Solar Generator Calculator 🔆
How to Use the Solar Generator Calculator
Enter your daily power consumption (Wh), days of autonomy for cloudy periods, and battery type. Formula: Required battery (Wh) = daily Wh × autonomy days / DoD. The calculator then maps to the nearest standard portable power station size.
Common portable power stations: 500Wh (Jackery 500), 1000Wh (EcoFlow Delta), 2000Wh (Jackery 2000 Pro), 3000Wh (EcoFlow Delta Pro). Size up if your required capacity exceeds the nearest standard size.
Solar panel sizing: required watts = daily Wh / (peak sun hours × efficiency). For 1000 Wh/day at 4.5h and 85% efficiency: ~261W of panels. Most portable power stations accept 100–400W of solar input.
FAQ
What size solar generator do I need for camping?
For light camping (phone charging, LED lights, laptop): 500–1000Wh. For a fridge and CPAP machine: 1000–2000Wh. For a small AC unit or high-power tools: 2000–3000Wh. Use this calculator to find your exact requirement based on daily consumption and backup days needed.
How many solar panels do I need for my portable power station?
Required panel watts = daily Wh / (peak sun hours × efficiency). For 1000 Wh/day at 4.5 peak sun hours and 85% efficiency: 1000 / (4.5 × 0.85) = 261W. Most power stations accept 100–600W of solar input — check your unit's max solar input rating.
What is the difference between a solar generator and a portable power station?
They are essentially the same product. A portable power station is the battery unit with built-in inverter and AC/DC outlets. A solar generator refers to the complete system: power station + solar panels. Brands like Jackery, EcoFlow, and Bluetti sell both as a bundle.
How long does a 1000Wh power station last?
At 80% usable capacity (LiFePO4), a 1000Wh station gives you 800Wh of usable energy. Runtime: laptop (60W) = 13 hours, LED lights (10W) = 80 hours, mini fridge (50W) = 16 hours, CPAP (30W) = 27 hours. High-draw appliances reduce runtime significantly.
Can a solar generator power a house during an outage?
A 2000–3000Wh power station can run essential loads (lights, phone/laptop charging, small fridge, internet router) for 1–2 days. For whole-home backup, you need a much larger system (10–20 kWh). Solar generators are best for critical loads, not full-home backup.