Solar Generators for Home Backup, Sized to What You Need to Keep On

The ice storm takes the power out a little after dinner. By 10 p.m. the house has gone quiet in a way you notice: no fridge hum, no furnace fan, no router light. You are not worried about the TV. You are doing math in your head about the milk, the medicine in the door shelf, and how cold the bedrooms will get by morning. That is the math this guide does for you, with real numbers, before you spend a couple thousand dollars.

The six setups at a glance

• 
  Best for most homesJackery HomePower 3600 Plus kit3,584 Wh, 3,600W. About 31 hours of fridge and basics by our math; grows to about 21.5 kWh.
  Check price on Amazon
• 
  Best for well pumps and 240VEcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 kit4,096 Wh, 4,000W, 120/240V from one unit. Biggest panel set here.
  Check price on Amazon
• 
  Best for running the most at onceAnker SOLIX F3800 Plus3,840 Wh, 6,000W, 120/240V. Takes up to 3,200W of solar.
  Check price on Amazon
• 
  Best value for a big batteryJackery HomePower 3000 kit3,072 Wh in a 59.5 lb box. About 27 hours of fridge and basics.
  Check price on Amazon
• 
  Best for townhouses and condosAnker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 kit2,048 Wh at 41.7 lb. Carries up stairs; 4 kWh with one add-on battery.
  Check price on Amazon
• 
  Best to start small and growEcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Plus kit2,048 Wh today, up to 10 kWh with two extra batteries. 3,000W output.
  Check price on Amazon

How much battery a home outage really takes

A home outage plan starts with one number: the watt-hours (Wh) your must-run devices use in a day. Most people need far less than “the whole house” and far more than they guess for winter.

Here is a typical essentials day. The wattages are average draws, not the label maximum, and you can swap in your own from the appliance sticker or a plug-in meter. Our outage planner does this math for you.

Furnace blower draw from a U.S. Department of Energy example for an older PSC motor; newer variable-speed blowers draw less. Sump pump: 800 W running about 20% of the time in heavy rain. Fridge: 60 W covers most full-size models; an ENERGY STAR 18 cu ft fridge averages closer to 41 W (DOE).

For context, the average U.S. customer sat through about 11 hours without power in 2024, and hurricanes Beryl, Helene and Milton caused most of it (EIA). In 2025 the average fell to about 4.5 hours, but averages hide the multi-day outages that send people shopping. Size for the outage you fear, not the average.

The six setups, up close

Each setup below gets the same treatment: what it does well, the catch, what it will not run, and the specs straight from the maker. Runtime figures use the essentials-day loads in the section above, so you can compare them one to one.

1

Best for most homes

Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus with two SolarSaga 200W panels

Power station plus 2 × 200W folding panels (ships in separate boxes)

This is the setup we would hand a neighbor who says “I just want the fridge, the furnace fan and the Wi-Fi to make it through.” Its 3,584 Wh battery is the sweet spot for a winter essentials day: about 31 hours of fridge and basics, or about 13.5 hours with a gas furnace blower added, before the panels put anything back.

It is also the easiest big battery here to live with. At about 77 lb it rolls on wheels with a telescoping handle, so it can sit in the kitchen during an outage and in the garage the rest of the year. If one day of essentials turns out to be too little, Jackery sells add-on Battery Pack 3600 units, up to five, for about 21.5 kWh.

Battery

3,584 Wh LiFePO4

Output

3,600W (7,200W surge)

Voltage

120V (240V needs 2 units)

Expansion

Up to about 21.5 kWh

Solar input

1,000W max

Weight

About 77 lb, wheels

Cycle life

6,000 to 70% (maker)

Warranty

3 years + 2 with registration

What works

• Enough battery for a full day of fridge and basics in winter
• Rolls like a suitcase; light for its capacity
• Four 20A outlets plus a TT-30 outlet
• Add batteries later instead of buying a second unit

The catch

• One unit is 120V only; 240V takes a second unit and a connector
• The two included panels use 400W of its 1,000W solar input
• Pass-through (UPS) mode tops out at 1,440W
• Jackery lists FCC compliance but publishes no UL listing

Best for: Most single-family homes on gas heat that need essentials through a one to two day outage.

What it won’t run: Central AC, an electric range or dryer, or a 240V well pump unless you pair two units.

Skip it if: your must-run list includes a 240V well pump and you want to buy only one unit.

Specs: Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus product page and user manual (3,584 Wh, 3,600W rated, 7,200W surge, 16 to 60V solar, 24A / 1,000W max, 6,000 cycles to 70%), checked Nov. 2, 2026.

Check price on AmazonMaker spec page

2

Best for well pumps and 240V

EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 with two 400W panels

Power station plus 2 × 400W folding panels (ships in separate boxes)

If your house runs on a well, this is the one to look at first. The DELTA Pro 3 puts out 120V or 120/240V split-phase from a single unit, with an L14-30 and a 6-20 outlet for 240V gear, so a well pump does not force you into buying two of anything.

It also ships with the most solar of any kit here: two 400W panels feeding a unit that accepts up to 2,600W. On a clear December day in Raleigh that pair puts back about 2,290 Wh by our math, close to a whole fridge-and-basics day. EcoFlow lists the unit as UL 9540 certified.

Battery

4,096 Wh LFP

Output

4,000W (8,000W surge)

Voltage

120V or 120/240V, one unit

Expansion

12 kWh per unit

Solar input

2,600W max

Weight

113.5 lb, wheels

Cycle life

4,000 to 80% (maker)

Warranty

5 years

What works

• True 240V from one unit, including an L14-30 outlet
• Two 400W panels: the most included solar here
• 10 ms switchover for things that must not blink
• Maker lists UL 9540 certification

The catch

• At 113.5 lb it rolls on flat floors but not up stairs
• You pick the 120V group or the 240V group; both cannot run at once
• Each 400W panel is a two-person job on a windy day
• Largest box and biggest setup job in this guide

Best for: Homes on a well pump or with other 240V loads, and anyone planning to wire into Smart Home Panel 2.

What it won’t run: Central AC for more than a few hours, or an electric range and dryer at the same time.

Skip it if: you live upstairs or need to carry the unit; a lighter 120V setup covers you if you have no 240V loads.

Specs: EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 product page and online manual (4,096 Wh, 4,000W, 8,000W surge, 120/240V, 2,600W solar, 4,000 cycles to 80%, 5-year warranty), checked Nov. 2, 2026.

Check price on AmazonMaker spec page

3

Best for running the most at once

Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus

Power station; panels sold separately (our math pairs it with 2 × Anker PS400)

The F3800 Plus is built to be the heart of a wired home backup, not a box you plug a lamp into. Its 6,000W of output is the most here, enough to start a well pump while the fridge and microwave are running, and it delivers 120/240V from one unit through an L14-30 outlet.

Its real edge is solar headroom. It accepts up to 3,200W of panels and expands to about 26.9 kWh with six BP3800 batteries, so you can start with a modest setup and grow it into something that rides out a long outage. Pair it with Anker’s Home Power Panel or a transfer switch installed by an electrician.

Battery

3,840 Wh LFP

Output

6,000W

Voltage

120/240V, one unit

Expansion

Up to 26.9 kWh

Solar input

3,200W max

Weight

About 136 lb, wheels

Cycle life

3,000+ (maker)

Warranty

5 years

What works

• 6,000W: the most simultaneous power in this guide
• Biggest solar input here, 3,200W
• Expands further than any other single unit here
• Built around a home panel or transfer switch

The catch

• No panels in the box, so the real cost is higher
• About 136 lb; plan where it lives before it arrives
• Wall charging tops out at 1,800W, slow for a 3.8 kWh battery
• Pass-through backup covers only three outlets

Best for: Homeowners who will hire an electrician to connect selected circuits and want room to grow.

What it won’t run: A 5,000W dryer for long: it would empty the base battery in under an hour.

Skip it if: you want plug-and-play backup with no electrician; a lighter kit with panels in the box is simpler.

Specs: Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus product page and user guide (3,840 Wh, 6,000W, 120/240V, 3,200W solar, 6 × BP3800 to 26.9 kWh, 5-year warranty), checked Nov. 2, 2026. Anker lists the weight as 135.6 to 136.7 lb on different pages.

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4

Best value for a big battery

Jackery HomePower 3000 with two SolarSaga 200W panels

Power station plus 2 × 200W folding panels (ships in separate boxes)

The HomePower 3000 gives you a 3 kWh class battery and the same 3,600W output as the 3600 Plus in a smaller, lighter box. At 59.5 lb it holds the most watt-hours per pound of anything here, and a fridge alone would run about 43 hours on it by our math.

The trade is growth: it does not take add-on batteries. Buy it if you are confident that about a day of essentials is your target, and spend the difference on a plan for refilling it, like a dual-fuel generator outside or a second pair of panels.

Battery

3,072 Wh LiFePO4

Output

3,600W (7,200W surge)

Voltage

120V

Expansion

None

Solar input

1,000W max

Weight

59.5 lb

Cycle life

4,000 to 70% (maker)

Warranty

3 years + 2 with registration

What works

• Most battery per pound in this guide
• Same 3,600W output as the bigger Jackery
• TT-30 outlet for an RV or an inlet box
• Fast wall recharge, about 2.2 hours (maker)

The catch

• No expansion: what you buy is what you have
• 120V only
• Output is limited to 2,000W between 5°F and 14°F, so keep it out of a frozen garage
• Pass-through (UPS) mode tops out at 1,440W

Best for: Homes that want about a day of essentials in a battery one person can lift into a car.

What it won’t run: Any 240V load, or a furnace fan plus fridge for more than about half a day.

Skip it if: you think you may want more capacity later; the 3600 Plus or DELTA Pro 3 can grow.

Specs: Jackery HomePower 3000 product page and user manual (3,072 Wh, 3,600W, 7,200W surge, 1,000W solar, 4,000 cycles to 70%, not expandable), checked Nov. 2, 2026.

Check price on AmazonMaker spec page

5

Best for townhouses and condos

Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 with PS400 bifacial panel

Power station plus 1 × 400W bifacial folding panel (ships in separate boxes)

Not every home backup needs to be a 100 lb appliance. In a townhouse or condo, where the fridge, Wi-Fi and a few lights are the whole list and the stairs are real, a 41.7 lb unit you can actually carry is worth more than extra capacity you cannot move.

The C2000 Gen 2 runs fridge and basics for about 18 hours by our math, recharges from the wall in about 88 minutes (maker), which matters during rolling outages, and switches over in 10 ms for a home office. One BP2000 battery doubles it to 4,096 Wh.

Battery

2,048 Wh LFP

Output

2,400W (4,000W peak)

Voltage

120V

Expansion

Up to 4,096 Wh

Solar input

800W max

Weight

41.7 lb

Cycle life

4,000 to 80% (maker)

Warranty

5 years

What works

• Light enough to carry upstairs
• Full wall recharge in about 88 minutes
• 10 ms switchover for a computer or modem
• Quiet: Anker lists 30 dB under 1,000W

The catch

• About 18 hours of fridge and basics, 7.7 with a furnace fan
• Tops out at 4 kWh even with expansion
• 800W solar cap limits a future array
• No home power panel option

Best for: Condos, townhouses and apartments with a short must-run list.

What it won’t run: A furnace blower plus fridge through a long winter night, or anything 240V.

Skip it if: you heat with a gas furnace in a cold climate and want a full day of heat and food covered.

Specs: Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 product page and user guide (2,048 Wh, 2,400W, 4,000W peak, 800W solar, BP2000 to 4,096 Wh, 41.7 lb, 5-year warranty), checked Nov. 2, 2026.

Check price on AmazonMaker spec page

6

Best to start small and grow

EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Plus with 400W panel

Power station plus 1 × 400W folding panel

The DELTA 3 Max Plus is the “buy what you need now” pick. It starts at 2,048 Wh, enough for about 18 hours of fridge and basics, but takes two extra batteries to reach 10 kWh, five times its base size. That suits a household that is still learning what it actually runs during an outage.

Its 3,000W output (3,800W in X-Boost mode) is stronger than most 2 kWh units, and it accepts up to 1,000W of solar, so the single included panel is a start, not a ceiling.

Battery

2,048 Wh LFP

Output

3,000W (6,000W surge)

Voltage

120V

Expansion

2 to 10 kWh

Solar input

1,000W max

Weight

48.7 lb

Cycle life

Not published

Warranty

3 years + 2 with app registration

What works

• Grows from 2 kWh to 10 kWh
• 3,000W output, high for its size
• Under 10 ms switchover
• 1,000W solar input leaves room for more panels

The catch

• No TT-30 outlet and no home panel listed, so wiring into circuits is harder
• Expansion needs EcoFlow’s adapter plus the batteries
• EcoFlow does not publish a cycle rating for this model
• One 400W panel puts back under half a winter essentials day in most of the country

Best for: Households that want a modest backup now and a path to a bigger one later.

What it won’t run: 240V loads, or circuits through a transfer switch without extra hardware.

Skip it if: you know you want hardwired circuits backed up; the F3800 Plus or DELTA Pro 3 are built for that.

Specs: EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Plus product page and online manual (2,048 Wh, 3,000W, 6,000W surge, 2 to 10 kWh, 1,000W solar, 48.7 lb), checked Nov. 2, 2026.

Check price on AmazonMaker spec page

Runtime and refill, side by side

This is the table we would want before buying: how long each setup carries the two essentials days above, and what its included panels put back on a clear December day in a mid-latitude city like Raleigh (3.81 peak sun hours, NREL).

Runtime = battery Wh × 0.85 ÷ average load (98 W and 225 W). Refill = panel watts × 0.75 real-world factor × 3.81 peak sun hours. Capacities from maker spec pages. Figures are estimates by our math, not measurements.

What the panels put back in winter, by city

Solar is the part of a “solar generator” that disappoints people most, and winter is why. Peak sun hours in December are often half of summer, and folding panels on the ground do worse than a roof array. Here is what two 200W panels, the most common kit, put back on an average December day.

Peak sun hours: NREL PVWatts v8, fixed panel tilted at latitude, facing south, typical-year weather (TMY-2020). Output = rated watts × 0.75 × peak sun hours; the 0.75 is our allowance for heat, angle and wiring losses on portable panels. Cloudy storm days will be lower.

The takeaway is blunt. North of about Raleigh, a two-panel kit stretches a winter outage by hours, not days. If your outages come with ice storms, put your money into battery first and add panels later. If they come with hurricanes or summer wildfire shutoffs, panels pull far more of their weight, and an 800W array can carry a fridge-and-basics day on its own in the Sun Belt.

Which one should you buy?

If you mostly need to keep one appliance alive, a whole-home kit is more than you need: a 1 to 2 kWh power station without panels does that job for a lot less money. Every kit we cover lives in our solar generator guides.

Who should skip a solar generator

Skip a solar generator if you need whole-house heating or cooling, if your winter outages run for days somewhere with little December sun, or if what you need to keep on is small enough for a far smaller battery. Here is how to tell, and what fits better.

Runtime math: usable Wh = rated Wh × 0.85. Winter refill: rated panel watts × 0.75 × December peak sun hours (NREL PVWatts). Eleven hours is roughly the average U.S. customer’s total outage time in 2024 (EIA).

What to look for, in order of importance

1. Battery capacity (Wh) for your essentials day. Take your daily Wh from the table above and divide by 0.85. That is the smallest battery that carries you one full day without sun.

2. Continuous output and surge (W). Add the running watts of everything that might be on at once. A fridge can pull 1,200W for a second when its compressor starts, a well pump far more, so leave headroom.

3. 120V only, or 120/240V. Well pumps, many central AC units, electric dryers and some furnaces run on 240V. If you have one you cannot skip, it narrows your list to a few units.

4. Expansion. Can you add batteries later, and how far? It lets you start right-sized and grow without replacing the unit.

5. Solar input, not just panels in the box. The maximum solar watts the unit accepts decides how fast you can ever refill. A unit that accepts 2,000W or more lets you build a real array later.

6. LiFePO4 chemistry and a 5-year warranty. Every pick here uses LiFePO4 (LFP) cells, which last thousands of cycles and handle heat better than older lithium-ion.

7. A path to your home wiring. If you want to power hardwired loads like a furnace, check which transfer switch or home panel the maker sells and budget for a licensed electrician.

Safety and wiring: the short version

Battery units make no exhaust, so you can run them indoors, which is their biggest safety advantage over a gas generator. If you also own a gas or dual-fuel generator to recharge the battery, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is clear: never run it inside a home, garage, basement or shed, keep it at least 20 feet from the house with the exhaust pointed away, and install battery-backed CO alarms on every level. Nearly 100 people die each year in the U.S. from portable generator carbon monoxide.

To power hardwired circuits like a furnace or well pump, the unit has to connect through a transfer switch or a maker home panel installed by a qualified electrician. OSHA warns that connecting a generator straight into a building’s wiring can energize utility lines and endanger line workers. Never use a “suicide cord” from an outlet.

Ask about safety listings before you buy. UL 2743 is the standard for portable power packs and UL 9540 for installed energy storage systems; UL notes that combining separately certified parts in the field does not make a listed system. Of our six, only EcoFlow lists UL 9540 for the DELTA Pro 3; the others publish FCC compliance on their pages and manuals but no UL listing we could find, so ask the maker if your inspector or insurer requires one.

Is there a tax credit in 2026?

No federal credit, for most buyers. The IRS Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 25D), which covered 30% of home battery storage of 3 kWh or more, does not apply to property placed in service after December 31, 2025, under the 2025 tax law. Some states and utilities still run battery or resilience programs, so check yours before you buy. Treat any listing that still promises “30% back from the IRS” with suspicion.

How we chose these six

We did not test these units ourselves. We compared maker spec pages and manuals for capacity, output, voltage, expansion, solar input, chemistry, warranty and safety listings, checked that each kit was in stock on Amazon for delivery to a U.S. ZIP code (10001) on November 2, 2026, and searched the CPSC recall database: none of these six models has been recalled. (EcoFlow recalled an older model, the DELTA Max 2000, in October 2025.) Then we ran every runtime and refill number in this guide with the same formulas and public data from NREL, EIA, DOE and CPSC, so you can check our math.

We left out units that were not yet buyable (BLUETTI’s Elite 200 V2 kit lists a November 18, 2026 release), installed wall batteries that Amazon does not sell, and permanent standby generators. Our How We Review page explains the method in full.

Back to that quiet house at 10 p.m. With the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus kit, or whichever setup matches your numbers above, the fridge keeps humming, the furnace fan keeps the bedrooms livable, and the only math left for the night is how many hours until the crews show up.

Questions people ask before buying

Related guides

• Portable Power Stations for Home Backup, Ready Before the Storm Hits: five 1 to 2 kWh plug-in units, for when a fridge-first plan is enough and you want to skip the panels

Sources and Further Reading

• NREL PVWatts Calculator (solar resource data)
• EIA: U.S. electricity customers averaged 11 hours of outages in 2024
• EIA Electric Power Annual, Table 11.1: reliability metrics
• CPSC: carbon monoxide risks during power outages (Jan. 2026)
• IRS: Residential Clean Energy Credit
• FoodSafety.gov: food safety during a power outage
• UL Solutions: Q&A on portable power packs (UL 2743) and UL 9540