Going off-grid with Solar generators could look very promising. These solar generators look very rigid, powerful, and handy with lots of features. This is because their manufacturers promote them very aggressively and these promotions show reasonable performance. However, these promotions are highly overrated and there are limitations and facts about these portable easy-to-carry power boxes you need to know before making any purchases.
After reading this blog you will find the actual ability of these solar generators as well as which make/model of solar generators should be avoided and why. Also, you will get a simple comparison between the top-listed solar generators for living off-grid. So that, you can purchase the right solar generator to reach your goal of going hustle-free off-grid living.
Now, before jumping into the research that I did to find the best solar generator for off-grid living. Here are some pros and cons of solar generators you need to learn.
What are the pros and cons of solar generators?
Pros | Cons |
Ease to setup | High Upfront cost |
No Fuel Required | Limited power |
Apparently no-maintenance | Not reliable during bad weather. |
Low Running Cost | |
Ease to Carry | |
Quiet Operation | |
How did I find the best solar generator for off-grid living?
In the next 600 words [2.5 min read] you will discover what factors to consider when purchasing a solar generator and how I analyze them for my list.
Now, there are three factors that I considered to find out the best solar generator for off-grid living,
Backup capacity:
Type of battery.
PV input capacity.
Battery Capacity: To find the perfect solar generator for off-grid living. Let’s first start with the backup capacity. A low backup capacity won’t fit for off-living. The backup capacity of a solar generator should be enough to run a full-size refrigerator, lights, electronics and a swamp cooler in the summer. The power requirement could be different from person to person, depending upon the size as well as the number of appliances they are using.
Long story-in short, you will need a minimum 5kWh backup capacity for off-grid living. So, I list down all solar generators with a minimum backup capacity of 5kWh. And while listing these solar-powered portable power boxes, I find out that some of them have expandable battery backup however, these external batteries need to purchase separately. So here are six, solar generators with the highest battery capacity.
Solar generators with the highest battery capacity.
BLUETTI AC300, Comes with a Detable battery of 3,072Wh and can be expanded up to 12,288 Wh.
Delta Pro by Eco Flow: 3,600Wh inbuilt LFP Battery and expandable up to 10,800 Wh.
YETI 6000x by Goal Zero: 6,071Wh inbuilt Li-ion NMC Battery
Delta Max by Eco Flow: 2,016Wh inbuilt Li-ion NMC Battery and expandable up to 6,048 Wh.
AC200 Max by Bluetti: 2,048Wh inbuilt LFP Battery and expandable up to 8,192 Wh.
EP500 Pro by Buletti: 5,100Wh inbuilt capacity.
Type of battery: All solar generator manufacturers use lithium-ion batteries for their products, which is far more battery than Flooded or AGM batteries. Furthermore, there are two types of lithium-ion batteries, that is Lithium-ion Chemistries-Nickel Manganese Cobalt [Li-ion NMC/ NMC] and Lithium Iron Phosphate [LiFePO4/ LFP]. Although both battery types work great, Lithium Iron Phosphate has an advantage when it comes to off-grid. Li-ion NMC batteries have almost a half charge cycle life as compared to LiFEPO4 batteries. Here, the one charge cycle is defined as the discharge of a battery followed by recharge.
one charge cycle = discharge of a battery followed by recharge. Higher the charge cycle, higher will be the life expectancy of the battery.
Besides the charge cycle life, the price of a solar generator with Li-ion NMC will remain the same as the price of a solar generator with LiFEPO4 batteries. Hence to get the best value for the money I kicked out all the solar generators with Li-ion NMC batterie from this list.
BLUETTI AC300, Comes with a Detable battery of 3,072Wh and can be expanded up to 12,288 Wh.
Delta Pro by Eco Flow: 3,600Wh inbuilt LFP Battery and expandable up to 10,800 Wh.
AC200 Max by Bluetti: 2,048Wh inbuilt LFP Battery and expandable up to 8,192 Wh.
EP500 Pro by Buletti: 5,100Wh inbuilt LFP Battery.
PV input capacity: For a hustle free off-grid living, a high capacity of the PV input port is required. A low PV input capacity won’t be able to fulfil your requirement. PV input capacity defines the actual backup capacity of solar generators.
Here, the PV input capacity of a solar generator depends upon its MPPT range. And this MPPT range is marked as the voltage range and maximum current required for the controller to work. However, almost all solar generator manufacturers marked it as maximum PV input capacity in wattage.
In my list of remaining solar generators, BLUETTI AC300 has the highest rating MPPT followed by EP500Pro, Delta Pro and AC200Max.
BLUETTI AC300 by Bluetti; MPPT Range- 2x (12-150VDC, 20A).
EP500 Pro by Buletti: MPPT Range- 55-145VDC, 20A.
Delta Pro by Eco Flow: MPPT Range- 11-150VDC, 15A.
AC200 Max by Bluetti: MPPT Range- 10-145VDC, 15A.
Best Solar Generator for off-grid living.
To conclude my research and find the best generator for off-grid living, I give first priority to the MPPT range. A higher MPPT range means a large size of PV panels can be connected with it and batteries can be charged within sunshine time. However, a low MPPT range with high backup capacity implies you need to depend upon gas generators or grid power to charge their batteries.
My second priority is battery backup capacity. A higher battery means a low chance of getting out of power. However, both battery capacity and MPPT are two main factors to select the best solar generator for off-grid living
1. BLUETTI AC300.
BLUETTI AC300 is the latest entry from BLUETTI in their solar generators range and is top on our list of best solar generators for off-grid living as well as for powering the whole house. It has the second biggest Pure Sine Wave inverter size in its class - 3,100 Watt with a surge capacity of 6000 Watts. Also, it has two numbers MPPT with each range compatible to connected with 1200 Watt of solar panels. And its modular design makes it easy to carry.
It comes with a detachable battery of a capacity 3,072Wh and the same can be extended up to 12,2888 Wh with 1+3 numbers of detachable batteries. With its full extended battery capacity, it can run your whole house for 9 to 12 hours.
It has dual charging options, and that means you can charge it with two power sources, that is one AC [grid/gas generator] and one DC [PV panel/Car Charger/Lead-acid battery] simultaneously.
With its fusion Box pro, you can connect two units of AC300 in series and utilise them to power your 240V appliances. However, you need to buy this fusion box separately. One of the advantages of AC300 over other solar generators in this range is that it comes with 4 years [48 months] extended warranty. However, another solar generator comes with a 24 to 36 months warranty period.
Battery | 3,072 Wh [LiFePO4/LPF] |
Battery Expandability | Up to 12,288 Wh |
Inverter Rating | 3,100 W |
Surge Rating | 6,000 W |
AC Input Rating | 3,000 W AC |
PV Input Rating | 2,400 W |
Numbers of Ports | 14 Numbers |
AC300 Price | |
Expansion Battery Price | $2,099 |
Today's Deal: Check Bluetti Power's Website
2. EP500 BLUETTI.
EP500 Pro is a BLUETTI make, solar generator and it is listed as the best solar generator for off-grid living. It has the highest number of output ports, highest AC input capacity and highest PV input capacity. However, besides all these features it has the lowest backup capacity due to the unavailability of battery expandable features. And it will cost you 1 to 1.09Wh per 1$.
You can check its current price at the BLUETTI site.
Battery
EP500 BLUETTI has an inbuilt LiFePO4 [Lithium iron phosphate] battery with a capacity of 5100 Wh [5.1 kWh] and a life cycle of 3500 to 80% DOD [depth of discharge]. Furthermore, unlike other solar generators on this list. The backup capacity of EP500 can’t be extended.
Input Ports
You can charge it with a maximum of 2000W [2kW] solar panels It has the highest PV input capacity in this list. Furthermore, it has an AC input capacity of 6000W [6kW] which makes it the fastest chargeable solar generator on this list.
Now, here is a pro tip for you: Don't go with portable solar panels, these panels will be very expensive and will cost you almost three times the price of conventional solar panels.
For example, 320 Watt Rigid solar panels will cost you 1$ per watt and portable panels will cost you 1.8$ per watt. However, 6 Numbers [2 parallel series of 3 Panels] of 320 Watt rigid solar panels are the preferable solar panels for EP500 pro.
You can buy portable and conventional solar panels from the Renogy Site.
Output ports
EP500 BLUETTI also has the highest number of output ports, that is 18. That includes 3 numbers of 240V as well as 4 numbers of 120V AC ports. It is the only solar generator in this list that have 240V AC output ports.
It also has USB-C, USB-A, Cigarette Lighter 10A, RV 30A Port and a wireless charging pad [on top of its cabinate]. These wide ranges of output ports make it ideal for small cabins.
Control
Just like other high-end solar generators of BLUETTI, EP500 is also equipped with LCD resistive touch screens that display the charging status, load info and adapter charging info.
However, these touchscreens are not reliable hence EP500 can also be controlled and monitored by its APP. You can download its APP and connect with your generator via Bluetooth as well as WiFi.
Other Features:
Dimension | 22.8*11.8*29.9 inch (500*300*760mm) |
Weight | 76 kg (167 lbs) |
Warranty Period | 36 Months |
Rated AC Output power | 2000W |
AC Surge Power | 4800W |
DELTA Pro Eco Flow is the second top choice of solar generator for off-grid living. It has the highest expandable battery capacity and the third-fastest charging capability in its class. However, it has a PV input capacity of 1kW [1000Watt] which makes it fall in the second position. And it will cost you 1.6 to 1.64 Wh per 1$.
You can check its current price at the Eco Flow site.
Battery
With an inbuilt LiFePO4 [Lithium iron phosphate] battery of 3600Wh and a life cycle of 3500 to 80% depth of discharge. Delta Pro Eco Flow has the highest backup capacity in its class. Furthermore, its batteries life expectancy can be increased for a low depth of discharge [that is 40-50% DOD].
Its backup capacity can also be extended with two external battery modules however, they need to buy separately.
The rating of these battery modules is 3600Wh and maximum two numbers of battery modules can be added with it. With these extended battery modules, its battery capacity can be enhanced up to 10,800 Wh.
With these extended battery models, it has the highest expandable battery capacity as compared to any other solar generator.
Input ports:
As the off-grid living demands, Delta Pro Eco Flow can be charged with PV panels, generators, car power port or gird power. It has a PV input capacity of 1200W [1.2kW], which is also the second-highest PV input capacity in its class.
You can charge Delta Pro with either 6 numbers of 200 Watt Portable solar panels or 3 numbers of 320 Watt Solar panels. However, portable will cost you 80% more expensive than conventional solar panels.
You can buy portable and conventional solar panels from the Renogy Site.
It has an AC input port of 3000 Watt, which makes it the second-fastest charging solar generator in its class. You can also charge it with a Car Charging cable, which comes within its box.
Output ports
You can use its 5 numbers of AC [100-120V] output ports with a total power capacity of 3600W [3.6kW] and a surge capacity of 7200W [7.2 Watt].
It has a total of 14 numbers of the output port, which makes it run a total of 14 appliances simultaneously. These ports include USB-C, USB-A and AC power. However, some ports like a cigarette lighter, 30A RV ports and wireless charging pad are not available.
Control
Delta Pro Eco Flow has a button control and an LCD screen that shows the different status of its battery. Furthermore, you can also control it through its app which can communicate Bluetooth or Wifi.
Other Features:
Dimension | 25*11.2*16.4 Inch (635*284.5*416.6mm) |
Weight | 44.9 kg (99Ibs) |
Warranty | 24 Months |
Rated AC Power | 3600 W |
Surge AC Power | 7200 W |
BLUETTI AC200 Max Expandable Solar generator is the third most preferable choice for off-grid living. It has the second-highest backup capacity with Expendable batteries as well as the second-highest PV input capacity. It will cost you 1.15 to 1.3 Wh per 1$.
You can check its latest price on the BLUETTI site.
Battery
BLUETTI AC200 Max comes with an inbuilt LiFePO4 [Lithium iron phosphate] battery of a capacity of 2048 Wh [2.048 kWh] with a life cycle of 3500 to 80% DOD [depth of discharge] and 6000 to 50% DOD.
When the need arises, you can extend its capacity up to 8,192 Wh [8.192kWh] with its battery modules. However, these battery modules need to be bought separately. The rating of these battery modules is 3,072 Wh and a maximum of two numbers modules can be added with it.
Input Ports
You can charge BLUETTI AC200 Max with a solar input capacity of 1200 to 1000 Watt [10-145VDC, 15A] or an AC adapter input capacity of 500 Watt. You can even charge it with your car's power port.
You can charge AC200 Max with either 6 numbers of 200 Watt Portable solar panels or 3 numbers of 320 Watt Solar panels. However, portable will cost you 80% more expensive than conventional solar panels.
You can buy portable and conventional solar panels from the Renogy Site.
Its PV input capacity, as well as AC input capacity, is the lowest in its class. However, It has a dual charging mode, which helps to charge it with solar as well as with other battery or generator/grid power simultaneously.
This is a unique feature of BLUETTI AC200Max however, this feature won’t be ecofriendly.
Output ports
Despite its high power, BLUETTI AC200 Max has low noise and high efficiency. It has 4 numbers of AC ports and a total AC inverter of a capacity of 2.2 kW with a surge capacity of 4.8W. Because of its large capacity, it is appropriate for heavy loads.
It can power up to 13 appliances at a time with USB outlets, AC outlets, 12V DC outlets [including a cigarette lighter port] and a Wireless charging pad. It is truly an ideal backup system for a long time.
Control
BLUETTI AC200 Max is equipped with LCD resistive touch screens that display the charging status, load info and adapter charging info.
Besides, touchable screens you can also control them with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. So that if its touchscreen is failed you can still control and monitor your solar generator.
Other Features:
Dimension | 16.5*11*15.2 Inch (420*280*385mm) |
Weight | 28.1kg (61.9lbs) |
Warranty | 24 Months |
Rated Inverter Power | 2200 W |
Surge Power | 4800 W |
BLUETTI AC200P is an earlier version of AC200Max, which is less expensive and has fewer features. It doesn’t have Bluetooth and Wifi connectivity.
Also read: How many solar panels for 2,000 kWh per month, 100 kWh per day and 30 kWh per day?
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