Solar generators are quiet and produce no carbon monoxide, so they’re safe to use indoors during a power outage, and sunlight recharges them for free. I tested the 4Patriots Patriot Power 1200 and 2500X, and for most families I recommend a 2500X-size unit that can keep a refrigerator and a medical device running. Neither one will power a whole house.
Are you ready for the next power outage? Whether you own a home or rent an apartment, a solar generator may be the simplest backup power you can buy. Here’s what I learned testing two of them.
In this post
- Why You Need You Need Backup Power
- The Benefits of Solar Generators
- Solar Generators I Tested
- Tips for How to Set Up and Use a Solar Generator
- Think You’re More Self-Reliant Than You Are?
- Transporting a Solar Generator
- Everyday Application
- Solar Generators For Apartments, Condos, and RVs
- What to Watch For
- Why They’re Worth It
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Power Outage Content
- Final Thoughts
- Want More Useful Survival Mom Info?
When the power goes out, it disrupts everything. You’re at the mercy of the power company unless you have a backup power source. Over the years, I’ve often been asked asked about solar generators. Are they worth the money? What size should I buy? Is a solar generator better than the traditional gas-powered generator?
Recently, I had the opportunity to review two different solar generators in two different sizes. 4Patriots provided me with these to test and review, and I’m pleased to say I can recommend them both as solar options for power outages, both for short-term outages and also as part of a long-term power outage plan.
I’ve come to believe that even more important than storing food and water is the need for backup power.
Why You Need You Need Backup Power
Outages can hit anywhere at any time of the year. I have vivid memories of the 2024 hurrricane season when my family faced two extended outages. One lasted five days and the second one, eleven days. We were so grateful to have multiple layers of backup power, including solar.
Another storm, Hurricane Helene in that same year, cut power from Florida to Ohio, with some areas dark for weeks in locations that should have been completely safe from a hurricane. Tornadoes, floods, blizzards, or even a downed power line leave thousands of people without power every year.
Without electricity, food spoils, medical devices stop, and extreme temperatures can threaten vulnerable people like babies, the elderly, or those with health issues. A backup power source keeps your fridge running and your phones charged, along with critical equipment like CPAP machines and insulin coolers.
In my town, within just a few hours after Hurricane Beryl plowed through, people were begging for help:
“Can I get my laptop charged anywhere? I work from home and need my laptop!”
“I’ve been driving around in my car the past two hours just to keep my kids cool. Our power’s been out since this morning.”
“Does anyone have a battery operated fan I could buy or borrow? It’s for my pets. I’m very worried about my senior dog.”
Some people just wanted to know what a small power station can run during an outage.
If you do nothing else to get prepared, research your options for backup power sources, and then make the purchase. For many people, a solar generator is going to be the ideal choice.
The Benefits of Solar Generators
Compared to a gas generator, a solar generator has some major advantages:
- Safe Indoors: You can run one in your living room. Solar generators give off no carbon monoxide, which kills people every year when gas generators are run too close to the house.
- Silent Running: Solar generators are nearly silent, so you won’t hear the (very) loud rumble of a gas generator.
- Easy to Move: Smaller models are light enough to carry, and larger ones can be strapped to a wheeled cart and roll wherever you need them.
- Free Solar Power: Once you’ve bought one, sunlight recharges it for free, and today’s batteries last through thousands of charge cycles.
- Charge From any Electric Outlet: I keep our solar generators fully charged and use the solar panels to recharge when our power goes out.
- Versatile Uses: Beyond emergencies, they power camping trips, outdoor sports, or remote work.
Solar Generators I Tested
4Patriots sent me two very different sizes, the Patriot Power Generator 1200 and the Patriot Power Generator 2500X. Here’s a general overview of what both of these provide.
The Patriot Power 1200 weighs 28 pounds, so it’s easy to move from room to room. It’s the right size for smaller jobs like keeping a medical device running or cycling a refrigerator on and off to keep food cold. It’s also a good fit if you’re on a tighter budget or want something to take camping.
The Patriot Power 2500X is the heavy-duty model at 65 pounds. It has enough power for bigger appliances like a window AC unit, and you can add expansion batteries to run it longer.
If you’re shopping around, look for solar generators that come with a solar panel if you’re not familiar with the size of panels or how many to buy. The Patriot Power 2500X, for example, comes with a 100-watt panel. This takes the guesswork out of this purchase.
Tips for How to Set Up and Use a Solar Generator
Solar generators are user friendly, even for non-techies. Most involve plugging a solar panel into a single port and flipping a switch.
A few things I’ve learned about getting the most out of them:
- Panel Positioning: Place panels in direct sunlight, ideally facing south (in the Northern Hemisphere). Turn them to follow the sun during the day.
- Cloudy Days: Charging works in overcast conditions but takes longer. Some units let you add extra panels to speed things up.
- Charging Flexibility: Most can charge via wall outlets, making it easy to top off before a storm. Do this and start off a power outage with your generator already fully charged.
- Upkeep: Check the battery every six months to maintain its charge. Letting the battery drain all the way down shortens its life.
- Use a long extension cord so the generator can stay inside while the panels charge outdoors. 4Patriots includes a 25-foot cord with theirs.
I suggest keeping track of charge times so in a power outage, you’ll know how long it will take to recharge your generator once its battery is drained. You can’t always depend on clear, sunny skies, so have an idea of how much time a recharge requires under cloudy conditions.
Think You’re More Self-Reliant Than You Are?
Transporting a Solar Generator
Check the weight before you buy. I can lift the 28-pound Patriot Power 1200, but I wouldn’t want to carry it very far. The 2500X weighs 65 pounds, and once you add its solar panel, it’s heavier and awkward to move and maneuver.
What I did was put the larger generator and its panel on a wheeled cart. 4Patriots sells this one, which works well for the 1200 but felt too flimsy for the 2500X, so I bought this much larger cart for that one. I keep the larger generator on its cart, ready to be moved whenever and wherever I need it, and I don’t have to ask my son or husband for help!
Everyday Application
Solar generators aren’t just for outages. They’re handy year-round. In fact, when our kids were both in competitive rowing, for those day-long competitions, a solar generator was a life-saver, keeping electronics charged and, in the evenings, plenty of lighting for our team canopy.
- Power fans or charge phones at kids’ sports tournaments.
- Charge electronics on a road trip.
- Run electric tools or leaf blowers at off-grid sites.
- Keep laptops and Wi-Fi going for remote work during power outages.
- Charge devices like tablets, drones, or laptops on the go.
- Make camping comfy with lights or small appliances.
Personally, I use the smallest one I own whenever I want to work from home. Not all Starbucks or Chick-fil-As have outlets, so this ensures my laptop stays charged all the time.
Solar Generators For Apartments, Condos, and RVs
If you live in an apartment, condo, or townhome with shared walls, a gas generator is out of the question. A solar generator is the answer. All you need is a sunny balcony, patio, or window to set the panels in for recharging.
And, if you’re living the RV life, a solar generator is the ultimate power backup. You won’t bother the neighbors with the noise of a gas generator, there are no fumes to waft across to your neighbors, and re-charging is just a matter of placing the generator and its solar panels outside the RV.
They’re also a good fit for older adults who rely on a medical device and can’t manage a gas generator, which is something I saw firsthand when our elderly neighbors had no backup power at all during Beryl.
What to Watch For
Solar generators have their drawbacks:
- Battery Limits: A solar generator runs until its battery is empty, then waits for the sun or an outlet. Larger models with expansion batteries last longer, but none of them will power a whole house.
- Upfront Cost: They cost more than a basic gas generator but far less than a whole-home system, which can run $10,000 or more. Prices have come down, and some companies offer payment plans.
- Charging Time: Cloudy weather slows solar charging, but extra panels can help.
Before you shop, make a list of what you want to keep running during an outage. For most families, that’s the refrigerator and freezer, any medical equipment, and a fan or heater depending on the season. Add up the watts, then find a generator that covers them.
You also won’t run everything at once. My husband calls this load management. You might run the fridge for a few hours, then switch to charging phones and running a fan. That’s how a mid-size unit stretches through a long outage.
If you’re not sure which size to buy, I recommend the Patriot Power 2500X or a similar size. 4Patriots also offers online webinars on setting up and using their generators, and their customer service has been helpful when I’ve had questions.
Why They’re Worth It
After eleven days without power in 2024, there’s nothing like having some sort of power backup. For a lot of households, a solar generator is the best choice. You get clean and quiet power, the unit is portable, and its usefulness extends way beyond an outage.
When shopping, consider size, power, and ease of use. The Patriot Power Generator 1200 and 2500X I tested are good examples, but many brands offer comparable options. Check reviews, compare specs, and prioritize simplicity if tech isn’t your thing.
Frequently Asked Questions
For most families, yes. They’re safe to run indoors and quiet enough that you’ll forget they’re on, and they recharge for free from the sun. They won’t power a whole house, but they’ll keep your fridge running, lamps on, your phones charged, and they’ll keep medical devices running through an outage.
Yes. A mid-size unit like the Patriot Power 2500X can run a refrigerator for hours at a time. To stretch the charge, run the fridge for a few hours, then unplug it and keep the door closed while you power other things.
Yes. Solar generators don’t give off carbon monoxide, so they’re safe to use inside. Even better, they can be moved from room to room to power up what you need at any time of the day or night. Only the solar panels need to go outdoors or in a sunny window while they charge.
List what you want to keep running during an outage and add up the watts. If you’re not sure, a unit around the size of the 2500X covers a fridge and a few small devices for most families.
Related Power Outage Content
- Is a Solar Power Source the Right Backup for You?
- How to Survive a Power Outage: A Day-by-Day Plan
- What Can a Small Power Station Run?
- Two Ways to Quietly Run Chest Freezers During a Power Outage
- Generating and Storing Power with Portable Fuel Generators
Final Thoughts
After eleven days without power, I don’t need to be convinced that backup power is worth the investment. In fact, I think it may be the most important prep you put into place. A solar generator won’t run your whole house, but it will keep your fridge running, your phone and other electronics charged, your medical equipment running, and your family a lot more comfortable while you wait for the lights to come back on.