The need for electricity is almost unavoidable in this day and age. From camping to cookouts, power outages to picnics, portable power stations have a use in nearly any situation. Where generators are intended to provide power to homes, portable power stations are ideal for charging electronics, keeping small appliances running, or even powering outdoor movie or gaming parties.
As the world turns its eye toward renewable energy, two major types of portable power stations have come to prominence: solar and electric. Both have their pros and cons, but which is the best option for you? Read on for information about electric vs. solar power stations.
Power Supply
Solar power stations rely on solar panels to convert sunlight into electrical energy. Solar panels are made of semiconductor materials, such as silicon, that absorb sunlight to generate an electrical current. If you’ve seen solar panels on the roofs of nearby houses, it’s the same technology, just on a smaller scale.
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Where solar stations recharge with sunlight, electric power stations need to be plugged into an electrical outlet in order to fill up their batteries. This means that you can plug them in at home, but it also gives you the opportunity to recharge the power station with a generator as well.
Cost
Because the technology is relatively new, solar power stations are generally more expensive than electric ones. However, keep in mind that electric power stations rely on electricity, as their name indicates, so they can impact your electricity bills. In contrast, solar power stations may be more expensive up front, but there are no costs associated with recharging them.
Environmental Friendliness
Solar portable home power stations are more environmentally friendly than electric ones. Solar panels convert sunlight into electrical energy, which powers appliances and electronics. Solar panels do not produce emissions, making them a clean energy source.
While countries like the United States are attempting to increase the amount of electricity generated by renewable means, including solar panels and hydroelectric plants, the majority of electricity is still generated using fossil fuels, like coal and natural gas. Though electric power stations don’t necessarily generate harmful emissions on their own, they can contribute to them as a result.
Care
One of the major differences between solar and electric power stations is how you take care of them. The main power station units themselves will be relatively similar, and of course, stations from different brands may vary in how sturdy they are. However, as electric power stations keep their technology inside, there’s less of a chance that something can happen to them, barring water damage or a cut power cord.
With solar power stations, you need to be careful of how you treat the solar panels. Panels need to be gently cleaned regularly to ensure maximum sunlight absorption. Because they’re sensitive pieces of equipment, you need to be mindful of how they’re treated, taking care to avoid impacts that can damage the panels.
A Caveat
Although solar power stations have a variety of differences from electric ones, they’re not mutually exclusive. Some electric power stations are compatible with solar panels, which allows you to convert them instead of needing to buy an entirely new unit. This also makes them more versatile as you can rely on sunlight for charging in areas without electricity and plug the station in when you’re able to.
Conclusion
Despite their differences, solar and electric power stations are both viable options. Solar panels add versatility to power stations, but if you run out of charge in the middle of the night, you need to wait until the sun comes up. Electric power stations require access to outside generators whether they’re portable gas generators, home electrical outlets, or even vehicle power converters. Ultimately, it’s important to choose the power station that suits your needs and stays within your budget.
- SPEED UP YOUR RECHARGEABILITY: It takes only 2 hours to recharge 80% battery of the power station through the wall outlet and 60W PD USB-C port simultaneously. You can also recharge your power station with an AC adapator when at home, through the car outlet during a road trip or simply use a Jackery SolarSaga 100.
- SAFE & STEADY POWER SUPPLY: Armed with a 293Wh lithium-ion battery pack, the Explorer 300 features 2 Pure Sine Wave AC outlets that deliver stable and safe 300W power. The portable power station weighs only 7.1 pounds. You can simply rest assured in outdoor off-grid activities.
- POWER YOUR EXPECTATIONS: Featuring 2* AC outlet, 1* PD 60W USB-C port (input/output supported) , 1* fast charge 3.0 port, 1*USB-A port and 1* DC car port, the power station can recharge itself and charge (up to) 6 devices (e.g.Drones, Macbook, Cameras, etc.) at the same time to satisfy your outdoor needs.
- GREEN POWER SUPPLY: The power station is compatible with the Jackery SolarSaga 100 solar panel. The integrated MPPT controller enables the solar generator set to operate at its max power point, so that it speeds up the battery recharge, making them ideal portable power kits for tent camping, overland journey and etc.
- WHAT YOU GET: 1* Jackery Explorer 300 Portable Power Station , 1*AC adapter, 1* car charger cable, 1* user guide
- Solar power bank portable charger uses strong professional ABS material, Chemical resistant, heat-resistant, and has super surface hardness, high elasticity and toughness. IP67 waterproof,drop-proof and dust-proof, so you no longer worry about damage caused by water/drop, the powerbank can work in extreme environments. Solar battery bank with more than 1600+ charging life cycles, it is very reliable and durable.
- Portable charger is compatible with all USB devices such as smartphones and tablets. The battery pack charger portable has 2 USB output ports, if the device is compatible, the portable battery pack can support the QC3.0 fast charge protocol.
- Solar charger power bank has a large battery capacity of 42800mAh, and uses high-density batteries to load a larger capacity without changing the volume and weight. The super battery life allows you to get rid of the anxiety and worries about the depletion of the device power anytime and anywhere.
- Solar phone charger is equipped with a super bright LED flashlight with a long range, It can work continuously for up to 100 hours.
- Friendly reminder: When the solar panel is being cared for, it will generate current to charge the battery, and the indicator light will flash.Solar charging is affected by the instability of sunshine intensity and duration. The battery capacity of the portable charger power bank is very large, so the charging will be very slow and should be used as an emergency function. For daily charging, please use a charger with a power above 5V2A to charge the portable phone charger.
- [Tiny but Mighty] - With a 600W AC inverter, 268Wh LiFePO4 battery pack, and 9 outlets, this power station will keep your essential devices powered on the go or during a home power outage.
- [Ultra-fast Charging] - No bulky power brick, a single cable is good to charge it at most 350W; you also can use the PV+AC together for 80% SOC in just 30 min.
- [Harness the Power of Sun] - The built-in MPPT controller supports up to 200W of solar input, enabling you to make an ideal solar generator with BLUETTI PV120/PV200 solar panel.
- [Reliable UPS] - EB3A instantly provides backup power when the grid fails, protecting your desktop PC, file servers, and other sensitive devices from data loss or damage.
- [What You Get] - BLUETTI EB3A portable power station, AC charging cable, solar charging cable, user manual, 24-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
