Introduction
Shenzhen Huntkey Electric Co. Ltd created Nature’s Generator in 2003, a product line that includes solar panels, wind turbines, and a portable battery station. Nature’s Generator sells clean and renewable energy systems that you can use to produce electricity day and night in different weather conditions. Interested in knowing what technology lets this device generate power at night? Read our Nature’s Generator review to find out.
Night-Time Renewable Energy Generation
You might wonder what technology lets you produce energy at night. Most people who have home energy generation systems use solar panels and large batteries to generate and store power, which works only during day time. Nature’s Generator unusually also carries a line of wind turbines. Wind turbines are not very popular. Sunlight hits any part of the Earth’s surface as long as its not covered by shade so is widely available, even in the most northern latitudes. In contrast, wind is not strong and abundant everywhere, limited to geographic areas for example near the ocean or on high elevations.
The other offering is a solar panel that’s integrated with the power station and wind turbine. Solar panels are more popular because they are inexpensive, and a well-known renewable commodity power generating device for the home.
Nature’s Generator Review
The listed specifications for the Nature’s Generator combo solar and wind generator seem to be generally reasonable, but there are a few areas where additional information or clarification could be helpful.
Here are our observations about the specs:
- Wattage: The 1800W output wattage is quite significant for a portable power station, implying that it could handle multiple smaller appliances or a few larger ones simultaneously. However, it would be useful to know the battery capacity in terms of Amp-Hours (Ah) or Watt-Hours (Wh), as this determines how long the generator can provide power at that wattage.
- Wind Turbine: No specific information is provided about the wind turbine’s power output, which could be a red flag. Wind turbines require specific wind speeds to generate power, and their efficiency varies greatly depending on these speeds. Knowing the minimum wind speed for power generation and the turbine’s maximum output would be useful.
- Engine Type: It’s confusing to see a ‘4 Stroke’ engine type listed. Generally, this term refers to a type of internal combustion engine commonly found in vehicles and some types of generators, but it doesn’t seem to fit here as there’s no mention of any fuel-based power source. It could be an error in the listing.
- Installation: Note that the unit requires self-installation. While the seller assures that all necessary tools and instructions are included, potential buyers should be comfortable with this kind of task or have access to someone who is.
Observations Of Nature’s Generator
Here are our additional observations. The rating of the wind turbine is 27 mph or 12 m/s wind speed rated mechanical power;150W rated electrical power;110 mph maximum wind speed. The wind can’t fall below 10 MPH because below that wind speed there would be no generated current. Each turbine blade is 26″ long (66 cm), which is only about 2 feet long. Because the blades radiate out from the hub, the total width is twice or about 52″ (1.32 m), or slightly more than 4 feet. This is fairly sizable but comfortable fits in most people’s backyard.
Being a wind turbine, this contraption needs access to wind to operate. This means giving it height! Too low, any incident wind would be blocked by so many obstacles. Therefore the recommended height of the turbine is 20ft or 30ft, above any objects nearby.
Some of you have your own power station and want to know if Nature’s Generator wind turbine is available for purchase separately to power your power station. To understand the power compatibility and the electricity hook-ups required, we suggest you have on hand technical info and initiate a dialog with the support team at Nature’s Generator.
The solar generator is a more standard product that uses the sun’s power to generate electricity. The device is simple to use and can be placed anywhere that receives direct sunlight. Nature’s Solar Generator can capture the sun’s energy and convert it into usable electricity, making it an ideal power source for homes and businesses. The device is also portable, making it easy to transport and set up in various locations.
Generator Advantages
Nature’s generator provides several advantages for those looking for an alternative energy source. Nature’s generator uses the power of the sun and the wind to generate electricity, which you can then use to power your home or business. Several benefits come with using Nature’s Generator. Here are some
- With Nature’s Generator, you will have power you need during an emergency. The generator is easy to use and can be wheeled into any location. The cart also has a solar panel, so you can recharge the batteries while you are away from home.
- Nature’s generator can produce up to 1800 watts of power, making it ideal for powering appliances and lights. The generator also has a USB port to charge your electronic devices.
- You can use the wind turbine and the solar panel on Nature’s Generator to recharge the batteries, and the wind turbine can be used to generate additional power. This makes the generator a perfect power source for those living in remote areas.
- The batteries on Nature’s Generator are expandable, so you can add additional batteries as needed. This makes the generator perfect for powering large appliances or during extended power outages.
- Nature’s generator is an affordable alternative to traditional generators. The initial investment may be higher than a traditional generator, but the long-term savings will be worth it. Nature’s generator is a clean and renewable source of energy that will save you money on your electric bill.
Nature’s Generator’s Disadvantages
While Nature’s Generator has many advantages, there are also a few disadvantages that you should be aware of. Here are some:
- One of the main disadvantages of Nature’s Generator is that it uses AGM batteries. These batteries are not as widely available as other types of batteries and can be more expensive.
- Solar panels are the most popular type of nature generator because they are relatively inexpensive and easy to install. However, solar panels require a lot of suns to work efficiently, and they can be less reliable in cloudy or shady areas.
- All batteries have a limited shelf life, and AGM batteries are no exception. Once the batteries are installed in Nature’s Generator, they will need to be replaced every 3-5 years.
- Another downside to the Nature’s Generator is that it is quite heavy. The generator weighs about 100 pounds, and the batteries can add 100 pounds. Moving the generator around can make it difficult, especially if you need to take it with you when you travel.
Overall, Nature’s Generator is a great alternative to traditional generators. It offers several advantages, including being clean, renewable, affordable, and easy to use. However, there are also a few disadvantages that you should be aware of before you purchase one.
What Factors Are Considered When Choosing The Best Solar Generator?
Nature’s generator is the best because it is reliable, efficient, and easy to use. It is also environmentally friendly and can help you save money on your energy bill. Here are some of the reasons why Nature’s Generator is the best:
Reliability: Nature’s Generator is a trusted brand that has been around for years. It is known for its quality products and customer service.
Efficiency: Nature’s Generator is designed to be energy-efficient. It uses less power than traditional generators, making it more cost-effective.
Easy to use: Nature’s Generator is easy to set up and use. You don’t need any special skills or knowledge to operate it.
Environmentally friendly: Nature’s Generator is powered by renewable resources, making it a green option for generating electricity.
Help you save money: By using Nature’s Generator, you can save money on your energy bill. The generator can help offset the cost of your monthly electricity bill.
What Outdoor Activities Can Benefit From Nature’s Generator?
What outdoor activities can benefit from nature’s generator? Here are just a few examples:
Camping:
Campgrounds can use nature-based generators to power lights and other camping equipment. This can help reduce your environmental impact and save you money on your camping expenses.
Hiking:
Trails powered by nature-based generators can help hikers save on their energy costs. In addition, the generators can provide light for the trail, making it easier and safer to hike at night.
Picnicking:
Picnic areas that are powered by nature-based generators can provide electricity for cooking food and keeping drinks cold. This can make picnicking more convenient and enjoyable for everyone involved.
Nature-based generators can provide several benefits for outdoor activities. By harnessing the power of the wind, sun, or water, they can help you save money and reduce your environmental impact. What’s more, they can make your favorite outdoor activities even more enjoyable. So if you’re looking for a way to go green, consider investing in a nature-based generator.
Reader’s Review – Updated
After we wrote our review, one reader sent a note to explain he had a negative experience with their Nature’s Generator unit, which they purchased for 1500 dollars. Despite only using it on sunny days to run their refrigerator, it broke after less than 2 years of service. This is a very special use case. The reader wanted to substitute home use of the grid with a standalone solar unit.
He felt that the price he paid, combined with the short lifespan of the generator, is indicative of a poor quality product and are warning others to stay away from it.
In a pretty objective cost comparison, the reader noted that if the fridge only costs $1 to run each day, for example it uses 2 kWh per day at electricity rates of $0.20/kWh would cost only $0.40 to run such a fridge, then the two year life span of the generator means the effective cost is severely at odds with simply powering the fridge off the grid for two years, costing at most $730 vs buying a new generator at $1,500.
In order for the economics to work out, the generator should last about 4 years to recoup the cost. Therefore, if the warranty went out to 4 years then this would be ok. Or if the cost went down to $750 at it broke down, then it would be also worth it.
As of March 2023, the most recent price is $1199 for the 1200Wh storage system (most basic home use) with a solar panel that recharges maximally at 100W. The warranty on this is only a year but with an extra $180 can be extended. This recharge rate would fully charge the battery in 2 days if the total equivalent solar hours is 6 hours which is pretty reasonable for an average day in the US. A small fridge might be able to run off this power.
The median cost of electricity across all the US states is $0.14 per kWh. Therefore, 1.2kWh of energy equivalent to the Nature’s Generator would cost about $0.17 per day. Over the course of a year, that would be $62 of electricity delivered by the generator. So it would take 19 years for the system to pay itself off! Therefore, we don’t recommend using this as a way to replace home electric grid use – it’s far more expensive then using power off the grid.
Wrapping Up
Nature’s generator is reasonably decked out as solar generator. However, we’ve been hearing mixed reviews. Your best bet is to line up several with the same solar features, energy content and recharge speeds, and compare them against each other.
