If the power grid fails, equipment like solar generators will be worth their weight in lithium, no pun intended. Absent a “device killing” event such as an EMP, solar generators will function as long as you have solar panels that work, and the generator batteries can hold enough charge to run your stuff. The generator will provide a temporary solution for your energy needs, and it will do it virtually silently. Not like a gas generator that will announce to the whole block that you have resources. Still, solar generators, like all battery-operated equipment, won’t last forever. The batteries will eventually die. However, a solar generator’s potential to provide us power during emergencies shouldn’t be underestimated. A solar generator can play a big part in getting us through the period between the onset of a crisis and when the battery finally dies.
A popular feature in most solar generators is the ability to operate as a pass-through power source. This means you can plug the generator’s power cord into the wall outlet in your house, then plug your mini fridge into the generator, and the generator will power your fridge while simultaneously charging its internal battery. If the power from the street goes go out, the fridge will keep running because the solar generator will automatically kick in. Most solar generators are also equipped with LiFePO₄ batteries because of their long cycle life. These batteries are less prone to combustion, which is good powering a device and charging simultaneously. You don’t want to have to sit there watching it run out of concern that it might catch fire.
If you plan on investing in a solar generator, you want to be able to get the most out of it. That being said, understanding and maintaining the unit’s batteries is key to maximizing its lifespan. The cycle life of a battery, which is the number of complete charge and discharge cycles the battery can endure before its capacity to hold a charge starts to drop, is a key factor in determining its longevity. When buying anything rechargeable, you want to get the model with the highest battery cycle life. Especially when the batteries are built into the unit and cannot be replaced. When a LiFePO₄ battery reaches the end of its cycle life, it doesn’t just stop working. Instead, its capacity to hold a full charge deteriorates. Typically, it’ll drop to about 80% efficiency compared to when it was new. To get the max cycle life, avoid running devices that require over 20% of the generator output capability. For instance, if you have a 600-watt solar generator, it’s best to run appliances that require only around 120 watts (20%) or less, rather than those demanding 500 watts. Now, if you plug in a 400 watt device into a 600 watt generator, it’ll run the device but over time, that kind of use will wear on it. Yes, I know, this means you need a pretty high wattage generator to run some basic equipment. But, this ensures that the battery is not over stressed and will prolong its effective life.
As if you don’t have enough to think about, there’s the factor of the battery’s calendar life. This is the time-based degradation that occurs whether you use the battery or not. For emergency equipment like solar generators, which might sit unused for extended periods, this is important to keep in mind. Batteries need to be ‘exercised’ or used regularly to maintain their health. This means that even in non-emergency times, use your generator! Some brands advertise a battery life of 2,500 cycles. At one cycle per day, that means your generator will last nearly 7 years. If you cycle it once every other day, you’re looking at nearly 14 years. Imagine the smiles you will put on people’s faces when you still have an LED light on at the dinner table three years into some long term power outage. Bottom line, a solar generator is going to last you a long time, so use it and enjoy it.
I hope we’ve established that while solar generators do have limitations, their utility in a grid-down situation can be significant. They offer us an opportunity to maintain some semblance of normalcy and functionality while we adapt to a grid-down situation. Human ingenuity, driven by necessity, often leads to inventive solutions. When faced with a grid-down situation and the fact that our solar generator will only last so long, it’ll be smart to use the time while our generator works to either figure out a way to get by without it or figure out ways to keep it running. This interim period is not just about utilizing the generator while it last, it’s about adapting to changing circumstances and preparing for a future without it. Remember, preparedness is fundamentally about adaptability. It involves having enough resources to withstand the initial phase of a crisis and, more importantly, the ability to adapt as the situation evolves. Adaptability is a dynamic process, not a static state. It requires ongoing assessment, learning, and the ability to adjust to new realities. This flexibility, the capacity to evolve and overcome challenges, is at the heart of effective preparedness. In a world where change is the only constant, the ability to adapt is our greatest asset. The inevitable degradation of a solar generator in a prolonged grid-down scenario is a reality, but its presence can be a game-changer in the initial phases of adaptation. By understanding and maintaining these devices, you ensure they serve you effectively for as long as possible.