
Solar generators are an easy way to produce your own renewable energy. With the help of solar panels, you can generate enough electricity to power your whole home.
A solar generator is a great choice for powering your whole house or small business. Not only are they quiet and clean, but they can even be used in conjunction with existing grid power to help you save on your electric bill.
Now the question arises by many people "can a solar generator power a whole house?"
So, in this article I will brief description about can a solar generator power a home.
Can a solar generator power my whole house?
YES!!! A solar generator can power a whole house. In fact, they are ideal for off-the-grid living and will save you money on your utility bills.
The initial cost of a solar generator may be expensive but compared with the costs of running a traditional generator it's a drop in the ocean.
They also have no moving parts which means there is no maintenance. They will also last for decades rather than years like other generators.
Types of Solar Generators
There are two types of solar generators:
- On-Grid
- Off-Grid
What is an on-grid-tied solar system?
On-grid which gets its electricity from the grid. On-Grid Tied systems are tied into the electrical grid so they're only used as an alternative energy source during periods of bad weather or when there's a blackout. The key components for this type of installation are a battery bank, inverter and fuse box.
What is an off grid solar system?
Off-the-grid which produces its own electricity via renewable energy sources. Off Grid Solar systems supply power independent of the electrical grid, meaning they can be used to provide electricity in remote areas or where connection to the main power grid is either impossible or prohibitively expensive. The key components for this type of installation are a battery bank and a charge controller.
Why Should I buy A Solar Generator?
So, let’s answer, why should you buy a generator? A solar generator will save you money on your electric bill. Solar generators are ideal for off-the-grid living, camping, boating and much more.
They can also be used in conjunction with existing grid power to help reduce your utility bills even further.
Advantages of solar generators:
Clean and quiet, no pollution or vibration. Low costs Cheap to run - FREE electricity! No moving parts means a very long lifespan.
Disadvantages of solar generators:
The initial cost is very high though not as bad as you'd think due to rapidly decreasing prices over the past few years. They are heavy compared with most other generators.
They do not store electricity, so it needs to be used as soon as it is generated. They can't power your devices directly like a plug-in generator would.
What can a solar generator power:
A solar generator won't power your devices directly like you plugging them into the wall in your home but they produce electricity that can be used to charge batteries, run inverters for AC appliances and much more.
How do solar generators work?
A solar generator uses a photovoltaic (PV) panel to convert sunlight into electricity via the photoelectric effect.
The output of the PV panel is connected directly to the battery bank and plugged straight in.
Solar generators produce DC power, so if you want to use appliances that require AC power, you'll need an inverter. If you install a charge controller and fuse box (to protect the batteries) then it is possible to connect your system directly to your home's electrical panel. The investment of time and money those solar generators require will be worth the benefits you get from them during power outage.
How long will it take to charge my batteries?
It depends on how much sunlight you have available but most batteries are fully charged in about 6 hours of good sunshine.
What size of solar generator do I need?
It's important you calculate your power requirements before purchasing a system. To do this, simply add up how much power you want to produce and then divide by 24. This figure is the amount of watt hours per day that your system will need.
The Wattage of Common Home Appliances:
A standard desktop computer uses about 150 watts while a TV uses around 100 watts. A hair dryer will use 1300 watts and a microwave oven will use 1000 watts. An electric heater could be anything from 1,500 to 4,000 watts while an air conditioning unit can be 5500 watts or more!
How can I connect it to my house?
A solar portable generator will only power your devices via a battery bank. In order to connect it to your house you'll need a charge controller, inverter and fuse box.
The Components of a Solar Panel:
A solar panel is made up of three main components:
- The frame
- The glass
- The solar cells.
These three parts works in unison to create electricity.
The Frame
The frame supports all this and keeps it in place while protecting the sensitive materials inside.
The Glass
The glass allows the sunlight to pass through while protecting the cells inside.
The Solar Cells
The solar cells convert radiation from the sun into electricity using the photoelectric effect.
When to Use a Solar Generator:
Solar generators are best suited to people living off-the-grid in a self-sufficient manner. They enable you to power your home without having to pay for electricity from the local utility company.
If you have a backup power system already, solar generators can also be used as an alternative or backup energy source during periods of bad weather when your back up system might not perform as well.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Solar System:
If you are planning to live off-the-grid completely, you need to consider how much power you will be using. If you are only powering a few appliances here and there, a small solar generator will probably do the job.
However, if you intend on powering nonstop appliances like big screen TVs, air conditioners or other high-powered equipment then you'll need a much larger system.
Solar panels are made up of a number of solar cells. The greater the number of cells in a panel, the more electricity it will produce and thus the bigger and heavier it will be and also make it harder for one person to carry.
There is no shortage of choice when it comes to solar panels. The most important factor to consider is how big the space you have available is.
FAQs:
Q: Does a solar generator work in the rain?
A: Yes, as long as you don't place it under water and it's built well enough to withstand some rainfall. Don't be worried about using it during a downpour but make sure no part of it is touching any standing water or in the water.
Q: Can a solar generator power my pool pump?
A: Most solar generators can't, but you should check to make sure it has enough capacity and wattage for your requirements.
Q: How much will a solar generator cost me?
A: It does depend on many things but you can get something decent from around $600 all the way up to a few thousand.
Conclusion:
So, in conclusion, a solar generator can power your whole home from lights to television sets so if you are planning for off grid living or want to use it in conjunction with existing grid power to reduce your utility bill even further then go ahead and get one of these bad boys for yourself.