The Best Solar Powered Generator For Off Grid Living (2023 Reviews)

Having a solar generator when you’re living off grid can feel like a luxury, but it’s a really smart move.

A solar generator that is free and easy to obtain energy from, with low running costs is one of the best investments you’ll make- especially in comparison with burning fossil fuels. There are amazing solar generators on the market that are light and portable. These are far easier to move around than heavy duty gas powered generators. Without a solar generator you’ll have higher running costs, bulkier equipment and you may undo the good of living off grid by having to use fossil fuels for your power.

Here are a few of the things you’ll want to consider when it comes to buying the best solar generator for off grid living:

The Best Solar Generators for Off Grid Living 

1. Jackery Solar Generator 

This solar generator has an impressive 1002 Wh capacity as well as 1000 high running wattage which allows it to efficiently power devices such as fridges, heaters and an electric grill. 

With 3 standard AC outlets it gives you lots of flexibility to plug in and power AC devices and appliances.

2. EF ECOFLOW Solar Generator

If you’re looking for fast solar recharging this could be the solar generator for you. Depending on light intensity, there’s a guarantee of full recharge with 4*110W solar panels in under 9.2 hours. 

This solar generator would be ideal for those with multiple devices and those that require a large amount of power.

3. Generark Solar Generator For Homes

Although originally designed for traditional homes, you may want to consider this solar generator for off grid living. It’s compact size means it’s easy to store and can be moved around easily.

4. Renogy PHOENIX Solar Generator 

With a built in solar panel, this solar generator  truly is an ‘all in one’ kit. It is ideal for fitting into a bug out bag and for use as a backup generator. You can also expand its power output with additional panels.

5. Nature’s Generator Gold System Solar Off-Grid Generator

With the ability to produce 720 Watt hours of total output through just once charge, this solar generator comes as part of a larger off grid system. The is an all-in-one system that includes not only a polycrystalline solar panel but also built-in wheels enabling you to move the solar generator around as needed to capture maximum sunlight. 

6. MAXOAK Portable Power Station 

Equipped with 1500Wh Lithium power storage as well as a large AC inverter, this is an ideal power station solar generator for those keen to use high power devices amidst their off grid living. It can be fully recharged in under 6 hours and offers an array of outputs for different power needs.

7. ECO-WORTHY Portable Power Station

This is a brilliant plug and play option if you’re looking for a solar generator for off grid living. The battery generator has a 12 year life span and the entire unit is portable and light weight. It can be charged using solar panels or via USB. 

Comparison Table

In Depth Buyers Guide

What are the different types of batteries?

Lithium Ion Batteries: 

The use of lithium ion batteries has hugely increased in recent years with many people seeing these as the main go-to option. They’re seen as a clean green option and they’re also light weight which is  ideal for off grid living.

Lithium ion batteries are currently being used in devices from smartphones and laptops to full size cars. 

Some of the advantages of lithium ion batteries include their high energy density and the low maintenance they require. 

Although the disadvantages are largely outweighed by the positives they do include key factors such as the fact that lithium batteries are often much more expensive than other types of battery.

Lead-acid batteries

Lead acid batteries are the first rechargeable batteries ever invented. Although they have a low energy density they can supply high surge currents. 

Lead acid batteries used to be used a lot for generators as they are cheap, easy to recharge and have a high power output capability. 

The issue with lead acid batteries is often their weight as they can be very heavy to carry around.

Saltwater batteries

A relatively new invention, the salt water battery uses a concentrated saline solution as its electrolyte. They are much easier to recycle compared to other types of batteries that tend to use flammable materials. 

When you’re living off grid it’s crucial to keep fire risk to a minimum so non flammable batteries could be a good option. 

Sodium Nickel Chloride

Referred to as (Na-NiCl2) this is a high temperature energy storage system that uses the sodium as an anode whilst the nickel and sodium chloride act as the cathode. 

The battery uses electrochemical reactions to function and it’s been seen as one of the most environmentally friendly power storage solutions available.

The advantage of these batteries is how environmentally friendly they are. This is backed up by their long life span of 10-15 years. 

The main disadvantage is that they require high temperatures to operate efficiently so they can be expensive and difficult to run. 

Why is power output important? 

Power output is one of the biggest elements to consider when you are preparing for living off grid. 

Obviously everyone lives differently and will have different power requirements so it’s crucial to figure out how much power you’ll need for off grid living. Some factors you’ll want to consider include: 

• Number of people living off grid
• The type of devices you want to use whilst off grid 
• Activities you’ll want to pursue when living off grid 
• How many hours of light you’ll require when living off grid

As a general rule the solar generator should be about double the size of your inverter’s continuous output. For living off grid, 8kW would be a good minimum size to consider for your solar generator. This should give you enough power to rely solely on the energy you’re producing. 

How important is portability when living off grid?

When living off grid, you’ll want to strike a balance between the largest solar generator possible (to give you maximum power and the chance to charge and power devices) but to also make sure it’s portable. 

Having a portable solar generator means that you can easily move it around to follow the sun and capture as much sunlight as possible. You might also want to put a portable solar generator in your bug out bag without making it too heavy or bulky to carry. 

Think about why you’ll be using a solar generator. If you’re using it to live off grid because you want to solely use solar energy, you can opt for more heavy duty options. You’ll probably want solar generators that can charge high power devices such as microwaves or coffee machines. 

If you’re looking for solar generators to use in case of emergency (when you find yourself off grid unexpectedly), portability should be a bigger element in your decision making. 

There are lots of portable options on the market, if you’ve determined that this is an important factor for you. 

Both the ECO-WORTHY Portable Power Station and MAXOAK Portable Power Station are great portable solar generators to consider when prepping to live off grid. 

Can solar generators charge in the rain and extremely cold weather? 

This is really important to think about as the chances are that you may be living off grid unexpectedly therefore you won’t know in advance what the weather will be like.

Finding a solar generator that is still able to function efficiently and charge in rain and extreme temperatures is really important.

Not all solar generators are water resistant and many are not waterproof either. Some may require a cover to be used over them – but if you choose one of these, you need to make sure this is strong enough to withstand windy conditions. 

Choosing a solar generator that can charge in the rain and extremely cold weather may result in you spending slightly more money, but it’ll be a worthwhile investment. The EF ECOFLOW DELTA Solar Generator can be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes without any detrimental effects. 

How long can a solar generator last?

The answer to this depends a lot on the quality of the solar generator you decide to buy. 

It’s not unreasonable to expect your solar generator to last between 25-35 years as long as you buy a solid one that is built for durability and quality. 

Although solar generators don’t require a huge amount of maintenance, you can extend the lifespan of your purchase by always reading the care instructions carefully and fixing any issues as and when they arise.

Conclusion 

We’ve shown you how many great solar generators there are on the market that are ideal for off grid living. 

Whether you’re making a long term decision to live off grid, or you simply find yourself without power in an emergency, having a solar generator can help you keep going. 

Figuring out your needs and how portable you require your solar generator to be will help you make the best choice about which solar generator to purchase. 

• Jackery Solar Generator
• EF EcoFlow Solar Generator
• Generark Solar Generator for Homes
• Renogy Phoenix Solar Generator
• Nature’s Generator Gold System Solar Off-Grid Generator
• Max Oak Portable Power Station
• ECO-Worthy Portable Power Station