Solar Generators and Solar Panels are lighting the way for emergency power preparedness. These slick, modern portable home generators are simple, cost efficient in the long run, and grant you peace of mind when the power goes out. 

If you don’t already have a power plan for an emergency, consider a solar generator as an easy, quick set up, minimal maintenance option.

So why should you consider solar generators as a key pillar in you emergency preparedness plan? Let’s dive into it.

Defining the Terms

Let’s start defining our terms. When we say solar generators, we are really talking about portable power stations that can be recharged with solar panels. It is just a quick way of combining the two together.

Solar Generators: Making Emergency Preparedness Easy

Storage

Solar panels invoke images of rows upon rows of glimmering panels that are massive and expensive. Modern solar panels that tie into power stations are the delightful opposite: compact, portable, and easy to store.

Solar panels, like the Anker Solix Ps400, fold up to the size of a small card table and weigh just over 35 pounds. When set up, it stretches out to over 9’ to capture all that glories sunlight. 

This allows you to store these panels in your garage or back of your closet and then lug them out to where the sun is the brightest. They don't have to be constantly set up, ruining the vibes of your backyard. And at that size, they can easily be set in the trunk of your car or back of your pickup truck.

Easy Set Up

Solar generators are remarkably easy to set up. Simply pull them out of storage, set-up in a sunny spot, and connect the cord to your power station. 

Yep, it is that easy. 

As Long as You Have Sun, You Have Power

The beauty of solar energy is that as long as the sun is shining, you have power. You aren’t relying on the few gallons of gas you have available to run your generator or the extra life span of a stack of batteries. 

You have achieved unlimited power. Bask in the glow of superiority as you hear all your neighbor's generators chugging away.

Quiet Energy

Speaking of generators, they are noisy creatures, aren’t they? A generator running non-stop outside your workspace or kitchen can slowly erode the last nerve you have. 

Shhh. Listen. Do you hear that? No, you didn’t because solar generators are silent. This is perfect for places where you can’t be loud (think apartment building or a situation where you don’t want to attract attention).

Scalable and Modular

Solar scales well — within limits. Every power station has a maximum solar input rating, and no matter how many panels you add, it won’t take more than that limit.

For example, the Anker SOLIX C800X accepts up to 300W of solar input. You can connect a 400W panel or two 200W panels, and the smart charge controller will safely cap it at 300W.

This extra capacity is especially helpful on cloudy or smoky days, where each panel delivers less power — helping you stay closer to your max input.

Low Maintenance

Besides adjusting for the sunlight, solar panels are delightfully easy to maintain. If a bird reduces your output by dropping a payload on your panel or if they get dusty or covered in pollen from being outside, a simple cloth with mildly soapy water will do the trick. Even a thin layer of dust can reduce your output significantly. 

Make sure that you dry them thoroughly and wipe them clean if you used them in rain, snow, or salty air. You don’t want to store them with any residue grime or dust. 

Do not use abrasive materials when cleaning the panels as scratches reduce efficiency. Do not stack heavy objects on top of them. Treat them well and they will last for years.

Considerations for Solar Generators

While a fantastic option, solar panels coupled with power stations do have some distinct downsides and important considerations. Let’s cover those to make sure you have clear expectations.

A Fully Charged Start

This may be obvious but let’s make sure we all understand that, for best results and for you not flipping out like you were 1st place in Mario Kart only to get nuked by a blue shell (if you know, you know), make sure your power station is relatively charged before the power goes out.

Solar takes a while to charge so if your power station is dead at the start, that is precious time lost while your fridge and freeze start warming up. That being said, if you max out your solar panels, your recharge time can be surprisingly fast; just not as fast as plugging it into a generator.

So if a storm is in the forecast or its that time of year when outages are more frequent, keep it your power station topped off. 

Minimum Sunlight and Proper Placement

The next step is to clearly state when solar generators are not a good fit. I live in the rainy PNW. During the winter, it can go weeks without sunlight and the winter is when I would need back up power the most. Solar for emergency preparedness is not a great option for anyone who can’t count on the minimum of 20-25 hours of usable sunlight per week. That equals rough 3-4 hours of direct sunlight on your system preferably in one long stretch. 

That is not to say you can’t use solar. You may just need more panels, be more selective in your power needs, or give your power station a quick charge from a gas generator if the sun refuses to play nice. 

Proper placement goes hand in hand with minimum sunlight. You might have great sunlight exposure when you first set up your panels but, after an hour or two, your panels are now in deep shade. So keep those panels in direct sunlight and at the proper angle for your best results. 

Slow Recharge Speeds

Solar panels charge slowly. You need to plan for this when making your emergency plan. For example, the Anker SOLIX C800X is rated for 300W solar input. In perfect conditions and at max wattage, you will be full just about 2.5 hours.

However, if you only have a 200W panel, that time increases to 5-8 hours. Be sure to plan ahead when managing your power during a long outage.

Solar Generator Technical Considerations

Pass-Through Charging: Not all power stations allow you to use them while charging. Make sure you do your research on one that allows you to connect your devices while recharging with solar. 

Compatibility: Don’t assume one brand’s panels will work with another brand’s power station right out of the box. While most have adapters to work around compatibility, get that squared away before purchasing so you have the best possible experience.

Limited Power Output/Input: Because solar does not recharge quickly, solar generators work best when used with smaller devices and appliances. Powering your homes AC with your power station will drain it quickly and the recharge time will be significant. 

If you are planning on using solar to power larger appliances, make sure you thought out your power plan carefully. If you overtax your solar system, you may be without power for critical devices while the battery is recharging.

Environment Conditions

Besides cloudy days, other environmental factors can impact recharging time. If you live near the coast, fog banks that linger can wreak havoc on your charging time as can smoke from forest fires. 

If the outside temperature is smoking hot, it can cause your panels to be less efficient. Also, little factors like condensation from being out overnight or rain droplights after a show can effect your panels output. 

Conclusions and Recommendations

Modern solar panels coupled with smart power stations provide clean, renewable power during an outage. With proper planning, sunny skies, and clear expectations, you do not have to fear when the power goes out. 

Our Recommendations

A good starting point for a back up home generator that fits basic needs such as freezers or fridges is the Anker SOLIX C1000X Portable Power Station. It is a great unit by itself with plenty of outlets but what makes it great for this discussion is its beastly 600W Solar Input. In an ideal set up, you can recharge this unit in 2-2.5 hours with solar. 

If you want a portable power station to power your entire house, the Anker SOLIX F3800 has up to 2400W recharging it lightning fast for solar if you have consistent sunlight. Again, in a perfect set up with max solar input, you are looking at 2-2.5 hours to fully recharge.

You can browse all of our Solar Panel options as well as our Solar Generators but what are your solar panel plus portable power stations questions? We would love to help you out. Shoot us an email or hit the chat icon on our website!