In the ever-evolving world of portable energy, solar generators are not just a trend; they’re a testament to human ingenuity. These devices are gradually overshadowing traditional fuel generators, promising clean, quiet backup power and convenient mobile. And the sweet spot for all of these standard features is in the 1000 watt range But what will a 1000 Watt Solar Generator Run? And which models are the frontrunners in this part of the market. Let’s dive in.
What will a 1000 watt solar generator run? A Summary
From smallest to largest, here’s the ultimate list of devices and appliances a 1000 watt solar generator will run, as well as the runtiime for each device / appliance.
Keep reading to discover what combination of devices a solar generator can run at the same time.
Appliance Type | Watts | Runtime |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi Router | 5-10W | 100-200 hours |
Smartphone Charging | 5W | Charge 200 times |
LED Light Bulb | 10W | 100 hours |
Tablet Charging | 10-25W | Charge 40-100 times |
Laptop | 50-100W | 10-20 hours |
32″ LED TV | 50W | 20 hours |
Radio | 50-200W | 5-20 hours |
Ceiling Fan | 60W | About 16 hours |
Refrigerator | 150W | About 6 hours |
Blender | 300-1000W | 1-3 hours |
Vacuum Cleaner | 500-1500W | 40 minutes to 2 hours |
Electric Drill | 500-1000W | 1-2 hours |
Microwave | 600-1200W | About 45 minutes to an hour |
Coffee Maker | 600-1200W | Brew 5-10 pots of coffee |
Toaster | 800-1500W | Toast 20-40 slices of bread |
Hair Dryer | 800-1800W | About 30 minutes |
Portable Heater | 750W | A little over an hour |
Portable AC Unit | 750-1000W | 1-1.3 hours |
Electric Grill | 1000-1500W | About 40 minutes |
Understanding Wattage: A Quick Primer
Wattage, in simple terms, is a measure of power. It’s the rate at which energy is used or produced.
Now, to know what a 1000 watt solar generator can run, it’s crucial to differentiate between peak power, continuous power, and surge power.
Electrical systems, distinguish between peak power, which is the maximum power a device can produce, and continuous power, the steady power it can provide over time.
While peak power is the maximum output achievable and continuous power is what the device can handle over extended periods, surge power, on the other hand, is the initial spike when an appliance starts.
All of these concepts – peak, continuous and surge power – influence what a solar generator can power.
We’re going to apply all of these concepts here, to show you exactly what 1000 watt solar generator can and can’t run.
What do we mean by 1000 watt solar generator?
Terminology in electrical systems is confusing.
In some cases, a ‘1000 watt solar generator’ might mean a solar + battery system where the battery ‘storage capacity’ is 1000 watt hours.
Other times, manufacturers mean that the ‘rated continuous power’ of the generator is 1000 watts. This means that, under optimal conditions, it can consistently deliver 1000 watts of power. In real-world scenarios, this translates to a fair bit of energy, enough to power some important devices simultaneously. But we’ll get to that soon.
Sometimes, as with the Jackery Explorer 1000, both the ‘storage capacity (watt hours)’ and the ‘continuous power (watts)’ are the same – both 1000 watts.
But as battery technology advances, you can now find solar generators with a higher ‘continuous power’ rating than ‘storage capacity’. The Ecoflow Delta 2 is an example of this.
What the term ‘1000 watt solar generator’ DOESN’T refer to is the size of the solar panels alongside the battery. It’s only the battery size that’s relevant here.
So you could have a ‘1000 watt solar generator’, where the battery storage capacity is 1000Wh, and the solar panels are 200 watts. This is a pretty popular solar + battery package, when it comes to solar generators on the market.
So we’re going to focus on this definition today.
1000 watt Solar Generator: How much Power do you really get?
A solar generator that has a rated capacity of 1000 watts will not deliver 1000 watts of power.
The actual output of a solar generator can be influenced by several factors.
health and capacity of the battery storage determine how long the generator can provide power. Environmental factors, such as the number of sunlight hours and prevailing weather conditions, also have a significant impact.
Limitations of a 1000 Watt Solar Generator
While a 1000 watt solar generator is powerful, it’s essential to be aware of its boundaries. There are some power hungry appliances that will strain and exceed its capacity.
When that happens, your solar generator will trip off. And keep tripping off until you reduce the load (watts) on it. It may even damage the solar generator, if there’s no overload protection built into the software.
The way to avoid your solar generator tripping off is to ensure that the total wattage of all connected devices doesn’t surpass the generator’s continuous power.
So with a 1000 watt solar generator, your connected load (appliances, tools and devices) shouldn’t be more than 1000 watts.
There are exceptions to this. Smarts built into the battery management systems (BMS) that you find in good quality solar generators. These smarts allow you to exceed the continuous watts of the generator in certain conditions. We’ll get to that later too.
So what will a 1000 watt solar generator run?
Common Appliances and Tools a 1000 Watt Solar Generator Can Power
With a 1000 watt solar generator, you can comfortably run household appliances like fans, lights, and even some small refrigerators. For the outdoor enthusiasts and DIYers, tools such as drills, saws, and chargers are well within its capacity. And let’s not forget our indispensable electronics: laptops, phones, and radios can all be powered with ease.
What a 1000 watt solar generator WON’T run
Sometimes, when you have a specific device in mind, it’s easier to hone in on its limitations.
It’s the same with generators.
A solar generator is a fair sized investment. So most people buy them with a particular purpose in mind.
Maybe you want one to run your fridge freezer for a few hours in a blackout. Perhaps you want to keep your family entertained on a roadtrip. Or you’re looking for some creature comforts on your next camping trip. You could be preparing for longer power outages requiring more power to keep your home up and running instead of in the dark.
If you’re considering buying a 1000 watt solar generator to run any of these specific appliances below, you’re going to be disappointed. There’s simply not enough power in a 1000 watt battery to start these up or keep them ticking over.
Why Choose A 1000 Watt Solar Generator?
We’ve already said that a 1000 watt solar power kit hits the sweet spot of generator on the market. Here’s why:
- Maximum Portability: Unlike some of the bigger solar generators, one of this size can be picked up and lugged around in one hand. They range from 10kg to 12kg. So it’s easily transported, and perfect for camping, work sites, and RVs.
- Still powerful: But the trick of it is, 1000 watts is still powerful enough to provide emergency backup for critical load at home.
- Affordable: It does all of this for under $1000 USD. For the battery alone that is. The companion solar panels will add another few hundred. Or use a third party panel.
What is the best 100 watt solar generator for your money?
There are a handful of generators that we rate, in 1000 watt segment of the solar generator market:
- Ecoflow Delta 2
- Bluetti AC180
- Jackery Explorer 1000
- Goal Zero Yeti 1000x
Standout among them is the newly released Ecoflow Delta 2. Here’s why its a game changer.
The Ecoflow Delta 2: A Game Changer
The Delta 2 isn’t just another solar generator; it’s a market leading powerhouse in the 1000 watt puresine solar power generator range. Here are the key stats:
Storage capacity: 1024 watt hours
Continuous Power: 1800 watts
Peak Power: 2400 watts
Surge Power: 2700 watts
With features that set it apart from its predecessor and many competitors, it’s no surprise that it’s getting loads of attention.
Released in the US in late 2022 and September 2023 in Australia, the Delta 2 design, efficiency, and power output make it a formidable player among competitors.
The Advantages of the Delta 2
The biggest advantage of the Delta 2 is that is’a made with LifeP04 battery cells. These are known for their safety, longevity and reliability.
At their simplest, LifeP04 battery cells are just a new type of lithium battery cell with different qualities.
The LifeP04 batteries in the new Ecoflow solar generators are superior to the lithium ion NMC batteries in many solar generators. Like the Jackery Solar Generator 1000.
How?
Firstly, their longer lifespans mean you pay less per kilowatt hour for your portable power. And we all like more for less. Secondly, they’re less likely to suffer from ‘thermal runaway’ because of the battery chemistry. That’s shorthand for less fire and explosion risk.
Here’s an article that explains the ins and outs of why LifeP04 solar generators are leading the market: ‘The LifeP04 Solar Generator: Is It Worth The Hype?’.
Delta 2’s fast charging capabilities are a boon in time-sensitive situations too. Like avoiding tools down on a worksite or losing power when boondocking your RV. Ecoflow says this solar generator charges from a wall outlet 7 time faster than comparable ones in the market.
And for the tech-savvy, the smart control app offers maximum convenience. Control and monitor the Delta 2 from your pocket, or your couch over WiFi or Bluetooth. Set it’s performance parameters – like how low to discharge – exactly as you want them.
What will the Delta 2 Run?
Imagine running your fridge, portable AC and Smart TV, without being tethered to the grid.
For the adventurers, think of powering your camping gear – Bluetooth speakers, electric frypan, and hand held devices.
The thing is, the typical 1000 watt solar generator won’t run a lot of these devices. So why is that the Delta 2 can?
Because of it’s sophisticated battery management system.
While it’s storage capacity is in the 1000Wh range, it’s continuous power and peak power are much higher. Not to mention the amazing 2700 watts of surge power.
This means you can run more types of appliances using the Delta 2. Including bigger household appliances that use more than 1000 watts. And appliances like fridges that require surge power to start up their compressors.
You just can’t run them for a long time because the storage capacity is limited to 1024Wh.
But for every problem Ecoflow has a solution. The Delta 2 is expandable to over 3000Wh. Just add a couple of their compatible bvattery units.
And it’s this rare combination of power output and price that makes the Delta 2 a rare unicorn of solar generators.
Limitations of the Delta 2
No product is without its challenges.
And the Delta 2 has some.
Slow solar charging is one of them. Charing maxes out at 500 watts of solar input but you can charge up to 1200 watts from a wall outlet. That just means charging with solar is slower than you’d expect.
RV users need to be mindful of amperage restrictions on the DC ports. It’s not a battery you can plug your RV into directly. You’d have to go for a battery with more power.
We can plug out Tiny House into it. But that runs on an AC electrical system.
And, like all powerful devices, the Delta 2 demands proper ventilation for effective heat management.
To get the full review, features, pros and cons of this base model solar generator workhorse, check this out ‘Ecoflow Delta 2 Expert Review: Portable Powerhouse or Pricey Powerbank?‘.
In a Nutshell
A 1000 watt solar generator is capable of powering small elecronics and hand held devices, power tools and some small to mid range household appliances. However, like all solar generators, understanding its capabilities and limitations is key. Before making a purchase, consider your individual needs. Why you want a solar generator, and what you want to run with it. Use the lists in this article to work out whether 1000 watts will meet your needs. And if not, look for a solar generator that’s expandable. So you can add more power down the line.
FAQs
Can a 1000 watt solar panel run a refrigerator
There’s no such thing as a 1000 watt solar panel. 200, 300 and 400 watt solar panels are more common. To run a refrigerator in isolation, a solar panel needs to be connected through a battery energy management system. The solar panel generates DC power and the battery stores it, converts it to AC power used by fridges, and regulates it. A 1000 watt solar generator – like the Ecoflow Delta 2 – will run a small to medium sized refridgerator.
How long will a 1000 watt solar generator run a refrigerator
It depends on how much power the refrigerator uses to run. For example, our 205L fridge uses 130 watts to run. In this case a 1000 watt solar generator using a LifeP04 battery will run it for 7 hours. That accounts for around 10% power losses in the operation of the battery. If you want to know more, check out this article ‘How long will a solar generator power a refrigerator?’
How long can a Jackery 1000 run a 12v fridge?
To work out how long a Jackery 1000 can run a 12v fridge, you need to know how much power in Amps or Watts the fridge uses. If a typical 12v fridge uses 20 Amps, that’s the same as 240 volts. Accounting for energy losses in the battery operation, the Jackery 1000 would run this fridge for 3 to 4 hours.
What can the Delta 2 power?
The Delta 2 can power a long list of devices, from small electronics to power tools and even larger household appliances. For a full list of what the Delta 2 can power, check out the article above.
How many watt hours in the Delta 2?
The Delta 2 is 1024 watt hours. That is, it has a total storage capacity of 1024Wh.
Will a Jackery 1000 run a microwave?
A Jackery 1000 will run a microwave that uses less than 1000 watts of power.
A typical microwave uses anything between 700 watts and 1500 watts.
A Jackery Explorer 1000 can run a microwave that uses less than 1000 watts because the Jackery has a maximum continuouse power of 1000 watts. If you try to run a microwave that uses over 1000 watts, the Jackery will trip off automatically.