Do you frequently experience rainy season power outages? Or you cannot pay those high-cost utility bills? Whatever your reason is, a whole-house solar generator is the best solution for all these problems.
A whole-house generator can keep your home powered during energy shutdowns. The batteries in these generators are of high capacities, enough to power all your home appliances.
Some solar generators also have expandable ports, so you can increase capacity if your energy requirements get high.
How Do Whole House Solar Generators Operate?
Climate change is showing its worst consequences with each passing year. One of the most drastic results of this change is the increased occurrence of rainstorms, typhoons, and hurricanes, which sometimes blackout the whole state. According to reliable spatiotemporal data, about 73.7% of the US population suffers from power outages resulting from human-caused climate change. According to the Guardian, these power outages have increased twice over the last 20 years across the United States.
Whole-house solar generators help deal with these rainy season power outages and minimize the reliance on grid power.
But there is another reason why people are shifting toward solar power. Along with power outages, the electricity costs are getting higher and higher. And while the upfront cost for solar generators might be high, they are cost-effective in the long run.
Components of the Whole-House Solar Generators
Whole house generators are combinations of multiple components. They work together to harness the power of the sun. Below are the components you need to cultivate the best out of your solar generators.
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Solar Panels: First up, we have the solar panels. They are also called photovoltaic cells. They are the sun's best friends. They soak in the sunlight and convert it into electricity. They are typically made from semiconductor materials like silicon.
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Battery Storage: Moving to the next part, we have battery storage. Think of these batteries as the power reservoirs of your solar generator. They store all solar-generated electricity during the day, so you can use it when the sun takes a nightly nap or during a cloudy day.
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Charge Controller: The battery or charge controller ensures the batteries get the right amount of charge. This control is vital to keep your batteries working for long-term use.
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Inverter: Last but not least, we have the inverter. It is the master translator of the energy world. It takes the direct current (DC) produced by the solar panels and converts it into the alternating current (AC) that our home appliances use.
Why Get A Whole House Solar Generator?
There are numerous compelling reasons why you should invest in a whole-house solar generator. Besides its primary benefit of powering your entire HVAC system and electronic appliances during outages, It also has other benefits that include:
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No Noise: Whole-house solar generators work silently. They won’t give you headaches by rumbling and roaring like those gas and diesel generators.
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No Worry About Fuel: Traditional generators cannot operate without fuel. They need a constant supply of gasoline or diesel to keep working. But you can send off those fuel-crazy generators by investing in a solar generator. The sun shines most of the days. It will generously provide you with an endless supply of energy.
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No Pollution: Another plus point is that whole-house solar generators don't emit harmful pollutants into the environment. They generate energy without any smoke or fumes.
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Low Maintenance: Additionally, whole-house solar generators are a low-maintenance power source. Neither do they require frequent refueling nor maintenance checks like other generators. They are also less susceptible to wear and tear since they have fewer moving parts.
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Off-Set Energy Consumption: Whole-house solar generators also minimize your reliance on conventional energy sources. And since you are producing your own electricity, you can cut down your costs on your utility bills.
How to Select the Best Whole House Solar Generator?
Here is a stepwise guide on selecting the best whole-house solar generator for your home.
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Assess Your Energy Needs: The first step in your journey will be the assessment of your household’s energy consumption. Take out your electricity bills and look at how many units you consume each month. With this information, you can then determine the capacity of the solar generator you need.
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Decide Your Budget: Solar generators come in multiple sizes and with unique feature sets. These things can significantly influence their cost. So, what is recommended is to set a budget range beforehand. It will help narrow down your options. While the most advanced systems may entice you, there should be a balance between features and affordability.
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Solar Panel Quality: Purchase panels from companies with a track record of quality since solar panels are the backbone of any solar generator. Also, check how the previous consumers have rated them. Efficient panels will provide the most advantage from the available sunlight.
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Portability: Consider how frequently you want to move the generator. If portability is your priority, choose a unit with compact dimensions and strong handles. Some models even come with wheels for easy mobility.
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Warranty and Support: Now comes the warranty. A long-term warranty and strong customer support are indicative of the product’s high reliability. Read the warranty terms thoroughly to understand what is covered and for how long.
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Flexibility: Check if the generator can power a range of appliances at the same time. A versatile solar generator comes with multiple AC/DC outlets and USB ports to accommodate various devices simultaneously.
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Expandability: Think about the future. What if your energy needs increase over time? Inquire from the company if the solar generator can be expanded by adding more panels or batteries. Expandability is a valuable feature that can accommodate changes in your energy requirements.
Best Whole House Solar Generator for Your Home
Want some recommendations for solar kits? BLUETTI is the most reputable brand when it comes to solar generators, power stations, and home batteries. Below are my three top recommendations for the best whole-house solar generator:
The first solar generator on our list is the BLUETTI EP900 + B500. With a high capacity of 9000W and the capability to run both 120V and 240V devices, it is perfect for both small business and residential scenarios.
Unlike other similar solar generators, the EP900 + B500 is easy to integrate with your existing or new solar system. Additionally, its capacity can be expanded to a whopping 19840Wh by adding two EP900 units. It also has IP65 water-resistant rating, which makes it perfect for both outdoor and indoor installation.
Concerned about safety? The EP900 + B500 comes equipped with the LiFePO₄ batteries. These batteries are the safest and can last for over 3500 cycles.
The EP900 + B500 also lets you sell extra electricity produced by your solar system back to the grid, thus maximizing your savings. The BLUETTI also provides a 10-year warranty and first-rate customer support for your peace of mind.
Are you looking for a powerful yet flexible whole-house solar generator? That is so; the BLUETTI AC200MAX is perfect for you. It comes with two expansion ports, where you can connect up to two B230 (2048Wh each) or B300 (3072Wh each) battery modules. These modules will increase the total capacity of your AC200MAX from 2048Wh to a staggering 8192Wh.
Talking about its charging mechanism. The AC200MAX can take in 900W of solar input and 500W from the adapter. You can even charge it using both solar panels and a wall outlet simultaneously. This will fully charge it in under two hours.
The AC200MAX is incomparable when it comes to outlets. It has 16 outlets, so you can charge all your devices at the same time without any problem. It is particularly good for RV enthusiasts because it has a built-in 30A NEMA TT outlet and a powerful 12V 30A DC outlet.
The BLUETTI EP500 is an all-in-one solar backup Generator. With its powerful 5100Wh battery pack and 2000W pure sine wave AC inverter, the EP500 can run your party, camping trip, workshops, or even your whole house for a day or two if the power goes out.
This Generator is very safe and durable because of its advanced LiFePO₄ chemistry. Additionally, it comes with 15 outlets to power things like laptops, air conditioners, and electric vehicles simultaneously.
The EP500 has a built-in dual-core microcomputer. It can be upgraded through the Internet. It will keep your devices working even if the electrical grid stops working. Unlike gasoline and diesel generators, it doesn't need maintenance and fuel. Nor does it emit Carbon Monoxide.
And in case you are concerned about depleting your onboard battery, you can pair it with 1200W MPPT solar input to quickly recharge or keep your gadgets running.
Final Thoughts
A whole-house solar generator is a wise safeguard against grid issues, higher electricity costs, and frequent power outages. It can power your household devices effortlessly and provide you peace of mind.
And who doesn't want the best value for their money? The above-mentioned BLUETTI solar generators are the most reliable ones. Once you opt for BLUETTI, rest is assured. However, the choice totally depends on personal preferences.
FAQs
1. Can a solar power generator power a whole house?
Yes. Solar generators can provide power for your entire house as long as the battery capacity is enough to meet your house's energy requirements.
2. How much does a whole-house solar generator cost?
A powerful whole-house solar generator costs between $7000 to $20000, with a capacity of over 5000Wh. Medium solar generators range between $3000 to $6000. Also, you can get small-sized generators for as low as $1000.
3. How many years will a solar generator last?
Solar generators typically have a lifespan of around 20 to 30 years. However, this lifespan might vary depending on the brand and quality of the generator.
4. Can you run a solar generator continuously?
Yes. Solar generators can be run continuously as long as certain conditions are met. There should be a sufficient and consistent supply of sunlight. Additionally, the generator’s capacity to generate and store energy should exceed your consumption.’
5. Can you live off the grid with a solar generator?
Yes. Solar generators are a fantastic option for off-grid living. They transform sunlight into electricity, which can then be stored in batteries for subsequent use.
