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Solar power that fits your home

Solar generators (portable power stations) and panels, explained in watts and hours. Work out what you need for an outage, a campsite or a van, then compare the makers on the specs they publish.

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Size your systemBest solar generators
A two-storey house with a wraparound porch and solar panels on its roof in late afternoon sun, palm trees beside it
Fig. 01 / HomePanels on the roof, power in the house
A portable power station on a folded camp mat in dry grass and leaves at a campsite
Guides
51
Sources cited
452
Sizing rule
Wh = W × h
Specs checked
Sep to Oct 2026

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A white yurt on open grassland with a small solar panel beside it and sheep grazing in frontBuying guides
A white fridge-freezer built into white kitchen cabinetry beside a wooden counterSizing
Rows of large prismatic lithium iron phosphate cells joined by metal busbarsComparisons
A candle lantern glowing on the sill of a dark window at nightHome backup
A camper van seen from above with solar panels and open roof vents on its roofCampers and RVers
Solar panels mounted on the balcony railings of a multi-story apartment buildingBalcony solar
Two solar panels leaning in the sun against a low stone wall in a dirt courtyard

Sizing / 01 to 03

Three steps to the right size

Add up what you want to run, multiply by the hours, then leave room for inverter losses. Our sizing guide walks through it with real appliance figures.

01 / List loads
Watts per device
02 / Multiply
Watts × hours = Wh
03 / Add margin
Divide by inverter efficiency

Sizing guideWhat 1000Wh runsFridge sizing

Solar generators, new

Live prices from Anker Solix and ALLPOWERS, updated 9 hours ago

See all portable power stations on eBay

Before you buy: four checks

  1. 01

    Capacity in watt-hours. It sets runtime, so size it to your loads. How to size

  2. 02

    Rated output and surge. They decide what will start at all. Large loads

  3. 03

    Battery chemistry. LiFePO4 carries cycle ratings in the thousands. LiFePO4 vs NMC

  4. 04

    Whose warranty applies. Unauthorized resellers can void it. Warranty terms

Planning for an outage

Buying guides
A single-storey brick house with a tiled roof and rooftop solar panels under a blue skyHome backupWhich critical loads a unit carries, and when to add batteries.
A single candle lit on a round table beside an unlit floor lamp in a dark roomWhat 1000Wh runsFridge, CPAP, router and lights, with the math shown.
A worn red portable generator on wheels standing on pavement outdoorsSolar or gas generator?Exhaust, fuel, runtime and the CPSC placement rules.
A single solar panel on an aluminum stand in the grass, angled toward the sunRecharging in an outageWall, solar and car charging times by model.
A white bell tent in a pine clearing with a solar panel mounted on a timber frame in front
Photo: peupleloup / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Reading a spec sheet

Read the spec sheet, not the marketing line

Stored energy and the power a unit can deliver are different numbers, so compare them separately. Check the capacity percentage a cycle rating ends at, and read the warranty terms on the brand's own policy page.

EcoFlow vs Jackery vs BluettiWhat drives the costEditorial policy

Refurbished and pre-owned

Shop refurbished power stations

Opens eBay in a new tab. Check condition, seller feedback and returns.

Latest guides

All guides
01

What Size Solar Generator Do I Need? A Worked Sizing Method

Size a solar generator (portable power station) in watt-hours: list your loads, multiply watts by hours, allow for inverter losses, then check output and surge.

Sizing
02

Can You Use a Solar Generator in an Apartment? What to Know

How a solar generator works in an apartment: indoor safety, charging from a balcony or window, lease rules, battery fire tips and what size fits.

Buying guides
03

How to Charge a Solar Generator: Wall, Solar and Car Times

How fast a solar generator (portable power station) charges from a wall outlet, solar panels or a car, with each maker's listed times and solar input limits.

Sizing

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