How to run your fridge with solar [Anzeige]

When the power goes out, sooner or later we have to do without all sorts of electronic devices. For one or the other, the priority may be the laptop or the smartphone. Granted, they can do a lot – but keeping food fresh is not one of them. The refrigerator is therefore one of the most important devices that must continue to be powered during a power outage.

How long does food stay fresh in the fridge without electricity?

In the event of a power failure, your refrigerator cannot fulfill its function, i.e. it cannot cool its contents permanently. And that’s a problem, because foods like dairy, meat, and fish can spoil quickly at room temperature and even become a health hazard.

First some good news: if the power outage lasts only for a short time (less than 4 hours), the refrigerator will still be cool for quite a while as long as its door is kept closed. Be sure to check the temperature as soon as you can power the fridge again, and make sure your food has survived the interruption before you eat it!

However, if the power outage lasts more than 4 hours, many perishable foods should be discarded to avoid the risk of food poisoning.

But there’s second piece of good news: all of that can be avoided if you have an alternate power source for your fridge. Your savior in need is called solar energy – and below we will show you exactly how it works.

How can I run my refrigerator with solar energy?

In order to provide your refrigerator with sufficient solar energy, first make a few preparations. This is relatively easy with these two steps:

• Calculate your energy needs: Determine how much energy your fridge uses per day. This is in the user manual or on the energy label of the device. Multiply the value by the number of days you want to be able to run the refrigerator on solar energy.
• Calculate the size of the required solar system: Based on your energy needs, you can now calculate the size of the solar system. There are a number of factors that need to be taken into account, including the level of solar radiation at your location and the efficiency of the solar panels.

How many watts does a refrigerator use?

The power consumption of a refrigerator depends on various factors. Such as the size, age, model and efficiency class of the device. A rough estimate of the power consumption of an average refrigerator with a volume of around 200 liters and energy efficiency class A+++ is around 100 to 150 watts.

However, it is important to note that the electricity consumption of a refrigerator is highly dependent on its usage. If the door is opened frequently or the refrigerator is in an environment that is too warm, the device will have to use more energy to keep the temperature inside constant.

Good to know: Modern refrigerators are often equipped with functions such as no-frost technology or an energy-saving mode that can further reduce power consumption.

Which solar generator can power a refrigerator?

There are many different solar generators on the market. But not all are capable of running power-hungry refrigerators. Only a few – namely those with sufficient battery capacity – are suitable for running refrigerators. Some of the best solar generators for refrigerators include the following:

Bluetti AC200P

The BLUETTI AC200P offers a high rated power of 2000 W in continuous operation and 4800 W in overvoltage. It also has an enormous capacity of 2000 Wh. That’s enough for a fridge to run for over two hours.

The solar generator is equipped with multiple AC, DC and USB outlets, allowing it to run multiple devices at the same time.

Bluetti AC300+B300

The Bluetti AC300 + B300 solar system is 100% modular and can be combined with up to 4 B300 battery modules (3,072 Wh each). That adds up to a groundbreaking 12,288 Wh in total. It also has 2400W of solar power – unrivaled in the industry for its size and price. Packed with a 3000 watt pure sine wave inverter, the solar generator can also be charged from 1800W to 3000W outlets.

With this you can supply your fridge with electricity for a full 10 hours if the network operator is down.

Bluetti EP600 + B500

If you really want to be on the safe side, you should take a look at the Bluetti EP600 + 2*B500 house battery storage. This modular system can achieve an impressive output of between 9,920 Wh and 79,360 Wh using any number of expansion batteries!

So the EP600 + B500 can do a lot more than just power your fridge in the event of a power failure. It serves as a back-up system for the entire house and thus has the potential to reduce your electricity bill in the long term and to prepare you for every (exceptional) case.

What is a solar garden fridge?

A solar backyard fridge is a fridge that runs on solar energy and is typically used for storing food outdoors or in remote areas. Solar refrigerators typically have a solar cell or panel on the roof. This uses the sun’s energy to power the refrigerator. This makes them ideal for campsites, garden sheds, patios and other places where there is no electricity supply or where an independent power supply is important to you.

Solar fridges tend to have a smaller capacity than traditional electric fridges due to the limited energy available. Therefore, they may not be suitable for all applications. However, it is an eco-friendly and cost-effective option for those who want to cool their food outdoors without depending on an external power source.

Properly equipped for the power failure

When the power goes out, it’s always good to be prepared. Important devices in particular, such as your refrigerator, should be able to be operated with an alternative power source to keep food fresh.

Depending on the size, age and energy class of your refrigerator, different solar generators can be used. Smaller, modern refrigerators consume little energy and get by with less power. Larger and less energy-efficient devices, on the other hand, should be connected to more powerful generators.

Once you have calculated the energy consumption of your refrigerator, you can opt for a solar generator. And if you not only want to operate a refrigerator, but also other devices in the event of a power failure, or simply want to do without mains power in everyday life, you can get a battery storage system for the entire house.

In the BLUETTI shop you will find a large selection of solar generators, balcony power plants and house battery storage for your individual needs – have a look!

Convince yourself now