Key Things to Know When Buying a Solar-Powered Generator

Being prepared is the best way to ensure you and your family are safe. There are a few essential supplies you should have on hand for emergencies, which will help to make things less stressful while also saving you time and money. 

We know it can be scary to think about emergencies; no one wants to think of their family being in harm’s way. Consider instead how much scarier things would be if you didn’t have enough essential supplies to help you survive and make it through whatever the situation might be. 

People typically think about stocking up on food and water in order to be prepared. This is a great start because we need those two things most to survive. Some people take it a step further and have survival kits, bug out bags, and other similar preparedness kits. These contain all the tools and supplies you will need to survive.

Something you may not think about when preparing for emergencies is having a generator, more specifically, a solar-powered generator.The reason many people overlook this potentially life-saving item is that when they think about surviving, they tend to only think about food and water. 

There are many other factors to consider, such as inclement weather, power outages, and charging devices for communication. If you have a cellphone without power, you won’t be able to call for help. If it’s the middle of winter and you lose heat, you’ll need something to power a portable heater so you don’t freeze. If a family member needs some sort of machinery for their health, you will want to make sure you have a power source for that. 

As you can see, there are many situations where food and water are not the only things you will need to survive. In fact, when given the above situations, a generator might be even more important than food. We can survive for much longer without food than we can without water, so always have a supply of clean water. 

These are the key things to know before buying a solar-powered generator:

• They are quieter than traditional generators
• They do not require gas or fuel to run 
• They are strong enough to power kitchen appliances, handheld devices, medical machinery, and portable heaters and coolers 
• They save you money over time 

With these things in mind, you can see why a solar-powered generator is a safe and efficient choice for a source of backup power. 

What Is a Generator and How Does it Work?

A generator is a backup power source that allows things to charge and to run even when electricity is not available. You can have a generator built into your house, and it will kick on as soon as the power shuts off for any reason. More commonly, people have portable generators that they can move with them when there is an emergency. 

Generators do not actually create electricity. They convert energy that is mechanical to electrical energy. One way to look at it is that it’s an electric motor that works backwards. 

To be more scientific, a generator takes electrons from an external source and puts them through an electrical circuit. As soon as an electrical current is created, it is moved through wires to power the external source. 

When using a solar-powered generator, the sun is used to make the machine work rather than fuel, such as gas or propane. The generator is hooked up to two solar panels, which collect a charge from the sun. The energy from the panels is then pushed into the generator, which then turns the energy into electricity. 

Why Is Solar-Powered Better Than Gas-Powered?

Solar-powered generators might cost you a bit more money upfront, but they will save you money over time. It will likely cost you a few hundred dollars more than a traditional generator. We get it; every dollar counts when you are preparing for an emergency or if you are on a budget. 

But consider the fact that if you buy a traditional generator, you will also have to purchase gas to make it run. That is an extra cost that adds up over time and one more thing to worry about having on hand during an emergency. What if you forget to purchase gas before a big storm? Then you’re left with no power, and you still spent money on the generator. 

Another factor to consider when it comes to why solar-powered is better than gas-powered is that solar-powered generators are silent, whereas gas-powered generators create a lot of noise. This may not necessarily be the deciding factor in choosing a type of generator, but it is something to consider nonetheless. A gas-powered generator could easily keep you up at night, given how loud it is. It’s hard enough to sleep during an emergency as it is- the last thing you want is another distraction! 

Also, consider the fact that a solar-powered generator does not emit harmful and smelly fumes. When you use a gas-powered generator, it emits fumes from the gas. These fumes are not safe to breathe in, and they smell horrible. 

Conclusion

There are many things you can do to prepare for an emergency. Stocking up on food and water is a good place to start. You might also consider having a survival kit or bug out bag on hand as well so that you are ready for an emergency at a moment’s notice. 

One thing that can oftentimes be overlooked is a generator. A generator works by turning mechanical energy into electricity. It acts as a backup for when you lose power. It can power anything from kitchen appliances to cell phones and medical machinery. 

A solar-powered generator is a better choice over a traditional generator because it saves you money over time, it does not need a fuel source, it is much quieter than other types of generators, and it does not emit harmful fumes.  

Sources:

https://www.ready.gov/kit 

https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/safety-topics/emergency-preparedness

https://www.ready.gov/winter-weather 

https://science.howstuffworks.com/electricity3.htm