Solar generator?

[Joyous_5]

Hi all,

I've come across some ads recently in Mother Earth News for solar generators. After we get a supplemental heat source (likely a pellet stove) someday, I'd next like to save for a generator of some type. The solar ones intrigue me. Does anyone have one/know someone with one and if so, what's your experience been like?

[bae]

What do you mean by "solar generator"?

[Joyous_5]

Something like this: http://www.infotales.com/tips-efficient-working-solar-generators

[bae]

Gotcha.

In my experience, you are being sold as a "solar generator" basically a solar panel, a charge controller, an inverter, and a battery. Packaged up together, marketed heavily, and overpriced. You can pick up the components yourself for far less money, and it isn't rocket science to connect them all. You'll get higher quality, more serviceable parts with a longer lifespan this way. If you don't feel comfortable doing this yourself, there are likely solar power consultants in your area that can come in and advise you - this too is generally cheaper, and results in better results than the naïve-consumer-targeted "generators" you see hawked in magazines.

[ToomuchStuff]

What do you mean by "solar generator"?


I had a chuckle out of this, as I thought of both the sun, and the small "home" nuclear reactor, Toshiba announced sometime around 05-07.

[Gregg]

Joyous_5, what is your goal for the system you have in mind? Do you lose power fairly often? If so, for how long? What kind of climate do you live it?

[Tanglefoot]

I agree with Bae--it's much less expensive to assemble the components of a system yourself. You can also tailor the sizes/capacities of the panels and battery storage exactly to your use and investigate using salvaged batteries to save cost.

The pre-packaged kits and "generators" are usually very over-priced for what you get.