Introduction
When seeking an all-in-one solution for harnessing and storing energy for off-grid usage in the UK, one should consider moving away from pollution-driving petrol or diesel generators. Instead, opting for the contemporary standard of energy production, aka Solar Generators, is highly recommended. After all, Solar Generators are quieter, cleaner, and more efficient.
Jackery, a leading solar solution company in the UK, has revolutionized the country’s renewable energy transition with its wide range of Solar Generators and Portable Solar Stations. Living off grid in the UK has never been more accessible and manageable since customers can invest in Solar Generators like Jackery’s Solar Generator 2000 Pro and ensure a seamless flow of electricity when they are on the move!
Wondering what all one needs to know to make a strong Solar Generator purchasing decision? This complete Solar Generator guide will help. Let’s dive right into the content and learn more about Solar Generators!
What are Solar Generators?
A solar generator is a form of a combination of an off-grid power station and solar panels. The setup is all about portability and living off grid in the UK. A solar generator uses portable solar panels to harness solar energy and a portable solar station to store electricity which can later be used to operate appliances. Every solar generator setup consists of these four elements:
1) Portable Solar Panels
2) Rechargeable Battery
3) Solar Charge Controller
4) Solar Inverter
The portable solar panels convert sunlight to DC electricity and pass the electricity through a solar charge controller. The solar charge controller ensures proper voltage regulation before the current is stored in the battery. The solar inverter will convert the stored DC electricity into AC and supply power whenever required. In this way, solar generators ensure a reliable backup power source to drive important appliances in real-life emergencies or when people are living off grid in the UK.
What are the residential and commercial applications of Solar Generators?
Let’s dive deeper and learn when one can look forward to using solar generators in their life. Here are some of the most popular residential and commercial applications of solar generators.
Residential Use:
1. Run large appliances: Solar generators can power appliances with high power usage, such as air conditioners, washing machines, refrigerators, or an outdoor electric grill, and more, reducing electricity bills and improving off-grid living in the UK. The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro is reliable for powering these appliances.
2. Off-grid homes: Solar generators are used to power homes that are not connected to the utility grid or for those who choose not to rely on it. They can provide a sustainable and independent power source for off-grid living. The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro offers a convenient solution for off-grid homeowners.
3. Use and charge electronic devices: Solar generators are ideal for keeping electronic devices charged, such as smartphones, laptops, smartwatches, and GPS devices, especially when living off-grid or camping outdoors. The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro provides AC output and 100W Max DC output for versatile charging options.
4. Power coolers and mini fans: Solar generators like the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro can power mini coolers and tower fans, making them useful for camping during the summer months in the UK. These generators ensure a comfortable and enjoyable outdoor experience.
Commercial/Industrial Use:
1. EV charging: Solar generators can be used for electric vehicle (EV) charging, providing a convenient and sustainable charging solution for commercial and industrial settings. Solar generators offer a reliable power source for EV charging stations, contributing to greener transportation infrastructure.
2. Oil and gas: Solar generators support remote automation at oil drilling sites, ensuring reliable power supply for system operations and data monitoring. They provide a sustainable alternative to traditional power sources, reducing costs and environmental impact in the oil and gas industry.
3. Surveillance: Solar generators can produce and store enough energy to support surveillance loads, making them valuable for commercial sites, especially in remote locations. These generators help automate surveillance systems and ensure continuous operation for enhanced security.
4. Agriculture: Solar generators can power water pumps in agricultural fields, ensuring seamless water pumping, especially in rural areas with unreliable power supplies. They offer a sustainable and efficient solution for powering agricultural equipment, supporting crop irrigation, and farm operations.
5. Construction: Solar generators are widely used in the construction industry to provide power for tools, lighting, and other equipment. They offer a portable and renewable energy source, reducing dependence on traditional power grids and enhancing productivity on construction sites.
6. Telecommunications: Solar generators are also useful for residential applications, such as powering cell repeaters or weather stations at high altitudes. They provide a reliable and cost-effective power supply for remote communication systems, ensuring seamless connectivity.
What are the advantages of using Solar Generators?
There are several pros to using solar generators while living off grid in the UK. Here are the most significant benefits of investing in solar generators in the country.
1. Best for emergencies
Solar generators always come in handy when life hits the emergency button. With solar generators by the side, one can fight any emergency as these keep all the important devices charged and ready to use, especially when customers are living off grid in the UK. Jackery’s Solar Generator 2000 Pro always keeps storing energy for emergency usage.
2. Portable and easy to move
The best thing about investing in solar generators is that these are ridiculously easy to travel with. The solar generators and solar power stations by Jackery are lighter than the competition and come with drawbars. Not just that, the wheels at the bottom make sure no heavy lifting is involved.
3. Flexible and versatile
Solar generators are the epitome of power supply versatility. Customers can use solar generators anywhere they want. These make a super useful power backup at home and deliver excellent support when camping outdoors. Solar generators, especially the ones designed by Jackery, are made with durable materials that last a lifetime.
4. Free of cost energy
Once customers purchase solar generators, they do not need to pay for the power they consume. It is because solar energy is essentially free energy. There will be no need to purchase fuel as clean energy will always be at customers’ disposal, especially when living off grid in the UK.
5. Harnesses clean energy
Solar generators use sunlight to produce electricity. Unlike traditional generators that use fossil fuels to produce electricity, solar generators harness sunlight and efficiently convert it into usable energy. Traditional generators contribute to air and noise pollution while eating into the limited non-renewable energy sources.
6. Low maintenance
There’s hardly any wear and tear in solar generators. Why? Portable solar generators, like Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro, do not have moving parts. Traditional emergency generators had numerous moving parts, which added to the maintenance costs. Solar generators, therefore, are low-maintenance machines.
7. Three ways to charge!
That’s right! Solar generators allow customers to generate energy with whatever they have at the moment. Jackery solar generators and power stations can be charged using solar energy, AC power, and a 12V car socket. This way, customers will never run out of juice and always have their solar generators ready to supply more power.
Important Solar Generator Installation Guidelines for the UK
Before installing solar generators for living off grid in the UK, what should a customer know? Here’s a list of guidelines to consider when investing in solar generators.
1. Regulations
When it comes to installing solar PV panels in the UK, customers are not required to place requests with the planning commission. This is because solar PV panels are considered ‘permitted developments.’ However, customers should check with the local planning office to ensure there are no exceptions applied to their location or setup. It is highly recommended to discuss with the Distribution Network Operator if readers plan to install a solar PV system at home.
2. Placement
The solar PV panels should be placed in an area where there is maximum access to peak sunlight. The solar generator can be placed almost anywhere when living off-grid. Due to the solar generators’ small size and high portability, placement will never be an issue.
3. Orientation
Since the UK is in the northern hemisphere, the recommended solar generator orientation is South. One should also consider the elevation of the roof when planning to install a solar PV system.
4. Grid Connection
The solar PV panel installer should be able to guide customers when it comes to connecting the solar PV system to the national grid. Since most solar generator systems are small in size, the installer will have to inform the District Network Operator within 28 days after making a connection.
Government Incentives for Using Solar Generators in the UK
Did you know the government in the UK provides incentives to customers opting for renewable sources of energy? Here are some of the government incentives to consider when investing in off-grid power sources like solar generators.
1. Feed-in Tariff [1]
Although the incentive expired on 1 April 2019, the people registered before will continue to benefit from this government incentive for the decided 20-year period. The potential savings for the generation tariff is between 6.38p to 13.88p per kWh, while for an export tariff is 4.77p per unit.
2. Green Homes Grant [2]
Another UK government incentive that has expired on 31 March 2021. Under this scheme, all registered homeowners in England would save up to two-thirds of the total cost (up to £5,000) or up to 100 percent (maximum of £10,000) for those on qualifying benefits.
3. Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) [3]
Launched on 1 January 2020, Smart Export Guarantee is for owners of technologies like solar photovoltaic or solar PV, wind, micro combined heat and power, hydro, and anaerobic digestion. The SEG pays small-scale generators to produce low-carbon electricity and export it back to the National Grid.
Why invest in Jackery’s Solar Generators?
Now that the benefits of installing solar generators are quite evident, it’s time to move toward making a perfect purchasing decision. At Jackery, the experts believe in investing in promising, scalable, reliable, and efficient technology. More importantly, the company aims to produce solar solutions that enable living off grid in the UK. This is why considering Jackery’s line of solar generators and power stations is highly recommended. Solar generators like Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro are one of the company’s best solutions designed to fight power outages, frequent voltage fluctuations, emergencies, and power shortages during travel or outdoor activities. Not just that, the company offers a 30-day money-back policy and backs it up with a 3+2 years guarantee — encouraging customers to adopt a cleaner, greener, and more reliable energy source.
Conclusion
Jackery is a leading green energy solution company that has a wide range of solar generators and power stations. These solar power-generating products are known worldwide for providing seamless power when living off grid in the UK or during real-life emergencies, especially when customers are outdoors. The idea behind Jackery is to produce revolutionary, smart, powerful, reliable, and sustainable solar generators and power stations that are cost-efficient, portable, easy to use, and power efficient at the same time. More importantly, the company has superior customer support to make sure its customers never feel left out. As a pioneer in using solar energy as a renewable energy resource, Jackery aims to harness renewable energy sources to fulfill people’s dreams and aspirations. Being the first-ever company to launch outdoor portable power stations and portable solar panels, it is all set to bring in more customers by pushing toward the clean energy dream! We hope you found this extensive solar generator guide for the UK helpful. Stay tuned on Jackery’s website as they bring more updates about upcoming products and events.
Reference
[1] FIT scheme closed to new applicants on 1 April 2019, with some exceptions. Available at: Feed-in Tariffs (FIT) | Ofgem (Accessed 1st July)
[2] Green Homes Grant: make energy improvements to your home (closed). Available at: [Withdrawn] Green Homes Grant: make energy improvements to your home (closed) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) (Accessed 1st July)
[3] About the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). Available at: Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) | Ofgem (Accessed 1st July)