Solar Generators for Hurricanes and Storms: A Recharge Plan

A solar generator is a good fit for hurricane and storm outages because it can run critical loads indoors with no fuel or exhaust. Charge it to full before the storm, keep it for the fridge, lights, phones and internet, and pair it with solar panels so it can refill over the several days Ready.gov says to plan for.

How long do storm outages last?

Most outages are short, but storms are the exception. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says customers averaged about five and a half hours without power in 2022. Leaving out major events such as severe weather, the yearly average has stayed around two hours since 2013. Florida customers averaged 19.1 hours that year.

Ready.gov tells households to be ready to get by on their own for several days after an emergency. Its hurricane page adds that some supplies may not be available for days or even weeks after a storm. A storm plan therefore needs two things: enough stored power for the first day, and a way to refill the battery after that.

What to charge before the storm arrives

Ready.gov says to keep your cell phone charged when a hurricane is in the forecast and to buy backup charging devices. A power station that has sat in a closet for months may not be full, so plug it into the wall a day or two ahead.

Before landfall, bring each of these to full:

1. The power station itself.
2. Phones, a power bank and any rechargeable flashlights or lanterns.
3. A battery-powered or hand crank radio, which Ready.gov lists in its basic kit, along with spare batteries.
4. Ice for a cooler, which Ready.gov suggests if the fridge has to stay off.

Our guide to how to charge a solar generator lists wall charging times by model, which tells you how much warning you need.

What to run first when the power goes out

A portable power station stores far less than a home uses in a day, so pick loads in order of how much they matter.

FoodSafety.gov says to throw out refrigerated perishable food such as meat, eggs and leftovers after 4 hours without power, and its chart marks those foods for discard once they have been at 40 °F or above for more than 2 hours. Keep the doors closed as much as possible, and use a fridge thermometer to know where you stand.

Ready.gov also asks anyone who relies on a powered medical device or refrigerated medicine to make a plan with their medical provider before a storm. How many hours a given battery runs a fridge is worked out in what size solar generator runs a refrigerator, and the full sizing method is in what size solar generator do I need.

A recharge plan for a multi-day outage

A full battery covers the first day. After that, solar panels do the work. Set them out once the storm has passed, in open sky away from trees and downed lines, and bring them in if more wind or rain is coming. A car’s 12 V socket is a slow backup for cloudy days.

The panel wattage a fridge needs depends on your location and the season, and solar input limits vary by model. Our home backup guide compares input limits on larger units.

Staying safe with power after a storm

Floods bring their own hazards. Ready.gov warns that downed or underground power lines can electrically charge flood water, and CPSC says not to touch wet appliances that are still plugged in. Ready.gov also suggests disconnecting appliances and electronics during an outage to avoid damage from surges when power returns.

Battery power stations make no exhaust, which is the main reason they suit indoor use during a storm. CPSC warns that carbon monoxide from gas-powered portable generators can kill in minutes, and its hurricane tips call for battery-backed CO alarms on every level of the home. If a gas generator is also part of your plan, the outdoor placement rules are in solar generator vs gas generator.

Where to go next

For light that needs no power station, solar lanterns recharge on a windowsill and solar flood lights keep a driveway lit. Compare sizes and brands in our solar generator buying guide, or browse every guide in the power stations section.