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Top Solar Generator Manufacturers In The USA

I know many people like to buy American when they can, so I did some digging into the leading solar generator manufacturers in the USA. Keep reading if you’re also curious about who they are and what they’re selling.

Overview

The American solar generator market has been growing lately, and it’s interesting to see how it’s shaping up.

We’ve always been big on power solutions here in the United States, especially regarding home backup. Fuel generators have been the go-to for years, but solar energy is starting to make its mark now.

They’re no longer just big industrial machines, as solar tech’s gotten good enough that portable units have become the norm instead.

There’s a ton of competition coming in from overseas, especially China. They’re typically going for that easy-to-use, budget-friendly market. But don’t count out the American players just yet.

These US brands usually set a higher bar for quality, which many folks here appreciate. People trust the names and like supporting local businesses.

And it’s not like we’re short on options. You have some legacy power companies getting into it, plus these new startups. Even a few family businesses are making waves.

If you’re in the market for a solar generator, an American-made option will probably work for you.

Solar Generator Manufacturers In the USA

Jackery

Jackery

It took Jackery no time to become a market leader. Image: Jackery

Jackery’s been in the industry since 2012, when an ex-Apple engineer out in California started it. Even though they’re not the only big name in town, Jackery is among the leading brands.

The company made a splash in 2016 when it introduced the world’s first lithium portable power station with the Explorer series. They also make their solar panels. In fact, Jackery’s SolarSaga was among the first portable panels available on the market.

Jackery offers products for all kinds of use. The Explorer 240 is one of their smaller ones and is good for short trips. They have bigger models like the Explorer 3000 Pro for longer off-grid stints if you need more power.

Jackery’s a good example of how power stations have changed over the years. They’re made for the masses, the regular folks who don’t want to mess with complicated machines like those old gas generators.

Their products are generally on the lighter side and don’t take up too much space, which is handy if you’re tight on space or need to move them around. The controls are pretty simple. You don’t need to be an electrician to use their stuff. As long as you know which port to plug into, you’re good to go.

But there’s a flip side to this simplicity. If something goes wrong, you can’t fix it yourself. You’ll probably have to send the whole thing back to Jackery. It’s not ideal for DIY types who like to tinker.

Jackery’s machines are also not cheap. They have among the capacity per dollar you can buy. You’re paying extra for the brand name and reliability instead. If you’re mindful of your expenses, you might want to look at other options.

Generac

This name might ring a bell for some of you. They’ve been around for quite a while, unlike many newer companies in the game.

Founded in 1959, Generac has made a name for itself in the power backup market, especially for big industrial customers. They’ve grown into a big firm, pulling in billions in revenue annually. The headquarters is in Wisconsin, but their manufacturing plants are scattered across the US.

For the longest time, Generac only made fuel-based standby generators that run on gasoline, diesel, or natural gas. That has changed, and they’ve also started to branch out into solar in recent years.

Generac is still pretty new to the market and doesn’t have a huge range of products yet. But from what I’m told, the ones they have aren’t average.

They’re not necessarily groundbreaking but solid and get the job done. The company is also good at getting back to you if you have any issues.

Renogy

The company started in 2010, and it was just a bunch of students at Louisiana State University with a big idea.

You might hear people call Renogy the “Walmart of solar.” It’s not that they’re huge like Walmart, but they have a similar business model.

They don’t make their stuff. Instead, they get other companies to make products to their specs, then slap the Renogy name on them. It’s a smart tactic to keep costs down.

Their most well-known product is the pre-assembled kits. You get panels, controllers, and batteries all in one package. It’s handy if you’re not looking to piece everything together yourself.

I wouldn’t say Renogy products are top-of-the-line in terms of quality. But they do offer decent value for what you pay. Their customer service is pretty decent, too.

They’re good for small, simple setups. If planning something bigger or more complicated, you might want to shop around more.

Goal Zero

Back in 2005, Goal Zero was founded by some folks who really loved the outdoors.

They first aimed at helping out in places where power was hard to come by. They’ve done some good work with disaster relief, such as with the big earthquake in Japan in 2011.

Their main product line is called Yeti. These tough solar generators use materials that can handle bad weather, which is nice if you’re taking them into the wild a lot.

The controls are pretty easy to understand and use, too. Yeti generators work reliably, and I’ve rarely encountered issues with them.

Like Jackery, Goal Zero isn’t the cheapest option out there. Some of their Yeti models don’t have as much battery capacity as other brands at the same price.

For instance, an Anker Powerhouse 400 might give you more power than a Yeti 400, even though they cost about the same.

Goal Zero

 

Goal Zero puts sustainability at the forefront of its product design. Image: Goal Zero

Mango Power

Mango Power jumped into the solar generator market in 2021, so they’re still pretty fresh on the scene.

So far, they’ve kept things simple with just three products in their lineup. The Mango Power E is a portable generator, while the Mango Power M is designed for whole-home energy storage. They also sell a unique hybrid system with home and portable power units.

The Mango Power E has been getting some good feedback. People love its sturdy construction, especially when it comes to the solar panels.

From my own experience, it can handle high-power devices pretty well. This could be a real advantage if you need to run power-hungry equipment.

The quick charging capability is good, too, even in less-than-ideal weather conditions. That’s pretty handy for those who don’t always live in perpetually sunny conditions.

Point Zero

Point Zero Energy is a family-run business that’s been around since 2013. David and Willis Shari started it up in Southern Idaho, where they’re still based.

Their claim to fame is the Titan power station. It’s not exactly something you’d take on a short solo camping trip, but it’s got some serious power under the hood. You can even hook up extra batteries if you need more capacity, and it’s not rocket science to do so.

Point Zero seems to put their money on durability and reliability. Their gear might not have all the bells and whistles, but it gets the job done. The Titan, for instance, can keep your whole house powered up in a pinch.

Beyond the Titan, Point Zero also sells solar panels, including standard rigid ones and some that fold up like a briefcase. They’ve also got expansion batteries and full kits available.

Duracell

Duracell was created in the 1920s, and most of us know them for their alkaline batteries. They’ve recently gone into home energy storage, including solar generators and related products.

They have the Duracell Power Center series, designed to store extra solar power for later. For portable units, Duracell mostly sticks to smaller models under 1000W.

Their G and Power series look pretty slick and don’t cost much, mostly because they don’t have a lot of fancy features. The main drawback is that they’re still using older lithium battery tech instead of something more advanced.

Duracell’s product range extends well beyond the familiar AAA batteries. Image: Amazon

Runhood

This is another new startup, which started in Walnut, California, in 2021. They kicked things off with the Rallye 600, which set the tone for their unique approach to portable power.

When it was launched, Rallye 600 was known for its hot-swappable batteries—the first on the market. They call them energy bars.

You can pop these in and out with a simple button press. It’s handy for changing batteries or recharging them separately. You can add more battery modules if you need extra power. The energy bars are pretty compact, too, fitting right into a backpack’s water bottle pocket.

Personally, I’m a fan of this hot-swap feature, but I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Some folks find it a bit clunky and awkward. Few even deem it as a gimmick to charge customers.

Their solar panels are decent, too. They’re using monocrystalline silicon, one of the most efficient on the market today.

Runhood just announced their latest model, the Rallye 1200, on Kickstarter. These things aren’t cheap, even with a discount, but they seem to have more affordable options in the pipeline.

Geneverse

Geneverse is one of the newer kids on the block in the solar generator world.

They began their journey in California back in 2019, originally going by the name Generark. Despite being a young company, they’ve managed to come up with some interesting products.

Their main claim to fame is the PowerPillar, a home solar storage system. It’s meant to compete with big names like the Tesla Powerwall, offering whole-house backup power. That’s a pretty ambitious goal for a company that’s only been around for a few years.

They’re not just focused on home systems, though. Geneverse also makes portable solar generators under their HomePower brand.

These units are designed to be flexible. You can use them at home, take them camping, or bring them along in your RV.

The flagship model, the HomePower PRO Plus, can even be split into two separate systems, which is handy if you need power in different places.

For people who want to tie their generator to their home’s electrical system, Geneverse offers a Transfer Switch. They also sell solar panels, including a 100W portable model that uses monocrystalline cells.

Geneverse puts a lot of emphasis on energy management. They offer home energy audits that work with their app to help you keep track of your power usage. You can customize it to run large appliances during peak hours, which might help cut down on your electricity costs.

At CES 2023, Geneverse showed off something different – a solar pergola. It’s an 8-foot tall structure with folding solar panels for a roof.

The idea is to blend outdoor living space with solar power generation. It’s an interesting concept, though it remains to be seen how practical it will be for most people.

Geneverse

Geneverse represents the new wave of renewable energy startups. Image: Geneverse

Westinghouse

Westinghouse has been around for ages since electricity became a thing. Their roots date back to the late 1880s, and they have been a big name in American industry ever since.

You might know them for their work with nuclear plants, which they got into back in the 1930s. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

There is more to Westinghouse than just big industrial products. They’ve diversified quite a bit over time. These days, you can find their name on everything from fans to cookware and TVs. It never stops being weird for me to think about that.

For solar generators, Westinghouse offers their iGen series. They have a few options for different needs, starting from compact 155Wh models and going up to more substantial 1kWh units.

They’re known for using good materials and constructing their products to withstand wear and tear. However, don’t expect any bells and whistles.

While they’re reliable, the features are pretty basic. They’ll get the job done, but they’re not exactly pushing any boundaries in terms of innovation.

Nature’s Generator

Nature’s Generator is a clean energy business through and through. They make portable power stations and home systems, focusing on high-capacity models. Their lineup includes the Nature’s Generator 1800 and the beefier Elite 3600, which run at 1800W and 3600W.

These generators are pretty user-friendly, and the electronics are high-quality. You can take the portable units camping, but they’re also designed to work as a home backup if needed. It’s not too hard to hook them up to your home system.

Keep in mind that they use older battery tech in some models. A few even have lead-acid batteries, making them heavier and not last as long as newer options.

Because of this, you might not get as much bang for your buck as other brands. It’s not necessarily a deal-breaker, but it’s worth knowing about before you buy.

Nature's Generator

 

Nature’s Generator offers reliable options for both portable and home use. Image: Nature’s Generator

RevoPower

RevoPower is a Houston-based company that carved out a niche in the solar generator market. They’re not your typical plug-and-play brand, though. Their products cater to the DIY market and those who like to tinker.

These aren’t the solar generators you’d typically see at a campsite. They look more like something you’d find in a workshop: sturdy and functional, without much fuss about aesthetics. They’re designed with practicality in mind rather than winning any style points.

What sets RevoPower apart is its approach to customization and control. You can mix and match components and even use your battery to save some cash. It’s great for people who know their way around electronics and want to learn more about how solar generators tick.

This might be overkill if you want something simple to power your phone during a camping trip. You will need to make an effort to understand their system.

On the plus side, they’ve taken a right-to-repair friendly approach.

Everything’s modular so that you can fix or upgrade parts without hassle. They also offer whole-house solar systems and even hybrid wind-solar units for those looking for an all-in-of-the-grid solution.

Rich Solar

Rich Solar has been around since 2005. They’re based in Ontario, California, and have grown quite a bit since then.

At first, they just made solar panels, but now they’ve branched out into batteries, inverters, and all sorts of accessories.

Rich Solar’s stuff isn’t cheap. But from what I’ve seen, you get what you pay for. Their panels are pretty efficient, and some can last for up to 6000 cycles.

Their approach also makes your systems more fixable. If something goes wrong, you’re not stuck with a fancy paperweight. 

You can often fix issues yourself or get a technician to swap out the problematic part. It’s a different approach from some of those all-in-one units where you’re at the mercy of the manufacturer if anything goes south.

They’ve thought about different scenarios and put together all-in-one kits for them. Camping, RVs, boats, homes, cabins – each application has its own packages. You get the panels, charge controllers, mounting, and everything bundled up and ready to go.

Rich Solar

Rich Solar caters well to those who like to set up their own systems. Image: Rich Solar

Lion Energy

Based out of Utah, Lion Energy has been a player in the solar energy game for about two decades now. Like other companies, they make a bunch of different things: solar generators, batteries, power banks, and solar panels.

Their units have a rugged design. The Lion Safari ME, for instance, comes in this tough metal casing that’s built to last. You can also easily add more battery capacity if you need it.

They’ve also developed their own app, which is something you don’t often see from smaller companies in this field. Something worth mentioning is their battery warranty. They offer a limited lifetime deal, and you can even use these batteries for your own projects if you’re into that sort of thing.

Grid Eraser

Lion Energy is a small, family-owned business that isn’t shy about pointing out issues with other brands’ component quality and safety.

Formed in 2010, they’re pretty proud of their veteran roots and seem to have a bone to pick with competitors who make their stuff in China.

They decide to source their parts from American suppliers when they can. For solar panels, they use made-in-France Sunpower ones with Maxeon cells. All the assembly and testing happens at their Wisconsin facility.

You won’t find a huge catalog from Lion Energy. They only have two models: the Signature and the Maximus.

These are hefty, high-capacity units, more suited for backing up your home than powering a campsite. They’re pretty serious about keeping their units cool, using thick wires to help with that and to improve overall safety.

They use a hands-on approach when dealing with customers. The principals at the company actually pick up the phone when you call. And when they deliver a unit, they’ll walk you through setting it up over the phone. It’s a nice touch, especially if you’re not super techy.

Grid Eraser

The presence of Grid Eraser shows there’s room for more than just big names. Image: Grid Eraser

Final Thoughts

There are tons of solar generators from overseas brands these days. But American manufacturers are still putting out some of the best units out there. They might cost a bit more, but you’re often getting better reliability and customer support.

Take some time to look at different solar generator manufacturers in the USA; I’m sure you’ll find what you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Choose American Manufacturers?

You’re supporting local businesses and keeping the supply chain close to home. These companies often have better customer service. You can actually get someone on the phone when you need help.

What About Warranties From American Manufacturers?

Most fall between 3 to 5 years. Some brands might offer longer coverage, especially on pricier models. Always check the fine print, as what’s covered can differ quite a bit between companies.

Can I Mix and Match Solar Generators and Panels From Different Brands?

In theory, yes. Most MPPT-compatible panels should work with any solar generator if you’ve got the right cables and adapters.

But it’s not always smooth sailing. You might run into connection issues or power mismatches. To avoid headaches, sticking with panels from your generator’s maker is usually the safest bet.

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