“The largest solar generators are designed for home backup and can provide 240v operation when paired together.”
Benefits of large UPS backup solar generators
- Can provide 220v/240v operation when paired
- Can power a home, cabin, RV, boat, trailer, or tiny home
- Can be wired with a transfer switch to your home
- UPS feature will automatically power critical loads
- Can handle copious amounts of solar (2000w+)
- Can auto charge from either grid or solar power
Drawbacks of large UPS backup solar generators
- Whole house solutions can cost well over $10,000
- 240v operation requires two units and combiner box
- Most are extremely heavy
- Most are difficult to move
- Most have wheels but aren’t necessarily “portable”
- Wiring to the home requires a permit in some areas
What can these large power stations do?
- Run furnaces, refrigerators, CPAPs, during a blackout
- Can be a full off grid solution for 4kw-7kw power needs
- Power a 240v well pump, clothes dryer, electric stove
- Power 1 ton mini split units and residential a/c units
- Provide a true 30A hookup for RV’s, trailers, campers
- Provide virtually free unlimited power with solar
Recommended Large Home Backup UPS Solar Generators
How We Rate Solar Generators
Generators are rated on the following criteria:
- Output: How powerful is the inverter vs. the competition (as tested)
- DC Outputs: Total power of 12v/24v outputs vs. the competition
- USB Outputs: Total Quick Charge (QC) and Power Delivery (PD) outputs vs. competition
- Ease Of Use: How easy is it to use and how intuitive is the interface / display
- Features: How many cool extra features does it have vs. the competition (apps, flashlight, etc)
- Accessories: How many accessories are available vs. the competition
- Cost: How does it compare on price vs. the competition (higher is better)
- Overall Value: This is the average of all the above ratings
Note: Only retail products (no crowd funds, prototypes, pre-orders, vaporware) are considered in this list!
This page was last updated on 4/11/2022
EcoFlow Delta Pro Solar Generator
The modular Delta Pro is the most powerful UPS home generator on the market with a 3600w inverter. It can support up to 10,800wh of LFP batteries each, 1600w solar each, and when paired into 240v operation those stats double. It also has a color display, WiFi App, native EV charging, and 30A RV hookup. The Delta Pro is the second choice because of its hefty weight, intrusive mobile app, shortcomings with its modular battery system, and limited warranty period.
- Best in class 3600w inverter (7200w combined)
- Best in class color display
- Native 240v AC charging at 3000w
- Many accessory options in their “Ecosystem”
- Unit weighs 99lbs and batteries 84lbs
- App requires signup and Internet access
- Modular batteries can’t be stacked up
- Modular batteries can’t be charged without main unit
- Modular batteries have no I/O or added functions
- Only 2 year warranty at this price point
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The Delta Pro is an extremely impressive machine. It runs circles around everything else on the market when it comes to raw output power. When two units are combined with the Double Voltage Hub accessory, the output doubles to a whopping 7200w! EcoFlow’s “Ecosystem” includes accessories that Bluetti does not offer such as a Smart Gas Generator ($1399), a 400w solar tracker ($2699), and a hardwired remote control ($99). Both offer EV charging accessories and an interface to hookup to your home wiring. Unfortunately, hooking up the Smart Gas Generator requires using up one of the only two battery ports leaving a dead battery (if you have two) unable to be charged until the other is disconnected. Also the extra batteries are significantly more expensive than the Bluetti offering per watt hour. The EcoFlow is still a top buy if the “Ecosystem”, native 240v 3000w AC charging, or the spinning countdown clock on the color screen win you over. Don’t let the EcoFlow marketing fool you though. They claim a 25kwh capacity but only if you pair with their Smart Gas Generator. We’re not sure how adding a gas generator factors in to additional battery capacity whatsoever. This assumes you can even buy these accessories as most of them have been “sold out” since release.
Additional 3600wh batteries currently run at $0.75/wh
Retail $3599
$3549 W/Code EFHOBOTECH50
Bluetti AC300 Solar Generator
The modular Bluetti AC300 has a 3000w inverter and can support up to 12,228wh of LFP batteries each, 2400w of solar each, 1800w AC charging, and when paired into 240v dual operation those stats double. It also has a UPS, touch screen, Bluetooth App, optional EV charging, and 30A RV hookup. The AC300 earns 1st place due to it being more mobile, easier to use, with the highest solar input, flexible money saving UPS modes, and 4 year manufacturer’s warranty.
- Best in class color touch screen interface
- Best in class solar input at 2400w/4800w
- Best in class 12v/24v 30A DC output
- App doesn’t require signup or Internet
- Modular batteries have I/O and can charge externally
- 4 year manufacturer’s warranty
- A modular battery is required for operation
- No wheels or trolley cart included with price
- Standby power usage is above average
- Highest cost per watt for all this technology
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The AC300’s overall features vs. the Delta Pro gives the advantage to the Bluetti. While the EcoFlow outputs 600 watts more power, the Bluetti can handle more watt hours in batteries (12,228wh vs 10,800wh), a much higher solar input (2400w vs 1600w), and comes with more USB ports & 12v outputs. Considering AC300 is bundled with a B300 battery, and each battery you add (up to 4) adds another 12v output, 100w PD, and USB QC each — it simply blows away the EcoFlow’s I/O (input/output). You also get a useful 24v output socket, two wireless charging pads, a less intrusive App (Bluetooth + WiFi), far more charging options for the external batteries (solar, AC, DC), several selectable UPS modes, and is simply easier to move around because the battery is separate from the inverter. Bluetti offers tons of accessories but many are not available or not on their website like the EV charging adapter (per 3/25/22). They also don’t offer a push cart at this price point which is a bummer as the competition includes wheels. Unless you hate touch screens, insist on having wheels, don’t need massive solar input, and need native 3000w AC charging, then the Bluetti is the top choice.
Note: AC300 when paired together can charge at 3000w AC 240v (Delta Pro can do this without pairing).
Additional 3072wh batteries currently run at $0.62/wh
Retail $3699
$3389 W/Code HOBOAC3001B
Bluetti EP500 Pro Solar Generator
The 5100wh EP500 Pro 3000w UPS solar generator is the only one on this list that does not have a modular battery system. However, two EP500 Pros can be paired together with Bluetti’s “Fusion Box” to create 240v operation at 6000w combined inverter output with 10,200wh of LFP battery storage. Solar input is a robust 2400w and AC charging tops at 3000w (both inputs are doubled when paired), but does support native 240v AC input. At 182lbs, lifting it solo is not an option. Includes two wireless charging pads, 2x100w PD, 2x USB QC, 2x USB, and an epic 12v DC 30A “RV” output along with a 30A AC RV Hookup. This unit earned 3rd place because of its weight and expandability limits vs. the competition. However, Bluetti offers a groundbreaking 5 year warranty on this retail product and is the lowest cost per watt hour in this list.
- Beautiful design almost looks like an Apple product
- Flexible UPS system designed to save money
- Best in class solar input at 2400w/4800w
- Native 240v AC charging at 3000w
- Intuitive color touch screen interface
- Class leading 5 year manufacturer’s warranty
- App doesn’t require signup or Internet
- Heavy, heavy, heavy! (182lbs) comes in a huge crate
- No native expandable battery options
- Standby power usage is above average
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This “hell on wheels” unit is not at all meant for portable storage but designed to either be kept in one location or rolled on its 4 wheels from room to room. It does roll very well over smooth surfaces. All the hookups are very easy to get to and the EP500 Pro is just under the height of a typical table, making it possible to “hide” out of the way. The EP500 was literally the first “sogen” to hit the market offering such a large and capable UPS system with a touchscreen interface that could tie to your home’s 240v wiring. The base EP500 was recently superseded by the “EP500 Pro” that offers far better specs for a mild premium. The EP500 Pro does have an impressive multi-stage UPS system that can be setup by the user to charge at certain times under certain conditions. This unit does work best hooked up to the grid combined with solar panels. Solar input will “pass through” to lower your electric bills and the UPS system will flawlessly take over when the grid goes down. It’s an impressive machine that is a very good looking piece of furniture compared to the other offerings, and is certainly worth a buy if you are in the market for a stationary or semi-mobile UPS backup system where big honkin’ cables and bulky modular batteries just aren’t your thing. The price is certainly right at $0.97/wh and with a 5 year warranty it’s almost a “no brainer” buy for the right situation.
Note: EP500 capacity can be expanded with a Bluetti 3072wh B300 battery ($1899) using an adapter, but it is not a native design.
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