When the power goes out for an evening, a flashlight and a deck of cards will do. When it's out for weeks, you want a plan for the things that keep a household running: cold food, light, phones, information, and maybe a fan or a little heat. This guide explains how to size a solar generator for exactly what you need, without overspending.
What Is a Solar Generator?
A "solar generator" is a portable battery power station paired with solar panels. The battery stores energy and provides household-style outlets. The panels recharge it from the sun. Together, they can keep recharging day after day without fuel.
There's an important safety difference from gas generators. Fuel-burning generators produce carbon monoxide, and Ready.gov says they must be used only outdoors, at least 20 feet from windows, doors, and attached garages. A battery power station doesn't burn fuel, so it doesn't produce exhaust. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for safe placement and use, and keep battery-backup carbon monoxide detectors in your home regardless. The CDC recommends them near every sleeping area.
Two Numbers That Matter: Watts and Watt-Hours
- Watts (W) measure how much power a device draws at one moment. A power station's output rating tells you how many watts it can supply at once. Some devices, especially those with motors or compressors like refrigerators and pumps, briefly draw more when they start. That's why stations list a surge or peak rating too.
- Watt-hours (Wh) measure capacity, or how much energy is stored. A 1,000 Wh battery could, in theory, run a 100 W device for 10 hours.
So the two questions are: Can it power my devices at the same time? (output in watts) and For how long? (capacity in watt-hours).
Step 1: List Your Essentials
Ready.gov suggests taking an inventory of the items you rely on that need electricity. Be honest about what's essential. A typical list:
- Refrigerator or chest freezer
- LED lights
- Phones, tablets, and a laptop
- Internet router and modem
- A fan or electric blanket
- A small kitchen appliance like a kettle or hot plate
- A well pump, if you have one
If you or a family member depend on a powered medical device or refrigerated medicine, Ready.gov advises talking with your medical provider about a power outage plan. Make that conversation part of your preparation.
Step 2: Find Each Device's Watts
Look for the wattage on the device's label, power adapter, or manual. If only volts and amps are listed, multiply them (volts × amps = watts). For appliances that cycle on and off, like refrigerators, a plug-in energy meter can show how much energy they actually use over a day.
Step 3: Estimate Daily Watt-Hours
Multiply each device's watts by the hours you'll use it per day. Here's an illustrative example. Your numbers will be different, so use your own labels.
| Device | Watts (example) | Hours/day | Wh/day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 LED lamps | 10 W each | 5 | 200 |
| Phone charging (4 phones) | 15 W each | 2 | 120 |
| Router + modem | 20 W | 12 | 240 |
| Laptop | 60 W | 3 | 180 |
| Subtotal | 740 |
Add your refrigerator's measured daily use to that subtotal. Then leave a healthy margin, since some energy is lost converting battery power to household AC, and real-world use is rarely perfect.
Step 4: Check Peak Output
Add up the watts of everything you might run at the same time, and make sure the power station's continuous output covers it, with surge capacity for anything that has a motor.
Step 5: Plan Solar Recharging
For an outage measured in weeks, recharging matters as much as capacity. A panel's rating (for example, 200 W) is its output under ideal conditions. Real-world output depends on season, weather, panel angle, and shade, so plan conservatively and watch your power station's input display to learn what your panels actually deliver.
The goal for a long outage is simple: what your panels bring in each day should cover what your essentials use each day. If it doesn't, add panels or trim your daily list.
ReadyPantry picks: SolarSaga 100 Prime Solar Panel and SolarSaga 200W, a bifacial, IP68 waterproof-rated panel. Check each power station's listing for compatible panels and adapters.
Matching a Solar Generator to Your Needs
All capacity and output figures below are from the product listings.
Phones, lights, and internet
Jackery Solar Generator 300 v2: 288 Wh capacity and 300 W output (600 W surge) in a body around 8 lbs. Jackery lists UPS switching of 0.01 seconds or less to keep a router running when the grid drops. A great first step for communications and lighting.
Essentials plus small appliances
Jackery Solar Generator 1500 Ultra: 1,536 Wh LiFePO₄ battery with 1,800 W continuous AC output and an IP65 dust- and water-resistant rating. Available with two SolarSaga 100 Prime or two SolarSaga 200W panels.
The refrigerator and more
Solar Generator HomePower 3000: 3,072 Wh capacity and 3,600 W continuous output (7,200 W surge). Jackery's ZeroDrain feature is listed as retaining about 95% charge after 12 months in storage, which is handy for a unit that waits on a shelf.
Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus: 3,584 Wh capacity with 3,600 W output, expandable up to 21 kWh with added batteries, and 120V/240V support.
Whole-home essentials
Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus: 5,040 Wh capacity, 7,200 W rated output, expandable up to 60 kWh, 120V/240V support, and up to 4,000 W of solar input for faster recharging.
Compare them all in Backup Power.
Connecting to Your Home's Circuits
Larger systems can power selected household circuits through a transfer switch. This is a job for a licensed electrician. Never back-feed power into your home's wiring through an outlet. Your electrician can tell you which circuits make sense for your home.
Make Your Power Last Longer
- Prioritize. Keep the fridge closed. Ready.gov notes an unopened fridge keeps food cold for about four hours and a full freezer holds for about 48 hours, so you don't need to power them nonstop.
- Switch to LED lighting and battery lanterns.
- Charge devices during sunny hours when panels are producing.
- Unplug what you're not using. Ready.gov also recommends disconnecting electronics to avoid damage from surges when power returns.
- Practice. Run your essentials on battery for a weekend to learn your real numbers.
Build Your Backup Power Plan
Start with a small station for lights and communication, then scale up as your plan grows. Explore Backup Power, and see how power fits with food, water, and gear on our 90-Day Ready hub.
Sources: Ready.gov: Power Outages; CDC: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Basics. Product specifications are from ReadyPantry product listings.