Does anyone use a solar generator for their emergency power back-up? If so, what manufacturer?

Are they worth the cost?

I see the following benefits:

When fuel no longer is available in some sort of long term power outage but wonder how good these things are.

Also, they don't make any noise which would reduce attention to your own property by the desperate.

I don't have that set up. I am currently trying to get set up with a battery backup system for the house. Can solar charge the batteries.

I think that is what the solar set up does. Keeps batteries charged. Seems like a good choice over fuel powered generators in a long term outage situation.

I bought a Jackery 550 with a folding solar panel. I use it at camp. I am happy with it.

I made a decision and went with a 2000w unit and bought an extra battery. It has three solar panels. I'll work on adding at least another panel and more batteries over time as money permits.

Jerry,

I would be interested to hear what you end up with. I have looked into batteries a little. Solar maybe later, Ohio isn't always the sunniest place. I was thinking of using a generator to recharge for longer outages.

Tom

quote:

Originally posted by TWall:
Jerry,

I would be interested to hear what you end up with. I have looked into batteries a little. Solar maybe later, Ohio isn't always the sunniest place. I was thinking of using a generator to recharge for longer outages.

Tom

The equipment has been trickling in. The batteries for this system are Li ion and not lead acid.

The reason I went with this (actually, there were many) was even though it is not really a generator it is better than nothing. A traditional fueled generator is noisy which means desperate people will know if you have power.

Also, sooner or later, and probably sooner than you think, you WILL be out of fuel to run that device as will everyone else.

When the wind is right I can hear a neighbor about a mile away that runs a generator full time for their power. I don't know them but I'm assuming it is powered with propane.

This set-up is also portable. I do get a lot of sun where I live. No lake effect weather here.

Now, a big solar array would not doubt be better but, such is far more expensive.

Around here short winter days and snow cover make it impractical, but the idiots keep telling us solar is the future.

I bought the Jackery to use as a recharger. I charge it by the solar panel but have big supply of AA batteries that get charged from the Jackery. The AA batteries are used in flashlights, radios and other basics.
Useful, mobile and low profile.

Low profile,words to live by in a time of having when many do not.

Ann, I went with agm batteries. I am setting it bit at a time and as i learn how to set it up. . I liked the idea of the lithium batteries as they weigh much less but there is risk of fire and burning everything down so agm was my choice.

Sounds good, Jerry!

I am looking at the new ecoflow Delta Pro Ultra. You can add batteries to increase capacity. And, recharge with a generator. Depending on capacity cost is similar to standby generator. Installation would be less, electrician needed for subpanel only.

https://www.ecoflow.com/us/delta-pro-ultra

Tom

quote:

Originally posted by TWall:
I am looking at the new ecoflow Delta Pro Ultra. You can add batteries to increase capacity. And, recharge with a generator. Depending on capacity cost is similar to standby generator. Installation would be less, electrician needed for subpanel only.

https://www.ecoflow.com/us/delta-pro-ultra

Tom

Looks like a good one.

I have about 2500 watts of solar panels that I am hoping to install this summer for a hybrid system for my house. since I have no idea how well (or poorly!) this is going to work here, I'm planning on just running my refrigerator, downstairs lighting, and my computers off it. I will be using conventional lead acid batteries. I get a few blackouts every year when a tree falls across a power line somewhere and already also have a separate gas generator for backup in addition. If this amount of solar can keep me supplied over the winter then cool, if not I can just hook the batteries up to the house mains then figure out what I need to improve on it. I will say that one of the first realizations you get is that a kilowatt might be a big number but really isn't a lot of power by present day American standards.

Mark, what do you mean about a hybrid system?