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The winter brings low temperatures and the risk of snow-related outages, making it an important time of year to have a backup generator on hand. Gas and solar generators are both options that can provide reliable power in the face of a winter blackout, but each offers unique benefits and drawbacks.
Explore how these backup energy solutions work and the advantages of each. Plus, learn the most important factors to consider when buying.
How Do Solar Generators Work?
Solar generators such as EcoFlow Solar Generators draw power from the sun and store it in a large, rechargeable battery that you can use to power appliances or other electronics. They don’t produce any emissions or loud noises and are quite portable, making them an excellent option for residential use.
Solar generators often rely on lithium-ion batteries, the most modern of which uses lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, which charge quickly and can hold power for extended periods. You can find low-wattage solar generators for personal devices or even whole-home solar options that can be expanded with additional batteries.
Solar generators can be recharged using solar energy captured by PV panels or plugged into a standard wall outlet or car battery. If PV panels are used, the DC energy will be converted into AC power through an inverter, which sends the usable energy to the battery.
Advantages of Solar Generators
- Environmentally Friendly: They don’t produce toxic fumes or use precious fossil fuels to run, protecting our delicate environment.
- Silent Operation: Their silent operation makes them a tremendous solar generator for homes with neighbors nearby.
- Little to No Maintenance: Solar-powered solutions require minimal maintenance, aside from cleaning the PV panels occasionally. Batteries don’t need replacement for several years, depending on use.
- Portable: Solar generators can be compact and lightweight, making them great for outdoor use, camping, construction sites, and more.
- Expandable: Many solar generator models offer expandability to customize your capacity needs. You may start running only a few appliances but eventually want enough power for your whole house. The EcoFlow DELTA Series Solar Generators, including the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Series Solar Generator (PV220W) and EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Solar Generator (PV400W), can be paired with extra batteries for up to 12kWh energy storage capacity.
- Long-Lasting: Their simplicity, reduced maintenance need, and durability increase their lifespan, making them a long-term investment.
How Do Gas Generators Work?
Gas generators, like the EcoFlow Smart Generator 3000 (Dual Fuel), require a fuel source to run. The gas generator’s combustion engine uses the fuel to produce energy, which then gets transferred to the appliances or electronics connected to it. There are portable and standby gas generators.
Portable ones usually require propane or gasoline, much like a lawn mower. Their portability makes them useful for construction sites or campgrounds, similar to a portable solar generator. Standby gas options are fixed and connected to a local gas supply. There’s no need to refuel them, but they are also quite expensive and can only be used at home.
Portable generators must be turned on manually and can be taken anywhere. In contrast, standby ones are activated by a transfer switch that turns them on automatically when a home loses power. Portable gas generators have varying wattages, while standby generators typically provide between 10,000 and 20,000W.
Advantages of Gas Generators
- Weather Independent: Can run whether the sun is shining or not, day or night.
- Consistent Power Output: They produce steady, predictable power without fluctuations that can be present in renewable energy systems, which can make this power source ideal for sensitive electronics.
- Lower Upfront Cost: The initial cost is budget-friendly, making it a better emergency power option.
- Higher Wattage Capacities: Gas options can provide robust wattage capacity compared to some sun-powered options, allowing you to power multiple devices simultaneously without strain.
- Quick Refueling: Refueling is fast and easy, eliminating the turnaround time required to recharge solar batteries.
Factors to Consider When Comparing Solar and Gas Generators
Here’s what to remember when shopping for solar and gas generators.
Costs and Savings
Solar generators can cost between $1,000-$6,000 for equipment, plus potentially a few thousand extra for professional installation. However, they produce more long-term savings because fuel is not required, and solar systems need little maintenance. Gas generators can run you anywhere from $500 for a small portable model to $15,000 for a standby model. They cost more long-term because they require constant refueling and may not last as long.
Power Capacity
Do you need capacity for only a few home essentials, or are you looking to power your entire home during an extended blackout? A sun-powered generator is likely your best bet if your power needs are around 3kW or lower.
Solar generators can also be expanded with additional batteries, allowing you to increase your power capacity over time. If you have robust power needs of 10kW or more, a standby gas generator makes the most sense for whole-home power.
Ensure your generator will have a buffer of power to avoid overloading it, which can damage the equipment.
Environmental Impact
Solar generators produce zero emissions, making them an eco-friendly option that protects the environment. On the other hand, gas systems produce carbon emissions and pollution that damage our atmosphere and the environment on Earth.
Noise Pollution
In addition to chemical pollution, there’s a stark difference between these two options regarding noise pollution. Gas generators use a combustion engine, which is loud when it runs and must remain outside. Sun-powered systems, however, operate quietly and can even be set up indoors to avoid disrupting neighbors.
Lifespan and Durability
Gas generators require more wear and tear to run, thus resulting in a shorter lifespan due to the natural degradation of the engine. They can last around 3-5 years. Solar options can provide long-term backup power for over 10 years. They’re also much more durable and can withstand the elements, making them ideal for outdoor use.
Maintenance
Solar generators require little to no maintenance because they have few moving parts and don’t have a combustion engine. Gas engines require regular maintenance, such as oil changes and new spark plugs.
Portability
Solar generators are highly portable since no fuel or exhaust is required. Standby gas options are not portable because they need a live connection to natural gas pipes, but some smaller gas generators that run on gasoline or propane can offer a portable gas-powered solution.
What Generator Offers the Best Winter Backup Solution
Winter weather accounts for 23% of weather-related outages, so having a reliable winter backup power solution on hand is critical. Extended outages in the winter can pose health concerns, especially in areas of extreme winter weather. We recommend using solar generators for winter use because they can be used indoors, expanded to meet growing capacity needs and offer a long lifespan to get you through many years’ worth of winters.
The primary drawback is that sun-powered systems are dependent on sunlight. If your winter weather tends to be dreary and dark, a solar backup may not be able to provide enough energy, and a gas generator may be a better pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
First, assess your needs and preferences to determine if a solar or gas generator is better suited for you. Go solar if you want eco-friendly, quiet power with expandability, a long lifespan, and little maintenance. A gas generator is likely better if you prefer quick refueling, steady output, and weather independence.
A solar generator can replace a gas generator in some ways. It can provide backup power during an outage, and many models can be expanded to reach a similar level of output and capacity. However, sun-powered generators take much longer to refuel and don’t provide a turnaround time as quick as gas-powered options.
Final Thoughts
Winter outages are no laughing matter, and homeowners must have a backup power option to provide critical heat and power during the coldest months of the year. EcoFlow Solar Generators offer a great solution that can run your essential appliances, devices, and even your home heating system, depending on your chosen size.
Explore our range of solar generators to find a good match for your winter home power needs.