Summer is in full swing, and that means one thing for many people: air conditioners! If you’re looking to stay cool this summer, you may be wondering if a solar generator can power an air conditioner.
The answer is yes – a solar generator can power an air conditioner as long as it has the right wattage. And there are many solar power generators on the market that can do that.
In this blog post, we will discuss the wattage requirements of common air conditioners and how to choose the right solar generator for your needs.
Stay cool this summer with a solar-powered AC!
What Size Solar Generator To Run an Air Conditioner?
There are a few factors to consider when choosing a solar generator to power an ac unit.
1. The Rated Wattage Of Your AC Unit
The wattage of your AC unit is the most important factor to consider when choosing a solar generator.
Air conditioners typically require anywhere from 700 to 2000 watts, so make sure your generator can handle this load. If you intend to power more than one air conditioner simultaneously, make sure the generator’s wattage is higher than all appliances that you run at the same time.
For example, if you wish to power a 700W AC, a 300W fridge, and a 50W laptop charger at the same time, you need a solar generator that has a wattage rating of at least 1050W.
If you’re not sure how much wattage your AC unit uses, check the manufacturer’s website or the label on the back of the unit.
2. The Starting Wattage Of Your Air Conditioner
In addition to the rated wattage, you’ll also want to consider the starting wattage of your AC unit.
The starting wattage is the amount of power required to start up the AC unit, and it’s typically higher than the rated wattage. Some appliances like refrigerators require a lot of power to start, which is usually 2x the operating wattage.
For example, a 1500-watt air conditioner may have a starting wattage of 2500 watts.
Make sure your solar generator can handle the starting wattage of your AC unit as well as the rated wattage.
3. The Generator’s Capacity
A solar generator’s capacity is measured in watt-hours, and it tells you how much power the generator can produce over a period of time.
This is extremely important because if your solar generator’s battery doesn’t have enough charge, it won’t be able to power your AC unit for very long.
To calculate the capacity you need, simply multiply the wattage of your AC unit by the number of hours you want to run it.
For example, if you have a 1000-watt air conditioner and you want to run it for eight hours, you’ll need a generator with a capacity of 8000 watt-hours.
4. The Size Of The Solar Panel
Last but not least, you’ll want to consider the size of the solar panel when choosing a generator.
The solar panel is what charges the generator’s battery, so a larger solar panel will charge the battery faster.
A larger solar panel is also necessary if you want to run your AC unit for a long period of time.
To calculate how much power will the solar panels produce over the course of the day, you’ll need to know the wattage of your solar panel and how many hours of peak sunlight you get in a day.
Suppose you need to power a 1000-watt air conditioner for 8 hours/day, then you need a solar system that can provide at least 8000Wh each day.
The average home in the United States gets about 4 hours of peak sunlight per day.
So, to produce 8000Wh, you need a 2000-watt solar system or ten 200-watt solar panels (8000/4).
It’s important to note that the peak sunlight hours vary depending on where you live.
If you’re in a sunny area, you may get more than 6 hours of peak sunlight per day.
How Much Money Can You Save By Using A Solar Generator To Run An AC?
The cost of running an air conditioner depends on the wattage of the unit, the price of electricity, and how many hours you use it.
To calculate the cost, simply multiply the wattage of your AC by the number of hours you use it and then multiply that by the price of electricity.
For example, if you have a 1000-watt air conditioner and you use it for eight hours/day, the cost would be:
1 kW (1000-watt) x $0.12 (price of electricity) x 8 hours = $0.96/day.
Suppose you are using the AC unit only 4 months per year, this would mean $115.2/year.
The same AC unit running on a solar generator would cost you nothing but the initial investment in the generator and solar panels.
With the average payback period being between five and ten years, and an average lifespan of 25 years, you’ll be saving around $1800, that’s without putting into account the rising electricity costs and inflation.
