In the quest for reliable, clean energy, we’ve looked up to the sun and delved deep into the earth. We’ve created mini power stations from silicon wafers and tapped into the energy stored in fossils millions of years old. The result? A formidable array of power generators, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. But what if you could harness the best of both worlds in one efficient package? Enter the era of hybrid gas and solar generators. Here’s everything you need to know.

Getting a gas and solar generator – 7 key takeaways

1. Gas and solar generators each offer unique advantages, costs and benefits.
2. Switching from a traditional gas generator to a solar or hybrid system can have significant environmental and economic benefits.
3. A hybrid gas and solar generator, like the Ecoflow Smart Generator, combines the strengths of both.
4. Charging a solar generator with gas is possible, and hybrid gas and solar systems make it seamless.
5. But you can’t just plug a gas generator into a solar battery. You need to know what you’re doing or contact the battery manufacturer.
6. Or just save time and get a all-in-one system like the Ecoflow Smart Generator plus Ecoflow Delta Pro or Ecoflow Delta Max.
7. Adding a gas backup generator to back up your solar generator can be cheaper upfront than adding another battery. It’s also less weather reliant and really scale up your power capacity.
8. If your home is off the power grid, or you want it to be, then the most reliable off grid power system combines a solar battery with a traditional fuel generator for backup. Gas is a good option.

Now lets validate these takeaways with the information you really came for.

What exactly are solar and gas generators, and why should I care?

To appreciate the advantages of hybrid power, we first need to understand the individual players in the game: solar and gas generators.

Solar generators are the silent superheroes of the energy world. Using photovoltaic cells, they convert sunlight into electricity, emitting no pollutants in the process. Imagine a power source that draws from the most abundant energy resource we have: the sun! It’s renewable, it’s clean, it’s incredibly scalable.

It works like this: the solar power from PV cells is converted into the kind of power your appliances love, and sent into your house when you need it. Any excess power can be sold to the power grid or stored in a battery system.

Solar generators are typically solar panels + battery storage + battery management system + inverter. They can be connected to the power grid or completely stand alone.

Gas generators, on the other hand, are the rugged workhorses that have powered our homes and businesses for ages. Fuelled by gasoline, natural gas, or propane, these generators provide a powerful and reliable energy source, especially handy when the sun doesn’t shine or during grid power outages.

Most folks run their gas generators from an LPG bottle, making them portable. But they too can also be connected to the gas grid.

If you’re considering switching to a solar battery generator, its important you know its system limitations, and the need for a backup power source is certain situations.

Gas is a viable option for portable backup power for your solar generator in emergencies, bad weather and if you’re going off the power grid.

Solar vs. Gas Generators: Which Packs More Power?

Each type of generator comes with its pros and cons.

Solar generators run silently, require less maintenance, and offer renewable, eco-friendly power. Solar generators are modular, meaning you can add to the size and power of your system over time. They typically last 20 year or more, and give you completely free power after about 4 years. However, their effectiveness is weather-dependent, and you need to have the initial setup costs saved to invest.

Gas generators are all about raw power and reliability, working regardless of the weather. However, they are louder, require regular maintenance, and rely on fossil fuels, which aren’t as environmentally friendly. There’s a fuel running cost for gas generators and in emergencies, gas fuel is not always readily available so you may need to keep a store if you use it for backup power.

These are just the highlights. Here’s a more detailed comparison of costs and benefits of a solar vs gas generator ‘Solar or generator? What to know before you buy’

Why are people making the switch to solar generators?

As the world grows more conscious of our environment, solar generators are gaining traction.

According to the peak industry body the Clean Energy Council, more than 300,000 solar PV systems were installed across Australia in 2022. And over 3 million Australian households now have a solar system. Here’s why:

• Solar power is not just renewable, it’s infinite (well, for about five billion years, give or take).
• Solar power cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions, something our planet desperately needs.
• The cost of solar has dropped through the floor over the last 15 years.
• Solar power pays itself off in 4 years on average. Some in even less time with electricity price hikes coming our way.
• Battery prices are still expensive. They are coming down, making home solar generators (solar + battery) a more affordable option.

Solar batteries are now a popular option for backup power. But solar battery storage is still not a cost effective solution in all scenarios. There’s a way to go before solar batteries at home really pay off.

So what are the alternatives?

Is there a way to get the best of both worlds? Meet hybrid gas and solar generators

Just as you thought you had to make a tough choice between solar and gas, the game changes. Hybrid generators, like the Ecoflow Smart Generator, enter the scene.

These remarkable systems bring together the benefits of both solar and gas power. When the sun is shining, the solar generator is your green energy workhorse. When it’s cloudy or your battery is empty, the gas generator kicks in, ensuring consistent and reliable power.

Can you really charge a solar generator with gas?

The answer is a resounding yes!

But it’s not the case with every solar generator.

The Ecoflow Delta Solar Generator and Ecoflow Smart Generator systems are designed to work together.

You can’t just plug a lithium battery into any gas generator to create your own DIY backup power. There are some things you need to look for first. Lets examine this in a bit more detail.

How a gas and solar generator works

Typically, a hybrid system like the Ecoflow Smart Generator and Ecoflow Delta Solar Generator would work by use the strengths of both power sources.

During periods of sufficient sunlight, the solar generator (Delta Solar Generator in this case) converts sunlight into electricity. This energy can be used in real-time to power devices, or it can be stored in the battery that comes with the Ecoflow Delta system, for later use.

In instances where solar power is inadequate or unavailable, such as during cloudy days, at night, or during high power demand, the gas generator (the Smart Generator) can be used to charge the battery. And because gas is energy dense, you can charge a battery up more quickly than you can with solar panels.

So if there’s no sun about but you need to charge your battery, a gas generator can do this.

Why not just use the gas generator to run your appliances you say? Well you may be rationing gas. If you’re in a remote location or in an emergency for instance.

Now before you go plugging a lithium battery into any gas generator, there are a few things you to do:

• Check with the battery maker than you can charge the battery with a gas generator
• Check what the requirements are to do that – wattage, current, voltage etc.
• Get an inverter generator for efficiency
• Make sure its a pure sine wave inverter – and won’t damage your battery’s sensitive electronics.

If you’re nervous about hooking up your own kit (and lets face it unless you’re an electrical engineer or DIY enthusiast, who wouldn’t be), don’t worry. There’s always a solution.

In this case, a bundled gas and solar generator that works seamlessly. You just hook up a few cables and press a button.

The new frontier of hybrid gas and solar – Ecoflow’s Smart Generator

The Smart Generator is a gas-run backup power source for Ecoflow’s Delta Max and Delta Pro solar generators. Its designed to integrate seamlessly with the Ecoflow Delta Max and Delta Pro Solar Generator, creating a synchronised hybrid system. They work together in harmony, providing a powerful, efficient, and reliable full time or backup power solution.

A smart hybrid system like the Ecoflow one will seamlessly switch between power sources as necessary, optimizing for efficiency and reliability.

With Ecoflow you have control over this process through an their app, which provides data on power usage, generator status, and other useful information.

Why use a gas generator when you can just get an extra Ecoflow battery?

The Smart Generator is a cheaper way of adding backup power or extra capacity to the modular Ecoflow Solar Generator. If you want more power than a Delta Max or Delta Pro provides, just add one of these babies!

In fact, the Smart Generator adds 5.4kWh of extra power capacity to the Ecoflow Delta. At the time of writing, the cost of the Smart Generator is around AUD$2400.

Now you do have to pay for the LPG (propane) gas you use after your initial investment.

But that’s more capacity for less startup cost than adding an extra LifeP04 battery to your existing Ecoflow Delta system.

An extra LifeP04 battery will cost AUD$4500 and give you 3.6kWh of extra power.

The Smart Generator comes with 4 litre fuel tank, runs for 3.5 hours, and has a dual fuel option. So you can use gasoline (petrol) or propane (LPG).

The Ecoflow Smart Generator offers 5 compelling features that integrate gas with solar:

1. Hybrid Charging: It can charge the Ecoflow Delta solar generator directly though a custom adaptor.
2. Smart Integration: With the Ecoflow app, you can monitor and control both the Smart Generator and the Delta Solar Generator, coordinating their operation for optimal power usage.
3. Greater efficiency: the Ecoflow Smart Generator charges the Delta Solar Generator using DC (direct current) electricity on both ends. It’s 10% more efficient than other systems because of this. This feature saves you time and money. Because are no losses in converting the electricity between direct and alternate current in the battery charging process.
4. Dual use: You can use the 1.8kW of onboard power to run your devices directly from the Smart Generator, while also charging your solar generator. It also takes LPG (propane) or petrol (gasoline).
5. Complete flexibility: The Smart Generator works together with the Delta Max or Delta Pro solar generator. But you can also use it as a stand alone gas generator when you need it.

Your most pressing questions on gas and solar generators answered!

When exploring the world of gas and solar generators, questions are bound to arise. Let’s take a moment to address some common queries.

Can solar and gas generators work together?

Absolutely! That’s precisely what hybrid systems like the Ecoflow Smart Generator and Delta Solar Generator set are designed to do – ensuring you have reliable power, rain or shine.

But don’t just just plug any random gas and solar generator together. You need the right specs on your gas generator before plugging your battery into it. Speak to the battery manufacturer to find out if you can charge your battery with gas first, and what the technical requirements are.

Is it expensive to switch to solar power?

While the initial investment for solar power can be higher than for traditional gas generators, the running costs are significantly lower. Over time, you’ll find that solar power can be a more economical choice.

Check out this cost benefit comparison for solar vs gas.

Can a solar generator power a whole house?

The answer is yes, for a cost! We’ve written a whole article on this topic. Find out whether a whole house solar generator is really what you need.

When does a hybrid gas and solar generator really shine?

Is a hybrid gas and solar generator right for you?

While hybrid solar and gas generators have much to offer, they are most advantageous in certain circumstances. Here are 6 common scenarios where a hybrid system like the Ecoflow Smart Generator and Delta Solar Generator might be your best bet:

1. Locations with Limited Sunshine: If you live where sunlight is scarce, particularly during the winter months, relying solely on a solar generator might leave you in the dark. A hybrid gas and solar generator ensures you have the reliable backup of gas.
2. Cost and Efficiency Balance: A solar generator with lithium battery storage can be expensive. A hybrid gas and solar generator system can be an excellent middle-ground to transition to renewable energy if you are concerned about the initial investment. It allows you to begin harnessing solar power while having the cost-effectiveness of a gas generator for backup.
3. Emergency Preparedness: In the event of a power outage, you want a power solution at your fingertips that you can depend on. A hybrid gas and solar generator ensures you have a constant power supply, regardless of the weather or time of day. Gas is easily stored in 9kg bottles and unlike petrol, lasts forever. There is no need to monitor state of charge to make sure you always have power.
4. Reducing Carbon Footprint: If you’re looking to make eco-friendlier choices but can’t entirely rely on solar power due to geographical or climatic reasons, a hybrid gas and solar generator is more emissions friendly than a diesel or fuel generator alternative.
5. High Energy Demand: If your energy needs fluctuate and there are times when the demand exceeds what your solar generator can supply, having the gas generator as a backup ensures you don’t ever run out of power.
6. Off grid: It’s common to have a fuel back up for an off grid solar generator. In case your solar can’t make enough power during extended poor weather. Gas is a clean and quiet alternative backup solution.

Recap

As we balance the needs of the planet with our growing energy demands, hybrid gas and solar generators combine the best of both worlds with cost efficiency and high reliability. They offer the eco-friendliness and renewability of solar power with the raw power of gas generators. If you need a backup for your solar generator, gas is a great option. Whether it’s going off grid, or just to run some big energy guzzling appliances or equipment. And if you want the convenience of an all-in-one, check out the Ecoflow Smart Generator + Ecoflow Delta Solar Generator combination. They’re worth a look!