A contact reached out to me a few months back with a link to a solar generator he was considering purchasing. I was curious why a solar generator. I could understand outgrowing a power bank and a power station, but why a solar generator and not a traditional inverter + solar setup?
I probed further, only to find out that he was considering it because the quote he got for a traditional inverter + solar setup was way more than what he could afford. Based on his use case, a traditional inverter setup would not only have performed excellently but also saved him a lot of money.
I gave him a quick OT, which I’ll share.
The Costing Mistake
He is not alone in giving up on his solar setup aspirations due to a jaw-dropping quote (he was at least considering a solar generator). That has, in fact, been the reason most people I have had the conversation with presented.
They lack three critical pieces of information:
1. You can purchase one component at a time
Trying to purchase your entire setup at once, especially on a tight budget, could leave you stranded or cause you to abandon the idea altogether. A smart order is Inverter > Battery > Inverter Installation > Solar Panels > Charge Controller > Solar Installation.
2. You can choose between a Solar-centric or Battery-centric setup
There are no solutions, only tradeoffs. There are three approaches you could follow:
- Oversized solar array + robust battery bank: This is a very reliable setup, and is the most expensive of the three
- Oversized solar array + small battery bank: Ideal if you have epileptic grid power as backup or can concentrate your heavy usage to the daytime and power a few loads at night. This is the cheapest of the three
- Small solar array + robust battery bank: Ideal if you have somewhat stable grid power and need solar as a backup during outages. This is a balance of cost and performance
You can pick an approach that fits within your budget and still performs well.
3. You don’t have to size based on the sum of your loads
An installer would ask you what loads you wish to power. Newbies would reel out a list of all their heavy appliances. You would end up with a large and expensive setup this way. You should instead make a list of loads you would like to power and pair those that would be powered on at the same time. The fewer the appliances you power at the same time, the smaller the minimum setup you would need.
Would a Solar Generator have been a better choice for him?
One other reason he gave, aside from cost, was that he lived in a shared apartment so he didn’t want to deal with wiring and other occupants using his inverter in their rooms. The 12V setup I recommended (which typically has an output socket) + an Electrical Extension Cord would have addressed that, but let’s take a step back and compare.
What are the components of a traditional inverter + solar setup?
The components include:
- Inverter: Converts battery-stored DC power into AC power, which your household appliances use
- Battery: Stores power
- Solar / Photovoltaic (PV) Panel: Converts sunlight to electricity
- Charge Controller: Charges your battery using the electricity generated by the solar panel. It also manages and protects the battery
What a solar generator does is combine all but the solar panels into one unit. A traditional setup, on the other hand, is modular.
Solar Generator vs Traditional Setup
Which should he have gone for? Let’s dive in.
Modularity
Fault isolation is very important. If one of the components in a modular setup is faulty, then you can easily swap it, and your setup is back in gear. This is not the case with a solar generator, as your entire setup would need to go in for repairs. Traditional setup wins
Mobility
What happens when you have a severe power outage and your panels are not good due to heavy clouds? You could easily charge your solar generator set elsewhere. An inverter setup + battery is bulky and not as easy to transport. If you need power for camping or outdoor activities, then a solar generator fits this use case better. Solar Generator wins
Cost To Output Ratio
A solar generator is significantly more expensive for the output and battery bank you get because it is more compact and ideal for people on the move or with minimal power needs. The solar generator my contact linked to was a Hithium 1kWh set priced at ₦270,000 (excluding the panels). For the same amount (or a little more), he could have purchased a 12V 1kVA transformer-based, inverter + 12V 100AH dry cell battery. Some more money added, and a 100AH LiFePO4 battery would be within range. This would outclass the solar generator in terms of load-carrying capacity.
The solar panels of a solar generator would also cost significantly more (for their wattage output) than the ceiling/frame-mounted types because of their portability. Traditional setup wins
Upgradability
You always start out thinking you’ll power only a few loads until the convenience and cost-saving benefits of an inverter kick in…and then you want more. With a solar generator, you’ll have to buy a new, larger setup. With a traditional inverter, you could throw in another battery and keep rocking. Traditional setup wins
Durability
A traditional inverter setup (especially a transformer-based inverter) is more durable than a solar generator in the same price category. You might notice that solar generators have maximum rated outputs, which you’ll find really low once your power needs start increasing. A transformer-based inverter can take a beating and keep performing. Solar generators are designed for light usage or basic home appliances. Traditional setup wins
Bonus Tip
If mobility is important, then a solar generator would be a better fit; else, a traditional setup would be a smarter choice. When choosing your power setup, I suggest you opt for a kVA rating that’s higher than your current needs so that, should your power needs increase, you only need to increase your battery bank instead of buying a new inverter.