Solar generators are one of the most popular choices for renewable and reliable home battery backup systems. They are the fail-safe you can trust that will step in when the public power grid fails you. However, making the right choice of solar generator is vital if you want to benefit fully from it. One of the most important factors to consider is the wattage, which, in other words, is the amount of power your solar generator for home use can supply.
Here, we will discuss whether a 3000-watt generator as well as a solar generator for home in other wattage options are enough for your home. We will also discuss some products from Jackery to make things easier for you.
Understanding Wattage
First, let us understand what wattage is and why it is important.
- What is Wattage?
Wattage is the basic unit of measurement for power. It represents the amount of power consumed by an electrical device per unit of time. If you have a 1000-watt electrical appliance, it means the appliance consumes 1000 joules of electrical energy in one second. Additionally, if the 1000-watt appliance is used for 4 hours a day, it means the electrical energy it consumes daily is 4 kilowatt-hours (kWh), which indicates how much power it utilizes.
Some smaller devices may not be labeled with the direct wattage information. Instead, you may see amps and volts on them. By multiplying these two values, you can get the wattage information as well.
- Solar Generator Wattage Explained
Unlike devices that consume power, a solar generator for home use produces power. Solar generator wattage, therefore, is the amount of power they can supply. Solar generators come in various models capable of supplying power in different wattages.
You can get a 1,500 to 7,000-watt and above solar generator for home use. These power generators can run a wide range of home essentials, including laptops, mobile phones, lights, fans, televisions, refrigerators, coffee makers, and more.
However, simultaneously powering these devices will demand more wattage. So, keep in mind that the more devices you add, the higher the wattage solar generator for home use you will have to invest in.
- Typical Household Appliance Wattage Consumption
A typical household uses around 800 to 1,000 kWh each month, or around 26 to 33 kWh per day. Naturally, this is a lot more than a regular-sized solar generator is equipped to provide. However, this figure can include all your electronics, even those running in the background, such as your refrigerators, air conditioning, lighting, and fans. It might even include the non-essentials you are operating, such as your electric cookers, coffee makers, laptops, and smartphones that are draining energy the entire day.
When selecting devices to connect to the solar generator, always choose only the essentials or invest in a larger generator.
What Can You Power with Solar Generators in Different Wattages?
The number of devices (and sometimes even the type of devices) a solar generator can power will depend largely on its wattage output. Here is an overview of what to expect.
- What Can a 3000-Watt Solar Generator for Home Power?
A 3000-watt solar generator for home is a reliable power supply for your home. It can also be a home battery backup system to help during power disruptions and outages. These generators are certainly a step above the standard 2000-watt solar generators on the market. You can use them to run a wider range of appliances, even those that demand more power in the form of surge wattage.
Below is a detailed overview of everyday home appliances you can operate using a 3000-watt solar generator.
- Refrigerator: 350-780 watts
- Mini Air Conditioner: 700-1500 watts
- Microwave: 600-1000 watts
- Dryer: 1800-3000 watts
- LED light bulb: 10 watts
- Fan: 75 watts
- Smartphone: 2-4 watts
- Dishwasher: 1200-2400 watts
- Coffee Maker: 300-600 watts
- Laptop: 20-100 watts
- Television: 50-200 watts
However, note that this does not mean you can operate all devices simultaneously. Rather, you must assess the sum wattage of all devices and ensure it is below 3000 watts. Only then can your solar generator for home use support them.
- Example 1: Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro
For example, take the Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro, a smart portable solar generator with a vast 3024 Wh battery capacity and around 3000 watts of power output. It is ideal for your home and can also be used for camping expeditions, home trips, events, and more. You can use it to power your lights, cameras, communication devices, fans, and other essentials.
- Example 2: Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh)
Another great example is the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh). This model features an expandable battery capacity. By adding battery packs, you can expand its battery anywhere from 4 kWh to 24 kWh. This device is, therefore, more suited for those who have larger homes or want to use it as a complete power supply. Furthermore, it can handle a surge wattage of 6000 W, which means you can simultaneously power multiple heavy-duty devices!
- Comparison with Other Wattage Options
How does this compare to other wattage solar generators? Is 3000 sufficient, or should you aim higher? Or perhaps opt for a lower wattage? Let’s take a look at some options to compare.
- 1500-Watt Solar Generator for Home
A 1500-watt solar generator for home use is a smaller portable generator capable of running small and medium-sized devices, including your microwaves (1160 watts), coffee makers (550 watts), LED lights (10 watts), portable refrigerators (60 watts), cameras (8 watts), and more.
A good example is the Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2, which has a 1070 Wh battery capacity and can deliver a 1500-watt power output. Its portable nature is its most notable feature. Not only does it have enough power to operate your many essentials, but it is small enough to be taken on outdoor trips.
- 2000-Watt Solar Generator for Home
A 2000-watt solar generator for home use is a step above the 1500-watt variant. Much like the 1500-watt solar generator, it can operate a wide range of small and medium-sized appliances, including smartphones, tablets, LED lights, fans, etc. But it can also power some heavy-duty appliances such as refrigerators and microwaves, which a 1500-watt generator can only operate for brief periods or not at all.
Here, you may have an eye on the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 v2, which carries a 2042 Wh battery capacity and a 2200-watt power output. According to estimates, it is capable of powering your emergency needs for a whole day. Better, it is designed to be smaller and lighter than the traditional 2000-watt generator. This makes it a good power solution for homes with limited space, like an apartment room.
- 7000-Watt Solar Generator for Home
A 7000 W solar generator for home use is a powerful unit capable of powering small, medium, and even heavy-duty appliances. Solar generators with such a high wattage output exhibit more possibilities with the ability to power refrigerators, air conditioners, portable coolers, ovens, cooking plates, electric broilers, toasters, deep freezers, dryers, heating systems, welders, etc.
A good example is the Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus, which has an expandable battery capacity from 5 kWh to a whopping 60 kWh and a superior power output range from 7200 W to 14400 W. If you are considering full solar power supply, this model can be the best solar generator for home backup!
Factors That Affect Solar Generator Wattage for Home
Not sure which wattage output to choose for your solar generator for home use? Here are the many factors you need to keep in mind to make a wise choice.
- Home Size
The first factor you must consider is the home size. The larger the space and room, the more or more powerful electric essentials you will be running. For instance, a larger house will need a higher-wattage bulb and air conditioning to ensure sufficient lighting and heating.
- Household Size
In addition to home size, the number of occupants affects the quantity and use frequency of appliances. More people also potentially mean higher energy consumption for cooking, laundry, and other household activities. That is why a higher-wattage solar generator is recommended for a big family.
- SeasonalClimate Change
The changing seasons can heavily impact solar generator use. Both in colder and hotter months, energy consumption can increase due to the rising need for air conditioning to achieve a cozy indoor temperature. A reliable solar generator for home use needs to account for these seasonal variations.
- Appliance Number and Types
Next, consider the number of appliances you need to power and the type of appliance. Some high-power appliances demand higher surge wattage. In case you aren’t familiar with the term, surge wattage is the additional wattage needed to kickstart a device and is usually two to three times as high as the running wattage. Some examples are refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners.
To determine the exact wattage you should aim for, make a list of all the devices you are expected to run, alongside their surge wattage and running wattage. Find the sum of surge wattage and the sum of running wattage, and you will have a brief idea of the power output your solar generator will need. Then, choose a solar generator that can support at least 5%-10% higher than the benchmark to ensure it can provide the needed power to start and run your devices.
- Appliance Use Frequency
Another factor that is often overlooked is the frequency of appliance use. You may be expected to use refrigerators, air conditioners, lighting, and fans most of the time. But devices such as your coffee makers, drones, weeders, blenders, vacuums, etc., will not be put to use all the time; instead, they will only be used in smaller intervals. Knowing how often and how long you may use specific devices can help you choose a power station with an appropriate capacity.
FAQs About Solar Generators for Homes
Apart from the above, you may have doubts that are left unsolved. Here, let’s cover some FAQs to help you better understand solar generators for homes!
- How Many Watts Does It Take to Run a House?
According to the EIA, in 2022, the average U.S. residential electric-utility customer purchased 10,791 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity annually, which breaks down to approximately 899 kWh per month,[1] or around 30 kWh a day. If we divide the average daily consumption value by 24 hours, we can calculate the power needed in watts, which is 1250 watts.
However, it should be noted that the amount of electricity purchased may not fully reflect the total electricity usage. Sometimes, the real energy consumption can be higher as some residential customers utilize renewable electricity to fulfill their energy needs instead of buying electricity.
- Is a 7000-Watt Solar Generator for Home Enough to Run a House?
A 7000 W solar generator could potentially be sufficient to meet the basic energy demands of a small to medium-sized home, especially if energy consumption is managed carefully. What you need to take care of in advance is your specific energy usage patterns, especially when it is the peak usage time.
- What Size Battery Do I Need for My Solar Generator for Home?
If you are considering off-grid living, the bigger the battery size, the better. However, the battery energy storage system comes at a cost and hence needs clever considerations. The rule is to consider the daily output of your solar panels in kWh and how well it matches your consumption patterns. A bigger battery is good for storing energy for frequent electricity use at night and serving as a sufficient power source during overcast days.
- What’s the Difference When Choosing Solar Generators for Camping, RV, and Home?
When choosing a solar generator for your home, you should aim for a higher wattage output and capacity. This is because you will be powering most of your home’s devices.
When you are out camping or in your RV, you can use smaller-tier solar generators such as 2,500- and 3,000-watt solar generators. These are sufficient to power your small and medium-sized appliances. After all, you are far more likely to carry only portable appliances than heavy-duty equipment. Ultimately, you want to choose your solar generator according to the devices you need to operate.
Final Thoughts
Having the correct wattage solar generator for home use is crucial because it will determine the appliance numbers and types you can power. To make the right choice, you must assess your power needs and consider the provider you plan to purchase from. Even if you do the math and determine the correct wattage needed, it will all amount to nothing if you do not get a high-quality solar generator.
Visiting Jackery to explore its range of solar generators may help ease your selection. This brand offers a variety of solar generators available in different wattages. Furthermore, they come with outstanding highlights, including fast charging, safety mechanisms, versatile charging and discharging options, and more. There, you may find the best fit for your home.
