Can Solar Powered Generators Work in All Weather?

Solar powered generators have received considerable interest due to their ability to generate renewable energy.

23:22 15 June 2023

Solar powered generators have received considerable interest due to their ability to generate renewable energy and offer environmentally friendly power solutions. Today, the UK has a solar power capacity of 14.6 GW,[1] making it one of the top countries in the globe in this booming sector. However, as solar generators depend on sunlight for electricity generation, it is reasonable to question how different weather events can impede their functionality.

Evaluating how solar generators adapt to varying weather circumstances becomes pivotal in determining their dependability and efficiency and determining their reliability as a consistent power source. This write-up will tell you everything about the uses and technicalities of solar generators, so keep reading. 

Extensive Applications of Solar Powered Generators 

Seeing the immense popularity of solar generators, these are pretty much used in every condition;

• Off-Grid Power Solutions

Solar generators have emerged as a highly effective solution in regions where the availability of electricity is severely restricted or entirely absent. By harnessing the heat energy from the sun, these generators offer off-grid communities a sustainable and economically viable power source.

This remarkable solution promotes environmental sustainability and ensures cost-effective electricity for people in these areas. It can significantly boost their quality of life and catalyze socio-economic progress by putting £425m back in people's pockets and creating 50,000 jobs in the UK.[2]

Solar powered generators' applications encompass a wide spectrum, ranging from powering residential structures and educational institutions to providing indispensable support to crucial facilities such as medical clinics and water pumps.

• Disaster Relief

Catastrophic events, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods, often bring about severe destruction, leaving affected areas without vital services like electricity. However, in those situations, solar powered generators emerge as a lifeline, delivering an immediate and uninterrupted power supply.

They can be swiftly deployed to disaster-stricken regions, providing essential electricity for emergency shelters, medical facilities, and communication systems. Solar generators help save lives and restore normalcy in the face of adversity by facilitating rapid response and recovery efforts.

• Sustainable Construction

A gradual shift towards solar powered generators is underway within the construction industry as a more environmentally friendly alternative. Construction sites are often associated with excessive noise, pollution, and heavy reliance on machinery fueled by non-renewable fossil fuels. Nevertheless, with the seamless integration of solar generators, construction projects can actively diminish their carbon footprint and advance sustainable practices.

The UK Government has put forth its global Construction 2025 vision,[3] and sustainability is integral to it. By embracing these generators, construction endeavors can make tangible strides toward reducing environmental impact. They can power construction tools, lighting systems, and temporary offices, minimizing environmental impact and setting a positive example for future endeavors.

• Recreational Activities

Outdoor enthusiasts and sports lovers increasingly embrace solar-powered generators to enjoy their recreational activities while minimizing environmental harm. For instance, the London Stadium is set to be converted to solar power in 2023.[4]

Whether camping, boating, or participating in other outdoor endeavors, these portable generators provide a clean power source for various appliances, such as refrigerators, lights, and charging stations. By reducing reliance on traditional fuel-powered alternatives, solar generators promote eco-friendly practices.

 

• Agricultural Advancements

In agriculture, energy consumption plays a significant role in facilitating irrigation, lighting, and machinery operations, and the integration of solar generators has emerged as a compelling solution. By embracing these generators, farmers can effectively reduce their dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels, leading to financial gains and a decreased environmental footprint. Even in 2019, 40% of UK farmers were generating low-carbon energy, something that must be encouraged.[5]

Furthermore, in agricultural regions that are geographically isolated, solar power generators offer a reliable and autonomous energy source. With 75% of the UK being farmland,[6] farmers must engage in efficient and sustainable practices that drive productivity and environmental protection.

• Mobile Applications

The evolving mobility sector, which includes transportation and mobile services, is currently experiencing a significant shift driven by solar energy.

Additionally, solar powered generators are seamlessly integrated into various mobile services, encompassing diverse sectors like food trucks, mobile clinics, and entertainment venues. This integration empowers mobile entities to operate autonomously, irrespective of location, thus paving the way for enhanced sustainability and a more ecologically conscious future.

• Healthcare Facilities

Access to reliable electricity is crucial for healthcare facilities, as it directly impacts patient care and safety, and UK hospitals are quickly adapting to this change.[7] Solar powered generators offer a practical solution for powering medical clinics, hospitals, and remote healthcare centers.

These generators can provide electricity for lighting, medical equipment, refrigeration for vaccines and medications, and life-saving devices. Solar generators contribute to the efficient and effective delivery of healthcare services by ensuring an uninterrupted power supply, particularly in regions with unreliable or inadequate grid infrastructure.

• Education and Research

Solar powered generators provide a sustainable and reliable power source for classrooms, laboratories, and research projects. For instance, savings from converting all UK schools to solar energy are equivalent to the salaries of 6,000 teachers.[8]

In remote educational settings, such as schools in rural areas or eco-learning centers, solar powered generators ensure access to electricity for lighting, computers, audio-visual equipment, and other educational tools. Solar generators promote sustainability by incorporating renewable energy into the educational environment and inspire the next generation of environmentally conscious individuals.

Understanding Solar Powered Generators 

• The Basics of Solar Powered Generators

A solar powered generator uses sunlight to create electricity through solar panels. It also has a converter that changes solar energy into usable electricity and a storage system, like a battery, to save extra power. Whether you're out on adventures, camping, or dealing with a power outage, these solar generators are great because they give you reliable energy for the environment.

• Conversion Efficiency of Solar Powered Generators 

The conversion efficiency of solar power generators shows how good they are at turning sunlight into usable electricity. It tells us how effectively they capture sunlight and turn it into usable electricity. When they have high conversion efficiency, it means solar generators are really good at transforming a significant portion of sunlight into electricity.

Panels with high efficiency can generate more electricity from the same amount of sunlight, resulting in increased energy production and the potential for greater long-term power savings.

What Affects the Efficiency of Solar Generators? 

The efficiency of solar generators vastly depend on the efficiency of solar panels. Various factors can influence the efficiency of solar panels, and one is the orientation of the panels toward the sun. Optimal positioning ensures that the panels receive maximum sunlight throughout the day. High-quality materials and advanced technologies tend to enhance efficiency.

External environmental factors such as temperature, shading, and dust accumulation can also impact performance. Regular maintenance, cleaning, and ensuring unobstructed sunlight exposure can help maintain or improve efficiency.

• How do Solar Panels Perform in Different Weather Conditions? 

The UK has a reputation for having cloudy weather, but it can still be a great place for deploying solar generators. The sunlight the UK receives is equivalent to various parts of France and Spain, where solar generators are already being used. Similarly, some areas receive equivalent sunlight to those of Germany, where solar power is used at a large scale.

Although solar panels produce more power on a bright sunny day, it doesn't mean they cannot work on a cloudy day. Even if they produce half of their total capacity, you can still charge your devices and run some essential equipment. Let's look at different weather conditions in the UK and how they impact the performance of your solar generators. 

• Low Sunlight Conditions

While the UK experiences lower sunlight intensity compared to sunnier regions, solar powered generators can still generate electricity even in cloudy or overcast weather. They rely on diffused sunlight and not solely direct sunlight.

Although the output may be reduced, solar generators contribute to the energy needs of regions like Inverness, Aberdeen, and the Scottish Highlands, where limited sunlight is a challenge. For instance, some areas in the Scottish Highlands only receive around 926 hours of yearly sunlight on average.[9]

Solar generators used here won't perform optimally due to lower levels of sunlight. Even if you get sunlight for a while, it won't last long, leading to inconsistencies in the power supply. 

• Abundant Sunlight for Optimal Performance 

Regions in the UK with abundant sunlight offer favorable conditions for solar generators to maximize their performance. Southern areas, specifically the South-East coast and Southern Wales, receive sunlight 1,600 hours each year, while Western Sussex receives 1,902 hours per year. Solar generators installed in these regions can achieve increased energy production compared to the northern parts of the UK.

The data makes it clear that the South West leads every other region not only in terms of sunlight availability but also solar power capacity, with 378 installations per 10,000 homes.[10] However, Wales beats both England & Scotland in solar installations with 283 solar installations per 10,000 households compared to 219 and 159, respectively.[10]

With abundant sunlight, you can run different equipment and charge various gadgets on the go. 

• The Impact of Wind & Snow 

Although many people worry about the impact of winds on their solar generator capacity, winds can actually be a good cooling mechanism for solar panels of your generators. However, snow can definitely hinder the functionality of solar panels, especially if it's heavy. To maximize output from solar panels in snowy weather is to place them at an angle where snow is likely to fall off of them.

Wales, Scotland, Northern, and Southern England receive the most snow in the whole UK. As a result, solar generators may not work optimally in those areas. However, by placing them at the right angles, you can receive the maximum performance out of them. It's also crucial to clean them regularly to avoid an accumulation of snow.

Recharging Portable Power Stations Optimally

• Firstly, using the charger recommended or provided by the manufacturer is essential.
• Avoiding overcharging or undercharging the power station is crucial to maintain the battery's health over time.
• Regularly recharging the power station, even when not in use, helps prevent the battery from fully draining and aids in preserving its capacity.
• Lastly, ensure the power station is charged in a cool and well-ventilated area to prevent the battery from overheating.

Jackery Power Stations 

Solar powered generators are undoubtedly an excellent choice, but gauging their quality is also important. When picking one up, it is crucial to know the quality of materials, the manufacturer's history & experience, the longevity of their products, customer support, etc. Luckily, Jackery checks these boxes and manufactures exceptional power stations with all the necessary capabilities.

Let’s discover some of their best offerings and discuss them in detail.

• Jackery Solar Generator 500

The first product on the list is the Jackery Solar Generator 500, which comes with a capacity of 518Wh. It is one of the lightest and ideal portable solar generators available today that can power devices from TVs to small blenders. However, it's vital to note here that the devices powered by it must be rated below 500 watts with a surge of 1000 watts.

• The Charging Capacity 

This generator can be fully charged in just 9.5 hours with the bundled SolarSaga 100W. It is a monocrystalline panel with a high efficiency of up to 23%, making it an ideal choice. Moreover, it has three USB ports, an AC outlet, and 12V car output to power different gadgets and devices.

• Lightweight & Durable 

Weighing just 9.1 lbs, people can take it anywhere to power their generator. Despite being so portable, it is pretty durable and resistant to different kinds of shocks. People can use it in high heat because high-quality materials have been used for manufacturing.

• Jackery Solar Generator 1500 Pro 

If consumers want something even more capable than the previous options, the Jackery Solar Generator 1500 Pro is the way to go. It can charge everything from professional equipment to adventure-related appliances and household devices. Coming at just 37.4 lbs, it's 20% lighter than traditional options, and the ergonomic folding solar panels make it an ideal choice for all kinds of adventures. 

• The Capacity 

With a 1800W output, two 1800W AC charging ports, two USB-C charging ports, and one car charger, the Pro 1500 brings incredible power to the table. Charging all kinds of household devices and gadgets is possible with this powerhouse. Moreover, it can be charged in just 2 hours on solar energy, supporting a maximum input of 1400W.

• Safety & Reliability 

Jackery has worked hard on safety by including a state-of-the-art BMS system and eight temperature sensors for continuous temperature control. With a patented multi-duct design, the Pro 1500 provides 30% improved heat dissipation and ensures complete safety for all devices.

• Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro 

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro is the ultimate option on this list and the most well-equipped solar generator produced by Jackery. From home to office to outdoors, it can power people's lives wherever they are. 

• The Highest Capacity 

It has an incredible 2,160 Wh capacity with an output power of 2200W and a surge of 4400W. Therefore, it can charge various devices, such as heaters, hot plates, air conditioners, and whatnot. Moreover, charging fully on solar power only takes 2.5 and 2 hours via an AC wall outlet.

• Portable & Reliable

Despite being an incredible powerhouse, the Pro 2000 is surprisingly portable at just 43 lb. Moreover, it has a foldable handle design that makes it easier to handle and relocate. High-quality lithium batteries and four temperature detectors ensure safe and robust charging for everyone.

Jackery, the Best Choice for Powering Your Life 

Founded in 2012 by a group of engineers enthusiastic about clean energy, Jackery has made its mark in the solar power market exceptionally fast, thanks to its dedication and product quality. Today, Jackery is a world leader in manufacturing portable power devices and is redefining the importance of clean energy in people's lives. 

Jackery now offers various devices for consumers, such as the best solar generator, solar panels, and portable power stations. Green energy is the future, and Jackery is undoubtedly leading the front.

References

1. https://www.theecoexperts.co.uk/solar-panels/solar-statistics
2. https://cebr.com/reports/solar-powered-growth-in-the-uk/
3. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/210099/bis-13-955-construction-2025-industrial-strategy.pdf
4. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-64758344
5. https://www.energymonitor.ai/sectors/industry/the-farmers-profiting-from-the-solar-power-boom/
6. https://www.energymonitor.ai/sectors/industry/the-farmers-profiting-from-the-solar-power-boom/
7. https://www.england.nhs.uk/greenernhs/whats-already-happening/solar-power-sparks-an-electrical-future-for-milton-keynes-university-hospital/
8. https://educationbusinessuk.net/features/sunlight-savings-solar-schools
9. https://www.yourweather.co.uk/news/trending/where-is-the-cloudiest-place-in-the-uk-weather-cloud-climate-record.html
10. https://www.theecoexperts.co.uk/blog/solar-installations-map