Solar generators are a good option for those who want to live off the grid and need a good way to get the energy they want without relying on utilities. Many of those who are considering living off the grid may wonder if solar generators are noisy.
Solar generators are not noisy. They do not rely on an engine to provide power to your home and appliances and most have few moving parts internally. This helps to keep the noise level down, but they have their own unique challenges to deal with.
Let’s take a closer look at solar generators and why they are a good idea to use for your off-grid life, as well as some of the main reasons why they don’t create as much noise as a traditional fuel generator.
Are Solar Generators Noisy?
Solar generators are not considered noisy, especially when they are compared to some of the traditional generators that you can choose for your home.
In fact, there is hardly any noise at all inside the solar generator because:
- Solar generators do not have an engine.
- The only moving parts of a solar generator are its cooling fans.
Since these two facts are true, there is very little noise that you will notice from the solar generator when using it in your home.
The only noises that you may notice when using a solar generator are its cooling fans and a slight buzzing from the inverter, but these are both hard to recognize unless you’re pushing it to its limits.
A traditional gas generator can work to help you live off-grid. Since they are noisy and contain fuel that emits fumes, they are not the first choice for many who want to go with this type of power source. The main benefit of fuel generators is that they have more upfront power compared to solar generators.
There are several reasons why a fuel generator is so loud when a solar generator is quiet:
- The engine itself: Gasoline engines are essentially just a series of small controlled explosions – hardly a quiet process.
- The alternator: This will take the energy from the gasoline engine and convert it to electricity. The stator and rotor do this, and they are quite noisy.
- Cooling system and exhaust system: The volume of air and gas flowing through both of these can make quite a racket by themselves.
Thanks to all of these components, the fuel generator is quite a bit noisier and can be quite annoying to those who want to enjoy the quiet and solitude of living off the grid. A solar generator does not have all of these components so it will not make as much noise.
What Should My Solar Generator Sound Like?
Now that we know that solar generators aren’t noisy, it is important to know what the generator sounds like. For the most part, you will not even hear the solar generator. Most of the options on the market are completely silent and can do their job efficiently.
For a few solar generators, you may notice a little sound. You have to listen intently to hear anything, though, and it is not loud enough to disturb you inside your home.
Some solar generators do produce very small amounts of:
- Slight humming
- Slight buzzing
- The occasional click of a switch
But, thankfully, that’s as loud as they get. Most solar generator users will not notice any sound at all, which is part of why it makes sense to use them within your off-grid home.
What Is the Loudest Solar Generator?
While most generators are quiet and great choices when living off the grid, there are a few types that are going to create more noise than what you would expect in this kind of system. One example of this is the Titan solar generator.
The reason for this is that the Titan generator is more powerful than most of the other solar generators that you can choose from. Due to this, it has a bigger fan and ventilation system.
When in heavy use, the Titan needs to cool down its battery by using its fans, which creates some noise. Its inverter may also be heard when in this powering phase.
Both of these work to help circulate the air through the solar generator as it works. It is still less noise than what you would find with a fuel generator, but since most solar generators are almost silent, the extra noise that comes from this product can be annoying.
When pushing a solar generator to its limits, it will create some sound regardless of its size.
The Benefits of Using a Solar Generator
When you want to get power in an off-grid location, a solar generator is one of the best choices to go with. It is also inexpensive in the long run because you just need to use solar panels to recharge its battery.
As long as you have enough sunlight to recharge the generator, you will be able to get the power you need.
Some of the benefits of using a solar generator include:
- No noise: Solar generators do not have an engine, which helps to cut out the noise.
- Free energy supply: You get to use all the power from the sun. Once you pay for the equipment to get the solar generator, the power to recharge is free.
- No fumes: Other generators rely on fuel, which can be smelly and toxic. This is not a problem with a solar generator.
- Good for the environment: It uses solar energy, does not make noise, and doesn’t use fuel. The solar generator is a green power source.
All of these benefits make a solar generator a good option to help you power your off-grid home. While there is a decent upfront cost in choosing these, they are an invaluable tool to help you live off-grid for as long as you want.
Things to Know About Solar Generators
With all the benefits that come with a solar generator, it may seem like this is the best idea to use all the time. There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing this type of generator.
These may not turn you off from getting one but are things to remember before jumping right in.
Here are some drawbacks and other tips you should know about your solar generator:
- They are sensitive to heat and may not do well in long exposure to hot temperatures
- They can produce an inconsistent energy supply if you do not live in a sunny area
- Solar generators usually cost more upfront than a gasoline generator
- You need a big solar generator to power up an entire home
- It can take quite a while to charge up usable amounts of energy
What this means is that you need to think through using the solar generator before you purchase one. Consider how often you plan to use it, where its solar panels should be located to get the most sun, and the cost ahead of time to make the best decision.
Choosing a Solar Generator for Your Off-Grid Home
A solar generator is a great way to go off the grid. They allow you to get the power that is needed for your home and other appliances without needing to worry about going through utilities. And as a bonus, they are good for the environment.
These solar generators are also low on noise, with a slight humming sound being all that you hear from the generator when it is running.
For those considering living off the grid, a solar generator is a fantastic alternative to gas-powered versions so long as you consider the drawbacks as well.
For an idea of what solar generators can power, I have some articles that can help you find the best one for your needs. Finding one that can power your appliances and/or devices with ease is clearly ideal. Check out my suggested articles below for more insights:
