These days most of us need some source of electricity when we are spending time camping or doing other outdoor activities. We need something to recharge our electronic devices like phones, tablets, laptops, camera batteries and small power banks. If we are using a portable fridge then we need a power supply to keep it running 24/7.

When all I needed was something to charge my phone and tablet I used a small 20w or 40w foldable solar panel and connected it to my device. I could also keep my small laptop charged up with the 40w panel. But then I upgraded my laptop and it required a larger power supply so my small panels were not sufficient. I also wanted to camp for longer periods of time and a cooler with ice was not very practical so I bought an electric 12v cooler. Then things started getting complicated.

I started researching 100w+ foldable solar panels. I found some videos and articles on how to connect to my electronic devices directly but I would be able to only connect one device at a time and the process was usually complex and connecting the solar panel directly to an electric cooler, laptop and other small electronic devices at one time was not practical. There needed to be an interface between the solar panel and the devices just like in a home solar installation. And for camping, there needed to be some sort of power storage so I would have power when the sun was not shining.

The solution turned out to be a solar power generator. Basically a large battery with a solar controller and all the hardware, firmware and software to make it possible to connect and run multiple devices simultaneously and safely for a period of time between charging the generator.

The next step was to find what features were necessary in a solar power generator and which ones were the best.

What I learned is that, for running my fridge, laptop and keeping my electronics charged I needed at least a 500wh solar power generator and a 100w+ solar panel. During a sunny day the solar power generator needed to be able to charge and be used at the same time, (passthrough mode). It should have DC and AC power outputs including USB, 12v through a cigarette lighter outlet and at least 2 AC outlets to plug in devices like my laptop. Of course the AC outlets should be European standard plugs. It should also be able to be charged using AC power, 12v DC like in a car or van and by a solar panel. Some extra features I noticed on many solar power generators were LED lights and wireless charging area for phones.

Of course charging the solar power generator with solar panels requires sunny days. If the solar power generator has enough capacity it can keep your electronic devices charged for many days. For more power hungry equipment like 12v fridges and it is going to be limited. So far I have been able to keep my 12v fridge going for about 48 hours with a 500wh solar generator.

So if you just want to keep all your electronic devices and laptop running a 300wh solar generator should be sufficient. If you expect longer periods between sunny days then I would suggest a 500wh or more solar power generator and an efficient 100w or more foldable solar panel. If your power needs are greater than that you might want to consider a 700wh or larger power generator. There are a number on the market. Right now they average around €1 per watt hour in price. As time goes on and new technologies arrive the prices will go down.

Here are a few things I have learned so far in using solar generators.

1. You will need to become very aware of exactly how much electricity each of your devices and your gear use. When we are just plugging our stuff into a wall outlet we don’t really think about this. We just press the buttons on the microwave, turn on the stove or the space heater, television, computer, oven, refrigerator, vacuum cleaner or air conditioner. But when we are using a solar power generator with limited capacity we have to pay attention to how many watts each piece of equipment needs and will use. Also, how long with the power last in the generator when using a particular device.
2. If we are charging the generator we must be aware of how many hours it will take. If we are using solar panels we need to be sure they are efficient and that we have sufficient sun to generate electricity. We also need to pay attention to how the solar panels are placed in relation to the sun.
3. We need to take good care of our solar power generator and make sure it is always clean, kept in a cool, dry place and used according to instructions. We also need to be sure we are buying a really good quality solar power generator that will be dependable and safe because we are really going to be depending on it to work every time we need it.
4. Know the features you need and want in a solar power generator before you buy. Do your research. For instance, I found out that a modern solar power generator should have a pure sine wave inverter for the AC power output to protect sensitive electronic devices. I also wanted a generator that was not too large and not too heavy when using for camping or traveling in the car. I also found that, for my needs, I needed at least 500wh minimum for battery capacity. I also wanted to be sure the build quality was excellent. I did not want to be stuck in the boonies with a generator that was not absolutely dependable. So I suggest considering how you are going to use this and making a list of your wants and needs and be sure the solar power generator meets those.

Here are the solar power generators that I have tested in the field in real life situations and can recommend.

Bluetti AC50s 500wh