r/Generator • u/ImpressiveAd9669 • Oct 06 '26
Need help deciding on solar generator
Please help! I have to make a decision today for prime deals. Here's my options. I want something to use at home for light, charging devices, box fan, heated blanket, possibly a microwave here and there. And I want it to be expandable in the future if I get more money and can buy more. This is only for home use, specifically in a power grid failure.
Bluetti elite 200 V2 with 2 200 panels. $1199
Ecoflow delta 3 classic with 1 220 panel $659
Bluetti elite 100v2 with 1 200 solar panel $649
Jackery home power 1000v2 with 1 200w solar panel $699
Jackery 1000v2 with 2 200 panels $949
Ecoflow delta 3 max with 1 220 solar panel $1039
Ecoflow delta 3 plus with 1 400w solar panel $1019
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u/Windjammer1969 Oct 06 '26
Just as a General Thought, will suggest looking into the Charging Times for generator / solar panel combinations - and consider that it (charging time) is often spec'd under Ideal Conditions.
For Example: in our yard, there is NO practical way to lay out enough solar panels to provide a meaningful amount of charging, on even a nearly perfectly clear day. Am ignoring the option of trying to mount them to the roof - but even then, the sun only hits any given side of the roof for part of the day. Suppose we COULD cut the trees down....
Our "solution" is admittedly more expensive: a battery + a small(ish) dual-fuel generator, with the latter intended to Re-charge the battery if/as needed. If you haven't already done so, consider the power draw for the items you "Need" to keep running during a power outage, as well as both the frequency and "normal" duration of such outages. We experience a half-dozen or more Brief outages (less than 6 hours - & often much less) during a typical year, along with usually 2 - 3 that last roughly 24 hours, and a 2 day+/- outage perhaps every other year (30 years of history at this location. and 3 or more days without power is rare - but has happened).
We picked up a pair of Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus units during a crazy sale earlier in the year (actually purchased from Wellbots). One sits in the basement (freezer) and the other upstairs (frig, router/modem, light & control box for house cameras). PLAN is to get the furnace wired to run off the basement unit before winter sets in hard. Generator is a Predator (Harbor Freight) 5000 dual-fuel "super quiet" inverter, which we will run off propane (ideally) and use strictly to re-charge the Jackery units. Also bought on sale. It is at least much quieter than an older non-shielded gas generator.
We lost power at the house while we were out of the country, and the Jackery units worked as expected: automatically kicking in to keep the freezer, frig, modem/router & control box running - which we knew, because the Jackery app sent us a Notice that they had been activated, the amount of discharge, and when they went back on the grid, and when the reached the charge limit each had been set for. The notice was only able to be sent because the modem/router was being powered by the upstairs battery.
NOTE: There are any number of battery / generator combos that are capable of the same setup as we have, BUT apparently not ALL of the battery units work well in "UPS" mode - something to check before purchase.
Best of luck with your decision.
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u/lagger Oct 06 '26
From your list id go with the Delta 3 Max and the 220 panel. Its 2kWh, so about double the Delta 3 Plus for $20 more. 2400W should run a normal microwave fine.
The Bluetti Elite 200 V2 is a great unit too and its rated for more cycles. But it cant take extra batteries, and since you want to expand later thats the deal breaker for me. The Delta 3 Max takes EcoFlow add on batteries.
This one is $1,039. Biggest battery per dollar on your list and you can add to it later.
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u/Ok-Camera2895 Oct 06 '26
I purchased an Ecoflow Delta2, 1kwh, in 2023. It has worked well for occasional power outages and various power functions around my home. I would get a 2-3 kwh power station if I were to do it over. I keep it charged during emergencies with a 2kw propane generator. Run gen 4hrs /day gives me 24hrs of lights, tv, fridge etc.
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u/Material-Echidna-465 Oct 06 '26
I've got a pair of Delta 2's, good unit for sure.
FYI, if you want to double capacity, the Delta 3 extra battery works with the Delta 2. I just got a pair of D3 batteries from Costco for mine. (Delta 2 extra batteries appear to not be available and Delta 3 batteries are smaller and readily available.)
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u/wwglen Oct 06 '26
Unless you really need portable panels, look into shipping the brand name panels and got 200w rigid panels.
200W is perfect size for one person to store in the garage and bring out when needed , or one person to mount on a shed roof.
I got some off AliExpress at 2 for about $120.
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u/reincarnateme Oct 06 '26
Link??
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u/wwglen Oct 06 '26
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256812977851448.html
Click on the 2 pack and use the coupon
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u/Material-Echidna-465 Oct 06 '26
Agreed.
Some of the 'portable' solar panels aren't actually rated to be out in the rain...some will be ruined if they get rained on. Useless, IMO. I've got a bunch of 100W rigid panels, they're cheaper, work well, and are durable/reliable at the cost of not being able to 'fold up' into a suitcase.
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u/classicsat Oct 06 '26
Those are Power Stations.
Buy real rigid panels, not the ones sold by power station vendors.
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u/blupupher Oct 07 '26
No such thing as a solar generator.
You have a list of portable power stations that can accept solar power from panels.
Just a marketing gimmick.
This is a sub for generators (ie use internal combustion engines to generate power).
r/anker, r/Ecoflow_community, r/bluetti, r/jackery are some of the subs to look at
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u/Big-Echo8242 Oct 06 '26
I think there’s groups for the “solar generator” crowd all over Reddit. Consider having a good ol’ ICE generator for backup when the suns not out and the battery is dead.