How Long Will a Solar Generator Power a Refrigerator? - AFERIY US

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How Long Will a Solar Generator Power a Refrigerator?

by cangling 0111 16 Jul 2025 0 Comments

Powering a refrigerator with a solar generator is a convenient, environmentally friendly, off-grid, or emergency power backup solution. However, there is one question that everyone asks: how many hours can a solar generator power a fridge? It will depend on several factors, including the power consumption of your refrigerator and the battery capacity of your solar generator. A deeper understanding of these factors can help you prevent unforeseen power failures. Read on to know more.

How to Calculate Refrigerator Power Consumption?

To determine the power consumption of your refrigerator, locate the rated power of the unit inside the refrigerator, expressed in volts and amps. Then multiply to obtain watts. But refrigerators are not full power all of the time, as they cycle on and off.

It is estimated that running watts are approximately one-third of the rated watts. The average energy consumption of most fridges is about 1 and 2 kWh a day because they run about 30 to 50 percent of the day. 

Another source that you can use is the EnergyGuide label, which indicates yearly consumption. Be sure to consider startup surges, which may be 2-4 times the running power.

What Size Solar Generator Do You Need to Run a Refrigerator?

The selection of the solar generator to use on your refrigerator relies on some major factors. Such as:

Running Wattage

The typical refrigerator consumes 300-800 watts to operate. Make sure your solar generator is capable of sustaining this power to prevent performance problems or damage to your appliance.

Starting Wattage

Refrigerators consume 5-7 times more power during start-up. Your solar generator has to be able to withstand this surge; otherwise, the fridge will not start. Make sure to look at the peak wattage rating of the inverter.

Power Capacity

The capacity of power dictates the duration that your fridge can operate. Pick a solar generator for home that has sufficient battery capacity to power daily energy requirements, particularly in RVs or during long power outages.

Size of Solar Panel

The generator has to be charged with solar panels. Choose small, high-power panels that are suitable for your space and can give you sufficient energy to operate your fridge daily in case of blackouts or traveling.

How to Estimate Runtime Based on Generator Capacity

To calculate the duration of time a solar generator will power your fridge, divide the capacity of the generator batteries (Wh) by the average running watts (W) of your fridge and add in efficiency losses (usually 10-20%). As an example, a 2,000 Wh capacity and a 150 W fridge gives an approximate number of (2000 Wh ÷ 150 W) × 0.85 ≈  11 hours of running time.

That number can be higher during sunny hours, in case you are also charging using solar panels. The start-up surges and cycling influence runtime, and the runtime estimation assumes a steady load with no compressor off-times. Always leave a margin by choosing a generator that has at least 20-30 percent more battery than the calculations.

Can a Solar Generator Safely Power a Refrigerator?

Yes, a solar generator may safely power a refrigerator as long as it is properly sized to the refrigerator in terms of running watts and surge watts. The average unit power consumption is 300-800 W, and peak consumption is 2-4 times that. The 380-750 W setups are reliable, though oversizing is advisable. Unlike gas generators, this is silent and can be used in a house. Solar energy can act as a clean backup to refrigerators that are properly equipped with an inverter surge capacity.

Best Solar Generators for Powering Refrigerators 

Solar generators guarantee the constant refrigerator performance in case of failures or off-grid. The following are the best models in terms of efficiency, capacity, and compatibility with refrigerators.

AFERIY P210 2400W Solar Generator

The AFERIY P210 2400W solar generator is a high-performance solar generator that provides 2,400W and a 2,048Wh LiFePO₄ battery. It can run a refrigerator for 10 hours. The unit comes with rapid charging via AC or solar, and it provides you with flexibility in case of outages. It operates delicate appliances securely due to its pure sine-wave inverter. It is long-lasting with more than 4,000 charge cycles. It has an in-built UPS option, which provides smooth backup in case of unexpected power failure, and can be used at home or during travel.

Pros

  • Long-life LiFePO 4 battery that has a 10-year lifespan.

  • Rapid charging using AC or solar power.

  • Appliance safety is guaranteed by pure sine-wave output.

Cons

  • It weighs 48.5 lb, which reduces its portability.

AFERIY P310 3600W Solar Generator Kit

The AFERIY P310 3600 watt solar generator kit is a big package with a 3,840 Wh LiFePO₄ battery and a 3,600 W pure sine-wave inverter. It has an expandable capacity of 11,520 Wh, which means it will provide power to refrigerators and other high-demand appliances longer. It can be recharged with AC, solar (up to 2,000 W), or a combination of the two in just 1.3 hours. The durable, flexible unit comes with a 7-year warranty, protection against UPS, and portability on wheels. The provided smart app allows monitoring and control in real-time.

Pros

  • Massive expandable capacity accommodates prolonged use of the fridge.

  • Fast charging with combined AC and solar.

  • UPS protection provides smooth power when there is a power failure.

Cons

  • It is bulky for single users.

AFERIY P110-D 1200W Solar Generator Kit

The AFERIY P110-D is a small but high-powered solar generator that has a 960Wh LiFePO₄ battery and 1,200W of continuous output. It has various charging options such as AC, solar, and random car input. It is ideal when on camping, short trips, or as an emergency backup since it takes only 1.5 hours to recharge. The pure sine-wave inverter ensures the protection of delicate electronics. It is lightweight and portable, and hence easy to carry and store.

Pros

  • Rapid charging within 1.5 hours using AC and solar

  • Transportable due to its lightweight and portable design

  • The safe operation is guaranteed by a pure sine-wave inverter.

Cons

  • Smaller batteries might not be able to withstand long use.

Can Solar Panels Help Prolong the Use Time?

Yes, the solar panels will allow you to increase the running time of the generator by charging the battery as the generator runs your appliances. This minimizes the rate of battery discharge. As an example, suppose your panels generate about 1,000Wh each day; this will be able to cover the daily energy consumption of a refrigerator. Partial solar input, even during cloudy days, helps to keep power levels. The efficiency and speed of recharging are better when MPPT charge controllers are used. A solar generator will run a refrigerator nearly full-time with adequate installation and favorable sunlight.

Conclusion

With the right size and combination of efficient solar panels, solar generators are capable of powering refrigerators reliably. When you live off-grid or experience an outage, you can make sure everything goes smoothly when you know about power requirements. It is always necessary to consider the running and surge watts, battery size, and solar input. Solar energy is a sustainable and reliable source of power in terms of refrigeration when properly installed.

Related reading:

Jackery Vs Aferiy Portable Power Station: How to Choose?

How Much Energy Can a Solar Panel Generate?

 

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