The best solar generators in 2026

Solar isn't just for rooftops. A solar generator can keep your phone, laptop, and coffee maker running at a campsite, and the biggest models can now keep a refrigerator, a well pump, or a handful of home circuits running when the grid goes down. 

The name is a bit misleading, though: A solar generator doesn't make electricity on its own. It's a battery-based portable power station that you can recharge with solar panels (or a wall outlet, or your car). That distinction matters when you're deciding how much to spend and what you can realistically expect it to power. 

Below, we'll cover how solar generators work, our five picks for 2026, how to size one for your needs, and when a permanently installed home battery makes more sense.

There's no single best solar generator, because what’s best for a weekend camper vs a homeowner with a well pump is going to be very different. We picked five solar generator models across a range of sizes and prices; each matched to a specific job. 

1. EcoFlow Delta Pro 3: Best overall for home backup 

EcoFlow's Delta Pro 3 is a strong pick for homeowners who want more than phone charging and a few lights. Its 120 and 240 volt (V) output can handle larger household appliances, like well pumps and electric dryers, and you can add batteries to reach 12 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of storage, which is roughly the same capacity as many of the top home batteries on the market today. 

The trade-offs are price and size: at 113.5 pounds, it rolls on wheels rather than riding in your trunk. (Though if you don’t need 240 V output, EcoFlow's Delta 3 Ultra Plus offers over 3 kWh of storage and 3,600 W of output for $1,599, about half the price.) 

• Storage: 4,096 Watt-hours (Wh) (expandable to 12 kWh with two extra batteries) 

• Continuous output: 4,000 Watts (W) (8,000 W surge) 

• Voltage: 120 V and 240 V 

• Maximum solar input: 2,600 W 

• Weight: 113.5 lbs 

• Listed price: $3,199 (power station only) 

See the DELTA Pro 3 

2. Bluetti Apex 300: Best for expandable backup 

Bluetti's Apex 300 is a modular system you can build out over time with expansion batteries, extra units, or faster solar charging. It's worth noting that it’s AC-only out of the box, so USB and 12 V ports require an add-on hub, and those accessories can push the total cost well past the sticker price. 

• Storage: 2,764.8 Wh (expandable to about 19.4 kWh with six batteries) 

• Continuous output: 3,840 W 

• Voltage: 120 V and 240 V 

• Maximum solar input: 2,400 W (more with SolarX 4K) 

• Weight: 83.8 lbs 

• Listed price: $2,099 with two 200 W solar panels 

See the Apex 300 

3. Anker Solix F3800 Plus: Best for high-output home backup 

Anker's Solix F3800 Plus has the most output on our list (6,000 W of 120 V/240 V split-phase power), so it’s able to run several large appliances at once. It also has the fastest solar charging here and expands to 26.9 kWh with extra batteries.  

At 136.7 pounds, though, it's best parked in a garage. It’s also on the more expensive side, but Anker's original F3800 is still sold at some retailers for less, albeit with slower 2,400 W solar charging. 

• Storage: 3,840 Wh (expandable to 26.9 kWh per unit) 

• Continuous output: 6,000 W 

• Voltage: 120 V and 240 V split-phase 

• Maximum solar input: 3,200 W 

• Weight: 136.7 lbs 

• Listed price: $4,879.99 

See the F3800 Plus 

4. Jackery Explorer 1000 v2: Best for camping and portability 

At 23.8 pounds, Jackery's Explorer 1000 v2 is the easiest unit on our list to toss in the car for camping or keep in a closet for short outages. It’s capable of running small appliances, like a CPAP, laptop, or coffee maker. It can't be expanded, though, and its 400 W solar input means a full recharge from panels takes up most of a sunny day. 

• Storage: 1,070 Wh (not expandable) 

• Continuous output: 1,500 W (3,000 W surge) 

• Voltage: 120 V 

• Maximum solar input: 400 W 

• Weight: 23.8 lbs 

• Listed price: $879 with a 200 W panel 

See the Explorer 1000 v2

5. Goal Zero Yeti PRO 4000: Best for rugged, outdoor-ready backup 

Goal Zero's Yeti PRO 4000 is built for tough conditions, from storm prep to remote job sites, and Goal Zero rates it for outdoor use. It stores nearly 4 kWh, accepts up to 3,000 W of solar for fast recharging, and stacks with up to four Tank PRO 4000 batteries for about 20 kWh. It's limited to 120 V, though, and Goal Zero's proprietary connectors make third-party panels harder to use. 

• Storage: 3,994 Wh (expandable to about 20 kWh with four Tank PRO 4000 batteries) 

• Continuous output: 3,600 W (7,200 W surge) 

• Voltage: 120 V 

• Maximum solar input: 3,000 W 

• Weight: 115.7 lb 

• Listed price: $3,999.95 (power station only) 

See the Yeti PRO 4000

The biggest differences between these five come down to storage, output, and whether they can run large (240 V) appliances—like electric ovens, clothes dryers, or heat pumps. The table below compares them side by side. 

Note: Prices are listings we found at publication and change often. Unless noted, they cover the power station only, without solar panels, expansion batteries, or home-connection accessories.

Put simply, a solar generator is a portable power station paired with solar panels. The power station holds a rechargeable battery, an inverter, and a bank of outlets and USB ports. The panels feed electricity to it during the day, so you can use that energy whenever you need it. 

Some retailers use "solar generator" to mean the power station alone, while others save the term for a bundle that includes panels. Either way, the battery does the storing, and the panels do the generating. Most power stations also charge from a standard wall outlet or a car's 12-volt port, and some can recharge from a gas generator or an EV charger, so you aren't stuck waiting for a sunny day. 

The key word is portable. A traditional home battery system is wired into your electrical panel by an electrician, but a solar generator works right out of the box. That makes it a good fit for camping, RV trips, tailgates, job sites, and keeping essentials running during an outage. The largest models blur the line a bit: Several of our picks can connect to a transfer switch or smart panel to run selected home circuits, which does require professional installation. 

A solar generator relies on four parts working together: solar panels, a charge controller, a battery, and an inverter. In today's all-in-one power stations, everything except the panels lives inside a single box. 

Can you build your own solar generator? 

You can. Van builders and cabin owners sometimes buy panels, a charge controller, a battery, and an inverter separately and wire them together. A DIY system lets you size each part exactly, but you're responsible for wiring, fusing, and making sure everything is compatible. For most people, an all-in-one power station is simpler and safer, and you can still choose your own panels as long as they fall within the power station's solar input specs. 

Start with what you want to power and work backward. Two numbers do most of the heavy lifting: watts and watt-hours. 

Watts: How much it can run at once 

Watts (W) measure power, or how fast a device uses electricity. A power station's continuous output rating tells you the most it can supply at one time. Add up the wattage of everything you plan to run together and make sure the total stays under that number. Appliances with motors, like refrigerators and pumps, briefly draw several times their running wattage when they start up, so check the surge rating too. 

Watt-hours: How long it can run 

Watt-hours (Wh) measure stored energy. In theory, a 1,000 Wh battery can supply 100 W for 10 hours, or 1,000 W for one hour. In practice, you'll get less. The inverter loses some energy converting DC to AC, and appliances don't draw a perfectly steady load. A conservative rule of thumb is to plan on about 80% to 85% of the rated capacity. 

Take a refrigerator as an example. Check the yellow EnergyGuide label for its yearly energy use;

• A fridge rated at 550 kWh per year uses about 1.5 kWh (1,500 Wh) per day. 

• Using the 85% rule, the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 (1,070 Wh) could keep it cold for roughly 14 hours, while the EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra Plus (3,072 Wh) could cover about a day and a half before it needs a recharge. 

Five questions to ask before you buy a solar generator 

1. What do you want to power? Phones and a laptop, a refrigerator and lights, or an energy-hungry appliance like a well pump? Your answer sets the minimum output and voltage you need. 

2. How long do you need backup to last? A few hours of camping are very different from a two-day storm outage. Multiply your average load by the hours you need, then add a cushion for conversion losses. 

3. How quickly can it be recharged? Compare maximum solar input and AC charging speed. Real-world solar charging depends on weather, season, panel angle, and how many panels you own. A unit rated for 2,400 W of solar input only charges that fast if you connect enough panels on a clear day. 

4. Can you expand it later? Check which expansion batteries are compatible, what they cost, and whether adding capacity also adds output or 240 V support. 

5. What's included in the price? Some listings cover the power station alone, while others bundle panels, cables, or home-backup accessories. Compare like with like.

Compared with a gas-powered portable generator, a solar generator trades unlimited refueling for clean, quiet, low-maintenance power. 

Pros of solar generators

Cons of solar generators 

A large power station can keep your essentials running, but it isn't a substitute for a permanently installed home solar battery. The right choice depends on how much of your home you want to power and how hands-on you want to be when the lights go out. 

 Keep in mind that a rooftop solar system without a battery usually shuts off during an outage. To figure out what you'd need, see our guides to whole-home backup and how many batteries to buy.

The right way to shop for solar and battery storage is to compare multiple quotes on the EnergySage Marketplace—that way you know you’re getting the best value. When you register your property, you'll receive custom quotes from vetted local installers, and you can compare equipment, pricing, and financing options side by side. If you'd like a battery included, just note it in your preferences when you set up your account. 

Want a battery on its own? Get battery quotes from certified installers.