How to Choose The Best Solar Generator for Your Refrigerator

Let me tell you a secret, solar generators are not that expensive, especially if you factor in the rising costs of, well, everything - the ability to harness the sun to give you power for your lights, computers, ovens, and of course, your refrigerator.

Throughout this article, we'll go into details such as:

• How much power do you need specifically?
• What even is this "power"?
• What's a "Solar generator" exactly?
• How long does it take to "charge" a solar generator?
• Are there types of solar generators, how much do they produce, and many, many more. . .

By the end of this article, you will discover for yourself, the best solar generator for refrigerators.

Don't forget to ask questions, if you ever get confused or need clarification. We're here. We will respond.

How Solar Generators Work

A solar generator collects energy from the sun by using solar panels. These panels then convert the energy into direct current electricity that goes into a "charge controller" and gets stored in its built-in solar battery. Within your generator is an inverter that converts stored energy or electricity into AC or Alternating Current, which is basically what all our appliances use.

Most solar generators are portable, not permanent installations like solar systems.

Imagine a gigantic version of a power bank and that's basically a solar generator, except it charges via the sun.

Here's a more simple way of going about this. There are 3 essential parts of a solar generator:

1. Battery - The battery is where solar energy is stored. Most of the time, the type of battery that is used is lithium-ion batteries, for their multitude of benefits and affordability, especially if you think long-term.
2. Charge Controller - Essentially, the charge controller is similar to that of a control tower commonly found in airports that receive airplanes (energy) and dictates which ones leave (distribution). Or the "charge controller" is the brain that receives and discharges energy.
3. Inverter - Basically, it converts or transforms Direct Current into Alternating Current. You can think of it as saltwater going through a filtration system that cleans or "converts" that water (solar energy i.e. direct current) into drinkable water (alternating current i.e. power for your appliances, etc).

2 Types of Solar Generators

1. Portable Solar Generators: Smaller portable power stations or generators are ideally used for off-the-grid camping and outdoor activities, like Growatt VITA 550.
2. Backup Solar Generator: They come in various sizes, generally speaking, the larger/heavier the unit, the more power you can produce, especially for power outages, like Growatt INFINITY 1300.

Growatt Products	Capacity	Output	Refrigerator Wattage	Supported Working Hours
Growatt Solar Generator VITA 550	538Wh	AC Output: 100V-120V, 60Hz, 600W Max. 660W (Surge 1200W)	500W	0.9
Growatt Solar Generator INFINITY 1500	1512Wh	AC Output: 120V~, 60Hz, 2000W Max (Surge 4000W)	500W	2.6
Growatt Solar Generator INFINITY 1300	1382Wh	AC Output: 4 x 120V~, 50/60Hz, Pure Sine Wave Max. 1800W, Surge Peak 3600W	500W	2.3

Best Feature of a Solar Generator

A solar generator can not only be recharged by solar panels, but also by AC outlets on a wall socket, by car fuel, battery, and an electric generator. These multiple power-source features are why solar-powered generators are a favorite choice for weekend outdoor trips.

How to choose solar generator for refrigerator? I will discuss this in detail below.

Table of Contents

• Knowing Your Refrigerator Type and Parameters
• Consider the Capacity of Your Solar Generator
• Consider the Output Wattage of the Solar Generator for Refrigerator
• Consider the Recharge Time of the Solar Generator for Refrigerator
• Consider the Outlets of the Solar Generator for Refrigerator
• Consider the Battery Type of the Solar Generator for Refrigerator
• Our Recommended Generator:
• the Growatt Infinity 1500
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Knowing Your Refrigerator Type and Parameters

Refrigerators come in different sizes and shapes. Each refrigerator has different wattage requirements, depending on its capacity.

The average estimate of wattage requirements depends on the model. To verify the wattage requirements of the refrigerator. Often, the information is available in your user's manual or the energy rating sticker on the door of the fridge or you can look up the model number online.

A Mini Fridge & Estimated Annual Kilowatts Used:

• A 1.7 cubic ft. Mini fridge requires 208 kWh
• A 3,3 cubic ft. Mini fridge requires 220 kWh
• A 4.4 cubic ft. Mini fridge requires 228 kWh
• A 5 cubic ft Side by Side fridge requires 709 kWh

Sample Calculation For a 1.7 Mini Fridge:

• Daily kilowatts of 1.7 Mini fridge
• 208/365 days = 0.56986301 kW per day
• multiply by 1,000 = 596.86 Wh per day
• divided by 24 hours = 23.74 Watts per hour

Important Note:

• Always check if the solar generator you are using can efficiently supply power to the mini fridge that's running 24 hours every day.
• Calculate power from a solar generator: because when there is no sun to charge the generator, the battery may run out, especially if you don't properly calculate the solar energy coming into the solar generator

List of Refrigerator/Freezer types and Estimated fridge Wattages: with running wattage and start-up power

When choosing a solar generator for a refrigerator and freezer, you must consider the starting wattage of the appliance, i.e. the fridge has to start up every few minutes. This is what you call, peak watts.

This can be 3 to 4 times higher than the running wattage. If your fridge and freezer run on 700W, do not get a generator with 700W running wattage. This generator may be able to run the fridge but it can't start it up.

The whole idea here is simple. You need to 'turn it on '. There's an initial jolt or rev. Somewhat similar to a motorcycle or chainsaw, you need to pull it or jerk it to start. to jolt it, to turn it on before it actually starts. Understand?

No? Think of a gas tank (solar generator) that's attached to a gas stove (refrigerator). Even if you turned it on, you still need to light it (jolt/surge) before you can start cooking with it (cool or freeze food). Essentially that's the idea.

You need the 2 specifications for your fridge/freezer:

• running watts
• starting watts

In estimating the wattage you will need, it is best that the surge or peak wattage of your solar generator must be greater than the running wattage of the fridge. It must exceed the running wattage requirements of the fridge. The "running watts" or the measurement of "rated watts" show the electricity that a solar generator produces continuously.

Best Solar Generator for Refrigerators Examples with their Running & Starting Wattage:

Refrigerator Type	Running watts	Starting/jolting watts
Mini Fridge	50W	200W
Mini Glass Refrigerator	140W	210W
Standard Mini Fridge	75W	300W
Count-Top Refrigerator	160W	240W
Big size Mini Fridge	1100W	400W
Small Energy Refrigerator	32W	528W
Side-by-Side Refrigerator	792W	1188W
Refrigerator Showcase	210W	315W
Big Energy Fridge	250W	1000W
Small Size Fridge	400W	1200W
Standard Size Fridge	700W	2900W
Large Side-by-Side Refrigerator	1000W	4000W
Biggest Size Fridge	1500W	6000W

 

 

Consider the Capacity of Your Solar Generator

Capacity is the amount of power a solar generator can store. This unit is listed as watt-hour. A watt is a unit of power. A device or appliance displays the number of watts it uses in an hour.

When you're choosing a solar generator for your specific need, choose a generator that has more capacity than your particular need and get a larger solar panel so you can quickly recharge it. Usually, solar panels are not part of the package.

Let's take an example:

• Suppose you need a solar system to give an average of 2.9kWh per day
• If you get only 4 hours of peak sunlight, you need 700W (2900/4) of solar panels to power a refrigerator
• When your daily peak sunlight window is longer, fewer solar panels are needed

Another thing to consider is that:

• Refrigerators have a "duty cycle" i.e. they automatically cycle on and off during the day
• If your refrigerator has a rate of 200watts with a 50% duty cycle, a solar generator needs 2400Wh to run this refrigerator for one whole day
• That is, you multiply by 12 hours, i.e half a day
• Plus, if we assume that there are emergencies and inefficiencies during the day, you add 20%

So, the capacity of your solar generator must be around 2900Wh, to run your refrigerator for 1 whole day.

So, how do we calculate this whole solar generator power needed for a refrigerator? Okay, I'm gonna be honest. This can get really confusing, really fast. So, here's a simple way of calculating this. There are two formulas you must consider, the (re)charging time and usage time.

Formula: Recharge Time (RT) = Battery (Watt Hour/Wh) divided by Wattage Input

Recharging Time Example:

• A. X Generator produces 1,500 Wh divided by a Wattage Input of 400 is equivalent to 3.75 hours to fully recharge (Recharge Time)
• B. 1,500 Wh / 400 WI = 3.75 RT or (3 hours & 45 minutes) to recharge

Formula: Usage Time (UT) = Battery (Watt Hour/Wh) divided by Load

Usage Time Example:

• A. X Generator has 1,500 Wh of battery capacity divided by a refrigerator that uses 150 w is equivalent to 10 hours of usage.
• B. 1,500 (Wh) / 150 (w) = 10 hrs of usage

Imaginary Real-Life Situation (Usage Time Based)

Let's imagine a system-wide electrical grid shutdown because of a natural disaster.

Everything is covered in disaster:

• The water's very dirty, it needs to go through your 50w filtration system to clean it, that needs 2 hours to filter 20 liters of water
• Your 150w smart refrigerator that stores all your food need power, needs 12 hours of power (6 AM to 6 PM)
• There's no electricity, only the sun is there. And the only source of power you have is your solar generator which has a capacity of 2,000 Wh

Calculation: deduct the combined 100 Wh (filtration) and 1,800 Wh (smart refrigerator) from 2,000 Wh and you still have 85 Wh of usage left.

Note: Why is the remaining usage 85W, not 100W? Generally, only 85% of the capacity is usable, because the battery must retain a certain level of capacity to avoid fully draining the battery to die. Furthermore, there is conversion loss between DC to AC.

Here's a bunch of random calculations:

• 1) Generator X has 10,000 capacity divided by 475 w of equipment is equivalent to 17.9 hours of usage
• 2) Generator Y has 100,000 capacity divided by 5,785 w of equipment is equivalent to 14.7 hours of usage
• 3) Generator Y has 1,000,000 capacity divided by 12,585 w of equipment is equivalent to 67.5 hours of usage

Note: only 85% of the battery capacity is usable.

If you want to make it slightly more confusing. You can add kWh to the whole thing to get your daily energy needs.

The formula is: Power Wh (combined appliances) / Hours of Usage = Energy (kWh).

Again, just imagine a gigantic power bank that has a large battery capacity that will then be used to power multiple electronics. The more appliances you use, the more or faster you will drain your generator's battery. Essentially, the same idea. Except this "battery" uses the literal sun to (re)charge itself.

Consider the Output Wattage of the Solar Generator for Refrigerator

How many watts of solar do you need to run a refrigerator?

To power the best solar generator for refrigerators with a combined freezer, you need at least 2000 watt hours per day. So your solar generator must have 2000 to 3000 watt hours so it can power your fridge the whole day.

First, figure out these 2 specifications of your fridge:

• Running or continuous watts of fridge and freezer - this can be from 50W to 1,500W
• Starting watts of both - this can be from 200W to 6,000W

The calculations will guide you on the size of the solar generator you need for your fridge and freezer

Check how many watts your refrigerator uses. There's a sticker on wattage requirements inside or at the back of your fridge. Look for the volts (v) and amps (a). Multiply the number of volts and amps.

For example, if your fridge lists 120 volts and 3.5 amps. The total is 42o watts.

• This means that a solar generator with 420 watts is needed to run your refrigerator.
• It is best to have a solar generator with more or equal wattage to your refrigerator's required wattage.
• Added to the required wattage of your fridge, there is a time element:
• A solar generator provides power for a certain length of time: hours, if not days.

Running or continuous watt-hours of a solar generator

The measurement tells you how much continuous power the generator provides for 60 minutes with a full battery charge. This indicates the maximum power that a solar generator consistently provides, at any given time. This is expressed in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW).

This determines the size of the appliance that can be powered. A laptop may need 60 watts. An air conditioner would need more than 1200 watts. So a small 300W solar generator is all you need to power your laptop. While you’ll need a 1200W solar generator to run your air conditioner. And if you need to simultaneously run both, you’ll need a 1260-watt solar generator

It also helps you estimate how much power the generator can deliver before needing to be recharged

Peak power of a solar generator

The starting watts or peak power of a generator shows how much power is briefly given by a generator before settling down to its running output. This temporary power surge is required to start the electric motor in your refrigerator. So you must know the starting wattage of your appliance to ensure that the peak power of the solar generator can accommodate this.

What size generator do I need to run a refrigerator and freezer?

It is said that the size of a generator is not as important as the wattage capacity and the number of hours a generator can run a refrigerator and freezer. These 2 are key to running a refrigerator and freezer.

Will a 2000w generator run a refrigerator? Yes

Generally speaking, your solar generator must have 2,000 to 3,000 watts, to power a full-sized refrigerator for the whole day. A mini fridge needs a less powerful generator.

Consider the Recharge Time of the Solar Generator for Refrigerator

Most units have 3 charging options. Each with a different charging speed:

• A solar generator is powered mostly by lithium-ion batteries
• Recharged by solar panels
• By wall AC outlets or by car outlets

There's a simple display, that shows the remaining battery life. Best that you don't let the battery get below 20%.

Recharging of internal battery:

• May be slow - depending on the type of battery and on the size of the solar panels. Solar generators have a limited battery capacity. These generators cannot store or produce so much energy. They run a few appliances for a relatively short duration. Generally, not for heavy users
• If you are using wall AC charge, when the charging level reaches 80% and is closer to 100%, charging slows down because of the battery characteristics. The remaining percentage has a slower charging rate. Voltage is kept constant to maintain a maximum charge for the battery as the current is slowly reduced, to avoid overcharging and prevent damage to the battery. It’s like giving the battery a little rest after having a good meal.

Recharge time with solar panels

A charge controller is needed to maintain the charge of the batteries of the Solar panels and monitor how much energy is stored to prevent overcharging. A high-capacity battery enables more storage of solar energy.

• Recharge time shows how long it takes to restore a fully used solar generator battery to a full charge. Total charging time depends on the condition of the battery. If it is totally drained, charging can be done in 5 to 8 hours. Weather conditions also affect charging speed, especially for solar panels. For instance, when the sun directly shines on a panel in summer, the charging speed is faster.

Naturally, the charging speed is slower on cloudy days. Direct sunlight is key to the best results.

Solar Input

• The solar panels input this maximum amount of power into the solar generator. This power also determines the rate at which you recharge the battery of your generator. So, if your generator runs on 3000Wh and has a 500W solar panel, it will take 6 hours of sunlight to recharge the battery in full. If the solar panel has a bigger input of, say, 1000W, recharging time is only 3 hours.

The manufacturer indicates an estimated charging time, based on the generator's charging speed and the power input from solar panels. This is based on the highest input of solar power, which is impacted by weather conditions

Note: Dual charging, i.e. a combination of charging via AC and charging using solar panels, is now used. For Faster Recharging time.

Note: Remember, sometimes batteries do not discharge 100%

Solar generator model: Recharge Time

Growatt Infinity 1500

• The Wall charge is 2.5 hours.
• A maximum of 800W Solar Input is needed for outdoor charging

Consider the Outlets of the Solar Generator for Refrigerator

When it comes down to choosing the best solar generator or your portable power station for your refrigerator, you have to consider what outlets you need or what sort of devices you're using, or generally speaking, what is the standard setup for electrical wiring in your area. What will you be using your portable power station for? How many devices do you need to be charged?

To cite an example, the vast majority of houses in the United States are powered by 10,715 kWh, kilowatt-hours in a year. So in a month, the average household uses 893 kWh. If you divide the annual consumption of 10,715 kWh by 365 days, the daily usage of a household is 29.36 kWh. And energy consumption in watts is 29,360 watts. To get the daily consumption, divide by 24, which is 1,223 watts.

For example, appliances such as a microwave oven, with a 20-liter capacity run on 800 watts; a 23-liter capacity runs on 1150 watts, and a 28-liter capacity runs on 2900 watts.

What are the plugs needed for these appliances?

Each country, or continent, or a country in that continent will often have its preferred method of plugging in its appliances from:

1. 5 different types of plugs for the European continent
2. Then, you have plug types such as F, E, L, J, K, D, M, I, industrial and universal
3. Plug Type G example: it is being used in multiple countries around the world from Bangladesh, Botswana, Falkland Islands, Kuwait, Ireland, United Kingdom, and so on

The good news? It doesn't really matter what it is, it's all the same source in the end. Energy, power, etc. You don't have to worry about any of these, thanks to adapters. You can easily convert any type of plug to your country's specific type of plug.

What about electronic gadgets? Not much to worry about. The vast majority of devices have USB-C, micro USB, or a Lighting cable which might change due to regulations in certain continents.

• It is, in fact, standard to see multiple AC, DC, and different types of USB outlets on a portable power station or a solar generator for a fridge.

Again, adapters will save you the headache, the migraine of all of this.

Consider the Battery Type of the Solar Generator for Refrigerator

The battery is the storage unit for the solar energy that a solar generator collects from the sun.

This is important because you'll need enough stored power to run the refrigerator when there's no sunlight. You must also know the battery's power rating, i.e. how much power will they deliver at a time. A low power rating with a high battery capacity means less electricity is delivered, but for a longer time. Check the watts for a unit of power and watt-hour for the total watt amount generated in 1 hour.

Your energy usage also determines the amount of battery storage you'll need. The use of energy is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh).

For instance:

• If a device needs 500 watts, say, for 8 hours daily, the energy usage is 4-kilowatt hours Wh a day.
• The capacity of the battery then needs to be 4 to 8 kWh.

Today, there are different types of batteries for solar applications. More people are using lithium-ion batteries and lithium-iron-phosphate batteries.

Battery Types

Lead-acid & Lithium-ion (Li-on) batteries

• Lead-acid batteries: are your traditional batteries used to power solar batteries. They cost lower and are easy to install. You just plug and play.

• Lithium-ion batteries: you need to put BMS or a battery management system. To manage the temperature, state of charge, voltage protection, and cell health, monitor a large number of cells..... maintain the balance of its cell voltage.

Comparing the life span between the two:

• A lead-acid battery gets replaced 2 or 3 times in a 10-year life span
• A lithium-iron phosphate battery is warranted for a 10-year performance

Note: there are also different types of lead acid batteries, each with a different setting. So be aware of these specifications.

Comparing their recharge time:

• Lithium-ion batteries are recharged 1/5 of the time you recharge lead-acid batteries.

Many solar generators have lithium batteries so they are lightweight and portable. Lead-acid batteries power things like automobiles.

Types of Lithium-ion batteries:

The lithium-ion batteries are known to have a high life cycle, are lightweight, and are smaller.

Today, they are used to power e-vehicles, like e-bus, e-motorbikes, drones, and electric cars.

Lithium-iron Phosphate

Lithium iron phosphate batteries, a type of lithium-ion battery, are more efficient than lead-acid batteries. With a 15% to 30% improved performance.

They handle higher amperage, so the recharging rate is faster. Lead-acid batteries can handle only limited charge current so they overheat when you charge them too quickly. Also here, the charging rate slows down upon nearing full capacity.

• A lithium-ion battery costs more than a lead-acid battery. But it is safer to use and lasts longer.
• Their cost of energy storage over 10 years is 1/3 to 1/5 the cost of lead-acid storage for the same time period.

If money is not an issue, a generator with a lithium-ion battery will last longer.

LiFePO4, a combination of Lithium iron phosphate - compared to - an NCM (ternary lithium battery) which is a combination of nickel, manganese, cobalt

LFP and NMC: the same overall performance

• Both come in various sizes, as little as 3kWh to over 20kWh
• Most owners need only 10 kWh of storage with similar efficiency

What are their Differences:

NMC :

• has a very high continuous discharge current, desirable for electric vehicles
• specific energy is 150 to 220 Wh/kg
• withstands colder temperatures better
• life cycle: 1000 - 2000
• higher energy density - means their physical size is smaller than LFP batteries of the same capacity. Less storage space.
• very high specific energy - NMC batteries are commonly used in electric vehicles or power tools, power smartphones
• suitable for power batteries, or small batteries with a high capacity

LFP :

• higher current rating, longer life cycle
• specific energy is 90 - 120Wh/kg
• life cycle - 2000+
• can store more electricity and release more than NMC batteries over a period of time
• Can reach 100% depth of discharge (DOD): for energy storage products, no need to worry about over-discharging an LFP battery
• The life span of the battery is longer. Can be used for 3 to 7 years. The iron and phosphate used for the cathode are more abundant and less expensive than materials in NMC batteries.

Better Safety Ratings

LFP - the safest lithium battery technology in the market today

• LFP battery materials are less toxic than NMC materials, making them easier to recycle
• The combination of lithium iron phosphate has a more stable chemistry
• LFP batteries have a higher temperature threshold, so fewer instances of thermal runaways (i.e. less likely to catch fire)

LFP disadvantage:

• poor resistance to low temperature. Discharges at -10 degrees C to -20 degrees C

Note: It is very, very, very important to use a licensed installer for your solar battery to minimize these "thermal runaways".

Our Recommended Generator: the Growatt Infinity 1500

Throughout this whole entire, I've been rambling about the best solar generator for a refrigerator. What makes a portable power station great and so on, but I've never actually gotten into what is a fantastic solar generator to purchase. Let me share with you, Growatt Infinity 1500. A definite buy. Here's why.

What started out as a young company in 2010, Growatt has now risen to a global top leader in the business-to-business market, in particular, the battery storage category that has won multiple awards for innovation, technological advancement, and user-oriented features. Generally well-known for providing residential energy solutions. A more prominent example of just how great Growatt performs is their project on November 3, 2020 - in the Netherlands.

In 2022, they won the prestigious 'Red Dot Product" Design Award. for Growatt infinity 1500.

Growatt Infinity 1500 was initially be launched in September 2022 in the US; later in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and other regions. This is the brand’s first portable power station as they venture further into the consumer space with ultra-fast recharge times and a massive 2,000-watt total output. It's built specifically for you to make your life easier, whenever and wherever you need it.

The front screen of the Growatt Infinity 1500 has everything you need without getting too cluttered. In the middle, is your significant percentage indicator of just how much battery you have left. Then, you have your readouts for output, input, and how much more time is needed before the device is fully recharged or fully drained.

Normally, larger portable power stations are cumbersome and heavy to move but Growatt has created two comfortable and large handles that make lifting or carrying the 36.5 pounds feel light.

Specifications

• Uninterrupted Power Supply: for 24/7 reliable backup power
• Smart "MyGro" APP Control: controls, monitors, upgrades firmware
• MyGro, which connects to your WiFi or your Bluetooth, acts as a kind of remote control and a performance statistics monitor
• 1512Wh Battery Capacity & 2000w Output: easily runs a 200W refrigerator for over 8 hours and all other high-powered devices & appliances
• Wall Charge: less than 3 hours, supports a max solar input of 800W for outdoor charging
• 2000 AC output
• 1500 W Max AC Input
• 800 W Max Solar Input

12 Outlets

• A wireless charging pad on top of the portable power station
• A 13/6V 10A carport
• 2 USB-A
• 2 USB-C
• 2 Fast Charge
• 4 AC Outputs (11-120v, 2000W)

Growatt Infinity Portable Power Stations Options (prices may change in the future)

• GW1500 with 200W solar panel = $2,297
• GW1500 with 100W solar panel = $2,099
• A 200W solar panel = $499

Battery Management System

Not only does the Growatt 1500 have multiple outlets but it also has multiple protection systems:

• Over-voltage protection
• Over-power protection
• Over-charge protection
• Over-discharge protection
• Over-temperature protection

It even has a fast Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) system for emergencies such as power outages. Switching takes less than a minute.

Best Feature: Built-in AC Inverter

Built-in AC bi-directional inverter (which massively lessens the time to fully recharge) lets you fully charge the portable power station in 2 hours:

Recharging Times:

• 0%-80% from a 1500 wall charge = 1 hour
• 0%-100% from a full charge = 2 hours
• 0%-100% from a 800W solar charge = 2.5 hours
• 0%-100% from a 136W car charge = 2.5 hours

Considering the vast majority of solar generators can take upwards of 8+ hours to fully recharge. This is a huge time saver especially when you're preparing for a camping trip, video shoot, cross-country adventure, or just powering up before a storm hits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does it take to fully (re)charge?

A: With the Growatt Infinity 1500, 2 hours or less. Other solar generators or portable power stations, generally 8 hours or more.

Q: Is there a (re)charging formula for this?

A: Yes, Battery (Wh) divided by Wattage Input (WI) = Recharge Time (RT)

Example:

• 2400 / 400 = 6 hours (Wh / WI = RT)
• 1,500 / 400 = 3.75 hours / 3h 45m (Wh/ WI = RT)

Q: How long can I use a fully charged solar generator?

A: Depends on what appliances you're using. Use the Battery (Wh) divided by Load = Usage Time (UT) formula

Note: Only 85% of the battery capacity can be used. The battery is not completely drained and retains a level of capacity. There is also conversion loss from DC to AC .

Example:

• If a generator has 2,000 Wh of battery capacity, divided by a refrigerator that used 200w, it is equivalent to 8.5 hours of usage
• 5,000 (Wh) / 255 (w) = 16.6 hours of usage
• 10,000 (Wh) / 555 (w) = 15.3 hours of usage

Formula: Usage Time (UT) = Battery (Watt Hour/Wh) divided by Load

Usage Time Example:

• X Generator has 1,500 Wh of battery capacity divided by a refrigerator that uses 150 w is equivalent to 8.5 hours of usage.
• 1,500 (Wh) / 150 (w) = 8.5 hrs of usage

Q: What are the advantages of solar generators compared to gas generators?

A: Quiet, renewable, cost-efficient, multiple outlets, always available even during a natural disaster. Oh, and your source of energy is the literal sun that's always there.

Q: What's the maintenance situation like?

A: Very little maintenance compared to a traditional gas generator. Usually, you check every few months if there's debris on the panel(s). And check for any battery degradation, done by just checking performance statistics and battery voltage.

Q: Can I store my solar generator indoors?

A: It is recommended that you do. Keep it covered and/or protected from the environment that applies to both cold and warm climates.

Q: What's the biggest downside to a solar generator?

A: The initial purchase. When you purchase a solar generator, you're not looking at short-term benefits but long-term benefits. At first, it'll be expensive but after a while, you will reap the hundreds potentially tens of thousands of savings monthly. And yes, if you have solar panels on your property, the property value rises.

Q: What are your best 3 tips when purchasing the best solar generator for a refrigerator?

A: Here are my top 3:

Specifications: what are the ratings for watt-hour?

Features: what outlets do you need? Me, I usually need USB-C, micro-USB, AC outlet, and the rest, I bring adapters.

Size & Weight: what are you using it for? The larger, the heavier, but more power. So, if you were backpacking, go with the lightest. But if you're going cross-country via an RV, use the biggest, heaviest, largest you can buy.

Q: What's Your Biggest Tip?

A: My biggest tip, is don't let your solar generator or portable power station drain fully. When it reaches 25% or 50% start (re)charging it. It keeps your battery healthier which means it lasts longer.

Conclusion

I know, it's been a bit of a long read. It is not the intention of this article to confuse you but to educate you. The last thing you want is for something to go wrong with the product that you've purchased and potentially destroy everything you've worked so hard to build. When I say, we're here for you. I mean, we... are... here... for you.

I wanted to make sure you had everything you could ever need when it comes to choosing the best solar generator for a refrigerator or just a portable power station in general. Like I said, in the beginning. If you were confused or need further clarification, please contact us.

This topic has been thoroughly researched to give you the best option, for your needs, based on actual customer experiences, surveys, rankings, performance, and value - all to ensure that you have the best possible experience.