How to Choose Solar Generators for Power Outages Based on Different Needs

Even if you experience a power outage for a few hours, it means the lights, refrigerators, fans, and Internet will stop functioning. A solar generator can ensure that essential household appliances, such as refrigerators, lights, TVs, cooking equipment, and fans, remain powered during both short and long outages. However, selecting the best solar generator can be complicated, especially with the numerous options available. 

Jackery Solar Generators are essential home backup solutions that can provide power to essential home appliances, such as refrigerators, lights, and fans. These have sturdy handles and compact designs to ensure easy movement from one place to another. In this guide, we will break down how to choose a solar generator based on your home's actual needs and the features that really matter during an outage.

In this article, you'll learn:

• The sizing of a solar generator will depend on the power requirements of your home appliances and the duration you wish to run them.
• When selecting a solar generator for power outages, consider key features such as battery type, capacity, lifespan, solar recharging time, and other relevant factors.
• Which Jackery Portable Power Station units are compatible with transfer switches.
• How long a solar generator can realistically run during a power outage.

What Size Generator is Needed for Power Outages

The size of the solar generator needed for power outages depends on the appliances you want to power at the same time and for how long. Jackery Solar Generators are available in different sizes, allowing you to select the one that best suits your needs. Here's a simple step-by-step process to get an answer to "What size generator do I need."

Step 1: Create a List of Appliances/Tools Needed

Start by noting down the appliances or tools that you want to power at the same time at your house. Here is a list of common household appliances required during an outage: 

• Refrigerator
• Lights
• TV
• Fan
• Phone

Step 2: Check Their Starting and Running Watts

You should note down the starting watts and running watts of the appliances mentioned in the first step. Generally, the watts are mentioned on the device itself or in the user manual. Appliances with motors may consume a high wattage during startup, so it's essential to consider the highest starting wattage and ensure the solar generator can handle the startup power. Next, understand how many hours you would like to run each appliance daily to get the power consumption. 

Step 3: Calculate Solar Generator Size

Once you know the total power consumption needed during power outages, the final step is to choose a solar generator that can supply sufficient electricity to the appliances. For example, if the power consumption is 3700Wh per day, you can consider a 2000-watt generator that can even handle additional loads. 

Similarly, you can calculate what size generator to run a house is sufficient. With the help of a reliable solar generator, you can prepare for long-term power outages.

What Features to Look for in a Solar Generator for Power Outages

When choosing the best power outages for your house, you need to look for the features that you need. Here are some key features that you should check while purchasing a solar generator: 

• Battery Type: Compared to lead-acid batteries, LiFePO4 (LFP) batteries last longer, charge more safely, and handle deep cycles more effectively, making them ideal for repeated use during frequent power outages.
• Capacity: Watt-hours (Wh) indicates the amount of power your solar generator can store. A 4000-watt generator can power appliances for longer compared to a 2000-watt generator.
• Lifespan: Check the cycle life of the solar generator. Most Jackery Solar Generators with LiFePO4 batteries offer 4,000+ cycles to 70% capacity, which means they can last over a decade with occasional use.
• Solar Recharging Time: The solar recharging time determines how fast you can recharge the battery backup using solar panels. Look for models that support fast MPPT solar input and are compatible with high-power panels.
• UPS Switching Time: Some models feature a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) function, which automatically switches to battery power in the event of a grid power failure. Look for <20ms switching time if you're powering sensitive electronics.
• App Monitoring: Jackery Solar Generators are compatible with a mobile app that lets you monitor power usage, input/output, and remaining battery life.

Which Jackery Solar Generator is Right for Your Home

Jackery offers a range of solar generators and power stations designed for different household needs, from basic device charging to full essential backup. Below, you'll find a breakdown of Jackery Solar Generators suited for specific situations, along with the appliances to help you understand what each can handle and for how long.

Jackery Solar Generator 600 Plus — For Small Appliances

The Jackery Solar Generator 600 Plus is great for powering basic backup appliances during a short heatwave power outage. It's ideal for short-term power during mild storms or when you just want to keep your phone charged, lights on, or your Internet running. It is ideal for apartments, rooms, or anyone looking for a lightweight solution to handle a few essentials without overcomplicating things.

Appliances Running Time

• WiFi Router (10W) = 25.9H
• LED Light Bulb (20W) = 17.3H
• Mini Fan (35W) = 11.5H
• Tablet/Laptop (50W) = 8.6H
• Mini Fridge (100W) = 4.7H

Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2 — For Appliances in the Home Office

The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2 is ideal for remote workers who want to keep their home office running during a sudden power outage. It's ideal for powering your laptop, WiFi router, monitor, and task lighting so you don't miss meetings or deadlines. It is also useful for small setups, such as in a study or a kids' homework station.

Appliances Running Time

• WiFi Router (10W) = 35.1H
• Monitor (30W) = 19.5H
• Fan (100W) = 7.6H
• Tablet/Laptop (50W) = 13.5H
• Printer (50W) = 13.5H

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 v2 — Entry-Level Essential Home Backup for Short Outages

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 v2 is an entry-level essential home backup solution built for families who want a simple way to stay prepared. It can handle everyday essentials like a fridge, a few lights, and kitchen appliances during short outages, which makes sure your food stays fresh and your home remains functional.

Appliances Running Time

• Refrigerator (300W) = 5.3H
• TV (150W) = 10.0H
• Electric Stove (1000W) = 1.6H
• Cooler (500W) = 3.2H
• Heater (1000W) = 1.6H

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus — Expandable Essential Home Backup Solution for Long Outages

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is an expandable essential home battery backup solution for those who need backup for multiple appliances during longer outages. Whether you're trying to keep the fridge running, cook a quick meal, or run the portable heater during a storm, it supports day-to-day comfort without stress. 

Appliances Running Time

• Refrigerator (300W) = 5.3H
• Microwave Oven (1000W) = 1.6H
• Electric Kettle (1200W) = 1.4H
• Portable Heater (1000W) = 1.6H
• Coffee Maker (1200W) = 1.4H

Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3000 — For Advanced Essential Home Backup

The Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3000 is an advanced, essential home backup solution featuring dual-sided handles and a large capacity. Whether you're dealing with frequent storms, powering a basement sump pump, or running heaters during winter outages, it is the smallest and lightest 3kWh LFP power that can keep your core household needs covered. 

Appliances Running Time

• Full-Size Refrigerator (400W) = 6.2H
• TV (150W) = 15.2H
• Air Conditioner (1000W) = 2.6H
• Sump Pump (1000W) = 2.6H
• Space Heater (1500W) = 1.7H

Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus — Most Powerful Essential Home Backup

The Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus is the most powerful and essential home backup solution for extended power outages. It's ideal for families who can't afford to lose power, whether that means keeping medical devices online, continuing remote work, or simply maintaining a comfortable, livable home when the grid goes down. It's also ideal for off-grid homes or areas prone to multi-day outages.

Appliances Running Time

• Refrigerator (400W) = 9.5H
• Air Conditioner (1000W) = 4.1H
• Electric Stove (1500W) = 2.8H
• Furnace (1500W) = 2.8H
• Washing Machine (2000W) = 2.1H

Which Jackery Home Backups are Compatible With Transfer Switch

A transfer switch for the whole-home backup kit allows you to connect your solar generator directly to your home's electrical panel. This simplifies power delivery during an outage, so you don't have to run extension cords everywhere. The following Jackery models are compatible with transfer switches (when paired with the Jackery Transfer Switch):

• Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus: Compatible with Jackery Manual Transfer Switch
• Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus: Compatible with Jackery Manual Transfer Switch or Smart Transfer Switch

How Long Can a Jackery Solar Generator Run During a Power Outage

The runtime of the Jackery Solar Generator depends on three factors: the battery capacity, your power usage, and whether you're recharging it with solar panels. If you want to calculate the runtime of any Jackery Solar Generator, all you need to do is visit the product page and scroll down to find the Running Time Calculator. Add the appliance's wattage consumption and press Enter to calculate the estimated working hours.

Here's a table revealing the running time of the appliances when powered by different Jackery Solar Generators: 

Note: The running times are calculated when the Jackery Solar Generators are fully charged.

FAQs

How do I determine what size solar generator do I need?

You need to add up the wattage of each household appliance you want to power and then multiply by the number of hours you'll use them. That gives you total watt-hours (Wh), which helps you choose the right generator capacity.

What can a 2000W solar generator run?

A 2000W generator can typically power a refrigerator, TV, fan, router, and a few lights simultaneously. It can also run high-power devices, such as a microwave, a portable air conditioner, a heater, or an electric kettle, but not all at once.

What can a 1000W solar generator run?

A 1000-watt generator is suitable for powering smaller loads, such as laptops, WiFi routers, small TVs, lights, or a CPAP machine. However, it won't support heavy appliances like an air conditioner or a full-size fridge that consumes more than 1000W.

What happens to my solar system if there is a power outage in my area?

Grid-tied solar systems typically shut down during outages for safety reasons. However, a solar generator can operate independently, continuing to run and recharge via solar panels even when the grid is down.

Is 5kVA solar enough for a home?

Yes, 5kVA (equivalent to 5000W) is enough to run most essential appliances in a typical home. With a 5000-watt generator, you can power large refrigerators, kitchen appliances, air conditioners, and even water heaters for hours.

Conclusion

There's no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to backup power. The best solar generator for a house depends on what you want to keep running and for how long. That could be as simple as staying online during a storm or as involved as powering your entire kitchen through a weekend blackout. Jackery's range of solar generators makes it easy to plan for different types of power outages. Some models, such as the Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2, are ideal for light use and portability, while others, like the Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus, are well-suited for powering most household appliances during power outages.