Solar Generators: What They Power, and Which One to Buy
A solar generator — a battery power station charged by a detached solar panel — gives you backup electricity for a fridge, CPAP machine, router, or laptop during an outage, or just to cut down what you pull from the grid. Plug appliances straight into the unit, no wiring or permits involved. Below: what each battery size can actually run, how long it lasts, and our ranked picks for 2026.
Battery Backup vs. a Gas Generator
What Can It Power, and For How Long?
Estimates assume 85% inverter/cabling efficiency and typical device draw. “—” means the device's wattage exceeds that unit's continuous AC output rating.
| Continuous load | ~300Wh / 300W class | ~1,000Wh / 800W class | ~2,040Wh / 2,200W class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📶WiFi router + modem(10W) | ~24h | ~85h | ~175h |
| 💡LED lantern / string lights(5W) | ~49h | ~170h | ~345h |
| 🌀Box fan(45W) | ~5.4h | ~19h | ~39h |
| 😴CPAP machine(40W) | ~6.1h | ~21h | ~43h |
| 🧊Mini fridge(60W) | ~4.1h | ~14h | ~29h |
| 📺43" LED TV(65W) | ~3.8h | ~13h | ~27h |
| 🍽️Full-size fridge (avg draw)(150W) | ~1.6h | ~5.7h | ~12h |
| ⏱️Microwave(1000W) | — | — | ~1.7h |
| 🔥Space heater(1500W) | — | — | ~1.2h |
| Full charges from empty | ~300Wh / 300W class | ~1,000Wh / 800W class | ~2,040Wh / 2,200W class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📱Smartphone(~15Wh/charge) | ~16× | ~56× | ~115× |
| 📲Tablet(~25Wh/charge) | ~9× | ~34× | ~69× |
| 💻Laptop(~60Wh/charge) | ~4× | ~14× | ~28× |
Reference units: Jackery Explorer 300 Plus · Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 / EcoFlow DELTA Mini · Jackery Explorer 2000 v2. Actual runtime varies by battery age, temperature, and your specific device's power draw — check the label on your appliance for its rated wattage.
Recommended Solar Backup Kits
Each kit pairs a battery power station with a solar panel for charging. Independently selected — see our affiliate disclosure.
Jackery Explorer 300 Plus (288Wh Battery)
Compact 288Wh LFP power station with MC4 solar input (100W max). Lightweight (8.3 lbs) entry point for pairing with a single 100–200W plug-in panel — good for topping off small daytime loads before stepping up to a bigger battery.
The lightest, cheapest way in. Enough to keep a phone, router, and lantern running through a multi-day outage, or top off small loads daily.
Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 (1kWh Battery)
1.07kWh LFP power station with MC4 solar input (400W max). Store excess daytime generation for evening use. 4,000+ cycle LFP battery. Multiple AC and USB outputs.
The sweet spot for most households — a full day of essentials (fridge, router, lights, laptop charging) with room to spare, and it recharges in under a day of sun.
Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 (2.04kWh Battery)
Whole-apartment-scale 2.04kWh LFP power station, 2200W AC output, MC4 solar input (400W max). Big enough to carry a full plug-in solar day's generation into the evening, or serve as a home-backup battery on its own.
Big enough to run a full-size fridge, CPAP, and lights through an entire multi-day outage, or double as a home-backup battery on its own.
EcoFlow DELTA Mini (1kWh Battery)
1kWh LFP battery with solar input (MC4 compatible). Store daytime solar generation and use it at night. 2,500+ charge cycle lifespan. 800W AC output. Pairs with any plug-in solar setup.
If you'd rather buy EcoFlow, the DELTA Mini matches the 1kWh tier — LFP chemistry, MC4 solar input, pairs with any MC4 panel like this Renogy 100W.
How This Differs From Plug-In (Grid-Tie) Solar
A microinverter converts panel output to grid-matched AC and feeds it into your home's wiring through a wall outlet, in parallel with the grid. Because it interconnects with your home's electrical system and can export to the utility, most states regulate it — that's the plug-in solar law your state may or may not have yet.
- Connects to home wiring
- May export power to the grid
- Regulated state-by-state
A detached solar panel charges a battery power station through its own built-in inverter. You plug lamps, a fridge, or a laptop into the unit's own outlets — nothing ever connects to your home's circuits. It's the same category of device as a laptop charger, just bigger.
- Never touches home wiring
- Nothing exported to the grid
- No permit, utility approval, or state law needed
This is our understanding of how these categories are typically treated, not legal advice for your specific situation. See our disclosure.
Setting It Up
- 1Charge the battery: Set the panel in direct sun (or charge fully from a wall outlet first) — no mounting, permit, or electrician required since nothing connects to your home's wiring.
- 2Plug devices directly into the unit: Use the power station's own AC outlets and USB ports — a fridge, router, lamp, or laptop charger, just like plugging into a wall.
- 3Recharge from the sun during the day: Leave the panel connected while you use the battery, or move it to catch the sun and recharge for the next outage or evening.
- 4Keep it topped off for outages: Store the unit charged and check it every few months. Most LFP batteries used in these kits hold charge for months and support 2,500–4,000+ cycles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a portable solar generator legal even if plug-in solar isn't legal in my state?
What's the difference between this and a plug-in balcony solar kit?
Can I use this instead of waiting for plug-in solar to become legal?
How long does it take to recharge the battery from the solar panel?
Do these produce carbon monoxide like a gas generator?
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One email when a kit on this page drops in price or we add a new one — no spam. If you're also curious about full plug-in (grid-tie) solar, we'll let you know when it's legal near you too.
Further reading