Solar generators are an environmentally efficient way to produce extra energy when needed. Whether you need the power to keep lights on if the grid goes down or you need a way to charge your mobile devices, solar generators are a great investment.
Using solar generators has a wealth of benefits. It captures the energy from the sun via specially placed panels and converts it into direct current electricity that can power all manner of devices.
If you've decided to invest in a generator, it can be overwhelming with so many options available, what do you choose? portable solar generators? gas generator? titan solar generator? so we’ve put together some of the best 3000-watt generators you can buy to make the process a little easier.
We've also added a buyer's guide so you can identify whether you need to invest in a large solar generator, what to look for in battery capacity, how much power you need as well as some other useful information.
OUR TOP PICK
This pure sine wave inverter has a built-in 60A charge controller and is a hybrid all in one option. It uses a lithium battery as well as a 24V lead acid. It supports solar charge, generator and utility.
It can be used widely in DC to AC areas, For example, vehicle systems, RV power supply, solar AC power system, emergency lighting system, security monitoring system, household power system, field power system etc.
Pros:
- All in one
- Wide usage
- Battery and lead powered
Cons:
- Fans can be loud
EDITORS CHOICE
This 3000W power Pure Sine Wave Power, is able to convert 110V/120V DC to AC. Another advantage is that you can protect the life of your appliances as you won't produce any electromagnetic pollution.
The power inverter offers an LED display along with an 80A built-in controller. It's easy to use and simple to connect. In addition, it monitors power input and output efficiently and is able to respond to a variety of unexpected situations.
The UPS has a function that switches between battery and mains power automatically. And you are able to freely choose the battery priority power or AC priority. You won't need to worry about the weather on the power impact.
The inverter provides protection from overvoltage, under voltage, overload, overheat, short-circuit and over-current etc.
This inverter is the perfect solar charger companion for your solar panels. It is the ideal home backup power solution for emergency power electronics, appliances and office equipment during power outages.
Pros:
- Good for emergency backup
- Provides off-grid power
- Battery pack or mains
Cons:
- No instructions for set up
BEST VALUE
This 3000-watt budget solar inverter offers 24V DC to 220V-230Vac. The pure sine wave charger/inverter is a multi-function and has a built-in charge controller ( 50A PWM).
It combines the functions of inverter, solar and battery charger, and it supports solar, utility and generator energy so no need to use energy sources.
Like most solar generators power consumption is economical and sits at 220V Max input and 1200W. The charging current is 50amp; : 80Vdc; Output Power 3000W, 50Hz/60Hz; Output Frequency: 50Hz; Fit for 24V Deep-Cycle Max.PV Open Circuit Voltage Input put Frequency.
The inverter uses a lead acid battery that's rechargeable. The surge capacity is 6000W lasting 5 seconds.
The inverter can power personal computers as well as home appliances using the LCD setting.
The display is user-friendly and it is configurable using a simple button that operates the AC/solar charger priority, battery charging current as well as input voltage depending on applications.
If you get a power outage this 3kw off-grid inverter offers high-quality battery voltage and can power a variety of appliances in the office or at home as well as other large electrical appliances.
In addition, it can provide power including motor-type appliances such as a full-size fridge, air conditioner, medical devices, fan, or tube light. The efficiency of these inverters is clear to see when using them and they even work with solar panels on cloudy days utilising available light.
The invertor also has reassuring safety features such as short circuit protection, over-temperature and overload protection. The clever battery charger is designed for optimal battery performance.
Furthermore, the inverter is compatible with generator power or mains voltage and it also has auto restart when AC is in recovery mode.
Pros:
- Budget price
- Safety features
- Optimal battery performance
Cons:
- Popular, sometimes out of stock
RUNNER UP
This 3000-watt budget solar inverter offers 24V DC to 220V-230Vac. The pure sine wave charger/inverter is a multi-function and has a built-in charge controller ( 50A PWM).
It combines the functions of inverter, solar and battery charger, and it supports solar, utility and generator energy so no need to use energy sources.
Like most solar generators power consumption is economical and sits at 220V Max input and 1200W. The charging current is 50amp; : 80Vdc; Output Power 3000W, 50Hz/60Hz; Output Frequency: 50Hz; Fit for 24V Deep-Cycle Max.PV Open Circuit Voltage Input put Frequency.
The inverter uses a lead acid battery that's rechargeable. The surge capacity is 6000W lasting 5 seconds.
The inverter can power personal computers as well as home appliances using the LCD setting. The display is user-friendly and it is configurable using a simple button that operates the AC/solar charger priority, battery charging current as well as input voltage depending on applications.
If you get a power outage this 3kw off-grid inverter offers high-quality battery voltage and can power a variety of appliances in the office or at home as well as other large electrical appliances.
In addition, it can provide power including motor-type appliances such as a full-size fridge, air conditioner, medical devices, fan, or tube light. The efficiency of these inverters is clear to see when using them and they even work with solar panels on cloudy days utilising available light.
The invertor also has reassuring safety features such as short circuit protection, over-temperature and overload protection. The clever battery charger is designed for optimal battery performance.
Furthermore, the inverter is compatible with generator power or mains voltage and it also has auto restart when AC is in recovery mode.
Pros:
- Budget price
- Safety features
- Optimal battery performance
Cons:
- Popular, sometimes out of stock
RUNNER UP
The Westinghouse portable generator is super handy and guaranteed to fulfil your energy needs whether at home or on the road and runs on gas, no need for a battery.
It works at 3, 600 running watts and 4, 650 peak watts and can run for up to 13.5 hours at a time with a 4 gallon (15 L) gas fuel tank.
The generator offers extra power with a 212cc 4-Stroke OHV engine that has a cast iron sleeve that's built for durability. In addition, it features a built-in fuel gauge and low oil indicator.
The generator has an integrated RV Ready TT-30R 30A outlet which allows you to conveniently hook the machine to your RV or motorhome.
As such you can keep the air conditioner and other travel appliances running throughout the day with an L5-30R outlet and other household outlets.
Without the wheel kit, the generator minimizes any sliding issues during transportation. The rubber outlet covers offer extra protection from rugged conditions and the environment.
A smart and accessible control panel makes the WGen3600v easy to navigate with touchpoints that are bright yellow. Worried about breakdowns and parts repair?
Do not fear the portable generator has 3-year labour, service, and parts coverage along with the option of lifetime technical support.
Pros:
- Gas fuelled
- Extra features
- Free shipping
Cons:
- Quite heavy
RUNNER UP
The Generac open frame inverter generator is perfect for camping, RVs and motorhomes as well as and powering appliances at your job site and home.
The generator offers the popular POWERRUSH technology that produces 50% more starting capacity helping you to efficiently do more with less.
The PowerDial integrates stop, start and run functions into an easy-to-use dial while the (2) USB ports allow you to charge electronics, smartphones and tablets simultaneously.
It also gives you the option to connect two separate inverters together for twice the power but you must purchase this separately.
Pros:
- Open frame
- Powerush technology
- Double connection option
Cons:
- Can be tricky to start
RUNNER UP
Do you want a super quiet portable generator? Then look no further, the WEN 3,800 Watt Inverter Generator offers quiet and clean energy without annoying drops and voltage spikes.
You can generate up to 3800 SW and 3400 RW. It also benefits from being a gas generator.
The OHV engine is one of the quietest solar panel generators around operating at 57 decibels per quarter load, allowing for comfortable and clear conversation. This quiet generator is perfect for camping, hunting, restoring backup power and tailgating.
The inverter Generator also benefits from fuel shut off which stops the fuel flowing and, allows the solar generator to use up fuel that's left from the carburetor before shutting down. This minimizes the risk of blockages due to stagnant fuel.
The design is lightweight and has integrated wheels and folding handles that make for easy transportation. In addition, the panel has 1 x AC 120V 30A NEMA TT-30R receptacle 2 x 3-prong 120V standard receptacle, two 5V USB ports and one 12V DC.
The digital load and fuel display is ready to use and easy to read and helps maximize fuel economy through the Eco-Mode switch.
The generator's engine can automatically adjust consumption as different devices are plugged and unplugged reducing the use of gasoline that's not needed.
Pros:
- Super quiet
- Fuel shut off
- Lightweight and portable
Cons:
- Currently out of stock due to popularity
Best 3000 Watt Solar Generator Buying Guide
In order to make an informed choice on what generator to purchase it's important to understand how they work and what to look for.
We won't bore you with too much about the technology behind solar generators but generally, they are user-friendly and simple machines. Simply put, a solar generator converts energy from the sun to provide power to any devices that need electricity.
Most of the time solar generators use the sun as their source and many people choose solar panels as a lifestyle choice to embrace environmentally friendly living. However, it's useful to bear in mind that a solar generator doesn't always need solar input to generate energy.
Some solar generators can be plugged into an outlet on the wall, such as an ac wall charger or a charging port in the car to charge up their batteries.
When the battery system is charged, electric devices can then be powered by the solar generator. Although models vary, most solar generators are able to charge multiple electronics that would usually need a normal AC plug, a DC plug, or a USB port.
When you hear the term 'shelf life' when referring to a solar generator this refers to the time it takes to fully charge the battery and how long it will remain charged and ready for use.
Solar Generator Components
Batteries
The solar generator battery is one of the most important parts of your solar generator. Batteries come in various types such as lead-acid, lithium-ion etc and have capacities of 3000 Wh, 1000Wh etc.
The most common is a lithium battery which offers enough storage for most requirements of the solar generator. Some solar generators offer extra storage that can be added in a battery bank so if this is something you might need make sure your specific purchase offers this.
Charge Controllers
It's easy to overcharge batteries and they can easily become damaged so to minimise the risk of this most solar generators come equipped with a solar charge controller to help regulate the input and output voltage from the panels.
This component is a vital addition and helps maximise the life, efficiency and quality of your solar generator.
When searching products look out for the most common types of controllers which are MPPT & PWM. MPPT charge controllers have proven to be the most efficient.
Inputs and Outputs
A solar generator gets its power through a charged battery. Solar generators will generally have a port that enables you to charge the battery using the solar panels and an additional port for charging the unit through a normal AC outlet.
Many solar generators also include an extra port for DC charging in a vehicle but often it needs to be purchased separately.
When your solar generator is ready for use you can plug electronics into the outputs on the exterior of the unit. Most solar generators will have several AC, DC, and USB plugs to power whatever is needed.
Display
Most high-quality solar generators have a display, quite often an LED screen that uses information about what's happening in the system.
Displays are important to help you understand the rate at which electricity is going through your solar generator as well as how much power you have left.
Size
If you opt for a portable generator you need to ensure the portable solar generator will provide your entire power needs. . There are ways to identify what generator will best suit you so let's have a look at a few.
Running Watts
Running watts show the electricity the generator can provide on a continuous basis.
Once you have this information you can tally the wattage required on your devices which are often detailed on the device itself. Then ensure the running wattage is greater than the total.
Watt Hours
Watt-hours refers to the capacity of the generator. It shows how long it can power devices. It allows you to see how much consistent power the generator can provide for 60 minutes when the battery has a full charge.
It also helps you figure out how much power the generator can provide before it needs to be recharged.
A 600-Wh generator could power a 50-watt light for 12 hours or several 100-watt devices for three hours before the battery capacity is compromised.
It's important to bear in mind that there are lots of variables. For example, the temperature can affect the battery. And the capacity of the battery can be affected by multiple devices charging at the same time.
So be sure to multiply the total wattage of all devices you will need to charge by the time that's needed to run them. You’ll need to purchase a generator that offers an hour-watt capacity that is greater than the result.
Peak power
The peak power of a solar generator shows the power that a generator can provide just before it starts the running output. The measurement should be higher than the running watts.
This brief run of extra power is required to start the motors on devices such as mini-fridges or fans. So if you're planning on powering motorised devices figure out the starting wattage to ensure the peak power output is adequate.
Recharge Time
Recharge time is the length of time it takes to charge a fully flat solar generator to full charge.
You should read the documentation that comes with your purchase. This should give you an idea or estimate of the charge time needed and the speed of the specific generator you are purchasing.
It's useful to remember that the speed time has been based on getting maximum input of solar power which, given the nature of weather, may not always be at optimum levels.
If you think you will be relying on your solar generator to power lights, TV and mobile devices over the course of a few days then you must make sure the charge and capacity rate will give you enough power.
Although you are able to supply power whilst simultaneously charging it's best avoided as it will take longer to charge your devices and use power faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
What inverter type do I need?
If you are looking for an economical inverter then the sine inverter is a good option and works well with several devices. However, it's not the best option for all generators so it's important to research as much as possible beforehand.
Some modified sine inverters cause an annoying noise in the audio and can disrupt the functionality of other devices. If possible invest in a pure sine wave inverter, although more expensive, they are a better option especially for sensitive electrical equipment.
What battery type should I choose?
A solar generator uses a lithium battery, lithium-ion or lead-acid to store its energy. Solar generators that use lead batteries are generally less expensive than lithium-ion but will be less effective and not last as long.
Lithium-ion is the better option and they are much lighter meaning portable solar panel generators will be easier to transport.
So, there we have it a guide on buying a 3000-watt solar generator, let the search commence!
