Technically, a portable solar generator is a machine that packs three key elements; a solar unit, power storage and portable design. Of course, it means you have a solar generator quite friendly for portable uses, i.e. to collect energy from sun and store it for real time or later use.
By the way, design wise, there is no specific form for a solar generator. Well, some key models come neatly designed and well-finished. Meanwhile, some models look just run-of-the-mill with no organized shape. Meanwhile, key function of a solar generator is to produce solar energy anywhere in the wild. And goal is to ensure you make into no trouble without power during an outing or in case of an emergency.
Best Solar Generator 2016: Top 10 Solar Generators
Specs wise, a portable solar generator, as said above, mainly contains a unit of solar panel and battery for power storage. Moreover, a machine carries a charge controller to stabilize power from sun currents. Apart from that, it also features an inverter to convert DC to AC and supply power to various output ports. Well, most solar generators tout all universal output ports USBs, AC outlets and 12V DC ports and etc…
Coming to our best solar generator 2016 list, we have prepared it after making detailed research. We have considered only popular models for this list and skipped many items that haven’t yet attracted customer rating and reviews on key sites. Hence, we are sure the list would help find your favorite portable solar generator.
1. Goal Zero Yeti 400 Solar Generator Kit
We begin with Goal Zero Yeti 400, medium variant of the American firm’s Yeti series of solar generators. Goal Zero Yeti 400 is, in fact, one of the best solar generators of the recent time. Well, it has an amazing number of customers and for a price around $500, it is really cost effective when compared to its alternatives.
Anyway, in itself, Goal Zero Yeti like its cousins is just a power pack with 400Wh power inverter. Only does it turn out to be a complete solar generator when bought with a solar panel module. Here we have it with Goal Zero’s 20W Nomad 20 folding solar panel.
Under the hood, it has 33Ah 12V battery that you can also charge from car or wall outlets. That means even if there is no sun in the sky, you can go on a camping with Yeti with enough power to juice up your gadgets. It weighs just 29 lbs and the included solar panel weighs just around 3 lbs.
2. Goal Zero Yeti 1250 Solar Generator Kit
Simply, it is top-end variant of Goal Zero’s noted brand of generators. It differs from Yeti 400 with its large output and battery storage. Well, Yeti 1250 sports a 1200Wh inverter and 100Ah battery. Sure it works the same way its younger sibling works. That is, basically it is a power pack and comes with solar panel. We’ve it with a pair of Goal Zero Boulder 30 panels, meaning it can produce 60 watts of energy overall.
You can chain together the panels and attach more panels to the grid if required. Application wise, as you see, being a big powerhouse, you can use it to power up large number of appliances rather than just phones and tablets. Fine, Goal Zero recommends it for variety of appliances like ovens, power lights and fridges and etc… The kit weighs at 116 pounds and you have it with strong dragging handle and wheels for easy moving.
3. Renogy Firefly Solar Generator
It is a very handy, all-in-one solar generator in our list of the best solar generator 2016. Great, it sports all its components in a single suitcase-style case. That means carrying it won’t make an extra burden on a hiker. Weighing at just 12 pounds, you can take it by holding on its solid handle. Coming to power, it offers a 175Wh of energy and packs up 16Ah lithium polymer battery in its compact waterproof case.
Regarding solar panel, Renogy Firefly mounts a pair of highly efficient 10W solar modules with each having a built-in 10A charge controller. Put it simply, it is a cool plug and play portable solar solution with all needed ports for connecting different of your devices. Also it touts an LCD display to show battery status and LED flashlight for nighttime lighting.
4. BePreparedSolar 2500 Watt Solar Generator
It is a large, but not a well-finished solar generator. Offering 2500W of solar energy, it packs up everything required for the system in a rugged and wheeled case. But as you can see in the picture, it looks rather run-of-the-mill. Yet it is one of the best sellers on market and is a great solution for various off-grid uses including outdoor parties, apartment, emergency and other large-scale off-grid applications.
Under the hood, the BePreparedSolar sports a 5000 Watt peak/2500W continuous inverter and a 100Ah AGM deep cycle battery. Along with it comes a pair of 100W solar panels. By the way, it is also available with different battery options like 200Ah and 300Ah. Plus, you have a 30 Amp charge controller with LCD display and 30 feet of solar cables with the heavy duty solar generator.
5. Goal Zero Yeti 150 Solar Generator Kit
Yeti 150 is the budget version of Goal Zero’s top solar generator brand. As its name tells, it can produce 150Wh of solar energy and the built-in battery is a 14000mAh unit. Well, you can charge the power pack from car and wall outlets also. However, when bought together with Goal Zero’s Nomad 20 folding solar charger, it becomes a full solar generator. It has a 2A USB port, 12V output and 80W AC socket for connecting your devices to.
6. Kalisaya KP601 KaliPAK Solar Generator
It is the flagship variant of Kalisaya’s KaliPAK solar generator line. Yes, Kalisaya is a relatively new firm into the making of portable solar generators. And this model has got two lesser powerful variants too. Function wise, KaliPAK series follows Goal Zero Yeti, i.e. it comes in two parts; power pack and solar panel module.
Coming to KaliPAK KP601, it offers 558Wh, and under the hood it sports a 38Ah lithium-ion battery. Included solar panel is a folding four-layer unit with 40W output. You have 4 ultra-fast USB ports and a pair of 12V DC outlets. It has the dimensions of 6.7 x 13.5 x 13.5 inches and it weighs at 13 pounds.
7. Kalisaya KP401 KaliPAK Solar Generator
We also include medium variant of KaliPAK in our list of the best solar generator 2016. Well, it has got good number of customers so far with a rating of 5 stars on Amazon.com as of writing this. In fact, KP401 keeps the same format of its elder sibling in terms of style and function. It differs only when it comes to output. Yes, with the same 40W solar panel module, it offers 384 watts of solar power. And the battery inside is a 26Ah unit.
8. AspectSolar SunSocket Sun-Tracking Solar Generator
It is a very stylish and innovative solar generator. Its design is really nice with seven layers of automatically sun tracking solar cell array. Truly, solar panels mounted over the suitcase-style power pack turn around as sun moves. Therefore, the system can grab as much as sun power from day to dusk in the wild.
The solar panels total an output of 60 watts and the machine produces 250 watts of energy. Under the hood, SunSocket solar generator sports a 20Ah battery. It has four 4 USB ports, an AC socket and a 12V DC outlet to let you connect multiple devices. It has a size of 20.2 x 4.2 x 16.5 inches and weight of 25 pounds.
9. OG Solar 4000W Portable Solar Generator
It is the most powerful solar generator in our list of the best solar generator 2016 here. This OG solar product features 4000 watts of peak power and stores 1500 amp hours of energy in one dry cell battery. To charge the system from sun, you get a pair of 50 watt solar panels. And the thing is that it is not an organized machine. Though a plug and play system, it comes run-of-the-mill. It is ideal for home, apartment, emergency and outdoor events, but with its heavy 90 pounds weight, it is not recommend for hiking.
10. OG Solar 3000W Portable Solar Generator
It is a lesser powerful variant of OG Solar’s portable solar generator. We have it as the final entry in our list of the best solar generator 2016 here. Yes, as you see, it can provide 3000 watts of energy and a 100Amp battery is built inside. Plus, you get a pair of 50W solar units to power it from solar energy. It measures at 10 x 15 x 11 inches and weighs 83 pounds.
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