The Best Solar Generator for RV Living: Reviews for 2022

Are you thinking of going off the grid? Perhaps you want to drive between countries for a while or just get away from the hustling and bustling and everyday stress, bringing along a solar generator on your RV is an undisputed winning decision. 

The solar generator provides an electricity source to power up your RV and electronic devices. 

Over the last few years, there have been constant changes and a great increase in demand and interest in solar generators. Not only because of the ease of use and reduction in the price of energy bills but also because it is gentle and safe for the environment. 

Several improvements have been made to how they are built and connected. Which makes them an even more appealing choice. 

If you are finding it hard to choose the best solar generator for RV living, then we wrote this article just for you. We’re going to share the best types currently available on the market and what to look out for before choosing one.

Overall Best Solar Generator For RV Living

1. Jackery Solar Generator 1000, Explorer 1000 and 2X

The Jackery Explorer 1000 set features the Explorer 1000. This portable power station is something of a perfect blend between the powerful, the high-end, the lightweight, and the portable. 

This power station generates as much as 1000W of power alongside a 2000W surge capacity. That is more than enough for your grill, home theatre, or full-size refrigerator. It’s also powered by a 1002WH battery capacity, so you don’t have to worry about quickly losing power.

This powerful solar generator is ideal for situations that require significant power or high-power appliances. It doesn’t weigh too much, making it easy to carry and move around. The design is durable and simple with a strong handle to make transporting it easy.

This generator comes equipped with multiple charge features and USB ports. You can charge this generator using a solar panel, 12V car output, a wall socket, or even an electric generator. 

The built-in MPPT guarantees maximum efficiency and output. With two of Jackery’s Solar Saga 100W panels, the Jackery Explorer 1000 can get a full charge in 8 hours. 

Extra features include an on-button to permit easy use as well as an LCD display that indicates the battery information as well as charge and discharge percentage. 

This solar generator has a very low sound production and is powered by clean energy gotten from the sun. Making it safe for the environment and a sustainable power solution. 

Overall, the Jackery Explorer 1000 is a very reliable, affordable, and efficient backup power option.

Best Outdoor RV Solar Generator

2. EF ECOFLOW EFDELTA 1260Wh Solar Generator 

The EF Ecoflow solar generator is a portable power station designed for small to mid-range devices such as your laptop, cell phone, lamps, and TV set. Its wattage range of 1800 output power, as well as 1260Wh battery power, means you can stay connected to electricity at all times.

This solar-powered generator comes with a variety of accessories including a single foldable solar panel of 110W. The EF Ecoflow solar panel has been designed to withstand harsh and extreme weather conditions and is completely waterproof. 

Because it is built to endure all kinds of weather conditions, you can use the generator for other outdoor activities such as camping. It can also be submerged in water for as long as 30 minutes without any negative effects.

A single solar panel recharge will last as long as four hours. This solar generator is also compatible with other solar panels for charging. With electric current, you can go from 0-100 in as little as 2 hours. 

Additionally, this solar generator is equipped with multiple input and output USB ports and can also be charged using other external devices.

Best RV Solar Generator With Long Lasting Battery

3. BLUETTI EB150 1500Wh Portable Power Station

The Bluettti EB150 Portable Power Station comes equipped with a high solar and battery capacity to constantly provide a clean and green power supply. 

It has a lithium-ion battery of 1500wh and an output of 1000 watts of power to keep you connected to a power source for as long as you need to be. 

The batteries on this solar generator can be charged either through solar panels or a connection to a wall outlet. When connected to a wall outlet, it takes a minimum of 10 hours to fully charge. With solar panels, you can charge in as little as 6 hours. 

It also comes with a built-in inverter of 1000W as well as a Maximum Power Point Tracking charge controller (MPPT). Additionally, there is a battery management system to protect the generator at all times. 

A built-in safeguard means you don’t have to worry about short-circuit, super high voltage as this guard works for temperature control. 

An LCD screen keeps you updated on any abnormality or errors, as well as charging and discharging level and battery capacity. The backlight option allows you to read easily under the sun, while the low noise production leaves your environment as quiet as you want and makes it perfect for night use.  

This compact and portable generator will power devices such as hairdryers, vacuum cleaners, fans, laptops, and lamps.

Best Portable Solar Generator for RV

4. Nature’s Generator 1800W Solar Powered Generator

The Nature’s Generator stands out with its portable design, energy production, and storage methods. 

There are three main power input methods for this generator. You can either charge through solar panels, by plugging it into a wall socket, or through wind energy. Choosing your charging method is down to your preference. 

Multiple charging ports also mean you can keep your devices all plugged in at the same time. This solar generator also has an emergency UPS feature which ensures your device doesn’t go off immediately when you run out of power. 

It has an LCD screen to keep you updated on the charging and discharging levels, as well as the battery capacity and other important information.

This eco-friendly generator can be used anywhere indoors and outdoors. It doesn’t produce toxic or harmful fumes and generates little to no noise while in use. Even better, it has a compact and exquisite design.

It is built to look like a trolley with handles, meaning you can easily transport your generator or move around the house. 

Best Lightweight Solar Generator for RV

5. OUPES Portable Power Station 

The Oupes portable power station is completely lightweight, weighing just 24lbs. It comes with a solid handle that makes it easy to carry and transport. An emergency flashlight with a capacity of 1000lm on the back can also be used as an extra lighting source both for large and small areas. 

With little to no sound production, this generator can be used both outdoor and indoor at any time as it produces little to no sound. It also does not emit dangerous or harmful fumes.

This Solar generator is equipped with a long-lasting LiFe PO4 battery with the tendency to last 3-5 longer than the average battery. It also has an advanced battery management system. 

This power-generating device is capable of protecting plugged-in devices from short-circuit, overload, or over-current with a temperature control feature.  

It comes with a detailed user manual with specific instructions that will guide you on the best way to set up your unit. You also get a 24-month warranty upon purchase in case you have any complaints or malfunction issues. 

An outage output of 2200W means you can keep as many devices as you want to be plugged in. It also makes it perfect for use at home during emergency power outages or on your camping and outdoor trips.

Any of the above options would serve you well as a primary source of power production on your outdoor trip in your RV. You aren’t at risk of inhaling dangerous or toxic fumes with these generators. They can also be used indoors since they produce very little to no noise. They are also available in compact and portable design which makes moving it around super easy.

What To Look Out For To Choose The Best Solar Generator 

There are several things to look out for when choosing the best solar generator to go off-grid. Some of these things include:

What Solar Generator Size Do I Need?

Solar energy is completely sustainable and reliable since it is energy gotten from the sun. It is also a much safer option for the environment. To determine what size of generator you need, you need to firstly factor in your energy consumption rate. 

Check your electrical appliances as well as devices to calculate how much watts they consume per hour. Put into consideration other basic devices such as your lamp, fans, TV set, refrigerator, and other appliances. 

Once you have identified how much volts your electrical outlets consume you can multiply it by the number of amps per hour for an average number of Watts (W). With the wattage requirement at your disposal, you can easily pick out a solar generator that can provide what you need.

What Type Of Solar Panel Should I Choose?

As we have mentioned earlier, solar-powered generators primarily make use of solar panels to obtain energy from the sun. These panels then transform the energy gotten from the sun into electrical power. This electrical power is released by the generator through an inverter. 

Choose a generator that is powered by solar panels that are strong enough for quick and strong charging. Considering this, there are 3 types of solar panels: mono-crystalline, thin-film, and poly-crystalline. 

• Mono-Crystalline Panel – The mono-crystalline panel gives out the highest efficiency rate of 20%. It is also the most expensive panel since it provides the best quality.
• Thin Film Panel – The thin-film panel is usually used for large areas. It is less efficient and also less convenient than crystalline panels. It is the cheapest type of solar panel. 
• Poly-Crystalline Panel – The poly-crystalline panel comes second with a 16% efficiency rate. Its efficiency reduces a little in high temperatures. It is also a popular choice because of how affordable and efficient it is.

Solar And Battery Capacities

The battery efficiency and capacity are determined by the type of battery attached to the solar generator. There are 2 common types of batteries: the lead-acid battery and the lithium iron phosphate battery. 

The lithium battery has a longer life cycle as well as a larger capacity. They also typically outweigh lead-acid batteries. With roughly ten times more life cycles, they are much safer for the environment and typically last longer. 

FAQS About Solar Powered Generators

How Do Solar Generators Work?

Solar panels contain photovoltaic cells. These cells have a special and unique ability to absorb photons. The panel converts these photons into solar energy that powers the generator. 

Are Solar Powered Generators Noisy?

Solar-powered generators are as silent as they come. Models have been developed to suit camping or hiking trips so much so they run silently and can be used any time of the day. 

How Do I Maintain A Solar Generator?

A solar generator requires little maintenance. However, handling, transporting, or storing the generator has to be done with care. 

Always clean the panels regularly to make sure they keep running efficiently. Keep the batteries away from liquid, heat, fire, or any other type of corrosion. Keep the batteries and solar panel dry and clean at all times. 

Conclusion

Solar-powered generators are very handy for both indoor and outdoor use, especially when compared to fuel-powered generators. Choosing the best solar generator for RVs becomes easy once you know exactly what to look out for. You can stay powered up with a single charge, with a full battery lasting as long as six months in storage.

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