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.

Size your system Best solar generators

A foldable two-panel portable solar panel standing on its kickstand in the grass — Fig. 01 / Portable panelCharging in open sun

Guides: 11
Sources cited: 144
Sizing rule: Wh = W × h
Specs checked: Sep 2026

Start with the numbers

All guides

EcoFlow vs Jackery vs Bluetti vs Anker Solar Generators Compared

EcoFlow vs Jackery vs Bluetti solar generators, plus Anker SOLIX, compared on capacity, output, surge, cycle life, weight, charging and warranty.

Comparisons

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

4Patriots Solar Generator: Patriot Power Specs and Alternatives

4Patriots Patriot Power Generator models compared on the maker's published specs and warranty against EcoFlow, Jackery, BLUETTI and Anker units of similar size.

Comparisons

A single-storey brick house with a tiled roof and rooftop solar panels under a blue sky

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

Open the sizing guide

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Solar generators, new

Browse current portable power stations on eBay, new condition only, from $200.

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Refurbished and pre-owned

Browse current refurbished power stations on eBay, from $150.

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What every guide checks

Capacity and output

Wh / W / surge

Stored energy and the power it can deliver are different numbers. We keep them apart and quote the maker's figure.

Battery chemistry

LiFePO4 / NMC

Cycle life, weight and temperature limits depend on chemistry. We cite the spec sheet, not the marketing line.

Warranty and condition

New / refurbished

Refurbished units can save money. We explain whose warranty applies and what the condition grades mean.