On this page
When the lights go out in the middle of dinner and the phone in your pocket is nearly dead, the question of how much is a solar power generator stops being abstract and starts being practical. A solar power generator is a portable power station with a battery, an inverter and a way to charge from solar panels, and its price follows the size of its battery, the size of its panels and the features built into the unit. Small portable units cost less than large home backup units, so the right question is what size fits the loads you plan to run. This guide walks through each cost driver in turn.
SolarKitHQ earns a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure.
How much is a solar power generator? The quick answer
A small portable unit that charges phones and runs a few lights costs less than a mid-size unit that runs a mini fridge, and a large home backup unit that runs a full-size fridge costs more again. The battery is the main cost driver, followed by the solar panels, the inverter and the extra features. Units sold with panels cost more than the station alone, and a well-known brand with a long warranty costs more than a lesser-known unit with the same stated capacity.
Battery size sets most of the price
The battery stores the energy, and its capacity in watt-hours is the biggest factor in the price. A small unit holds enough charge for phones, lights and a laptop, while a large unit holds enough for a fridge, a fan and a router through an outage. A unit with a much larger battery costs much more than a unit with a small battery, even when the brand and the features match. List the loads you plan to run and add up their watt-hours, rather than picking a unit by its headline watt figure, because a headline figure that looks large can hide a small battery. See the best portable power stations for home backup for larger units if your list includes a fridge or other heavy loads.
| Unit size | Suits | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small portable unit | Phones, lights, laptop | Light to carry, quick to charge |
| Mid-size unit | Mini fridge, fan, router | Covers an overnight outage |
| Large home backup unit | Full-size fridge and more | Heavy to move, needs large panels |
Solar panels add to the price
A solar generator is a power station plus a way to charge it from the sun, and the panels are the next cost driver after the battery. Some units are sold as a bundle with panels, while others are sold as the station alone, and the bundle costs more because it includes the panels. Larger panels gather more energy in a day, so a kit with large panels costs more than a kit with small panels. Portable panels that fold away cost more than rigid panels of similar size. Check the maximum solar input the station accepts, and match the panel voltage to the station input. See the best portable solar panels with a charge controller for options.
Output, outlets and ports
The inverter turns battery power into household AC, and its size shapes the price along with the outlets on the unit. A unit with a large inverter and several AC outlets costs more than a unit with a small inverter, because it can run heavier loads and more of them at the same time. USB ports, a car outlet and a DC output add convenience, and each extra port adds a little to the price. Surge capacity matters too: a compressor fridge pulls a short spike when it starts, so a unit with strong surge capacity costs more than a unit with weak surge capacity. Check the continuous AC output and the surge capacity in the listing, and match them to the running watts and the startup draw of your loads.
Battery type and extra features
Most current solar generators use lithium batteries, and the chemistry inside the battery affects the price and how long the unit lasts. Lithium iron phosphate batteries last through more charge cycles than other lithium chemistries, and units that use them often cost more than units with older chemistries. Extra features add to the price as well: an app that shows the charge level, a display that reports watts in and watts out, an expandable battery that lets you add capacity later, and fast charging from a wall outlet. A long warranty also adds to the price, because the maker stands behind the unit for more years.
How to work out what size you need
Start by listing every load you plan to run, from the phone charger to the fridge, and note the watts each load draws. Add up the watt-hours for the hours you need to cover, and allow for losses in the inverter and in the battery, because a station never gives back every watt-hour it stores. Then check the continuous AC output against the running watts of everything you plan to run at the same time, and check the surge capacity against the startup draw of the largest motor you plan to start. A watt meter between the load and the outlet measures real use over a day. See the best watt meters for options.
Ways to spend less without buying the wrong unit
The simplest way to spend less is to buy a smaller unit, so size the unit to the loads on your list and skip capacity you will never use. A station sold without panels costs less than the same station sold with panels, and you can add panels later when you need them. Older models cost less than the newest model in a line, and a smaller panel kit costs less than a large kit, so check whether the new features are worth the extra price. Avoid a unit that is too small for your loads: a unit that shuts off when the fridge starts is no bargain, and replacing it costs more than buying the right size at the start.
FAQ: power away from the grid
Is a solar generator the same as a portable power station?
A solar generator is a portable power station that charges from solar panels, while a portable power station is the same kind of unit sold without panels or with a wall charger. Each stores energy in a battery and runs AC loads through a built-in inverter, and each can charge from panels when the listing says so.
Do solar generators come with solar panels?
Some are sold as a bundle with panels, and some are sold as the station alone. Check the listing to see what is in the box, and check the maximum solar input before you buy panels separately.
Can a solar generator run a fridge?
It depends on the size. A small unit can run a mini fridge or a cooler for a while, while a large unit can run a full-size fridge through an outage, as long as the surge capacity can start the compressor. Check the continuous output and the surge capacity before you buy. See the best solar generators for a freezer for larger units.
How long does a solar generator last?
The battery wears down over charge cycles, so a unit with a lithium iron phosphate battery lasts through more cycles than a unit with an older lithium chemistry. How long it lasts depends on how much you use it and how deeply you drain it, so check the cycle life in the listing and store the unit charged and out of extreme heat and cold.
What size solar generator do I need for camping?
Match the unit to the loads you plan to run at the campsite: phones, lights and a small fan need a small unit, while a mini fridge needs a larger unit with more capacity. Portable panels that fold away suit a campsite, and a unit with a handle suits a walk from the car. Check how heavy the unit is in the listing if you plan to carry it far.
Related solar guides
See the best portable power stations for home backup, the best solar generators for a freezer, the best portable solar panels with a charge controller and the best watt meters. See every power station guide on the site.
