Portable solar generators are a great choice for fish houses. They work quietly and effectively to gather light from the sun, which is then turned into energy and preserved in batteries for use at a later time, such as in the evening or when it is cloudy or raining outside.
As there are many different kinds of solar generators and panels on the market, it might be difficult to determine which one is the best suited for a fish house.
When getting a solar system for a fish house, the size and quantity of solar panels needed to power the structure are determined by the load that the system will be handling. A few LED lights can be powered by a solar panel with a mono-crystalline output of 100 watts, and attached to a battery with a capacity of 50 amp hours for several days without the battery needing to be recharged. That said, fish houses generally require considerably more power than that.
What is a Solar Generator?
Using a solar generator, you can transform the energy from the sun into usable electricity. This electricity can either be put to immediate use or saved for later use. In most cases, when people talk about solar generators, they're referring to more compact and portable devices.
Solar generators do not have any moving parts, in contrast to conventional generators, which typically run on fossil fuels, such as gasoline, diesel, or propane, and consist of components, such as an alternator, engine, propane, and a fuel tank. Solar generators are generally made up of the following four components:
- Portable solar panel: collects solar energy
- Battery pack: Helps store portable solar energy for future use
- Charge controller: Regulates the amount of energy going into the battery
- Solar inverter: Converts the solar energy into usable electrical energy
Hence, solar generators are just portable batteries connected to a few PV (photovoltaic) cells in order to capture sunlight.
When you're on the go, whether you're travelling, camping, or in a situation where you need energy but there isn't any available, portable solar generators can be excellent sources of power. Depending on your use, you may want to consider getting a portable solar generator with multiple outlets – particularly if you are caught up in an emergency scenario where you need to charge or power multiple devices simultaneously.
Solar generators typically come equipped with USB ports, AC outlets, and 12-volt sockets, which enable a wide variety of electronic devices to be charged. The major benefit of multiple charging ports is the convenience of being able to acquire the electricity you need and when you need it.
You can charge your smartphone, for instance, by plugging it directly into the USB port, and then you can hook an extension cord into the AC (Alternating Current) outlet to extract power for, say, string lights.
Choosing a Solar Panel for Fish Houses
A solar panel is an essential component of any solar generator, without which the generator will not work at all –or, at best, operate very inefficiently.
Types
Polycrystalline and mono-crystalline solar panels are the two most common varieties of solar panels available for fish houses.
In terms of energy efficiency, mono-crystalline panels are typically somewhat superior to polycrystalline ones. In other words, mono-crystalline panels can produce convert sunlight into electricity more effectively – a potentially defining advantage in low-light environments. That said, there is not a discernible difference between mono-crystalline and poly-crystalline panels for the typical user of solar energy.
Fish houses are usually constructed in colder regions, where rain, ice, and snow can lead to lower sunlight levels, and, consequently, diminish a solar panel’s energy output.
That said; while it may sound counterintuitive, solar panels actually fare better in lower temperatures – as long as the panels receive sunlight and there are no obstructions blocking the path of the sunlight towards the panels.
Size
When it comes to using solar energy for fishing, determining the optimal size of the solar panel in relation to the battery is more important than choosing between poly or mono panels. Having one watt of solar panel power for every amp hour of the battery is a good rule of thumb to follow when determining the size of your solar panel to match your basic lead-acid or gel batteries.
To fully charge in six hours of usable sunlight, a battery with a capacity of one hundred amp hours will require a solar panel with a minimum output of one hundred watts. Increase the size of your solar panels by 50 percent if they can only use three sunlit hours a day. If the battery offers 200 amp hours and 12 volts, you should use a solar panel with at least 200 watts of wattage.
When you connect the panel and the battery, the former will need to go via a charge controller, which is sometimes also referred to as a regulator. The charge controller or regulator is responsible for controlling the amount of charge that is transmuted to the battery pack from the panels.
The majority of charge controllers provide a positive and negative 12-volt output, and it is to this output that 12-volt lights can be connected directly. The lights have a simple and straightforward installation technique.
Benefits of Using Portable Solar Generator for Fishing
Solar generators do not require the use of fuel to produce electricity. This makes them an excellent choice for anyone who wishes to lessen their dependence on conventional, fuel-driven generators for fishing, and have a dependable backup power source option available in the event of an emergency.
Below are the key benefits of using portable solar generators for fishing.
1) Eco-Friendliness
Conventional generators are powered by fossil fuels, which are known to be harmful to the environment. If you wish to lower your contribution to this damage, a portable solar generator is definitely worth considering.
2) Sound- and Smell-Free
Because they are combustion engines that run on fossil fuels, traditional generators are notorious for being loud and incredibly stinky. They have the potential to become even smellier and noisier over time, despite being well-maintained.
If you want a generator that doesn't make any noise or smell, your best bet is to use solar energy for fishing via a portable solar generator.
3) Portability
It is in the name, after all. It is amazing how lightweight and transportable these solar generators are – not only when compared to a solar array system that powers the entire home, but also in comparison to a conventional fuel generator.
They weigh a small fraction of traditional fuel generators, and while they do not offer the same level of power, they do provide a surprisingly high amount of electrical energy for such small devices.
4) Energy Independence
Having all of your power requirements satisfied by the electricity company alone puts you in a vulnerable position. In the event that they are unable to give you power despite doing their best, you and your fishing business will be in a vulnerable position unless you have supplementary energy options that are both ready and available.
Solar generators are crucial tools to have in your survival strategy should you lose electrical power. Being able to generate or generate power even when cut off from the grid, will give you a sense of comfort and security in these uncertain times.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Portable Solar Generator for Fishing
Solar generators are available in a wide variety of forms and shapes; therefore, it is vital that you select one that is tailored to meet your specific requirements. Picking a particular type of solar generator can be hard, particularly when there are so many alternatives to choose from.
Since every portable solar generator is built differently, people must be clear about what the things a particular solar generator can do as well as about the functions beyond its ability. Having a clear idea of how you plan to put your generator to use should make it easier to find the perfect solution.
Below are a few essential considerations when picking a solar panel for fishing.
1) Energy Requirements
When considering the size of a solar generator, you should give primary importance to your electricity requirements.
When evaluating a portable solar generator’s storage capacity, for example, you must figure out the amount of energy your appliances and electronic gadgets require on an average fishing day.
2) Inverter Rating
In a solar-powered generator, the inverter rating is a number that provides information regarding the maximum amount of watts that may be drawn from your generator at a given time. Depending on your specific fishing needs, you may require a portable generator with a higher inverter rating.
However, the inverter rating is but one factor, and, on its own, cannot determine the power of a solar generator. For example, it is pointless to use an inverter with 1500W of power if the battery only has a 450Wh capacity. In terms of efficiency, the best solar generators are those with a watt-hours-to-inverter rating ratio of 1.5 to 1. This means that, for a 1000-watt inverter, the battery capacity should be 1500 watt-hours.
3) Portability
The best solar generators out there offer a combination of practicality and functionality. This means it is highly likely to find a solar generator that caters to your unique needs. If you are looking for a portable solar generator, then, naturally, one of your requirements would be a device that can easily be carried around and transported from one place to another.
The best solar portable generators tend to come with both handles and wheels, making them very easy to transfer, irrespective of their weight. If you want to be able to move around with your solar generator as easily as you do, then you should search for models that are either lightweight or come equipped with handles and wheels.
4) Warranty Coverage
It is vital to consider the warranty benefits accompanying your chosen portable generator. The most reputable solar generator companies offer better warranties and after-sales services. The best kind of warranty is one where you receive any required repairs or replacements, along with extensive coverage for your portable solar generator as a whole.
Make Fishing More Efficient With Portable Solar Generators
Whether it is a hobby or a business for you, portable solar generators can make fishing considerably simpler and more cost-effective.
If you are looking for portable solar generators for fishing or fish houses, we invite you to check out our wide range of options. We offer many different kinds of portable solar generators, and can help you find one that best complements your unique region, needs, and budget.
To learn more about portable solar generators for fishing or explore your options, please feel free to reach out to us today.
