A Volta is a hybrid solar generator: solar panels, a battery and a backup generator in one mobile unit. It supplies continuous power to site cabins, tools, lighting, traffic signals and cameras, day and night, without a grid connection. The panels and battery do most of the work. The backup only runs when it has to.
The result: far fewer engine hours than a diesel generator, so less fuel, less noise and less maintenance on site.
A hybrid solar generator combines three power sources and switches between them automatically:
The energy management system makes these decisions for you. Your team plugs in and works. See how a Volta works for a closer look.
| Diesel generator | Solar-only system | Hybrid solar generator | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power at night and in winter | Yes | Limited by battery and daylight | Yes, backup takes over |
| Engine hours | Continuous | None | Only when the battery is low |
| Fuel use | 100% | None | Up to 60% less than diesel [VALIDEREN] |
| CO₂ emissions | 100% | None during use | 72–97% less, depending on model |
| Noise | Engine runs all day | Silent | Silent while on battery |
| Suited for | Heavy, constant loads | Small loads in summer | Year-round site power |
A diesel generator on site often runs at partial load for hours, burning fuel for very little output. A solar-only system has no answer to a week of grey winter weather. A hybrid solar generator covers both: solar and battery first, a backup for certainty.
The backup is what makes a Volta hybrid. You choose the type that fits your project and emission requirements:
| Model | Continuous power | Peak power | Backup | CO₂ saving vs diesel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volta 2 ZERO | 150 W | 2.5 kW | Propane fuel cell | CO₂ compensated |
| Volta 6 | 1 kW | 6.4 kW | HVO engine | 97% |
| Volta 15 ZERO | 1.8 kW | 12 kW | Methanol fuel cell | 72% |
| Volta 15 | 3 kW | 12 kW | HVO engine | 94% |
| Volta 45 | 9 kW | 36 kW | HVO engine | 93% |
| Volta 120 | 24 kW | 108 kW | HVO engine | 91% |
Not sure which size you need? Read how much kVA you need, or tell us what you want to connect and we'll size it for you.
You hire a Volta as Energy as a Service. Delivery, installation, fuel management for the backup, maintenance and 24/7 remote monitoring are included. No investment, no refuelling rounds to plan, no servicing to arrange.
The price depends on the power you need and the duration of your project, from a few weeks to several years. Because the backup runs only a fraction of the time, fuel and service costs are much lower than with a diesel generator. Over the length of a project, that often makes a hybrid solar generator the cheaper option. Request a quote and we'll calculate it for your site.
What is a hybrid solar generator?
A mobile power unit that combines solar panels, a battery and a backup generator. Solar and battery supply most of the energy; the backup only runs when the battery is low.
What is the difference between a hybrid solar generator and a solar power generator?
On our site, a solar power generator is the general term for our solar-powered units. "Hybrid" refers specifically to the backup that guarantees power when solar and battery aren't enough. Every Volta is hybrid.
Does a hybrid solar generator provide power 24/7?
Yes. The panels charge the battery during the day, the battery supplies power at night and the backup steps in if the battery runs low. That works in winter too.
Is a hybrid solar generator diesel-free?
The HVO models use HVO instead of fossil diesel, and the backup runs only part of the time. The ZERO models have no combustion engine at all: their backup is a propane or methanol fuel cell.
How quiet is a hybrid solar generator?
Silent while running on solar and battery, which is most of the time. You only hear the backup when it recharges the battery.
What does a hybrid generator cost to hire?
That depends on the power you need and the rental period. Fuel, maintenance and monitoring are included in the price. Request a quote for a calculation for your project.
Can I buy a hybrid solar generator?
We supply Voltas on a rental basis, as Energy as a Service. That way you don't invest in equipment and we take care of maintenance and fuel.
