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Generators VS Solar Panels

When trying to find a reliable source of power for living off the grid there are many things that you need to consider. Are you located in a sunny spot? What are your power requirements? Do you want to listen to nature?

Here we discuss the benefits and negatives of using solar or a generator?

Benefits of Solar:

  • Clean Power 
  • No Noise
  • No Fumes
  • Environmentally Friendly
  • No need to buy fuel to keep them running
  • Once you have purchased the gear they are free to run

  • Drawbacks of Solar:

    • Takes a lot longer to charge
      • Solar takes a lot longer to charge your batteries than a Generator. If you are using appliances with high power consumption, solar sometimes may not be enough
    • Bad Weather = No Power
      • If there are a number of days of bad weather and no sun, you will not be able to charge your batteries
      • No charge = No power
    • Initial set up costs
      • The initial set up cost for a solar setup can be more expensive than that of a generator

    Shop our range of Solar Kits

    Benefits of Generators:

    • Fast Charging
      • The best way to do this is to run a battery charger off your generator
    • Run appliances directly
      • A generator can run your appliances without needing to charge your batteries first
    • Not dependant on the weather
      • A generator will provide you with reliable power as long as you keep it topped up with fuel

    Drawbacks of Generators:

    • Fuel
      • Generators consume fuel
      • Fuel is a continuous running cost for your generator
    • Emissions, noise and restrictions
      • Generators can be noisy
      • Some areas place restrictions on what time you can turn on and run a generator
    • Heavy & Bulky
      • Generators are heavier than solar panels
      • They are also bulkier and take up more room

    Shop our range of Generators