Calculate exactly how much power you need — in under 3 minutes
Select your primary use case. This helps us fine-tune your recommendation.
Check everything you want to run. Wattage is pre-filled with typical values.
Slide to set your desired runtime. Longer runtimes require higher capacity.
Everything you need to understand solar generator specs — in plain English.
Watts (W) = how much power a device draws at any instant. Think of it like the speed of water flowing through a hose.
Watt-hours (Wh) = total energy stored in the battery. Think of it like the size of the water tank. A 1,000Wh battery can power a 100W device for 10 hours (100W x 10h = 1,000Wh).
Amp-hours (Ah) = another way to measure capacity. To convert: Ah x Voltage = Wh. A 12V 100Ah battery = 1,200Wh. Most solar generators list Wh directly, which is easier to compare.
LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate): 3,500+ charge cycles, safer chemistry, handles heat better, lasts 10+ years of daily use. Slightly heavier per Wh. This is the gold standard for serious solar generators.
NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt): ~500 charge cycles, lighter weight per Wh, but degrades faster. Cheaper upfront but costs more per cycle over its lifetime.
Bottom line: For anything you plan to use regularly or depend on for emergencies, always choose LFP. The upfront cost difference pays for itself within 2 years.
Solar panels are rated in watts. A 200W panel produces up to 200W per hour of direct sunlight.
The formula: Panel Watts x Peak Sun Hours x 0.85 (efficiency loss) = Wh recharged per day.
Example: 400W of panels in an area with 5 peak sun hours = 400 x 5 x 0.85 = 1,700Wh recharged per day.
Peak sun hours vary by location: Arizona gets 6–7h, Pacific Northwest gets 3–4h, and most of the US averages 4–5h. Check NREL’s solar resource maps for your exact location.
Weekend camping: 500–1,000Wh handles phones, lights, a fan, and a mini fridge.
Emergency backup (8–12 hours): 1,500–2,500Wh keeps your fridge, lights, Wi-Fi, and devices running.
Full-day backup (24 hours): 3,000–5,000Wh for critical systems only.
Off-grid living: 5,000Wh+ with expandable batteries and 800W+ solar input.
Important: Always multiply your calculated need by 1.2x to account for inverter efficiency loss and battery depth-of-discharge limits.
Typical power draw for common household devices. Use this to estimate your needs.
| Appliance | Category | Typical Watts |
|---|---|---|
| LED Light Bulb | Lighting | 10W |
| LED Lights (5 bulbs) | Lighting | 50W |
| Phone Charger | Electronics | 15W |
| Wi-Fi Router | Electronics | 15W |
| Tablet Charger | Electronics | 25W |
| Laptop | Electronics | 65W |
| Desktop Computer | Electronics | 200W |
| LED TV (55") | Entertainment | 100W |
| Gaming Console | Entertainment | 150W |
| Mini Fridge / Cooler | Kitchen | 60W |
| Full-Size Refrigerator | Kitchen | 150W |
| Coffee Maker | Kitchen | 900W |
| Microwave | Kitchen | 1,200W |
| Toaster | Kitchen | 850W |
| Electric Kettle | Kitchen | 1,500W |
| CPAP Machine | Medical | 60W |
| Nebulizer | Medical | 45W |
| Electric Fan | Climate | 75W |
| Portable AC Unit | Climate | 1,200W |
| Space Heater | Climate | 1,500W |
| Sump Pump | Home | 800W |
| Power Drill | Tools | 600W |
| Circular Saw | Tools | 1,800W |
| Hair Dryer | Personal | 1,500W |
| Electric Blanket | Climate | 200W |
Use our other free tools to narrow down the exact model for your needs.
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