Picture this: a world powered by the sun, where our power needs are always met with affordable, reliable and portable backup generators. But which is better for backup power, or for RVs and camping: solar or generator? In this article, we explore the pros and cons of solar battery generators over their diesel and gas counterparts. We put our own new EcoFlow solar generator to the test. The undeniable benefits of solar generators in terms of affordability, control, simplicity, flexibility and – of course -sustainability might surprise you. Here is everything you need to know.

Solar or Generator? 5 clear reasons the winner is solar

The choice is now clear. Here’s the summary. The 5 top reasons solar is better choice than its diesel and gas counterparts for RVs, camping and backup power:

1. More cost effective – zero fuel, maintenance or service costs
2. Reliable power – better batteries mean secure power and faster return on your investment
3. Packs a punch – bigger batteries that you can link together for more power
4. Plug and play – easy to use as turning on your TV, and Apps give you more control
5. Better for the environment – quiet to run, with no carbon emissions or noxious gases.

Solar battery generators are also more lightweight and portable than diesel or gas generators. And modular, which means you can build multiple units into one mega backup generator – for all of your power needs.

Oh and don’t forget, they’re also way cooler and sexier kit.

What is the difference between solar and a generator?

Solar battery system

A solar battery system uses solar panels and typically a lithium battery to generate and store direct current power from sunlight.

This type of generator is usually made up of different parts you connect with cables:

• solar panels
• Battery (may include built in battery management system (BMS) and software)
• Cables
• May include inverter and solar charge controller if not built in BMS
• App to control energy use and monitor performance

If your battery has a BMS, the components of a solar generator are plug and play. They’re easy to put together. Once assembled, you plug your devices or home energy management system into the battery and voila! Portable and off grid power!

Solar systems are typically found on rooftops of homes and businesses, connected to the power network. But solar systems with batteries are now also widely available as portable and off grid power options.

Other generators

A ‘generator’ typically refers to a piece of machinery or equipment that uses engine technology to generate power from fuel – usually diesel or gas (natural gas or propane).

Diesel generators come in one module and contain lots of moving parts:

• diesel engine
• Cooling and exhaust
• Skid or frame
• alternator
• fuel system, etc

Gas generators also come in one contained module, but with different parts:

• rotor
• carbueretor
• stator
• combustion chamber
• spark plugs
• piston, etc

These fuel-reliant generators are typically used to provide backup power in outages, or to supply power outdoors. They’re popular power options for camping, RVs, and outdoor activities or events. You’ll also see them on worksites where trades need to power up equipment and tools for work.

If you want to read more about the features of different generator types, this article will fill you in: ‘Getting a home generator? Read this first!’

Gas and diesel have been widely used for decades, but solar generators are a more recent phenomenon. All have different technologies, benefits and shortcomings. It can be complex to evaluate these if you don’t know the lay of the technology land.

But with over a decade working in distribute energy systems, I’m going to summarise and set out everything you need to know.

What is the advantage of solar over a generator?

Here are 5 things you need to know about a solar portable power station vs a generator, if you’re wondering which to choose:

A. More cost effective

With lower battery costs and higher diesel prices, solar powered generators now offer a better lifespan cost. One that diesel generators can’t match.

How is this so?

Solar generators have zero operating costs, fuel expenses or service/replacement costs. All of the costs for a solar generator are up front. And these initial cost are now competitive with similar output gas and diesel generators

You also get more power out of new lithium batteries than ever before. Technology advances have increased their lifespan, depth of discharge and cycle times.

So with zero running costs and more power output, solar battery generators have become more cost-effective than diesel and gas.

Here are the main 4 reasons:

1.Lower Operating Costs:

Solar battery generators rely on sunlight, which is a free and abundant resource. There are no fuel expenses since solar energy is harnessed directly from the sun, eliminating the need to purchase and store costly diesel or gas.

2.Minimal Maintenance Requirements:

Most solar generators have lithium batteries. With this type of battery, there are no costly maintenance or service requirements. You simply need to follow charge and discharge guidelines for the battery, and ensure firmware is updated. And that’s it.

This translates into reduced maintenance costs and less time spent on upkeep, saving you both money and effort in the long run.

On the other hand, diesel and gas generators both have moving parts and fuel systems to maintain. Both come with costly service, replacement and maintenance schedules.

3.Longer Lifespan:

The lifespan of lithium batteries has extended in recent years with advancements in battery chemistry. You can expect them to last for 10 to 15 years, with proper use. They also hold a charge for longer (better shelf life).

This longevity ensures a higher return on investment and makes them more cost competitive with gas and diesel generators.

4.More Cycles:

The cycle life of a battery is just how many times it can charge and discharge before battery performance starts to degrade.

And lithium batteries are able to cycle more times than the old lead acid type. And new LifeP04 lithium battery chemistry has an even longer lifetime.

The Ecoflow battery we have uses LifeP04. It can cycle 3000 times and still have 80% of it’s full charge! That’s 10 years of every day use.

Now this really improves the economics of solar over generators considering the old lead acid batteries had a cycle life of just 2 years.

LifeP04 batteries also have rapid charge and simultaneous ‘charge -> discharge’ capability. This means less battery ‘downtime’. You can run multiple cycles per day, keep everything powered up and get more for your money out of this battery.

With solar battery generators, you can now say goodbye to the drain on your wallet caused by the hidden expenses and fuel consumption rates of diesel generators.

So have a look down below at how our Ecoflow River 2 Pro solar generator compares on a cost basis with diesel powered generators.

The numbers might surprise you!

B. The power is reliable

Imagine a world where power is on demand, anywhere, anytime. Solar battery generators make this a reality. They provide reliable power without dependence on fuel availability or the risk of fuel shortages. And with better batteries, solar battery systems last. They can reliably deliver you as much power as you need, for 10 to 15 years.

Embrace freedom with portable power solutions designed for today’s mobile lifestyle. No more rumbles and noise levels, just the tranquility and convenience of solar battery generators.

C. It packs a punch (in power output)

Our Ecoflow River 2 pro has 800 watts of AC output. But it can output up to 1600 watts of surge power. This means you can use it for more types of appliances and devices than say, a 1000 watt diesel generator.

Surge power comes in handy for equipment that needs extra starting watts. More power to start it up than to keep it running. Appliances with compressors or heat elements need large starting watts. Like fridges, heaters, freezers etc.

So I can run appliances with my Ecoflow River 2 Pro, that you couldn’t with a similar size diesel or gas generator. Now that is better bang for your buck right there!

D. It’s plug and play

My biggest fear in buying diesel generator for our off grid Tiny House was technical knowledge. I didn’t know how to start one up. I didn’t know what settings were best to run it. Or how to fix it if something when wrong.

Just Google ‘diesel generator won’t start‘ and you’ll find hundreds of articles to help you troubleshoot problems with generators.

My solar battery system on the other hand was simple. I plugged the battery in to charge. Connected the cables. Synced the app. Then pressed the on button. Voila. Power to my Tiny House.

It was that easy.

E. Better for the environment

When it comes to energy sources, solar battery generators emerge as nature’s powerhouses. By harnessing the sun’s brilliance, they remove all reliance on fossil fuels like diesel, petrol and gas.

Unlike diesel generators, solar battery generators emit zero greenhouse gases and leave no carbon footprint. Embrace the opportunity to take charge of your carbon footprint and a more sustainable tomorrow.

There are definitely trade offs with solar. It’s not all rainbows and unicorns. And its important you know about these before you decide for yourself. So lets take a deeper diver into the pros of cons.

Solar or Generator? Pros & cons

Solar vs diesel generator vs gas generator

Let’s dive deeper into the comparison between solar battery generators, diesel generators and gas generators.

Pros and Cons: Solar vs Diesel vs Gas

Solar - Pros	Solar - Cons	Diesel - Pros	Diesel - Cons	Gas - Pros	Gas - Cons
Clean, renewable fuel source	Higher initial costs	Widely available	High operating cost of diesel	Widely available	High operating cost of gas
No greenhouse gas emissions	Space required for solar panels	High energy output can meet big power demands	Produces carbon emissions, noxious gases	High energy output for big power demands	Produces carbon Emission, noxious gases
No operating costs	Limited power in long periods of poor weather	Familiar technology	Noise and vibrations	Quick refueling	Noise & vibrations
Portable & versatile - lightweight with multiple charge options		Lower initial cost	Complex to start, operate & troubleshoot	Familiar technology	Gas storage - fire / explosion safety risks
No costly service or maintenance requirements		More fuel efficient (than gas)	Diesel supply dependent - impacts in emergencies	Not weather dependent	Gas supply dependent - impacts in emergencies
Modular. Can meet the biggest power needs.		Not weather dependent	Exposed to diesel price fluctuations		Exposed to gas price fluctuations
Easy to operate and Apps give more control			No App means limited control		No App means limited control
Can run indoor and outdoor			Outdoor use only		Outdoor use only

Our Ecoflow River 2 Pro Solar Generator: A tiny powerhouse

We recently purchased the Ecoflow River 2 Pro solar-powered generator. We need it for backup power for out tiny house.

It’s given us true energy independence for the tiny home during a power outage.

With 800 watts of output and 1600 watts of surge power, as well as rapid charging capabilities, the Ecoflow River 2 Pro is the epitome of modern backup power solutions.

But we love it most for the economics.

So lets see how our cost of power from the Ecoflow works out.

How much is solar power? Kilowatt costs of the Ecoflow River 2 Pro

The impressive Ecoflow River 2 Pro (2023 model) is built from a long lasting LifeP04 lithium battery. To make it a solar generator is comes equipped with a high-efficiency 220 watt bifacial solar panel kit, enhancing its charging capabilities.

The Ecoflow River 2 Pro solar battery generator offers a total storage capacity of 768 watt hours, and 800 watts of AC output.

It can fast charge from a powerpoint in 70 minutes. So all up it delivers approximately 1.8 kilowatt hours of power per day when charging with solar energy as it’s used.

Yes, it can charge and discharge at the same time.

To calculate the cost of energy in kilowatt hours from the Ecoflow River 2 Pro, we examine its cycles, capacity, and lifespan.

According to Ecoflow, even after 3000 cycles with a 100% depth of discharge (DOD), the Ecoflow LifeP04 battery retains 80% of its initial charge. While the battery’s performance beyond 3000 cycles is not explicitly stated, it is common for lithium batteries to only reach the end of their useful life when they cannot charge beyond 60% of their full capacity.

As 3000 cycles correspond to 20% of the battery’s charge, we can reasonably estimate an additional 3000 cycles, bringing it to 60% capacity. The end of it’s ‘useful life’.

Considering the Ecoflow battery’s advertised 10-year lifetime, the battery will last either 10 years or endure 6000 cycles, equivalent to over 4608 kilowatt hours during its lifespan.

Now, let’s compare the kilowatt hour cost of power from the Ecoflow River 2 Pro to diesel generators.

According to the Sustainability Exchange, one litre of diesel produces approximately 3.3 kilowatt hours of power. With diesel prices averaging around $2 per litre, the cost amounts to 60 cents per kilowatt hour for diesel-generated electricity.

This calculation does not include the actual cost of the diesel generator itself, nor the expenses associated with its maintenance and repairs.

Taking all factors into account, our solar-powered generator offers a significantly lower cost per kilowatt hour. At just 43 cents per kilowatt hour based on 6000 cycles over a span of 10 years, it provides a more cost-effective power solution compared to diesel generators.

Solar or generator for camping?

What are our typical camping power needs? A fridge or icebox. Phone charger. Air mattress pump. A fan in summer. A bluetooth speaker for some music. A light or two. Maybe a coffee maker if you’re more of a ‘glamper’ than a camper.

All up, you wouldn’t need more than 1000 watts to power your camping needs. You might even get away with the Ecoflow River 2 Pro model we bought recently.

This is easily provided by either a solar generator or diesel generator.

But what solar also gives you is a highly portable quiet, noise free, pollution free power experience.

And that is gold when you’re camping. For you, and your campsite neighbour.

Ahhh the serenity of a solar battery generator!

Solar or generator for RV?

RVs need more power than camping. They’re set up with more equipment – a luxury kind of outdoor experience.

You’ll need to run a water pump, lights, cooktop, fridge, a kettle. Maybe even a TV.

But that’s no bother for solar. Because it’s modular.

For example, link two Ecoflow River 2 Pro units together and you’ve got 1600 watts of AC output. And 3200 watts of surge capacity. It’s also got 12 volt DC output if that’s all your RV can take.

String 2 of the 220 watt bifacial solar panels together and keep both Ecoflow batteries charged through the day, with leftover power for nighttimes.

Or just upsize to the bigger, better Ecoflow Delta series. Use it to power your onboard heater or A/C.

The point is, solar can meet all of your RV needs. It’s also lighter in weight to have onboard than any diesel or gas equivalent. There’s no need to carry extra fuel on the road. No noise, or vibration. And you don’t need to lug a giant diesel generator outside every time you want to power up.

Don’t forget, your solar battery App will help you run that baby as efficiently as possible.

Solar or generator for backup power?

This is where the mettle of solar generators is really tested. And the advancements in technology shine through.

Power outages can last from a few hours to multiple days. You need a power solution that will last the distance.

With the Ecoflow Delta Pro model, the battery capacity starts at 3.6 kilowatts of output and build up all the way to 25 kilowatts of output. You can get up to 7200 watts of AC output and 6500 watts of charging, from the one linked system.

That’s enough to run a typical house through a power outage without compromising on your energy needs.

It even integrates with your home’s existing wiring. With instant switchover, you don’t even know the power grid has gone down.

But the really big benefit here, is the self sufficiency of solar.

The thing with backup power is you usually need it in an outage or an emergency. And what happens in emergencies? Diesel and gas supplies are impacted. Roads are closed. Delivery trucks can’t get through.

With a solar, you’re completely self sufficient. Provided you have enough battery power to last a few days of bad weather, there’s little else that can limit your backup power supply.

Limitless power. Right there in your lounge room.

Conclusion

The time for diesel and gas generators may be passing. By embracing solar battery generators, you get a more cost effective, cleaner, quieter power supply. With none of the maintenance, servicing or trouble shooting headaches that come with diesel or gas. And there’s plenty of AC power output to meet even the highest power demands. We love our Ecoflow River 2 Pro portable power station. So we say, unleash the power of solar energy and take control of your power needs today.