Solar Generators Vs. Fuel Generators: Which One Is Best For Camping?

We all know that we need to start using more clean energy. Currently, 80% of Americans say they would change their behavior to help fight climate change.

Well, there's a really easy way to do that, and it starts with changing your portable energy consumption. If you love the outdoors but rely on fossil fuels for your energy, then we're here to help!

Let's compare the solar generator with a fuel generator and see which is better for camping!

Benefits of Fuel Generators for Camping

When we say "fuel generator," we mean generators that use propane, natural gas, gasoline, or diesel fuel. There are a few benefits to using these generators for home backup, outdoor work, or camping.

Fuel generators are more widely available and they may be cheaper to purchase right away. You can easily pick one up at Walmart or Home Depot, fill it with gas, and be on your way.

Also, you may be able to find one for cheap secondhand or even have one sitting in your basement, reducing or eliminating upfront costs. Specifically for gas and diesel generators, fuel is widely accessible all year round, with over 150,000 gas stations available in the U.S.

Downsides of Fuel Generators

However, there are a few major downsides to using a fuel generator while camping. First, there is the ongoing cost and extra weight of purchasing fuel. With gas prices at an all-time high, these costs can add up.

With the average gas price at $4.17 in the US, running a generator at 0.75 gallons per hour will result in $31.27 for every 10 hours of use, which might cost more than your campground for only ten hours!

Fossil fuels are also very harmful to the environment, and more people are catching on! If gasoline prices continue to rise as we transition to renewables, then it will become more expensive to run your system.

Also, if you run out of fuel, then you lose power. There's no storage capacity for fuel generators, meaning you'll constantly have to use fuel to keep it running.

Moreover, carrying around excess flammable liquids with you for your camping trip is dangerous, not to mention breathing in the exhaust and creating emissions. More than 500 people die every year from the toxic fumes of fuel generators.

Also, there are more moving parts within a fuel generator that can break, as you are essentially running a car engine. As another consequence of this, fuel generators are loud. This isn't feasible for stealth camping or camping at a campground surrounded by others.

Benefits of Solar Generator for Camping

OUPES is one of the best portable solar generators on the market, being a small solar generator for camping. Solar generators are safer, they offer backup storage, use free fuel, and they're often lighter.

When we say safer, we mean they aren't flammable, you won't need to carry backup fuel, and there won't be any harmful emissions like you'd receive with a fuel generator. If you're camping to connect with nature, then you don't want to harm it with greenhouse gas emissions.

Solar generators also offer backup battery storage, so you won't need to rely on the sun for energy at all times, allowing you to charge electronics silently overnight.

Once you have the solar panels, you can easily generate free electricity whenever you want, even at home. This can help you save money on electricity bills and access free power wherever you go, not just while camping!

Moreover, solar generators are far more portable than gas generators. If you're going backpacking or taking a small sedan to your campsite, there's no way to fit a large gas generator and safely transport the fuel along with it. Solar generators can clip onto your backpack and you can forget about it.

Also, there's less fuel waste. Solar panels aren't 100% efficient, but a gas generator needs to run idle, often producing far more energy than you need. If you need to charge a smartphone and nothing else, then there's no point in wasting far more gasoline when you could simply plug it into a rechargeable battery charged with free power.

Downsides of Solar Generators for Camping

Now, there are downsides to using a solar generator. The most glaring downside is the upfront cost, as the output ratio would be cheaper initially for a fuel generator. Buying the battery and solar panels will be more expensive.

However, these costs are quickly offset by the lack of ongoing fuel, maintenance, and other costs that you'll need to spend on a fuel generator. If you'll spend $3,127 for the first 1,000 hours of use, then an OUPES solar generator pays for itself long before your first 1,000 hours of use.

Of course, we'll also have to mention that you'll need access to sunlight, which can be difficult if you're camping in the woods or if the weather is poor. Although, you can plug in your system to your car or RV to charge it if you need to, which means you have more options for power than a fuel generator.

Also, you'd be surprised how well solar panels can perform on cloudy days. Some will allow for up to 50% efficiency, even during a storm!

Start Generating

When it comes to buying an emergency power station, it's hard to beat the OUPES Solar Generator. In terms of long-term costs, safety, efficiency, and portability, there's nothing like it. Try one for yourself today and see for yourself! 

Stay up to date with our latest tips and feel free to contact us with any questions about our system!