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10 Best Solar Generators For Power Outages

Romain Metaye

Ph.D. in Chemistry, École Polytechnique

August 31, 2023

You’ll need the best solar generators to power your house and protect your appliances during power outages.

In the US, power outages affect millions’ domestic life and economic activities. In 2020 alone, the average duration of a power outage was 8 hours per household, with the most affected states being Louisiana, Texas, and California, with up to 60 hours of power interruption.

Fortunately, there is a solution to protect your household from the disruptive effects of power outages, and it comes in the form of compact and rechargeable power stations or solar generators.

In this article, we list the 10 best solar generators for power outages on the market, so you can easily select the perfect one for your home.

What Are The 10 Best Solar Generators For Power Outages?

Here is our list of the 10 best solar generators for power outages:

• Hysolis APOLLO 5K
• Renogy Lycan 5000 Power Box
• Bluetti AC300 + B300
• Lion Energy Safari ME + expansion ME XP
• EcoFlow DELTA PRO 
• Bluetti EP500
• Point Zero Energy TITAN
• Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro Portable Power Station
• ECoFlow DELTA MAX
• Goal Zero YETI 6000X Home backup system

1. Hysolis APOLLO 5K

• Power output: 3000W continuous, 6000W surge
• Battery capacity: 5.3 kWh, up to 11kWh
• Battery lifetime cycles: 6000 cycles (80% final capacity)
• Max. solar charging power: 4000W
• Max. AC charging power: 3000W
• Recommended solar panels: 6 x 370W
• Warranty: 2 years on generator + 3 years on battery

With a built-in lithium battery certified at 6,000 cycles, the Apollo 5K is the most durable solar generator on the market. 

With its 3kW inverter, it will have no problem powering an entire house (excluding the electric oven) for more than 5 hours.

To boost its autonomy, charge the Apollo5K in less than 1h 30min with 4kW solar panels. And if you’re still short of power, you can link up to 9 Apollo units to reach 27kW and a whooping 48 kWh capacity.

2. Renogy Lycan 5000 Power Box

• Power output: 3500W continuous, 7000W peak
• Battery capacity: 4.8 kWh, up to 19.2kWh with extra modules
• Battery lifetime cycles: 4500 cycles (80% final capacity)
• Max. solar charging power: 4400W
• Max. AC charging power: 1000W
• Recommended solar panels: 4 x Renogy 320W
• Warranty: 3 years

The Lycan 5000 powerbox is the most powerful solar generator (7kW peak) on our list. Connect it to your house’s main switchboard, and you’ll be able to power your appliances seamlessly (including 1 small AC unit) for up to 5 hours.

Its built-in solar charger accepts up to 4.4kW of solar panels for a full charge in less than 1h 30min. Additionally, you can easily expand the LYCAN to 19.2 kWh with extra battery modules for greater energy independence.

Furthermore, its battery is among the most durable, with 10 years of service and 4,500 cycles.

3. Bluetti AC300 + 2B300

• Power output: 3000W continuous, 6000W surge
• Battery capacity: 6.1kWh, up to 12.3kWh
• Battery lifetime cycles: 3500 cycles (80% final capacity)
• Max. solar charging power: 2400W
• Max. AC charging power: 3000W
• Recommended solar panels: 6 x 370W
• Warranty: 4 years

This generator from Bluetti consists of the AC300, an inverter module coupled to the B300, and a 3 kWh battery module. 

You can add up to 4 modules to reach more than 12kWh (close to the capacity of a Tesla Powerwall, but cheaper), making it the most convenient solution to power your house and your outdoor trips.

Lastly, this solar generator comes with some of the latest additions on the market such as contactless charging and cloud monitoring.

4. Lion Energy Safari ME + Expansion ME XP

• Power output: 2000W continuous, 4000W peak
• Battery capacity: total 3kWh
• Battery lifetime cycles: 3000 cycles (80% final capacity)
• Max. Solar charging power: 585W
• Max. AC charging power: 668W
• Recommended solar panels: 3 x 200W
• Warranty: 1 year

The Lion Energy Safari solar generator features a modular design that consists of the central inverter unit and up to 4 extra battery modules. This makes it very convenient to use indoors during a power outage and outdoors for an off-grid trip.

With 2kW, the unit is powerful enough to partially back up your essential appliances for up to 5 hours.

Connect up to 600W of solar panels to go through any power outages during the day.

5. EcoFlow DELTA PRO 

• Power output: 3600W continuous, 7200W surge
• Battery capacity: 3.6kWh, up to 25kWh
• Battery lifetime cycles: 3500 cycles (80% final capacity)
• Max. solar charging power: 1600W
• Max. AC charging power: 1800W
• Recommended solar panels: 4 x 200W
• Warranty: 3 years

The Delta Pro from ECOFlow was designed as a domestic power backup solution and a solar generator for RV and outdoor trips.

It features a powerful inverter to run multiple appliances simultaneously, including AC, freezer, and water pump. One unit gives you up to 4 hours of full power backup. If that’s not enough, you can add up to 7 units to reach 25kWh.

Coupled with solar panels, you’ll reach full charge in less than 3 hours for even more autonomy.

Overall, given the quality of its components, it is one of the better-priced solar generators for power outages.

6. Bluetti EP500 PRO

• Power output: 3000W continuous, 6000W surge
• Battery capacity: 5.1kWh, up to 10.2kWh
• Battery lifetime cycles: 3500 cycles (80% final capacity)
• Max. solar charging power: 2400W
• Max. AC charging power: 3000W
• Recommended solar panels: 4 x 200W
• Warranty: 5 years

The EP500 Pro is a compact and elegant solution to power your appliances during a power outage. Thanks to its wheels, you can easily maneuver it around your household.

Like all Bluetti products, it is packed with innovation, such as wireless charging and cloud monitoring. Its built-in PSW inverter will have no problem running multiple appliances simultaneously, including 1 AC unit.

In addition, its 5 kWh capacity will provide you with more than 5 hours of autonomy while running all your regular appliances.

This solar generator is durable (10 years or 3,500 cycles) and has a standard 5-year warranty.

7. Point Zero Energy TITAN

• Power output: 3000W continuous, 6000W surge
• Battery capacity: 2kWh, up to 11kWh
• Battery lifetime cycles: 3500 cycles – 10 years (80% final capacity)
• Max. solar charging power: 2000W
• Max. AC charging power: 1450W
• Recommended solar panels: 2 x 200W
• Warranty: 2 years

The Point Zero TITAN is a modular solar generator that consists of one inverter/charger unit and one or more stackable battery modules (2kWh, 35lbs/15kg each).

Its design is very convenient for an outdoor or RV trip. Moreover, Point Zero developed the Titan solar generator to be compatible with nearly every battery type (24V).

The built-in 3kW inverter coupled with the 2kWh battery module will have no problem powering a house for 2-3 hours during a power outage.

Easily stack up extra battery modules and connect them to solar panels for more autonomy.

8. Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro Portable Power Station

• Power output: 2200W continuous, 4400W surge
• Battery capacity: 2kWh
• Battery lifetime cycles: 1000 cycles (80% final capacity)
• Max. solar charging power: 1400W
• Max. AC charging power: 1800W
• Recommended solar panels: 3 x 200W
• Warranty: 3 years

The Jackery Explorer 2000 is a great entry-level solar generator for partial home backup and a portable power station for your outdoor trips.

It is compact and lightweight, so you can maneuver it around your house and plug in your essential appliances during a power outage (excluding AC and electric oven).

Add up to 1400W of solar panels to boost its autonomy and go through 99% of power interruption.

9. ECoFlow DELTA MAX

• Power output: 2400W continuous, 5000W surge
• Battery capacity: 2kWh, up to 6kWh
• Battery lifetime cycles: 800 cycles (80% final capacity)
• Max. solar charging power: 800W
• Max. AC charging power: 1800W
• Recommended solar panels: 2 x 400W
• Warranty: 2 years

The EcoFlow Delta Max is a portable solar generator to power outdoor trips and back up your appliances during a power outage. What’s more, its lightweight and compact frame make it convenient to move around your house.

Performance-wise, its built-in inverter of 2.4kW can power all your common appliances and its battery capacity only allows for a few hours of autonomy. However, it is expandable (up to 6kWh) and accepts quick charging through solar panels (0-80% in 65 minutes).

Finally, it is the most affordable solar generator for home backup and comes with a 2-year warranty. Perfect for lower budgets.

10.  Goal Zero YETI 6000X Home Backup System

• Power output: 2000W continuous, 3500W surge
• Battery capacity: 6kWh usable
• Battery lifetime cycles: 500 cycles (80% final capacity)
• Max. solar charging power: 600W
• Max. AC charging power: 600W
• Recommended solar panels: 3 x 200W
• Warranty: 2 years

The Goal Zero Yeti 6000X is a bundle combining a solar generator and a Home Integration Kit to back up 4 electric circuits in your house.

Its 2kW power output makes it suitable for fridge/freezer, garage door, outlets, and lights in main living areas.

The generators massive 6 kWh built-in battery offers a full day of backup power (for essential appliances only). Finally, bring it to your outdoor trips; thanks to the NMC battery, it is the lightest and most compact (given its huge capacity) solar generator.

How Can Solar Generators Help During A Power Outage?

A solar generator supplies electricity to your domestic appliances during a power outage. The total power it can supply, and the time it will last depends on two key specifications:

1. Inverter power output
2. Battery capacity

The power of your solar generator’s inverter is rated in watts (W), and the battery capacity is in Wh or kWh (1000Wh).

In our article, we are featuring solar generators with power ranging from 2kW to 3.6kW (surge power from 4kW to 7kW); and battery capacity from 2kWh to 6kWh (for a single unit).

What Can A Solar Generator Power?

A 2kW solar generator can power the following appliances simultaneously:

• TVs (100W)
• Lights (8W each)
• USB charging (100W)
• refrigerator/freezer (150W)
• electric fan (70W)
• small water pump (0.5HP/370W)

A 3kW solar generator will power the same appliances, including a small/medium size AC unit. However, a 3kW generator has another advantage over its smaller 2kW cousin — it can power the above appliances for longer.

For example, a 2kWh battery gives you around 6 hours of running time for essential appliances, whereas a 6kWh battery gives you up to 20 hours of running time.

If you require more storage capacity, fear not — most solar generators are designed to accept extra battery modules.

How To Use A Solar Generator During A Power Outage

There are two ways of using a solar generator during a power outage:

1. Integrate The Solar Generator Into Your Home Electrical System

Your solar generator connects directly to your electrical system via a panel switchboard. This system has to be installed by a professional electrician.

For a seamless power supply, use an automatic transfer switch. Even if you’re not home, the solar generator will automatically supply your house in case of a power outage.

2. Plug In Your Appliances

Solar generators have multiple outlets (up to 5). They can directly power appliances and charge USB devices. All you need is a reliable extension wire to reach all appliances in your house.

Are Solar Generators Worth The Investment?

In short, yes, buying a solar generator is a good investment. Here is a list of the primary advantages that solar generators provide during power outages:

• Protect and power your appliances
• Run a freezer/refrigerator to keep your food fresh during long power outages
• Silent, no fuel, no smell
• Maintenance-free
• Durable (up to 10 years)
• Accept multiple charging sources
• Portable and modular to bring in your outdoor trips

Final Thoughts

Currently, solar generators are the cleanest and most reliable way to power a house during an outage. These compact and modular units are powerful enough to run all essential domestic appliances for up to 12 hours.

Charge them with solar panels, and it’ll boost your autonomy to go seamlessly through all power outages.

Finally, solar generators compete with the Tesla Powerwall and its alternatives in terms of cost and storage capacity, with one significant advantage being their portability.