Solar Powered Outdoor Outlet vs. Solar Generator with Outlets
Solar energy is an affordable, green, and clean form of energy. Most importantly, systems that capture and deliver solar energy do not produce toxins and carbon emissions. Hence, they never contribute to climate change. Solar energy has done many wonders for indoor energy requirements during power outages.
Nowadays, it has stepped into the outdoor environment to offer a consistent, reliable, and uninterrupted power supply. With this, a significant boom has been seen in the demand for solar energy across the world. Before you choose a solar outlet for outdoor purposes, don't forget to assess your energy needs for specific use cases, such as emergency backup, camping, or outdoor events.
Each use case may have different energy requirements; therefore, different outdoor solar powered plug outlets will work in different conditions. This article focuses on what a solar powered outlet is and how it is different from a solar generator with outdoor outlets.
What is a solar powered outdoor outlet?
As the name depicts, a solar powered outdoor outlet is like a simple household electrical outlet that uses AC electricity to power up various appliances. It is lightweight and small and is powered by PV panels.
Each outlet comes with a built-in inverter that converts DC energy (captured from the sunlight) into AC energy to run electrical appliances. Since an outdoor solar outlet plug is small, it can only charge or run small devices due to its limited capacity.
You can only power up small devices with a solar outdoor power outlet during the day when the sun is shining. Remember, you can't run a fridge or any other high-power appliance with this outlet, even during the day.
As far as its working principle is concerned, an outdoor solar outlet captures sunlight, converts it into electrical energy, and delivers it when you plug in an appliance.
What is a solar generator with outlets?
A solar-powered generator is a combination of a solar inverter, batteries connected in series or parallel, and protection circuitry. The major difference between a solar generator and an outdoor solar outlet is the battery. A solar generator stores energy (produced by solar panels) in batteries, converts it into AC power, and makes it available for later use.
The built-in inverter helps a solar generator convert the DC energy stored in batteries into AC energy. The AC power makes sure that all connected appliances run efficiently and smoothly. Solar generators can run bigger and higher-power appliances, as they can provide much more power. This is what makes solar generators more popular and demanding than outdoor outlets. Depending on your energy requirements, you can install batteries of different sizes.
Do you need a portable solar generator for fishing or camping to play music and charge your small devices for long hours? Try Renogy Elite Portable Solar Generator. It supports up to 300W output power. It features a DC output, AC outlet, USB A, and USB C ports. The elegant structure and lightweight design make it easy to carry. In addition, it uses a lithium-ion battery to provide a longer lifespan.
If you are looking for a reliable solution to power up appliances installed in your home or a recreational vehicle, choosing LYCAN 5000 Power Box will be worth it. It provides up to 3500W and 4.8kWh capacity, enough to run home appliances and RV gadgets for hours. In addition, it features an expandable capacity of up to 19.2kWh.
Solar powered outdoor outlet vs. Solar generator with outlets
Let's draw a comprehensive comparison between an outdoor solar powered plug outlet and a solar generator with outlets using different parameters, as listed and discussed below.
1. Power output
An outdoor solar outlet comes with a few solar panels. Plus, they don't have batteries to store energy. Therefore, it can power up small devices only that can operate between 100 and 300W. In comparison, a solar generator can provide more power to operate energy-hungry devices, such as air conditioners, irons, refrigerators, and more.
If you just need to charge your mobile devices or play music while fishing or camping, a solar outdoor outlet will do the job. On the other hand, a solar generator will be an ideal choice to run your RV gadgets or home appliances.
2. Portability
An outdoor solar-powered outlet is lightweight and easy to carry, making it more portable than many other energy-providing sources. Moreover, it comes with a compact structure. As far as a solar generator with outdoor outlets is concerned, it is lighter than a gas-powered generator. In comparison to an outdoor solar outlet, a solar generator is heavy, as it carries batteries along with the built-in inverter and PV panels.
A solar generator is perfect for emergencies, camping, outdoor events, powering up the whole house, and other similar applications. Some solar generators, like Renogy Elite Portable Solar Generator, feature a suitcase-like structure that enables easy transportation and enhances their portability.
3. Installation
An outdoor solar outlet plug needs minimal setup and wiring, making it very easy to install and use. Once it is installed, it powers up the connected devices automatically on a daily basis when the sun is shining. Compared to the outdoor solar outlet, you may need some technical knowledge to set up a solar generator.
Before connecting your devices to the solar generator, you have to make sure that their power consumption does not exceed the maximum output power of the generator. Therefore, don't forget to read through the user manual before you set up a solar generator and power up the preferred appliances.
4. Battery capacity
A solar outdoor outlet works only during the daytime, as it does not have a battery to store energy. Therefore, there is no battery capacity in this case.
On the other hand, a solar-powered generator comes with built-in batteries to store solar energy for later use. Its capacity may vary depending on different factors, such as the number of batteries installed and each battery's capacity.
More batteries means higher capacity. Similarly, if each battery has a higher capacity, the system's total capacity will be higher, too.
5. Charging time
Since a solar powered outdoor outlet does not have a battery, we can't talk about the charging time. In the case of a solar generator with outdoor outlets, there can be multiple batteries, depending on the appliances you want to run.
The charging time of a solar generator depends on several factors, including the PV panel's efficiency, the amount of sunlight that falls on solar panels, and the number of panels you use. More efficient panels can charge batteries faster. Similarly, more PV cells can also quickly charge your batteries.
6. Cost
In comparison to solar generators with outdoor outlets, solar-powered outdoor outlets are more budget-friendly. In contrast, the cost of batteries adds up to the total cost of solar generators.
7. Durability
A solar outdoor outlet is more sensitive to safety hazards or other electrical issues if not installed correctly. In comparison, solar generators with outdoor outlets are more safe and durable, and can last for up to 20 years.
8. Weather resistance
The working of a solar powered outlet largely depends on weather, as it runs devices only when sunlight falls on the PV panels. It does not perform well in areas with limited sunlight or bad weather conditions. On the other hand, a solar-powered generator can store energy in batteries to provide you with a consistent power supply during outages or at night.
Which should you choose?
Both an outdoor solar energy outlet and a solar generator with outdoor outlets are good for different purposes. Which one is better for you depends on your preferences and energy consumption requirements.
If you want to get a consistent power supply during bad weather conditions or at night, a solar generator should be your ideal choice. Similarly, if you are planning to power up most of your home appliances during power outages, a solar generator will do the job, as it comes with a larger capacity and can provide high power outputs to run energy-hungry devices.
In comparison, if you are looking for an affordable backup power solution to charge your music player, mobile devices, or other similar gadgets that consume less amount of power, an outdoor solar outlet will be a perfect and cost-effective choice for fishing, camping, or other similar outdoor activities.
Remember, a solar powered outdoor outlet will not work during bad weather conditions, at night, or when the sunlight is limited. Whereas, a solar generator does not usually depend on weather conditions, as it carries batteries as a backup power solution.
Conclusion
Both an outdoor solar powered socketplug and a solar generator with outdoor outlets provide you with a power supply when you are outside of your home, office, or any other similar place.
An outdoor solar outlet consists of panels, an inverter, and some sockets to plug in your small or low-power-consuming devices, such as mobile phones, mini fans, and more. The outlet is cheaper and only works when panels are exposed to sunlight.
A solar generator with outdoor outlets stores sunlight in batteries and provides high power to run larger or energy-hungry devices. It can supply stored energy or power at night or during outages and bad atmospheric conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Do solar outlets exist?
Yes, today's market offers more affordable solar-powered outlets for outdoor activities. You can use them outdoors to power up small appliances or devices during the daytime when the solar panels are exposed to sunlight. Remember, solar outlets can't run high-power devices.
Can you connect a solar panel to an outlet?
It is not safe to connect a solar panel directly to the outlet. Instead, you should connect the panel with a solar inverter or a charge controller. Once done, you will be able to charge small devices by connecting them to the charge controller or inverter.
Are there solar powered chargers?
Yes, solar-powered chargers do exist, and they work really well. Some common examples include small portable models designed explicitly to charge portable audio equipment, such as iPods and mobile phones.
