DC output jacks to ordinary 120-volt AC outlets.  

How to Set Up Portable Solar Panels for Off-Grid Living?

Here’s how you can set up your solar panels for off-grid living.

Step #1 – Understand Your Power Needs

Solar energy is an incredibly flexible source of energy when it comes to size. Thus, you have to start off by deciding the size of the system you require, i.e., the amount of energy needed.

The first step is to list down the appliances that you wish to operate using your portable solar panels. This can include anything from a refrigerator, mobile phone chargers, LED lights, microwave, coffee maker, etc.

Now, add the power consumption of all the devices. For instance, the refrigerator totals 200 watts, lights 30 watts, fans 20 watts, and around 150 watts for other devices.

Step #2 – Choose the Solar Panels

After you’ve calculated the total amount of energy needed, it’s time to choose the type and size of solar panels. Let’s assume that your total energy requirement is 400 watts.

For this particular example, it would be a wise decision to opt for 500-watt solar panels, keeping unpredictable sunlight levels and efficiency losses in mind.

You can either go with five 100-watt, 12-volt monocrystalline solar panels or ten 50-watt solar panels. You can either pick flexible panels, rugged panels, and regular portable solar panels.

Even though all solar panels work the same at the fundamental level, each of these has its benefits. Conventional, rigid solar panels are most pocket-friendly, whereas flexible solar panels are incredibly easy-to-carry and durable.

Portable solar panels have protected edges which makes them more durable. You can easily place them at the right angle using mounting kickstands. Therefore, it’s convenient to install a solar panel system using portable modules.

Step #3 – Charge Controller and Battery

When you have to use off-grid power, you will need a battery to store solar energy and use it at night, along with a solar controller to allow your battery to charge safely. Before you decide on the size of the battery to purchase, you need to know the amount of power you have to store. The five 12-volt 100-watt solar panels are going to generate almost 4,000 watt-hours of energy, assuming you live in an area that receives four hours of proper sunshine.

To have a battery system that can store 4,000 watt-hours, you need to use the following equation to get the battery size in ampere-hours.

Watt hours ÷ Volts = Ampere-Hours 

Hence, 4,000 ÷ 12 = 333 Ampere-Hours

Keeping a buffer for depth of discharge and efficiency losses, it would be advisable to go with a 500 Ampere-hours battery. Various kinds of batteries are available for solar kits. However, to reduce maintenance issues, you should opt for maintenance-free options, either lithium or lead acid batteries.

Step #4 – The Inverter

An inverter is important as it converts DC electricity from your solar panels or AC or batteries. You can use DC-powered appliances that your batteries power directly. This way, you won’t need an inverter altogether. However, it’s recommended to have an inverter-based system to power regular appliances too.

The inverter needs to handle the power conversion when all the appliances are working at the same time while also having some margin to account for a potential power surge.

Step  #5 – Do the Wiring

The last step is the most crucial part of installing your portable solar panel system. If you’re going with a 12-volt system, you can connect your 5 x 100-watt panels in parallel. However, if you’re setting up a 24-volt system, you can simply connect them in series by connecting the positive terminal of one panel with the negative terminal of the other panel.

While connecting the solar panel system, make sure the panels aren’t exposed to sunlight, as DC current can be dangerous. It’s imperative to disconnect or connect solar panels safely.

Portable Solar Panels for Outdoor Uses

Apart from those who need off-grid power, portable solar panels can easily be used by travelers, campers, or others who need a supply of electricity when they cannot access grid power.  

1.     Camping

Camping is an excellent use of portable solar panels. You can install larger solar panels on top of your vehicle to provide solar power for RV as an alternative to gas or propane-fueled generator. Compared to a smelly and noisy generator using fossil fuels, a battery charged by solar panels is odorless, clean, and quiet. As even the larger panels are easy to move around, you can place them in the sun while your RV, camper, or tent is parked in the cool shade.

If you are on a long camping trip and wish to keep your mobile charged for emergency reasons, a small portable panel that fits into your backpack will be perfect for you.

2.     Boating

Install solar panels on your boat’s deck or any other flat surface of your boat, and you can power an electric motor with the energy stored in a battery. The panel will also work as a shade to shield you from the harmful rays of the sun while you’re out in your boat. When connected with a solar battery, solar panels let you sail without depending on the wind or bearing the smell and noise of a gas-powered engine. As long as the sun continues to shine, you can continue to sail without having to stop for refueling.

3.     Power Breakdowns

If you work from home and there is a power breakdown, your router and model are going to stop working. Thus, if you don’t have Wi-Fi, you won’t be able to use the internet. However, when you have a solar battery backup, you can easily run your router, laptop, and modem until the electricity comes back on.

4.     Pump Water

Solar water pumps are handy machines for pumping out water from ponds and wells. They use solar power to produce electricity with then used to pump out water. Additionally, these pumps have a higher efficiency than other types of pumps as they don’t need any external energy source such as a wind turbine or gas engine. In addition, they’re simple to install, eco-friendly and quiet.

5.     Outdoor Vending Stalls

For individuals who sell food items or other products on the street, it might get difficult to find an energy source that’s affordable and reliable. For instance, if you’re selling ice cream or hot dogs at a carnival, you are going to need the energy to light up your stall, keep your food items warm, and keep the cash register working smoothly. Portable solar panels offer a perfect way for vendors to earn money while saving electricity costs.

6.     Outdoor Media Production

Portable solar panels are a great choice for outdoor media production. From remote broadcasts and live feeds to field reporting, you can easily transport these lightweight panels from one location to another without sacrificing energy. You can use solar energy to keep your camera and equipment running at all times. Thus, you won’t have to worry about your camera running out of battery when you need it. This is particularly important if you wish to capture wildlife in action.

7.     Workshops and Sheds

Portable solar panels are an excellent way to power anything you have to power in your workshop or shed. You can use them to power heaters, fans, lights, and even small appliances. Sheds are generally not connected to any grid power supply. Thus, if you wish to use power tools in your shed, you have to ensure that they have their battery packs or charge from an external source such as wind turbines or solar panels.

This makes it easy to have light without running extension wires from the garage or your home into your shed. It even eliminates the need for harmful extension wires if you are using an electric machine that has to be plugged into an outlet with a heavy-duty cord.

Last Few Words

Portable solar panels are an excellent way to power your remote cabin or RV or enjoy an entirely off-grid life. One of the biggest benefits of portable solar panels is that they are low maintenance and can provide you with dependable power output almost anywhere in the world. These benefits are something that other portable power sources, such as gas generators, really cannot match.

At BLUETTI, we have a vast range of portable solar panel kits to cater to all your needs. Check out our shop to have a look at some amazing portable solar power systems.

Shop Bluetti for all your solar needs!

According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. At the end of 2020, about 2.7 million residential solar systems were in the US, an increase of about 32% year over year.

If you are looking to install a solar system in your home, then you have likely already heard of a battery backup system.

But what is a battery backup system? How familiar are you with it?

Most press is geared towards the benefits that solar panels can bring to your home, and not batteries.

In this article, we will talk about what a battery backup for home is if you need one and all the different types and sizes you can get.

What Is A Battery Backup?

A battery backup system or UPS is essentially a large energy storage that is capable of supplying your home with electricity should your main utility provider be shut off or interrupted - such as in the case of a blackout. 

Battery backups come in different types and capacities and are highly dependent on what you require in terms of energy requirements.

Why Do You Need A Battery Backup for Home?

First things first, you do not need a battery backup for your home, it is not a  compulsory piece of equipment should you install a solar system. 

However, you may want to consider one should your home experience: 

• Frequent blackouts
• Lot's of solar irradiation
• Many overcast days

Let's put it like this, when you equip your home with a solar system you will have two main decisions to make.

Do you go with a grid-tied or off-grid system?

Grid-tied

A grid-tied solar system is exactly that, a solar system (without battery storage) that is still connected to the utilities grid. 

This means that during the day your home uses electricity generated by the solar panels, but at night, it uses energy from the grid, when the sun is down. 

(Remember, solar panels can only generate electricity when theres sun.)

Off-grid

Off-grid solar systems have their own battery backup and are disconnected from the utility grid. In essence, your battery backup is now your own utility.

So Should I Go Grid-Tied or Off-Grid?

The answer to this question is highly personal and really all depends on what sort of system you are after. 

It is important to note that the majority of homes in the U.S. have a grid-tied solar system installed. 

This means they are still partially connected to the grid and can rely on the utility providing them with electricity at night times or on very overcast days. 

The main reason people go this route is simply due to the cost. Grid-tied systems are much cheaper than off-grid solar systems.

However, should your home experience a power outage (even during the day when your solar panels are providing electricity) your homes power will shut down to.

Off-grid solar systems on the other hand cost much more, (due to the added battery storage), however, have the added benefit of storing in excess electricity generated during the day and supplying you with that storage during the night or during a power outage.

When Is It Worth Getting A Solar Generator Instead Of A Battery Backup?

The biggest deciding factor between these two types of energy storage systems is the portability. 

Solar generators are portable, you can use them in house, but can also use them wherever you want as they generally come as one unit. Whereas a battery backup system comes as multiple individual batteries all connected together or in a powerwall which is actually fixed to the wall. 

Another important point to highlight is the functionality. For example, the Bluetti AC200P solar generator has AC outlets, USB-A, USB-C, cigarette lighter, 12V/3A DC Port, and also features 15W wireless chargers to provide you more charging options. 

A battery backup system on the other hand has one function and that is to supply your home with electricity you are not able to use the batteries themselves to power any one appliance. 

What Size And Type Of Battery Backup Do I Need?

Type

The type of battery backup you go with really all depends on your budget. Lead-acid batteries for example cost much less than lithium-ion batteries. 

However, there is a trade off. Cheaper battery technology does not last as long as the more expensive battery chemistries, such as LiFePO4. 

We always recommend that people work out the levelized cost of storage (LCOS) before purchasing any batteries. In doing so, you will work out the lifetime value/cost as opposed to the upfront cost. 

You will often find that LiFePO4 batteries may cost more upfront, but their lifetime cost is much cheaper (sometimes by 50%) than cheaper battery alternatives. 

Size 

Sizing your battery bank can be quite technical, for this reason we feel it is best for you to read another one of our dedicated articles where we cover how to size your battery bank correctly, you can read this article here. 

How Much Does A Battery Backup Cost?

The exact price will vary and really all depends on what type of batteries you go for, as well as the size of your overall system.

However, for an average-sized home, battery backup system tend to cost between $10,000 and $20,000.

Final Thoughts

If you are looking for a more affordable/portable solution for home battery backup, it may make sense for you to look into buying a solar generator, such as the BLUETTI AC500 & B300S. 

In doing this you will not only save money, but will also be able to easily transport your backup power supply to other locations should you require off-grid power elsewhere. 

Summer and Winter can bring storms that damage transformers and snap transmission lines. These damages consequently lead to power outages and citywide blackouts that can last several hours, even days, depending on the severity of the damage.

But you don’t have to fear the next outage. That’s because portable solar generators can keep the lights on, the medical equipment running, the car charging, tools running and more. So let's look at how solar can keep the lights on during the next black out.

Why Portable Solar Generators Provide Backup Power 

Before we get to how portable solar generators can help you prepare for winter storms and hurricanes, we first need to understand how these solar storage systems actually work. A solar portable generator is generally made up of four main components which include a charge controller, portable solar panels, solar battery, and an inverter.

Portable solar panels harvest the sunlight incident on their surface and use it to generate electricity. This is why you must make sure that your solar panels are placed in a spot that receives ample sunlight and does not have any obstructions in the surrounding. The electrical energy produced by the solar panels is DC.

There are numerous factors that can obstruct the transmission of light to the solar panels, thereby induces fluctuations in the solar panel output. The fluctuating voltage and current can damage the battery and other electrical parts of the solar generator system. The charge controller regulates the voltage coming from the solar panels and prevents the system components from fluctuating voltage.

The charge controller also prevents the battery from overcharging and over-discharging, in doing so, extending the life of your solar battery. The solar battery stores the electrical output coming from the solar panels and allows you to use it whenever you find the need to.

Lastly, we have the inverter. An inverter's primary function is to convert DC output to AC and vice versa. Why do we need to convert DC to AC you wonder? This is because the majority of electrical devices and appliances in our homes are designed to run only on AC power.

Multiple connectors, including USB C, USB A, AC outlets, cigarette lighter ports, and DC outlets, are typically present on solar generators. As long as your generator's capacity can support it, this offers you the freedom to power multiple devices at any one time.

How to Prepare Your Home for Seasonal Storms with Portable Solar Generators

A hurricane, or even a winter storm, can be extremely disastrous and can lead to a number of complications which require electricity to be resolved. But as we know and have experienced, power is one of the first things to go offline during extreme storms.

Having a portable solar generator at the ready can be a lifesaver in such situations for you and your home. Here are a few ways you can use portable solar generators to get through a storm:

Keep Your Home Dry

One of the worst things about hurricanes and winter storms is that they can lead to urban flooding. This is because severe hurricanes are accompanied by extreme rainfall, which can lead to rapid accumulation of water in the streets at a rate higher than your drainage system can manage.

The rainwater can also begin to seep into your home through the roof and lead to flooded attics and rooms. Furthermore, the high-speed winds that come with hurricanes can rupture water lines in homes and lead to flooded basements and other areas of your home.

The gist of the matter is that severe storms can cause water damage in your home and your belongings in it, which, in turn, can lead to mold infestation and weakening of your home's structure. With a solar generator at your disposal, you'll be able to power vacuums and sump pumps, allowing you to pump out water from the flooded areas in your home and subsequently dry off those areas.

This helps minimize water damage in your home, prevent expenses for structural repairs and replacements, and avoid inconveniences such as mold and mildew infestation in your home.

Keep the Indoor Space Warm and Livable

Winters in America keep getting more and more unpredictable and intense each year, especially in Wyoming, Alaska, and Montana, owing to climate change. The extreme winter storms that follow the winter season can turn your indoor living space into a living nightmare if you don’t have a running heater to cozy up the space.

But with an ongoing power outage in your area, how would you? Fortunately, portable solar generators can help you here as well. High-capacity solar generators, such as the ones offered by Bluetti, are capable enough to power your heaters, thereby allowing you to warm up your home and enjoy a cozy, livable indoor space.

Since you can run your portable solar generators off of solar panels, you don't even have to worry about running out of power. As mentioned before, make sure to position your solar panels in a location with maximum sunlight and minimum obstructions. As long as your panels receive adequate sunlight, they’ll generate electricity even during winter months.

Preserve Your Food

With the power out, your refrigerator and freezer will stop working as well. While most modern refrigerators and freezers can maintain their coolness for 24 to 36 hours, a power outage that extends beyond this time period could spoil all your perishable refrigerated and frozen food items and beverages.

The problem becomes even worse when you consider that the natural disaster may have sealed you in your neighborhood, making it impossible for you to shop for more food. This means the food in your home is what you have to survive on for a couple of days, and if it goes bad, you might find yourself in a serious problem.

But you don't have to worry about spoiled food when you have a portable solar generator. You can use your back energy system to power your refrigerator and freezer, keeping your food cooled and preserved throughout the power outage.

Maintain Water Supply to Your Home

If you live in a suburban or remote area and depend on a well for your fresh water supply, having a backup portable solar generator is even more important for you. This is because your pump will stop working during the power outage caused by a hurricane or storm. As a result, you won’t be able to pull water from the well until the power comes back.

Furthermore, if you use an electric water heater in your home, as most homes in the United States do, you won't have access to any hot water for as long as the power's out since your electric heater won't work without power either.

A portable solar generator can help resolve both of your problems. It can power your pump as well as electric heater, ensuring that the freshwater supply to your home remains undisrupted and that you have access to hot water throughout the power outage.

Stay Connected to the World

As you lose your power, you also lose your internet since all internet modems and devices require electricity to function. While not having internet access is more of an annoyance than a serious problem for most people, the children might argue otherwise, it can be a major issue for remote workers.

One of the few requirements of a remote job is a stable internet connection so that you can communicate with your employer, receive and share information, attend meetings, and for many other reasons. Of course, without power, you also won't be able to power your computer, and the battery of your laptop won't last for more than a few hours. All of this means you won't be able to work your job and will be unable to meet the deadlines on your projects and tasks.

With the internet gone, you’ll also lose your connection to the world outside your home. This means you won’t be able to receive updates regarding the damage caused by the storm or hurricane, what the authorities are doing to deal with the situation, an ETA on the power coming back online, and what routes are safe for traveling if you need to go somewhere, etc.

Fortunately, your portable solar generator is the perfect solution for this as well. You can use the system to power all your internet devices as well as your computer and laptop. As such, you can stay connected to the world and work your job during the power outage.

Keep Your Phones Charged

Without power, you won’t be able to keep your phones charged, which could turn out to be a bigger problem than you may expect. This is because your phones will, most likely, be the only way for you to reach the relevant authorities in case you need urgent help, such as medical assistance.

With solar generators, you can keep your cellphones as well as other necessary appliances charged and powered so that you always have access to professional help should you need it.

Keep Your House Safe and Secure

One of the most overlooked yet threatening disadvantages of a power outage is that it can lead to the disarming of your home’s security system. Most contemporary security systems require the internet and electricity to operate correctly. While your security system probably has a dedicated backup power source for such a situation, chances are that the backup power won’t outlast an extended power outage.

With your security system offline, your home becomes vulnerable to burglaries and invasions, endangering you and your loved ones. However, you can keep your security system online and armed using a portable solar generator for as long as the power's out. As such, your system can help keep your property safe and secure from criminals during power outages.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can a Portable Solar Generator Power a House? 

A high-capacity solar generator with a power rating of 2,000Wh or above should be able to power your entire home for two hours or more, depending on the size of the generator. However, by lowering the house load, the backup time can be extended.

Can a Solar Generator Power a Refrigerator?

A solar generator can power a refrigerator, given that the power consumption of your refrigerator does not exceed the capacity of your portable solar generator.

Do Solar Generators Work at Night?

While solar generators cannot be charged during the night since they derive their energy from sunlight, you can use the energy already stored in the generator even after sundown. So, in short, yes, solar generators do work at night.

FINAL THOUGHTS

If your lifestyle depends on uninterrupted power – then it just makes sense to invest in a portable solar generator. Bluetti offers durable, and powerful portable solar generators. They come with a warranty and a money-back guarantee. Plus, you can contact support with any questions before you buy to make sure you’re getting the right one for your needs.

Learn More About BLUETTI Portable Solar Generators

According to Forbes, there are more than 8 million CPAP users spread out across the U.S. Additionally, the 2021 North American Camping Report, shows that more than 86 million U.S. households consider themselves campers. 

If you happen to be adventurous and one of those 8 million people struggling with obstructive sleep apnea, this article is for you. 

We will unveil 7 tips to camping with sleep apnea and how you can prepare for using a CPAP while out under the stars.

Disclaimer: (The material contained on this website is for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.)

7 Tips to camping with a CPAP machine

1. Plan accordingly

The first step to camping successfully with your CPAP machine is planning accordingly. It would be best to consider all the components you'll need to use your CPAP machine efficiently. According to Healthline, a CPAP machine comes with the following components:

• a motor housed in a base unit
• a cushioned mask
• a tube that connects the motor to the mask
• a headgear frame
• “elbow” pieces that act as joints
• adjustable straps that allow you to customize the fit of the device

Make sure you bring all these components. Lastly, in order to camp with a CPAP machine, you will need a cpap battery for camping. If you are not camping electricity, this is where your solar generator will come in. Make sure to bring it. 

2. Charge that battery

This is incredibly important if you aim to power your CPAP machine with your solar generator.

A solar generator without a charge is pretty much useless. We recommend charging your solar generator at home before going on your camping trip. Depending on the model of solar generator you use, you could have up to 40 hours or more of usage time if you have a fully charged solar generator.

3. Bring an extra long hose

At home, you can optimize your CPAP setup to your heart's desire, thanks to the convenient placement of electrical outlets.

However, when camping outdoors, you will often have to rely on power outlets not placed as conveniently as you are used to.

We recommend bringing along an extra long hose to connect your CPAP machine to your face to combat this. This will allow you the best chance to stay connected should your CPAP machine need to be placed further away from you in order to connect to the power.

4. Keep your CPAP clean and dry

This is unlikely to come as a surprise, but CPAP devices are made to be used indoors. Meaning they can not get wet. If they do, the electronics inside will likely be fried, rendering your machine useless.

Just like all electronics, make sure you keep your CPAP machine clean and dry.

5. Have a backup plan

Remember, should your CPAP machine stop working at night, you can still breathe room air, even with the mask on. However, when it comes to running out of battery during the night, it may make sense to have a backup solar generator to use in this case. 

Even though this is highly unlikely to happen should you be camping in sunny conditions/with one of our higher capacity generators, you never know. In this case, bringing one of our smaller solar generators as a backup could prove handy. 

We recommend the EB3A for this purpose. If fully charged, it will power your CPAP machine for 9 hours. 

6. Try to avoid humidity

"High ambient relative humidity will be associated with a lower apnoea/hypopnoea index (AHI) than low ambient relative humidity in patients with mild OSA." /  "Can you use a CPAP without the humidifier or water chamber? CPAP machines are usable without a humidifier or water chamber. The machine will continue to disperse dry air to your mask. If you are in a humid environment, you may find that a humidifier is not necessary."

7. Take a test run at home

As with most mechanics, it is always best to test out your system at home before trying it outdoors. Imagine you are not capable of successfully using your CPAP machine with your solar generator at home. How in the world will you get it to work in the wilderness?

We recommend recreating real-world scenarios that you are likely to experience well camping.

For example, try testing out your extended hose. Place your CPAP machine further away from you and connect it to your solar generator.

How does the whole setup feel? Perhaps you also want to test the discharge rate to see how long your CPAP machine will work with your particular solar generator model.

Powering your CPAP machine with Bluetti solar generators: 

Below we have created a table that shows you how long each Bluetti solar generator model is capable of powering a standard CPAP machine: 

Final thoughts

Camping with CPAP machines in the past proved very difficult, if not impossible should there be no easily accessible power outlet. 

However, in 2022, solar generators have made many complex off-grid tasks possible, such as powering your CPAP machine. 

Your top priority when preparing to camp with your CPAP machine should be choosing the correct sized solar generator. 

If all you need power for is your CPAP machine, then we recommend either our EB55 or EB70S cpap battery for camping. Both these machines will power your CPAP for 2 or more nights (depending on the model you choose). 

This will mean at 100% charge, you are guaranteed at least 2 nights worth of CPAP usage should you choose not recharge your solar generator during the day. 

They are of great importance to ensure the electrical appliances on the vessel run properly and effectively.

The portable solar generator is also used for performing recreational activities, such as boating or camping, and helps keep your fish, meat, and food fresh for an extended period.

It can also provide light during nighttime and power some electrical appliances, including flashlights, GPS, mobile phones, and laptops.  

Three Types of Solar Generators for Boats

1. Inverter Generators

This is a new and advanced type of portable generator that comes with an electronic upgrade.

An inverter generator automatically regulates its engine speed to meet the required electrical demand.

Thus, the inverter generator runs at a constant rate depending on the load size.

This feature enables the generator to run efficiently while reducing the noise and fuel consumption level. 

2. Conventional Generators

It’s a generator that is usually powered by fuel. It can offer a consistent stream of power to any electrical appliances you plug into it, and produces a lot of power or energy that you can use to power the various electrical devices and tools on the boat. 

3. Solar and Electric Generators

The solar and electric generators are environmentally friendly options that can power various appliances in your boat. Portable solar generators for boats produces zero noise and does not emit any toxic gasses or pollution that might cause harm to marine life. 

Features to Consider When Choosing Portable Generators

1. Portability

One of the most critical factors to consider when choosing portable generators is the portability, which allows you to quickly move the generator from one place to another with ease, saving much hassle when you are sailing or going for an outdoor trip or spending some time with friends and family at the park.

2. Noise Levels

It's vital to choose a portable generator that make a noise at a lower level. The portable solar generators are eco-friendly and produce reduced noise levels. You can use the generator on the boat, and one can enjoy doing their activities without any noise or disturbance. 

3. Power and Outputs

Power and outputs are other features that you need to consider when choosing a portable solar generators for your boat. When it comes to power, you need to select a portable generator that will cater to your power requirements and provide a consistent power supply safely and effectively.

In addition, a solar generator with many output ports can charge multiple devices at the same time.

4. Run Time

The lifespan or run time of the portable generator should be efficient to meet the power requirement of the electrical appliances on the boat.

It's essential to choose a portable generator with a run time between 700 to 1500 hours. You should also regularly maintain the portable generators to extend their expected lifespan.

Recommended Products 

BLUETTI EB150 1500wh/1000w portable power station

This is one of the most popular power stations that features 1000W rated power and 1500Wh capacity. It also has 1200W surge power, multiple recharge or output charge ports.

It has powerful and versatile exterior output ports that could power your lights and other electrical appliances, including mobile phones and laptops.

With the weight of 37.9lb, it can be moved to another place easily and supply power to your electronic barometer, GPS, snow blower, mini-refrigerator, gaming PC, and TV. 

BLUETTI AC200MAX power station+3*PV200 panel combo

The power stations have a long-lasting LFP battery that can offer up to 3500+ life cycles. The LFP battery technology offers longevity, safety, and incredible thermal resistance. 

It has a capacity of up to 2048 watt-hours, which can power a 10W light for 50hrs or a 150W fridge for 15-28hrs.  

Moreover, AC200MAX is compatible with 900W solar input. You can put a PV200 panel on your boat, then connect the solar panel to AC200MAX via solar charging cable. In this way, you would never worry about your electricity problem on the boat. 

BLUETTI AC300+2*B300 combo

The BLUETTI AC 300 has amazing flexibility and expandability, which is incredible for supplying power in great expansion devices and can be used as a standalone basic power generator. 

The power station is designed to offer outstanding flexibility and has two USB ports, output and input portals, and a power button.

AC300 power station has exceptional output and input ratings. It also features a responsive LCD touch screen with superior functionality and exceptional visibility. 

Why A Solar Generator Instead of A Gas Generator?

One of the main advantages of portable solar generators for boats is that they are a clean energy source since they do not generate any harmful carbon monoxide emissions, therefore you can use it indoors to power various electrical appliances.

It’s highly encouraged not to use the gas generators indoors since they produce toxic carbon monoxide emissions into the air, which would cause fatal harm to the people. 

How to Charge A Portable Solar Generator?

1. Solar Panels

Using solar panels to charge the portable solar generator for a boat is the most environmentally friendly and cost-effective way especially during a camping or sailing. Your power station or generator should have a high input capacity to ensure that you can power various electrical appliances when you stay out on a trip for a long period.

2. AC Outlet

This is one of the fastest ways to charge your portable solar generator. An AC outlet helps to charge your generator fast and efficiently and can be an added advantage if you find them in the RV parks and bigger campgrounds. Gaining access to an AC outlet will enable you to recharge your portable generator without any delays.

3. Car Charger

This is another way to charge your portable generator. However, it can sometimes take a long time to charge it through this method. It’s crucial to remember not to charge your portable generator with the car charger when the vehicle is not moving. This might cause significant damages to the engine of your car. However, if you are driving, it would be worth plugging in and re-charge the portable generator. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use a portable generator on a boat?

A: Sure. You can use a portable generator on the boat to power various electrical appliances and tools on the boat. A portable generator, in most cases, does not generate any emissions, which makes it environmentally friendly and safe to use while sailing.

Q: What size of portable generator do I need for my boat?

A: The size of the portable generator for your boat will depend on the power supply requirements while sailing on the boat. If you are unfamiliar with the wattage or power supply requirements that will best suit your needs, it’s best to seek the help of a professional who will be able to recommend the right portable size generator to cater to your needs. The professional expert will calculate wattage and your power requirements and suggest the best portable generator for you.

Q: Do you need a generator on a boat?

A: Yes. You may need a generator on a boat since it can provide a power supply to keep the electronics, heater, and appliances running smoothly, even when the engines are turned off. If you decide to buy a generator, it’s vital to ensure that you choose the most suitable size that will cater to your power requirements and maintain it properly. 

Conclusion

It's important to select and purchase a portable solar generator which will be necessary to take care of your power supply on the boat. The portable solar generator is safe, user-friendly, and will provide an emergency power supply to power the boat's various tools and electrical appliances.

Portable generator for a boat will satisfy your power supply requirements while having a great time sailing on the boat with your family and friends.

Living off-grid means you will need to focus on your overall kWh usage as apposed to focusing on your annual electricity bill. 

Although off-grid solar systems are more expensive than any grid-tied system you'll find, for some it is worth the money. 

Being off-grid means you will be 100% reliant on your own energy production and storage.

This article aims to teach you exactly how you can size your off-grid solar system. 

Let's get started. 

Sizing an off-grid solar system

In the following section of the article we are going to outline the steps you need to take in figuring out what size battery bank will suit your off-grid solar system.

Step 1 - Figure out what your energy needs are

First things first, you are going to have to figure out exactly how much electricity each one of your homes appliances uses. 

Doing this can be somewhat of a tedious task, but it is absolutely critical in correctly sizing your off-grid PV system. 

You are going to need to go through each one of your homes appliances and check their power consumption. 

You can usually find a label on the back which states their wattage draw. 

For example like on this label of a washing machine: 

Note that it draws 470 watts. 

You are going to have to make a notes of this, for each one of your appliances, so I recommend getting out a pen and paper or alternatively open up a word document on your computer and get tabulating. 

For example, we are going to make an example list of all the things that run in our small wooden cabin:

Now, remember this is just an example, of course your home may have much more appliances that draw more load. That's fine, continue tabulating your list until you have covered each appliance. 

Step 2 - Add inverter load

 If you plan on using an inverter to convert DC to AC power then you'll have to account for inverter efficiency losses. 

Inverters always consume a small fraction of generated power when running. 

Therefore you are going to have to add the consumptions rate of your inverter to your daily total. 

Each inverter has it's own consumption rate so you are going to need to look at your own one to see what it draws. 

For example, let's assume you inverter uses 50 watts and runs for 8 hours a day, you are going to need to add that to your power load: 

Inverter load = 50 watts

Watts x 8 hours = 400Wh

Total load including your inverter = 9,760Wh + 400Wh = 10,160Wh

Also, you are going to have to account for inefficiencies in your overall system. 

Efficiencies usually range between 5% - 15% and depend on the type of inverter you use and how much load you draw. 

This is quite an important step to consider when sizing your off-grid solar battery, so make sure not to skip it. 

Step 3 - Calculate your battery size

Batteries store collected solar energy for later use. 

the size of your battery will depend on the amount of backup power you will require to run your appliances. 

You may find that in the winter months it may make sense to add a backup solar generator to your off-grid system as there may not be enough sunlight to power your homes main solar system. 

When choosing your off-grid solar systems battery size, you need to consider system inefficiencies and temperature coefficients. 

the rate of inefficiencies depends on your overall solar setup (as always).

In order to compensate for these inefficiencies you will need to oversize your battery bank.  

In most scenarios a batteries output voltage will be rated either 12V, 24V, 48V or 120V. 

Your first step is to decide what battery voltage you are going to use in your PV system.

Here's a rule of thumb to help you make your decisions: 

• 12V = perfect for smaller solar systems
• 24V, 48V = ideal for medium to large solar systems
• 120V = great for very large solar systems. 

Account for inverter inefficiencies and temperature coefficients

Take a look at your inverter spec sheet and see what the efficiency rate is, if it is 90% you will of course have to add 10% to your daily load sheet.

So assuming your daily consumption is: 10,160Wh.

10,160Wh x 1.1 inefficiency = 11,176Wh.

Next account for temperature fluctuations. 

Temperature fluctuations affect battery efficiency, you should expect batteries to become less efficient in winter. 

Both lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries operate and varying efficiencies in colder weather. Lithium-ion tends to operate at a better efficiency in winter.

Assuming you are using lead-acid batteries in your off-grid PV system you will need to multiply your battery capacity by 1.59%

11,176Wh * 1.59 = 17,769Wh (lead-acid)

If you use lithium-ion batteries in your build, multiply your required capacity by 1.2

11,176Wh * 1.2 = 13,411Wh (lithium-ion)

You also have to account for efficiency loss when charging and discharging the battery. 

• Efficiency loss for lead-acid = 20%.
• And for lithium-ion = 5%

17,769Wh x 1.2 = 21,322Wh (lead-acid)

13,411 x 1.05 = 14,081Wh (lithium-ion)

Days of autonomy

Lastly, you will need to figure out your days of autonomy. 

After you have correctly sized your battery, you will need to figure out how much power you will need to recharge it. 

Additionally, you will need to figure out how many days you will want your battery system to be able to supply you with energy incase there is a number of consecutive overcast days with no sun. 

Generally speaking, it should be between 2 - 5 days at least. 

Now, multiply your battery size by the number of days you want power should there be absolutely no sun. 

In this example, we will use 4 days, and assume we are using lithium-ion battery technology. 

14,081Wh x 4 = 56,324Wh. 

As I am sure you have already noticed, temperature changes, inefficiencies, and battery type, make a major difference on the overall size of your required capacity. 

Convert from watt hours to amp hours

Most batteries are not measured in watt hours but instead in amp hours. Therefore, it makes sense to convert your amount into amp hours or Ah.

To do this, simply divide the battery capacity by its voltage:

56,324Wh divided by 12 volts = 4,693Ah. 

Most solar systems will use 200Ah batteries, therefore: 4,693Ah = 23 solar batteries for your off-grid system. 

Final thoughts

Keep in mind that you will also need to account for your batteries depth of discharge rates, for lead-acid it is 50% and for lithium 90 - 100%. 

If you plan on building a lead-acid system you will essentially need to double your required battery capacity in order to have the correct capacity. 

Please feel free to ask us any questions in the comments section below should you have any.

Scroll down to find out everything about solar power generators. Should you buy them, should you avoid them? You will find answers to these as well as many other questions in this informative-yet-concise guide.

What Are Types of Generators for Your Home?

1. Fuel generators 

There are numerous types of fuel generators, namely Gasoline-powered, Propane-powered, Natural gas-powered, and diesel-powered generators. And while they differ based on costs, efficiency, availability of the fuel, the right one for you depends on the budget and individual's needs. For instance, Natural gas is available in all homes throughout the country.

So if you choose a Natural gas-powered generator, all you have to do is hire a professional to connect the pipelines. And there will be no trouble transporting and storing the fuel. However, there may come times when the pipelines may get damaged due to natural disasters or any other factor — you may have no source of energy.

Other factors like safekeeping of the generator away from the house (emits carbon monoxide) also should be influential while deciding between fuel-based or battery-based generators.

2. Battery generators

Battery generator, unlike their fuel counterparts, is an indoor thing. They are less efficient than the fuel generators because the output capacity depends on the amount of charge the battery has received.

 2.1 Lead-acid battery 

The first type of rechargeable battery, a Lead-acid battery comes cheap but has relatively low energy density. They have a discharge rate of 3-20% per month and the durability is limited to 350 cycles. Lead-acid batteries are known for being cheap and providing high current.

 2.2 Lithium-ion battery

Unlike Lead-acid batteries, Lithium-ion batteries are high-density and cost more than their earlier stated counterparts. Lithium-ion batteries have a discharge rate of 0.25-3% per month and the durability is over 1200 cycles. They are particularly known for being cost-effective, more efficient, and require less charge time. 

Part 2: Features of Solar Power Generators?

Solar power generators for homes have highs and lows, but when you weigh up’s against the downs — the ups will outweigh. Here are the features of the solar power generators:

1. Ecofriendly

As stated earlier, solar energy is sustainable and easy on the environment. The sun’s energy is available in abundant, and you can effortlessly draw it using solar panels. Unlike fuel-powered power generators, solar power generators do not emit any harmful gases, meaning you do not have to worry about installing them 20-feets away to keep your children and family members safe and sound.

2. Solving urgent needs

Having multiple power cords, solar power generators could be useful to power several appliances simultaneously.

3. Easy to move

Being lightweight and portable, small solar power generators are carriable anywhere and turn out to be helpful in most situations, not just as an emergency battery backup for your home. For instance, you could take the portable solar generators while camping and have a power source to light up the bulbs and recharge your electronics like cameras, phones, laptops, and more. Of course, you could also carry them inside the home effortlessly and run the appliances depending on the need.

4. Higher upfront cost

Solar generator for house could costs thousands of dollars initially. But given that they do not require any additional expenses — it is worth paying. Moreover, you do not even have to worry about the wear and tear, and there is no mechanical operation whatsoever.

Furthermore, solar power generators are made to withstands physical injuries. And generally are water-resistant — so you do not have to worry about any damages. And as stated earlier, solar panels do not require any attention whatsoever.  

5. Limited capacity

One of the major downsides of solar power generators, portable solar power generators to be more accurate, is they do not have the capacity to run power-hungry appliances.

Part 3. What a best Solar Power Generator should have

1. Battery Capacity

The most influential characteristic of a solar powered generator for house is its storage capacity. And the greater the battery capacity of the power station, the more energy ( measured in watt-hours) it can store for later use. Some solar power generators could only harness 2kW, while some could store up to 10kW. Depending on the daily energy usage — like the things you want to power  — you could decide the best one for your home.

2. Number of Outlets 

When considering solar power generators for homes, another hallmark and the deciding factor is the number of outlets the solar generator has. Some consumers will have to power many things — from pools to air conditioners — while some may find two outlets as more than sufficient.

The standard ones in the market have two AC outlets, and that should do for most of you, but most solar power generators even have thirteen to seventeen ports, so consider accordingly.

The best solar power generator should have the following outputs:

• DC outport
• Cigarette lighter port
• USB-C output
• USB-A output
• Wireless charging
• US AC output

3. Power Output

Measures in watts, a solar powered generator for house should supply enough power to run the appliances in your homes when needed. Do not confuse this with the battery capacity, as power output is the amount of energy the generator delivers. For instance, the low output solar power generators couldn’t run high-end appliances.

3. Expandability 

Expandability, well, allows you to maximize the number of panels attached to the generators. As more number panels attached will increase the amount of energy, the device could receive more energy. It may not be a much-necessitated factor in the start. But the expandability could be useful at times.

Part 4: Running Time

The running time of the solar power generators depends on the particular batter capacity and power outage. The more the battery capacity, the more will be the running time of the generator.

For instance, one of the best portable power stations — the BLUETTI AC200P, has a 2000Wh/2000W Higher Output/Larger Capacity. The capacity of the generator is enough to run a portable light source(500 watts), Coffee maker (1000 watts), Microwave oven (1000 watts), Ceiling fan (60 watts), refrigerator (700 watts), dishwasher (1500 watts), pressure cooker (700 watts), toaster (850 watts), vacuum cleaner (200 watts), Laptop, TV, Blender, Washing machine, and many other things.

However,  concurrently connecting them depends on the power consumption of the appliances you have. The BLUETTI AC200P also includes high wattage and low wattage outlets and 17 output ports to connect multiple devices simultaneously. In all, the device is capable of backing small appliances for a long time. But do not expect the generator to run power-consuming appliances like heat pumps (or AC units, for that matter).

Still, if you are looking for a backup battery capacity capable of running all the appliances in your home — then consider a stand-by unit. Of course, the cost of installing high-end power stations is more (initially).  

Here are the best solar power generators for home capable of catering to any need.

BLUETTI AC200MAX POWER STATION+3*PV200 PANEL COMBO

Another great module from Bluetti innovations, the AC200MAX POWER STATION+3*PV200 PANEL COMBO, is one of the most cost-effective power stations in the market.

Having solar input of 900 watts and 500 watts via the adapter, the Bluetti AC200MAX model allows you to charge it via solar panels and the wall simultaneously. Like the other variant mentioned here, this model too could run power-hungry appliances. Like air conditioners, refrigerators, electric grills, coffee makers, and more.

If you want an additional battery pack to expand the capacity of the solar generators, B300 will be the best choice for you. 

BLUETTI B300 BATTERY MODULES

B300, the extension battery pack owns 3072Wh capacity to support BLUETTI AC200MAX series. AC200MAX can support up to tow B300 battery packs to reach 8192Wh capacity. This setup can be an emergency power center and run your home essentials for over a week, or with enough solar panels, you can even run your entire whole house, off-grid indefinitely.

Part 6: Storage and Maintenance

Solar power generators for home may not require you to run to the store whenever there is a fuel shortage. For the solar generators to offer optimal power generation — you will have to ensure effective operation and maintenance. Do not fret; it does not demand much from you. However, some practices could keep the entire power station running efficiently.

Read the user manual specific to the particular product, and you will have all the information on the safekeeping of the solar power generator and panels.

FAQ

1. Can a battery-powered generator run a house?

It depends on the backup battery system. For an average American house, 90 kilowatts of electricity are needed to run all the appliances for three days. Of course, portable solar generators for house are not designed to withhold that amount of energy. The short answer is: it depends on the individual capacity.

2. How long can a solar generator run a fridge?

Again, it depends on the backup battery generator. The average American refrigerator and freezer up to 115kW of power to run all through the month. Of course, installing four or five hours having a battery capacity of 1kW to 4kW could run a refrigerator, but not for long.

3. How can I charge my solar generator? 

All you have to do is pair the solar generator with an appropriate number of solar panels to charge the generators. The best solar generators like Bluetti’s mentioned above have a built-in controller to avoid overcharging.

Especially during times of Covid-19, so many of us are now working from home where we require a consistent supply of electricity to make a living. 

As we write this article there are currently 13,000 people without power living in the state of Nebraska and thousands more across the country. 

In 2020, hurricanes, heatwaves, windstorms, wildfires and other extreme weather events caused approximately 1.33 billion outage hours, up 73% from roughly 770 million in 2019. 

Based on the statistics, it makes sense that you know how to prepare for a power outage. In this article, we explain exactly how to do that.

(If you are looking for fun things to do during a power outage, give this article a read.)

What is a power outage?

A power outage can be a short or long term state of electric power loss to certain given area. It can affect a single house, building, or an entire city.

Other common names for power outage include power failure, blackout, outage, brownout, power disruption or electrical failure.

Types of power outages

Transient Fault

• A transient fault is a loss of power most commonly caused by a fault somewhere along a powerline. Power to your home will be automatically restored once the fault is found and repaired.

Brownout

• A brownout is a sudden drop in voltage in a nearby electrical power supply. The term brownout was coined due to the fact that lights will dim when the power supply experiences a voltage sage. Brownouts cause equipment to perform poorly and sometimes even incorrectly.

Blackout

• A blackout equates to a total loss of all power supply to an area and is regarded as the most severe form of power outage that can occur. Blackouts which are caused by a power station tripping are known to be fairly difficult to recover from quickly. These types of power outages can last for a few minutes or potentially up to a few weeks, depending on the nature of the blackout and the configuration of the electrical network

How to prepare for a power outage?

Step 1 - Invest in a Solar generator

First and foremost, if you are able to invest in a solar generator, do it! The reason for this is that you will have an almost unlimited supply of electricity as long as you have the means to charge your device. The means by the way, is via the sun. 

Modern solar generators are capable of powering all sorts of loads, for example the AC200P 2000 watt hour solar generator is able to power the following devices: 

• Refrigerator (100w) 17 + Hours
• CPAP (60w) 28+ Hours
• Laptop (60w) 28+ Hours
• Fan (12w) 140+ Hours
• Smartphone 180+ Hours
• Led lantern light (10w) 170+ Hours
• LCD TV (100w) 17+ Hours

And that's not even our most powerful solar generator. 

A solar generator works by storing electricity for later use, electricity which attached solar panels generated by being exposed to the sun.

So even if you have no power at all, as long as there sun you will have access to electricity that you wouldn't of had before. 

Step 2 - Organize an Emergency Preparedness Kit

It can be very unpleasant wondering around a dark house looking for all sorts of essentials during a power outage.

You can make your life much easier during this time by stockpiling all the essentials in a big waterproof tub of sorts:

• First-aid kit
• Battery-operated fans
• Car charger for charging cell phones
• Cash
• Flashlights
• Garbage bags for sanitation
• Hand-crank or battery-powered radio and an NOAA Weather Radio
• Hand sanitizer, and dry shampoo
• Tool kit
• Whistle
• Powerbank 
• Solar generator 

Make sure that you conveniently label your kit, and tore it where it is easy to find. It is important that every member of your family knows where this kit is at all times.

Additionally, go through your emergency kit every 6 months to make sure it has up to date items, particularly in your first aid kit.

Step 3 - Stockpile water

It is very unlikely that your municipal water supply will stop working during  power outage, however it has happened before in the past.

For example in July 1993 in Des Moines, Iowa about 400,000 residents, went without running water for 12 days when its water treatment supply was overrun by floodwater.

Also bear in mind if you use an electric pump for your well, you may have an issue if the power cuts.

The National Safety Council recommends that you stockpile enough water to get your through at least 3 days. In order to function correctly, you will need 1 gallon of water per person. For a 3 day emergency, you will need 12 gallons of water for a family of four.

Remember to also store additional water for other tasks like personal hygiene, cooking, cleaning and your pets!

Of course you could simply head to the grocery store and buy bottles of water to store. However, if you would like to save money you could do the following:

• Fill clean soda bottles, the ones from Coca-Cola for example with simple tap water. You will need to disinfect the containers first though. Wash them with soapy water, then sanitize them with a solution of one teaspoon liquid of household bleach per gallon of water. Leave this solution in the bottle for 2 minutes, then pout it out. Once this is done you will need to rinse the bottle out one more time, thoroughly. You can then fill the bottle with tap water, screw the lid on tightly and date the container. Make sure you store it in a cool, dry place.

Step 4 - Prepare for cold temperatures

In cold weather, when there is no electricity, blankets are a must. If your home is located in a region that is known for extreme weather events such as snow storms. Make sure you have high quality winter sleeping bags (one for each family member).

Sleeping bags are great for trapping heat against your body, make sure not to sacrifice on quality here as cheap sleeping bags are worthless in very cold weather.

You can also make sure you have a supply of emergency thermal blankets (also known as space blankets), these are made of thin aluminized polyester film. They are extremely effective yet inexpensive option if your storage space/budget is limited.

These space blankets are wind proof and waterproof and reflect heat back against the body to help you keep warm during a power outage. Make sure you also keep a few of these blankets stored in your van or car when doing any long distance road trips.

Lastly, make sure you stock enough firewood in your home. A fireplace will work wonders during a power outage that hits you during the winter months.

Step 5 - Stockpile non perishable foods

It is not uncommon for shelves to be emptied as soon as the weather forecast in announced. Avoid fighting all the crowds and keep your kitchen stocked with foods that do not require cooking.

Good options include:

• Peanut butter
• Nuts & seeds
• Peanuts
• Cereal
• Crackers
• Packages tuna
• Canned Fruit
• Canned vegetables
• Biscuits
• Chickpeas
• Dried fruit
• Beans

8 Reasons the power goes out in the US

1. Natural disasters

Severe weather is not the only natural reason blackouts occur. Extreme natural disasters such as wildfires, earthquakes, floods and mudslides are able to dismantle the electrical power supply in seconds.

Although much less common, volcanoes erupting or massive tsunami’s are also reasons for power outages. The types of events are able to knock down electric transmission lines, damage transformers and break up substations.

2. Motor vehicle accidents near power lines

When it comes to local power outages, major car accidents can also cause a blackout. A car or truck can lose control crashing into a utility pole which will bring down the power lines and thus the power to that given area.

Power outages caused by this type of accident usually only affects a small local area.

3. Equipment failure

The majority of technological equipment out there at one time or another, can be faulty, caused by wear and tear due to age and exposure to the elements. Because of this, transformers can seize, insulators corrode, insulation cables can crack and wither and wires snap.

Distributing so much power throughout an area requires a lot of complex equipment. Such equipment can fail at any time, it’s best you know how to prepare for a power outage in the event this happens.

4. Trees

Believe it or not, but trees can be a cause for a blackout. Not trees as they are, but rather falling trees blown over by high winds or heavy snow build up. A power outage can be caused by a simple old tree falling and breaking a powerline in your area.

5. Wildlife

Believe it or not, but wildlife can also cause a power outage. Animals such as birds, squirrels, and all sorts of other small animals can chew through power lines while foraging for food.

6. Damage by the public

There are stories of people taking out powerlines unknowingly by simply doing some garden work. However, there are sometimes more deliberate reasons for power outages caused by humans.

Such as when thieves attempt to steal wire and other critical components for the copper inside. This act may result in a random power outage.

7. High energy demand

There are times when it is a perfectly sound sunny day outside and all of the sudden, the power cuts. Why might you wonder?

Well a common yet fairly unexpected cause of power outages is due to too many people drawing too much power in a given area at one time

For example, on an incredibly hot summers day, there may be millions of people using their air conditioning at the same time. The result being an excessive demand which can overload the power grid and lead to a blackout.

8. Planned power outages

Sometimes the power is cut intentionally by the utility companies themselves. It may be your utility will need to cut the power to perform routine maintenance.

Other times, when there is not enough electricity available to meet the demand of the public, the utility will cut the power supply in given areas to make up for the lack of supply.

This is quite prominent in various countries, such as South Africa, where rolling blackouts known as loadshedding happen on a frequent basis.

Final thoughts

Knowing how to prepare for a power outage can be extremely valuable in times of need. We recommend that you do your research on the topic and stay up to date on all the happenings with regards to planned power outages.

For the times when an unexpected blackout occurs we hope this article served as useful resource. 

You can shop all our solar generators here.