Houseboats have been around for decades and continue to be a residential and recreational option for families worldwide. But with the rising costs of electricity and fuel, powering them is becoming increasingly pricey.
Enter: solar generators for houseboats.
Solar generators are a new way to power your vessel without hooking up to shore power or relying on gas. Solar generators are lightweight, quiet, and can recharge as long as there’s sunlight — even on cloudy days. They’re a reliable alternative to gas generators since they don’t let out exhaust fumes, can work indoors, and utilize clean, renewable energy to run your devices and appliances.
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway on your boat or plan to move offshore, here are the four best solar generators for houseboats in 2024.
EcoFlow River 2 Pro + 220W Portable Solar Panel
Need a powerhouse for your off-shore boating adventure? The EcoFlow River 2 Pro + 220W Portable Solar Panel has you covered. It comes with a 220W portable solar panel that’s durable, waterproof, and dust-resistant.
Along with the sturdy solar panel, the EcoFlow River 2 Pro comes equipped with a massive 768Wh of battery capacity. This amount of energy allows users to charge and run multiple devices at once, including smartphones, tablets, refrigerators, and more. The capacity is strong enough to fully charge a new iPhone 12 up to 38 times or run a 120W refrigerator for 6 hours.
The River 2 Pro delivers the energy your houseboat requires to charge wherever, whenever.
When it’s time to recharge, simply utilize the sun’s power! Increase the efficiency of the charge by facing the solar panel directly at the sun. Ensure there are zero obstructions to get a complete charge in as little time as possible. When you use the 220W Solar Panel to charge the River 2 Pro, you can expect a charging time of as little as 3 hours. With the rising cost of rent in places like San Francisco and NYC, it’s no wonder some people are turning to houseboats instead. The EcoFlow River 2 Pro has you covered, supplying the power you need while making the switch to off-shore living more affordable.
EcoFlow Power Kits
We guarantee you haven’t seen anything like EcoFlow’s Power Kits. They’re simple, smart, and compact. These off-shore energy solutions can power your entire houseboat.
Power kits are easy to set up, charge, and store. EcoFlow includes free installation and guidance as you learn how to use this hub. The power kit comes with stackable batteries, saving your vessel space.
When it’s time to recharge, you can choose from 4 charging methods:
- Solar
- Car Alternator
- Shore power
- EcoFlow Smart Generator
If you’re living on a houseboat, you can use solar panels to recharge the batteries quickly. You can charge it at any time as long as there’s sunlight.
The EcoFlow power kits have a built-in control system that lets you monitor and control the charging process from your phone. Simply download the EcoFlow App and connect it to your power kit.
Manage and control the power hub directly from the console or your smartphone. And, with FREE installation, service consulting, and a 5-year warranty, getting an EcoFlow Power Kit for your houseboat almost feels like a no-brainer!
Choosing the power kit that’s right for you starts right here. You can adjust your power kit to fit the size of your houseboat and electrical needs. Choose from one of the following power kits:
- Get Set Kit
- Prepared Kit
- Independence Kit
Browse EcoFlow Power Kit options today!
EcoFlow DELTA Pro + 400W Portable Solar Panel
The EcoFlow DELTA Pro + 400 Portable Solar Panel is ideal for use on a boat due to its massive power storage capabilities. It has an impressive energy storage of 3.6kWh, which you can expand to 25kWh. It’s more than enough power to energize your entire houseboat.
The DELTA Pro powers anything from smartphones and cameras to heavy-duty appliances like fridges or AC units. If you need even more power, you can pair two units together for 7200W. This capacity gives everyone on your houseboat reliable power to keep all their devices energized.
The EcoFlow DELTA Pro features wheels and an ergonomic handle that makes transport easy. You can easily take it with you on your off-shore boating adventures. With its many outlets and ports, you’ll be able to charge multiple devices simultaneously.
When it’s time to charge, you’ll be able to stay powered using a renewable energy source that doesn’t require you to fuel up or return to shore. You can charge your DELTA Pro in 2.8 to 5.6 hours through solar power. EcoFlow Solar Panels are self-supporting and adjustable, tilting from 40-80°. The tilt range allows the panel to capture the most rays and charge the portable power station as quickly as possible.
Traditional generators on houseboats use fuel, which means you have to deal with noise, toxic fumes, and gas costs. The EcoFlow DELTA Pro + 400 Portable Solar Panel offers a cost-efficient, clean and renewable energy solution so that you can truly relax on the water for as long as you want.
EcoFlow DELTA + 160W Portable Solar Panel
When you live on a houseboat, you need to reduce your dependence on shore power. Otherwise, it means constant trips to the docks, using up valuable time you could be spending out on the water. There are a few ways to limit your shore reliance, with a solar generator coming out on top. The EcoFlow DELTA + 160W Portable Solar Panel offers just the solution! It delivers portable power, renewable charging, and stores energy.
Thanks to the EcoFlow X-Stream technology, users can quickly charge the DELTA using the EcoFlow160W Solar Panel. For top results, place the solar panel outdoors, facing the sun. It will work to charge your DELTA in 10.5-21 hours.
You can count on EcoFlow DELTA for a houseboat to get the job done. It can power up to 13 devices simultaneously with several outlet options. You can power up your cell phone, laptop, camera, refrigerator, and more!
The DELTA Series is perfect for off-shore adventures. The right one for you depends on how much electricity you need. With the EcoFlow DELTA, you’ll enjoy off-grid life to the fullest. Its 1260Wh capacity makes it strong enough to power a 120W refrigerator for 7.5 hours, a 500W washer for 2.1 hours, or a 110W TV for 8 hours.
So, what are you waiting for? Make the EcoFlow DELTA + 160W Portable Solar Panel yours today!
The Takeaway
Don’t rely on shore power or a gas generator to power your houseboat. Instead, harness solar energy to keep things running smoothly.
When it comes to your houseboat, you can’t go wrong with any of the four solar generators mentioned above. They’re all lightweight, powerful, and quiet. More importantly, they’ll keep your entire boat powered efficiently and reliably.
The right solar generator for you depends on the size of your boat and its electrical consumption. For smaller houseboats and short trips away from shore power, the EcoFlow River 2 Pro will work wonders. However, you’ll need more energy if you have a larger vessel. In these situations, go with an EcoFlow Power Kit or one of the EcoFlow DELTA solar generator options.
Browse EcoFlow Solar Generators today and enjoy your life on the water to its fullest!