It does not generate anything
Start here, because the name causes most of the confusion. A solar generator does not generate power in the way a petrol generator does. It is a battery that stores electricity, packaged with the electronics needed to charge it from the sun and deliver household AC.
The four parts
1. The battery
Where the energy is stored, measured in watt-hours. Nearly everything worth buying now uses LiFePO4 cells, which last several times longer than the older chemistry — see LiFePO4 vs lithium-ion.
2. The charge controller
Sits between the panels and the battery, converting variable panel output into something the battery can accept safely. This is what sets the maximum solar input and the voltage window.
3. The inverter
Turns stored DC into 120V AC for normal plugs. Its continuous rating decides what you can run; the battery decides for how long.
4. The panels
Folding for portability, rigid for permanent mounting. See solar panels and kits.
Two numbers, two questions. Watt-hours answer “how long?”. Watts of output answer “will it start at all?”. People shop on the first and get caught by the second.
What happens when you use it
- Panels produce DC when light hits them.
- The charge controller regulates that into the battery.
- You plug something in; the inverter converts stored DC to AC.
- Roughly 10–20% is lost to conversion and heat — which is why usable capacity is below the rating.
Versus a petrol generator
| Solar generator | Petrol generator | |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor use | Safe | Never |
| Noise | Silent | Loud |
| Fuel | None | Ongoing |
| Runtime | Limited by battery | While fuel lasts |
| Heavy loads | Limited | Strong |
Full comparison: power station vs generator.
Which one to buy
Start from what you want to run, not from price. The picker takes one answer and gives you a capacity bracket, or read what size power station do I need. For bundles specifically, see solar generators.