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Thursday, March 27th
While Grecell lists the name of a company in the UK as their headquarters, in actuality, this solar generator manufacturer is part of Shenzhen Lianying Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. and is located in Shenzhen, China, where many other solar companies are headquartered (some under the same umbrella of corporations).
Prices can vary
The highly reviewed Grecell T500 solar generator with solar panel starts at $409, and you can choose between an 80W or 100W solar panel. The Grecell 1000W generator is usually near $1,000, but watch out for sales. At the time of this review, it was only $659, and that included a 200W solar panel. Prices can go higher for solar generators with more wattage and accessories.
Pricing + discounts = good deal
Grecell offers coupons, sales, and discounts often. At the time of this review, they were offering up to 36% off most of their solar generators.
Reliable workhorse
Many customers describe the Grecell as a tough workhorse with an outdated look. The solar generator is not as pretty as competitor models in the same price range. If practicality wins over looks for you, however, you will most likely be happy with a Grecell generator.
Cords and outlets
One of the most efficient things about the Grecell solar generator is that the outlets are all on the front side of the generator, making it really easy to plug everything in. Another great characteristic of the Grecell battery is the cords. The 110 power inlet connection uses a common size cord, and the Anderson solar connection includes an adapter to connect to the solar panels.
Some models can be UPS
There are several models of Grecell solar generators that can act as an uninterrupted power supply. When plugged into the wall, electronics are powered by the grid. If the grid power stops, the power station automatically switches to battery power within 10 milliseconds.
Positive reviews
Grecell is almost always rated at least four out of five stars wherever we look for customer reviews. Many customers compare it to the more expensive solar generators, saying it can do what the high-priced models do at half the price. Still others mention that when they lost a cord, Grecell sent them a replacement for a few dollars plus shipping, something that rarely happens in this industry. More customers say their experiences with customer service were very positive. It appears that the more people know about solar generators in general, the more they appreciate Grecell as an option.
A top pick
There is a lot to like about the Grecell solar generator. We were happy to see positive reviews of the efficiency and quality of the generator. Customers generally have only one request for improvement outside of a more modern design, and that is to have an indicator that shows how much estimated time is left before the charge is fully depleted. We're happy that some of these solar generators are capable of being a UPS and find Grecell to be one of the top brands when looking at solar generators available in North America.
Solar generators are portable power stations that combine batteries with solar panels to provide electricity even in remote areas. Some also allow you to charge your battery via a power outlet or even a wind turbine. Solar generators are an emerging and ever-improving technology.
However, not all solar generators are meant for the same purposes. If you're looking for something to take on a camping trip, it's going to be different from a solar generator designed to power a whole house. You need to know how you're going to use your solar generator before you buy one.
The majority of solar generator companies are Chinese-based, most likely because China began research and development on solar generators in the late 1990s, a little ahead of the US market. Knowing where the company is truly headquartered does make a difference in the customer experience. When problems arise, customers can end up surprised by steep international shipping charges for repairs or experience a slow customer service response because of vast time differences. Don't assume that a solar generator company is close to you based on the fact that a shipping facility is near you. Often repairs need to be shipped back to the headquarters of the company.
New technology companies may only have an estimate of how the product will perform over time, so they use customers to test the technology in real life. Many DIY enthusiasts know this and don't mind the risks, as they use know-how and experience to repair or replace parts. If you don't want to spend a lot of money knowing you will be in for some repairs or faulty products, go with a company that has a product that's been tested through years of regular use.
It can be overwhelming trying to narrow down the solar generator that is the perfect fit. You can consider the following criteria to help you to find the best solar generator for your needs:
To help you find the best solar generator for you, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the most popular companies on the market. Use our research to choose the solar generator that will power the devices you need, at a price you can afford, and with the longevity you expect from your investment!
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