Portable solar panels paired with a power station: what they can and cannot run in an outage, and how to size a setup at a high level.
- Portable panels charge a power station; they do not run your whole house.
- Real output is lower than the label and falls with clouds, shade, snow and short days.
- Size from your daily watt hours, and check the power station's solar input limits.
Solar panels are appealing for outages because sunlight is free and silent. But a small portable solar kit is not the same as a rooftop system, and it helps to know exactly what it does before you rely on it.
This guide covers the most common backup setup for households: portable or foldable panels charging a battery power station. No prices here, just what to expect.
Two very different kinds of solar
A grid tied rooftop system usually shuts down during an outage for safety reasons unless it is designed with batteries and the right equipment. A portable kit is a separate thing. It has panels you set outside, a cable, and a power station that stores the energy and gives you outlets.
If you have a rooftop system and want it to work in an outage, speak to a qualified installer about battery storage and islanding equipment. Do not try to connect a generator or panels to your house wiring yourself.
What portable panels plus a power station can do
- Recharge the power station during the day, so you can run phone chargers, lights, a router, a laptop, a CPAP (if the power station suits it) or a small fan.
- Extend a battery's run time over several days when you use power sparingly.
- Work quietly and with no exhaust, so you can use the power station indoors while the panels stay outside.
Our guide on charging a power station with solar panels covers connecting and positioning. For what to power first, see what to plug into a power station first.
What they cannot do
Panels have a rated wattage printed on the label, but real output is usually lower. Clouds, haze, shade, panel angle, temperature, dirt and snow all cut what you get. Short winter days give much less energy than long summer ones. Do not expect to run a central air conditioner, electric furnace, water heater or large well pump from a portable kit.
Panels also cannot make energy at night. The battery covers nights, and the panels top it up in the day, so your daily use needs to fit in what you can collect. If you use more than you harvest, the battery will run down over days.
Sizing at a high level
- List the devices you want to run and estimate watt hours per day: running watts times hours of use. Our power station sizing guide shows how.
- Compare that daily total with your power station's capacity, in watt hours.
- Check the power station's maximum solar input in watts and volts, in the manual. The panels must fit within those limits and use compatible connectors.
- Choose panel wattage so a typical sunny day can realistically refill what you use, and plan for less in poor weather.
Treat the numbers as rough. If you need precision for a medical device, ask the maker and your clinician, and keep a second backup. Our medical devices guide has more.
Placement, care and practicalities
- Point panels toward the sun and tilt them for the season. Move them as the sun moves, if you can.
- Keep them clear of snow, leaves and dirt. Shade on part of a panel can cut output more than you would expect.
- Secure them against wind, and keep cables off walkways and out of water.
- Keep connectors dry and covered, and follow the manual's guidance on temperature.
- Store panels and cables where you can find them. Test the full setup once on a sunny day before you need it.
In cold weather, batteries behave differently, so read power stations in cold weather.
Solar or gas?
Solar is quiet and indoor safe for the power station, but it is slow. A gas or propane generator is faster and can handle bigger loads, but needs fuel and careful outdoor use. Many households combine them. Our comparison, solar generator versus gas generator, helps you choose, and the power stations hub lists options to browse without us picking winners for you.
Quick answers
Will my rooftop solar work in an outage?
Many grid tied systems shut off during outages for safety unless designed with batteries and the right equipment. Ask a qualified installer.
Can I run a fridge from solar panels?
A power station with enough capacity and a suitable output can run a fridge, with panels recharging it in daylight. Check the fridge's starting load.