There’s no denying that we all need to turn to sustainable energy. Unfortunately, most of us can’t spend tens of thousands of dollars turning our house into an eco-lover’s dream.
However, this doesn’t need to stop you from doing your bit! A great place to start is with a solar-powered generator, like Nature’s Generator.
While it’s one of the more affordable models on the market, is it the best solar generator for your needs? We’ve outlined and reviewed the main features of Nature’s Generator to provide you with a comprehensive overview.
Read on for our thoroughly researched opinion on Nature’s Generator’s usability, features, and pros and cons to help you make the best decision for your needs.
Nature’s Generator Gold System
Nature’s Generator is primarily a solar generator, but you can also benefit from wind energy too. The electrical energy generated by both solar and wind power is stored within the generator’s internal battery.
State-of-the-art electronics are then used to convert 12-volt energy into 120-volt electricity for everyday household use. This provides 720 Watt-hours of run time.
It’s a great piece of kit to have as an emergency backup for your home, but it’s also popular with fans of mobile and tiny-home living. In the Gold System package, the ‘Nature’s Generator Power Panel’ is also included so you can keep your generator at the ready for an emergency, or for electricity when you’re on the open road.
Features
Nature’s Generator comes with a cart, making it easy to wheel out of storage in the event of a power cut, or when it’s coming on an adventure with you.
You can buy another solar panel separately, but the 100 Watt polycrystalline power panel included gets you off to a great start. It comes with an easily adjustable stand so you can get the tilt you need to catch the rays, wherever you take your generator, or whatever the season.
You can track the power usage of the Nature’s Generator on the central LCD display, but you never have to be caught short without energy thanks to the Smartkey dongle. The dongle allows you to hook the generator up to the ‘Nature’s Pulse’ app and track your battery level and system use from there!
The app will even tell you how much charge you have available, how much electricity is being produced by the solar charging and wind components, how much running time you have on each appliance plugged into Nature’s Generator, and how much electricity you have used overall. If you encounter a problem, there’s a diagnostics function and a help function to contact the Nature’s Generator team.
The versatility to generate both solar and wind power gives Nature’s Generator an edge over solar input-only generators. If you live in a more seasonal state, this allows you to utilize your generator even on dark winter days.
With a generous variety of AC and USB outlets, you don’t have to choose between charging your phone to keep up to date with that never-ending WhatsApp group chat, or keeping an ice-cold supply of beer in the fridge.
For those who love the techy details, Nature’s Generator uses a pure sine wave inverter – the same used by utility companies. This is the same kind of electricity that can even be trusted to run medical equipment.
Suggested Reading: Best Solar Generators for Portable Power
The battery has been designed to be easily replaceable. On many modern electric devices, batteries are built-in – making the device useless when the battery gives up. But with sustainability at its core, Nature’s Generator can surpass the life of one battery. They’ve made it easy for you to replace the battery yourself, so there are no extra service charges for a battery change.
Specifications
Nature’s Generator consists of:
Ports & Outlets
- A 200A fuse expansion port
- One DC port (12V, max 240W)
- Two times USB ports (3A combined power)
- Three times household AC outlets (120V)
Inputs
- 90W charging AC input
- 200W max solar input
- 300W max wind input
Generator Specs
- Output: 1800W max
- Output waveform: pure sine wave (in layman’s terms, that’s the best kind!)
- Output voltage: 120V
- Output frequency: 60Hz
Battery Specs
- Built-in (SLA) sealed lead acid battery (60Ah)
- 720 watt-hours capacity
- Estimated life cycles: 500-800 full charges
- Charge controller (built-in)
- Low battery protection (built-in)
- Capacity: 1800W continuous energy
Extras
- Central LCD display
- Bluetooth app for iOS & Android
- Weight: 90lbs (including cart)
- Dimensions: 23x12x22 inches (including cart)
Includes
- 100 Watt panel
- Polycrystalline cell type
- 50ft cable (UL approved)
- Its own wheelable frame cart
- Summer & winter tilt options
- Anti-reflective & reinforced glass
As one of the first smart generators of its kind, the software and app also provide you with all the controls you need to see how you’re generating and using electricity.
How To Use
Nature’s Generator is a great ‘starter pack’ for those new to generating their own free, renewable energy. Usually separately sold, the Gold System makes the first step towards eco-friendly living easier by bringing you Nature’s Generator and Power Panel in one easy to assemble package.
You can charge up the generator to store energy for later use, or keep the power panel connected while you use electricity to create your own continuous charge. Up to 720-watt hours of run time is generated. Additionally, while on continual recharge, 100 watts per hour are produced.
So what can you power from Nature’s Generator?
With multiple AC and USB outlets, it’s great for charging the small staples of modern life, like your laptop and smartphone. You can even run small appliances such as lighting and fridges, perfect if you’re a fan of camping but still want some creature comforts!
The ability to run small appliances is also incredibly useful if you just want to save on your energy bills by relying less on your main electricity supply at home. Better yet, the energy you generate is green! Additionally, the cost of a unit like Nature’s Gold is far lower than rooftop solar panels.
When you invest in another Nature’s Generator, it stacks neatly on top of the other thanks to the wheelable cart. This is an invaluable feature if you decide you want to increase your use of solar input. You can stack up to four generators together, effectively creating your own power plant of renewable energy.
Nature’s Generator Review: The Final Verdict
Pros
In the fast-growing market of solar panels, why should you choose Nature’s Generator? Let’s look at the advantages this generator has on the solar charging market…
It’s Wheely Easy To Move Around
Thanks to the cart included, it’s easy to whip out your generator from the cellar or steer it to a suntrap outside your RV. Basically, wherever you require electricity, you don’t need to lug it around with your own brute strength; wheel it around instead with total ease!
Dual Renewable Energy Input
The ability to generate both wind power and solar power from the generator gives it an edge over competitors. Most eco-friendly generators within this price range cannot utilize both. You can get more powerful generators that provide dual input options, but you’ll be significantly more out of pocket than you will be with Nature’s Generator.
This is an invaluable feature if you’re traveling somewhere with little sunlight. Bear in mind that the charging speed can be highly variable depending on the strength of the wind, but the fact wind energy can be available 24/7 means you can continue to charge into the night.
Create A Power Chain
A real unique selling proposition of Nature’s Generator is the ability to chain several generators together. So if you start with one and start to see your electricity bills lower, you might want to invest your savings into another generator, and slowly wean yourself off non-renewable energy.
You can charge several battery banks with the device too, so if it’s within your budget to buy more, you can have an emergency store and exceed the 720 Watt-hour limit you have with just one.
Multiple Power Outputs
The generator is on the heavy side, but that’s because the inverter packs a lot of power at 1800 Watts. It means you can take advantage of the plethora of outlet ports without worrying you’ll max out the system. The DC outlet bypasses the inverter, meaning using this outlet can allow for longer running times.
Cons
Investing in anything new needs careful consideration, not least when it’s an investment worth thousands of dollars. With renewable energy still being a relatively new and growing industry, generators can come with teething problems.
Before you decide whether Nature’s Generator is the right one for you, it’s only right we talk you through potential disadvantages.
A Weighty Problem
The weight of the generator system is 90lbs – two to three times the weight of similar generators on the market. It isn’t too much of an inconvenience since it comes with an easy to steer cart, but that might not be so helpful on rough terrain or if you want to hitch it up the stairs.
USB Isn’t Its USP
Although multiple AC outlets can be utilized, there are only two USB ports. As technology advances and USB ports are relied on more and more as a go-to option, this could quickly put Nature’s Generator at the back of the race.
The Battery Might Leave You Flat
With more modern solar generators on the market favoring lithium batteries, the AGM battery is less efficient. 500-800 life cycles are expected from the generator. This means an extra cost could be needed around every two years if you use your generator daily.
The shelf life is also compromised by the AGM battery. It’s recommended to be charged every 2-3 months in order to maintain the energy reserve, which might catch you short at a time when you most need your generator. Again, lithium-powered generators are only required to be fully charged every 6-12 months.
Although lithium-ion battery-powered generators are pricier outright, they promise to last longer, so you might feel an investment in a higher spec generator is right for you if battery capacity is your priority.
A Solar Panel On The Slow Side
Nature’s Generator charges using solar power in 10-15 hours. The ability to charge by the wind too helps, but this is unreliable and depends on the wind speeds. This charging speed doesn’t compete with similar devices on the market. It might mean relying on Nature’s Generator when off-grid in an RV would be risky business.
FAQs
What Are Solar Generators?
Solar generators are fast becoming the clean-energy replacement of choice for gas generators. They work by capturing sunlight through a solar panel, usually separately sold, turning it into chemical energy, and storing it in their batteries for later use.
Depending on the battery capacity, a solar-powered generator can be used to charge multiple small devices such as a cell phone, a laptop, or a camera; often charging multiple devices at once. More substantial generators can even run small household appliances and electrical tools.
Unlike the solar panels you see on rooftops, a solar-powered generator provides you with portable energy that can be used and monitored through its battery management LCD display.
What used to be a niche, futuristic energy supply for a few people with deep pockets is now becoming more and more affordable and accessible thanks to the development of solar charging technology.
Do I Need A Solar Generator?
A solar-powered generator is a great addition to many different lifestyles. It’s not only great for campers who like to live on the road and off the grid, but it can also provide the lion’s share of your energy source if you’re a fan of tiny home living. The ability to link Nature’s Generators could be really useful here.
For the eco-conscious who can’t afford an expensive inbuilt solar panel system in their home, it can be a great investment as a stepping stone to fully sustainable living. You can decide whether solar power or wind turbine energy is best for your needs with the two-in-one capabilities of Nature’s Generator.
Not only can you ease your conscience knowing you’re choosing a source of energy that’s good for the planet, but you can also ease your purse strings for the fun things in life as you see your energy bills go down.
What Can A 1800 Watt Solar Generator Run?
Multiple small devices can be charged at once with the power that the 1800W inverter packs. With such a high output wattage, you can even run a single, higher-powered device such as a refrigerator, microwave, or electrical tool.
If you’re in an area prone to adverse weather and power outage issues, Nature’s Generator can act as an uninterrupted energy supply in your times of need. Hook it up to your fridge overnight, safe in the knowledge you won’t waste food if there’s a blackout, or use it for your laptop knowing unreliable energy won’t stop you from hitting your deadlines.
To give you an idea of the kind of power you can expect from a solar generator like Nature’s Generator, you can expect to recharge your cell phone over 60 times. Laptops can be charged over 12 times, cameras 100 times, and appliances such as mini-fridges and LED TVs can be powered for over 12 hours.
How Much Solar Energy Do I Need To Run My House?
It is possible to power a whole household on solar energy alone. Market guidance suggests for standard energy usage, a one-person household uses 850kWh annual electricity, a two-person house uses 1,700kWh, a three-person home 2,550kWh and a four-person home uses 3,400kWh.
These estimates equate to requiring 4,8,12 and 16 solar panels respectively. Of course, the number of sunlight hours where you live will need to be taken into consideration too.
Should I Install Solar Panels?
Installing solar panels can be a great investment in your home. They’ll provide more reliable energy than Nature’s Generator and if you’re planning on staying put for the next decade, you’ll save more on your electricity bills than what you spent on the initial outlay.
But – and this is a big but – you should think seriously about where you hope to be in the longer term. You might soon decide to upsize, downsize, or simply move locations. Investing in static solar energy might cost more than you’ll save if you up and move, making a solar generator a wise investment.
This is why investing in a smaller solar-powered generator such as Nature’s Generator is a great place to start. You’ll get a sense of the amount of solar energy created from a single solar panel. It can come anywhere with you and be added to later to create your own network of generators.
What Is The Best Solar Generator For Home Use?
The best solar generator for your home depends on what features are the most valuable to you. To say what is best for you will depend on whether you want an overall performer for a range of different uses, a high battery capacity, a nifty, portable generator, or perhaps just the best budget generator to introduce you to solar charging.
Nature’s Generator is one of the best solar generators for affordability. Its LCD screen and easily changeable battery make it stand out in terms of usability, too. But, if you’re looking for a more portable generator, using more up-to-date technology, you might need to save a little longer and look for a generator in a higher price range.
If you can manage without several USB ports and don’t require a super long battery life, Nature’s Generator is one of the best solar generators for a lower budget. With the technology of wind turbines constantly evolving, this could give your solar-powered generator an edge in the future!
