Whether you are looking for a viable "off the grid" living option or want a backup power supply in case of total power loss, solar generators offer a green solution that can be just as effective as gas and propane generators.
Backup power for the home has become critical because of our increased reliance on connected devices including phones, and laptops.
Solar backup generators are not just for powering home appliances like refrigerators and air conditioner - more and more, they are being purchased to provide reliable backup power for critical medical devices.
For example, CPAPs are a popular way to treat sleep apnea and other dangerous sleep disorders. Without an adequate supply of power, things can get dangerous.
The Problem With Gas Generators
Gas, diesel and propane generators have been relied upon for years for home power backup and emergency standby power for everything from hospitals to houses. They are cheap, easy to maintain and widely available.
That said, gas generators suffer from a number of important solar drawbacks that solar backup generators completely avoid - as follows:
Fuel Supply
A gas generator doesn't store electrical energy. Instead, it converts fuel into electrical energy when you start it up.
To keep the lights on, then, you must constantly resupply a gas, diesel or propane generator with fossil fuel. Doing so costs money to buy the fuel, unlike solar power which is free.
In contrast, solar generators run on the power of the sun - which is 100% renewable, free and reliable.
Noise
Loud noise is another issue with gas & propane generators.
In contrast, solar generators are completely silent.
Exhaust & Emissions
Burning fossil fuels emits CO2 and carbon monoxide. And don't even think about using a fossil-fueled generator in an enclosed space – if the noise doesn’t drive you crazy, the CO2 and carbon monoxide emissions can kill you.
Exhaust and emissions are not a problem with a solar generator - you can run one on your kitchen counter if you want.
Solar backup generators offer a greener, renewable and more reliable solution to all of these problems.
Solar generators are quiet, lack any harmful fumes and exhaust, and are completely renewable. With a handful of well-placed solar panels, you can provide a FREE supply of backup power for your home.
Today, solar home backup power is within reach of everyone.
Over the past few decades, the steady march of technology has extended battery life and made solar panels less expensive and more efficient.
As a result, solar generators have gone from a wildly expensive, fringe DIY project, to a user-friendly and affordable solution that anyone can purchase online.
The cost of a solar generator remains higher than a comparable wattage power gas generator, but considering all of the benefits, a lot of people today are choosing to go solar.
Today, you can select from dozens of solar generators designed for home power and standby backup.
Which one stands above the rest?
Read on to learn about the most popular & proven solar generators sold today.
NOTE: In addition to the retail generators listed on this page, you can find more expensive, permanently installed generator solutions from a licensed solar energy installer in your town.
Best Home Backup & Standby Solar Generators
Renogy Lycan 5000
Best for home integration
3500W output
4800Wh LiFePO4 battery
Expandable to 19.2kWh
4400W max solar input (1.5hr charge time)
2400W AC input (2.5hr charge time)
264.6lbs
3yr warranty
EcoFlow Delta Mini
Best 1000W
1400W output
882Wh Li-ion battery
Not expandable
300W solar input (4-5hr charge time)
900W AC input (1hr charge time)
23.6lbs
2yr warranty
Jackery 2000 Pro
Best 2000W
2200W output
2160Wh Li-ion battery
Not expandable
1400W solar input (2.5hr charge time)
1800W AC input (2hr charge time)
43lbs
3yr warranty
EcoFlow Delta Pro
Best 3000W
3600W output
3600Wh LiFePO4 battery
Expandable to 25kWh
1600W solar input
(3-4hr charge time)
1800W AC input (2.7hr charge time)
99lbs
5yr warranty
Bluetti AC500 + B300S
Best 5000W
5000W output
3072Wh LiFePO4 battery
Expandable to 18.4kWh
3000W solar input (1.5-2hr charge time)
4500W AC input (<1hr charge time)
150lbs
4yr warranty
Bluetti EP500Pro
Best 240V
3000W, 120V/6000W,240V output
5100Wh LiFePO4 battery
Not expandable
2400W solar input (2.7hr charge time)
3000W AC input (3.3hr charge time)
182lbs
5yr warranty
Titan
Most expandable
3000W output
2000Wh Li-ion battery
Unlimited expansion
2000W solar input
406W AC input (with standard charger)
67lbs
1yr warranty
EcoFlow Delta Max
Best with solar panel
2400W output
2016Wh Li-ion battery
Expandable to 6kWh
800W solar input (3.5hr charge time)
1800W AC input (1.8hr charge time)
48lbs (20.9lbs solar panel)
2yr warranty
Jackery Explorer 500
Best for small appliances & electronics
500W output
518Wh Li-ion battery
Not expandable
100W solar input (9.5hr charge time)
100W AC input (7.5hr charge time)
13.3lbs
2yr warranty
Apollo 5K
Best for powering entire home
3000W output (expandable to 27kW)
5376Wh LiFePO4 battery
Expandable to 48.4kWh
4000W solar input (2-3hr charge time)
3000W AC input (2-3hr charge time)
132lbs
2yr warranty (3yrs for batteries)
What You Need to Know About Backup Solar Generators
The solar generators on this page can be bought online and are designed for powering home appliances and lighting and for recharging vital electronics.
That said, there are limitations and other things you need to be aware of when shopping for a home solar generator.
Solar Generators Cannot Power Your Entire Home (Yet)
Some heavy appliances like cloth dryers, water heaters and pool pumps consume a huge amount of energy that will sap any generator - solar powered, or not.
In general, a solar generator won't power heavy appliances for a very long period of time. For that, you'll need to upgrade to a fully installed home solar power system with at least $10,000 worth of batteries.
That said, mid-range appliances like air conditioners, freezers and electric ovens are far more energy-efficient today than a few decades ago. Most solar backup generators can power these for a single use between charges, but not much more.
The sweet spot for solar backup generators is powering electronic appliances like LED televisions, toasters, and hair dryers. And, of course, keeping your electronics on and recharged.
That said, newer solar generators are increasingly powerful.
Brands like Bluetti, EcoFlow and Renogy are launching bigger and bigger solar generators such as the Renogy Lycan 5000, Bluetti EP500Pro and Bluetti AC500 + B300S.
These solar generators produce more than 3000W of power, and in the case of the AC500 + B300S, 5000W. They also come with massive capacity and are typically expandable to over 10kWh.
They can power heavy appliances like ovens and air conditioners for a few hours.
Soon, we might have a solar generator that can power an entire house.
In fact, I think there's already one in the market. See my review of the Hysolis Apollo 5K below. It can produce up to 27kW of power.
The Apollo 5K is the exception, for now. So you need to have realistic expectations when shopping for backup and standby solar generators.
The most powerful home solar backup generators are capable of keeping your refrigerator on, keeping your computer and electronics running, and powering a handful of lights and other appliances, but they are not yet able to match the full-home power supply of larger backup generators powered by natural gas and propane.
Still, solar generators are very useful backup power supplies in the case of a home blackout, because they offer so many advantages.
To make the right solar generator purchase, you'll want to have an idea of the required voltage and total wattage of the devices & appliances you want to keep alive during a blackout.
Use our handy appliance wattage guide to figure out how many watts you'll need to keep your most important lights, devices and appliances running.
Then, look for solar backup generators that supply that level of wattage. And make sure they have the right type & number of outlets (12V, 110V, 220V, USB, 2A, etc.)
If you are really committed to buying a completely renewable backup generator for your home and want enough backup/standby power to run your air conditioner and refrigerator for days, then you can always purchase multiple generators or get an expandable solar generator.
Best Home Backup & Standby Solar Generators
The Renogy Lycan is one of the largest and most capable solar generators in the market right now. It’s designed to be wired to a home power grid. You can even set it up as a UPS, ensuring essential appliances stay powered in a blackout.
That, plus its fast charging performance makes the Lycan 5000 one of the best solar generators for home backup.
Pros
- High power output.
- Large capacity that is expandable.
- Easy home integration.
- Fast solar and AC charging.
- Modular and rugged design.
Cons
Our Review
If you want a solar generator that can keep most of your appliance running during a power outage, the Lycan 5000 Power Box is a great pick.
With an output of 3500W, it can not only power almost any household appliance, it can power several at the same time.
In an emergency, you can keep using your fridge, TV, washing machine, and other appliances.
Renogy pairs the high output of the Lycan 5000 with a huge capacity of 4800Wh. This ensures that even when you power large appliances, the Lycan 5000 doesn't run out of juice too quickly.
You can keep your home powered for hours or days. Here’s roughly how long the Lycan 5000 can power various appliances.
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If you need a longer runtime, the Lycan 5000 is expandable to a max capacity of 19.2kWh. Just order additional 48V LiFePO4 batteries from Renogy.
If you want the kind of uninterrupted backup provided by a traditional home solar system, you can get it with the Renogy Lycan 5000.
As I mentioned, the Lycan 5000 is designed to be easy to integrate into your home power grid via the 20A or 30A AC outlet.
To turn it into a UPS system, all you need is an automatic transfer switch. Select which circuits (the Lycan 5000 cannot power every circuit in your home) you want to backup and connect them to the transfer switch, or rather have a licensed electrician do it.
When mains power goes out, the Lycan 5000 will automatically take over.
Fast Charging
With a max solar input of 4400W, the Renogy Lycan is one of the fastest charging solar generators we have reviewed.
This is important during an extended emergency. It makes it easy to keep your home powered for as long as you need.
If you max out and set up a 4400W array (60-145V), you could charge the Lycan 5000 in as little as 2.5 hours.
The Lycan 5000 also has an AC charging option, which you can use to keep it topped up when there’s power.
AC input is 2400W. You can combine AC and solar input (6800W max) to charge the Lycan 5000 to 80% in just 1 hour.
Built to Last
The Renogy Lycan is unlike any other solar generator in the market. For one, you can see and access all the internal components.
In fact, you can replace these components including the batteries, inverter and charge controller. This makes it easy to maintain or upgrade the solar generator. A failed battery or another component won’t force you to chuck the entire system.
The Renogy Lycan is also a lot more rugged than most other solar generators. It has an IP55 water resistant housing, meaning you can use it outside under a sheltered area.
Issues & Limitations
Heavy
The Renogy Lycan 5000 weighs 264.6lbs. Forget about traveling with it; it is a purely home backup solar generator.
If you are looking for a solar generator you can use at home and away, I recommend something smaller and lighter like the Jackery 2000 Pro.
Limited Outlets
The Renogy Lycan 5000 has just two AC outlets. That’s it. No USB or DC outputs.
That’s why I said it’s designed for home integration. If you want a solar generator you can plug appliances and devices directly into, the Lycan 5000 is not it.
If you are looking for a smaller home backup power station to power small appliances and charge your devices, a 1000W solar generator is adequate.
It’s also versatile, since you can use it at home, take it with you camping, go with it on road trips and so on.
Our favorite 1000W solar generator for home backup is the EcoFlow Delta Mini. It actually has a 1400W output, so you can power a wide range of appliances.
Pros
- Enough power to run most appliances.
- X-Boost feature increases output to 1800W.
- Multiple outlets.
- Fast AC charging.
- Remote app control.
Cons
- Limited capacity - drains quickly when powering large appliances.
- Slow solar charging.
Our Review
If you want to power appliances like a mini fridge, TV, freezer, CPAP, or a fan, the Delta Mini is a great choice. It’s also a lot more affordable compared to high output solar generators.
With 1400W of output, the Delta Mini can do a lot more than you expect. It can power a full size refrigerator, a microwave, a coffee maker and many other household appliances.
If you need more power, the Delta Mini has a feature called X-Boost that increases output to 1800W (by slightly reducing voltage).
That said, you probably don't want to plug in high-consumption appliances. The Delta Mini has a capacity of 882Wh. That’s not much when you want to power a 500W washing machine. The battery will last only 1.5 hours.
That’s why I recommend the Delta Mini for small and medium size appliances. You can also power larger appliances like a coffee maker or microwave that only run for a few minutes.
Here are the approximate Delta Mini runtimes you can expect with various devices and appliances.
As you can see, the Delta Mini actually lasts a decent amount of time when you use it to power small appliances and charge gadgets.
Versatile Outlets
The EcoFlow Delta Mini comes with all the outlets you need to run different kinds of electronics.
For appliances, there are five AC outlets with a combined output of 1400W (1800W with X-Boost). Surge/peak output is 2100W.
For 12V electronics like CPAP, a router or a car fridge, there’s a 12V car port and two 12V DC5521 outlets.
You can power your laptop or fast charge your phone from the USB-C 100W port. There’s also a Quick Charge 18W USB-A port and two regular 12W USB-A ports.
Fast AC Charging
EcoFlow solar generators all have impressive AC charging speeds. The company calls it X-Stream charging.
The included wall charger puts in up to 900W of power, which charges the Delta Mini to 80% in just 1 hour.
Max solar input is 300W (11-75V), which takes 4-5 hours to recharge the Delta Mini on a sunny day. It’s not super fast, but at least you can fully recharge the solar generator in less than a day during an emergency.
When you travel with the Delta Mini, you can also charge it from your car’s 12V/24V outlet, though this takes a lot longer. But it’s perfect for topping up the solar generator when you are on the move.
Issues & Limitations
Limited Capacity
Despite the relatively high output, the Delta Mini is mostly ideal for powering small and medium size appliances as well as recharging devices.
That’s because of its limited capacity. Large appliances will drain it too fast.
Another limitation of the battery is that it is lithium-ion. It doesn't last as long as a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery.
It’s hard to choose the best 2000W home backup solar generator because there are so many of them in this range.
But I think the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro offers the best combination of value, power, capacity, versatility and charging performance.
Pros
- Can power most home appliances.
- Large capacity.
- Wide range of output options.
- Fast AC and solar charging.
- Portable enough for use at home and away.
Cons
- Not expandable.
- Li-ion battery - has a shorter lifespan than a LiFePO4 battery.
Our Review
Jackery has been upgrading their popular solar generators. The Explorer 2000 Pro has more capacity, better output options, and faster charging than the older Explorer 2000.
The Jackery 2000 Pro has an output of 2200W (4400W surge). There’s a lot you can do with that.
You can power your kitchen refrigerator, watch TV, power your microwave, and use your coffee maker. You can also recharge your devices, keep lights on and run other smaller electronics like a fan or CPAP machine.
With a capacity of 2160Wh, the Li-ion battery in the Explorer 2000 Pro is able to keep up with the consumption of most appliances.
Here’s how long the Jackery 2000 Pro will power various appliances and electronics.
8 Outlets
I have reviewed many 2000W solar generators with double the number of outlets the Jackery 2000 Pro offers. But eight are enough for most people. In addition, Jackery does a great job of including a wide variety of outlets to cover all kinds of appliances and gadgets.
There are three AC outlets, a 12V/10A car port, two USB-C 100W ports, and two Quick Charge USB-A 18W ports. The only option missing are DC5521 ports, which are handy for powering small 12V devices like internet routers and security cameras.
Good Charging Performance
One of the biggest improvements in the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro is charging speed.
Max solar input has increased from 800W in the Explorer 2000 to 1400W in the Explorer 2000 Pro. This allows the Pro to recharge with solar in just 2.5 hours.
AC input has also gone up from 1164W to 1800W, which charges the 2000 Pro in just 2 hours.
The only charging-related issue we are disappointed with is that the Explorer 2000 Pro doesn't seem to offer dual AC + solar charging. That would speed things up even more.
Issues & Limitations
Non-expandable Capacity
If you are sure the 2160Wh capacity of the 2000 Pro is adequate for you, then stick with the Jackery Explorer. But if you think you might need more capacity in the future, go with an expandable solar generator.
The best expandable 2000W solar generator is the Bluetti AC200MAX. It has a 2048Wh capacity that you can expand to 8192Wh.
Li-ion Battery
If you don't plan to use the Explorer 2000 Pro often, the Li-ion battery inside will last for years. But if you plan to use it daily, I recommend getting a LiFePO4 solar generator instead such as the aforementioned Bluetti AC200MAX.
LiFePO4 batteries have more lifecycles and thus last a long time even when charged and discharged often.
If you want to run multiple appliances or power part of your home grid during a blackout, a 3000W solar generator like the EcoFlow Delta Pro is up to the task.
You do lose out on versatility (3000W solar generators are big and heavy, thus ideal for home use only), but at least you can keep important appliances powered through a long power outage.
Pros
- High power output.
- High capacity that’s expandable.
- Plenty of outlets.
- Easy home integration.
- Versatile charging options.
Cons
Our Review
The EcoFlow Delta Pro is one of the most powerful solar generators in the market. With an output of 3600W, it can power just about any appliance in your home including large ones like the oven, space heater and AC.
It can also power multiple appliances at the same time. If you need more than 3600W of power, turn on X-Boost to increase output to 4500W.
Note, however, that X-Boost decreases voltage output slightly, so some appliances such as coffee makers may work slower.
The EcoFlow Delta Pro also has a 240V output option that’s great for powering things like well pumps and 240V central air conditioners.
To get 240V power, you’ll need a second Delta Pro and an EcoFlow double voltage hub. Connect the two solar generators using the hub to get up to 7200W, 240V AC power.
Expandable Capacity
The EcoFlow Delta Pro comes with a 3600Wh LiFePO4 battery. That’s already a lot of capacity to run appliances and keep devices charged.
But if you need more, the Delta Pro is expandable. You can add up to 6 expansion batteries to increase capacity to 25kWh.
If you want, you can build enough capacity to power your home for days during an emergency.
The advantage of an expandable system like the Delta Pro is that all the batteries act like one huge battery. You don't have to switch the batteries as they deplete. Instead, the main Delta Pro unit draws power from all the batteries at the same time.
For an idea of how much runtime you can get from the EcoFlow Delta Pro, here’s how long it can power various appliances. This is just an estimate.
Versatile Output Options + Home Integration
The Delta Pro gives you lots of options when it comes to powering appliances and other electronics.
For regular household appliances, there are four 20A 120V AC outlets, plus a fifth more powerful 30A outlet for heavier duty stuff.
You can charge six devices at the same time using the USB-A and USB-C 100W ports. You can also run 12V electronics from the car outlet or the two DC5521 outlets.
If you’d rather power appliances right where they are and charge your phone from a wall outlet, it’s possible to connect the Delta Pro to your home circuit.
You just need one of those 30 amp generator boxes to connect the Delta Pro (via the 30A outlet) to a power inlet box or transfer switch.
So Many Ways To Recharge
Not only does the Delta Pro have good charging speeds, it also offers plenty of recharging options. No matter what emergency you are in, you’ll likely find a way to keep the Delta Pro charged.
There’s the usual option - charging from a wall outlet. Max AC input is 1800W, which charges the Delta Pro in 2.7 hours.
You can also charge the Delta Pro with up to 1600W solar power.
If you have access to a gas generator, you can also get AC power from it to charge the Delta Pro. EcoFlow even sells their own smart gas generator, that you can set up to automatically charge the Delta Pro.
If you are in an emergency and none of the above options are available, you can take the Delta Pro to any level 2 EV charging station. It’ll charge at 3400W in just 1.7 hours.
Finally, you can top up the Delta Pro from your vehicle’s 12V outlet when you are on the move.
Issues & Limitations
Limited Portability
If you are shopping for a versatile solar generator you can use for home backup as well as camping, road trips and other adventures, the Delta Pro is not it.
It’s bulky and weighs 99lbs. It’ll mostly be useful at home for backup power or off-grid to power a cabin, RV or boat — basically any situation where you set it up somewhere and leave it there.
If you want a capable solar generator you can easily move around, I recommend the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro instead.
3000W not enough for home backup? You can get up to 5000W from the Bluetti AC500 + B300S solar generator system.
It also has expandable capacity, optional 240V power output and UPS functionality.
Pros
- High power output - can power heavy duty appliances.
- Expandable capacity.
- Flexible modular design.
- UPS feature.
- Super fast charging.
- Multiple outlets.
Cons
- Expensive, especially when you want to expand capacity.
Our Review
With 5000W of power, you can power large appliances like central AC, a garage heater, a cooking range or an electric grill.
That’s also enough output to power a good chunk of your home grid.
The Bluetti AC500 + B300S is currently Bluetti’s most powerful solar generator (though there’s an even bigger one coming soon). It’s designed to provide reliable off-grid power and for homes that need lots of power for backup.
It has a 5000W inverter, and you can double this to 10000W, 240V power by setting up a split phase system using two AC500 + B300S kits.
Expandable Capacity
With this much output, you need lots of capacity. The B300S LiFePO4 battery that comes with the kit has a 3072Wh capacity.
That’s good but not impressive considering the 5000W output. If you maxed out the inverter, the battery would only last 30 minutes.
Fortunately, the AC500 + B300S solar generator is expandable. You can add more B300S batteries to reach a max capacity of 18.4kWh.
Here’s an estimate of how long the 3072Wh B300S battery will power different kinds of stuff.
Lots of Output Options
The AC500 power unit has 16 outlets.
There are three regular 120V 20A AC outlets. If you need more power or to connect the AC500 to your home grid, there are also two 30A 120V outlets and one 50A 120V outlet.
You have an option of running your home with 30 amp or 50 amp power supply during a blackout.
The AC500 has six USB ports including two 5V USB-A, two 18W QC USB-A and two 100W USB-C.
And for your 12V electronics, there’s a 12V/30A RV port and a 24V/10A car port.
By the way, the B300S battery module also has a few outlets of its own: one 100W USB-C port, an 18W USB-A port and a 12V/10A car outlet.
This means you can just carry the B300S with you when traveling and use it to charge your devices and power 12V appliances. You can even charge it separately from the main unit with 500W solar or AC power.
Excellent Charging Performance
The AC500 + B300S solar generator has one of the highest AC inputs I have seen in a power station. Plug it into a wall outlet and it charges at 4500W. If you have a second B300S battery, it increases output to 5000W.
A single B300S can charge to 80% in less than an hour.
Solar charging is equally impressive. Max input is 3000W, enough to charge the B300S battery in 1.5-2 hours, assuming it’s a sunny day.
There’s also an option to combine multiple charging methods for a max input of 8000W.
So don't worry even when you expand your AC500 + B300S system. It’ll still be able to charge fairly fast.
Issues & Limitations
Pricey
The AC500 + B300S kit on its own is not crazy expensive. We’ve seen solar generators with less output in the same price range.
However, it has limited capacity for its power output. If you want to take full advantage of the 5000W output, you’ll likely need to expand with additional B300S batteries. And that’s where things get expensive.
Adding a single B300S battery brings the total cost of the system to over $7K.
If you have any 240V appliances you need to keep running during a blackout, you need a solar generator that can produce 240V AC power instead of the usual 120V.
We recommend the Bluetti EP500Pro. You’ll need two units plus the Bluetti split phase fusion box to get 240V power.
Pros
- Massive capacity.
- Enough output to power multiple appliances.
- Split phase 240V power that’s easy to set up.
- Versatile output options.
- Fast AC and solar charging.
Cons
- Setting up the 240V system is expensive.
- Not expandable.
- Only one 240V outlet.
Our Review
Solar generators sold in the US produce 120V AC power, which is what American appliances run on.
But some appliances need 220-240V power to run better and more efficiently. These include things like well pumps, high-power space heaters, some air conditioners and some dryers.
You can power these appliances using any solar generator that offers split phase output. This is where you combine two solar generators to double their voltage and output.
To set up the EP500Pro to produce 240V power, you’ll need a second EP500Pro and the Bluetti fusion box.
The fusion box links the two units. You can then access power from the 220V-240V/30A outlet on the fusion box.
Double the Output and Capacity
In addition to doubling voltage from 120V to 240V, the Bluetti EP500Pro split phase setup also doubles output from 3000W to 6000W.
So you can power large 240V appliances such as a dryer, a 240V window AC or a 240V garage heater.
The 240V setup also doubles your capacity.
A single EP500Pro already has a massive capacity of 5100Wh. With two of them, you get 10.2kWh capacity.
Here’s an estimate of how long you can run appliances with the split phase system.
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Multiple Output Options
The Bluetti fusion box comes with a single 240V outlet as well as six 120V AC outlets (two 30A and four 20A).
Each Bluetti EP500Pro also comes with four 120V 20A AC outlets plus a 30A outlet for large appliances. But you cannot use these outlets when the two units are connected. You can only use the outlets on the fusion box.
All other outlets are usable whether the solar generators are separate or in split phase mode. They include two 100W USB-C ports, four USB-A ports and a pair of 15W wireless charging pads. Each unit also comes with a 12V/10A car port, a 12V/30A RV port, and two DC5521 DC outlets.
Good Charging Performance
The Bluetti EP500Pro has a max solar input of 2400W. On a sunny day, you could charge the EP500Pro with solar panels in just 2.7 hours.
AC input is also impressive at 3000W, letting you charge the EP500Pro from a wall outlet in 3.3 hours.
There’s also a dual AC + solar charging option that takes 1.8 hours to recharge the EP500Pro.
Note: You’ll need the 30A split phase charging cable to charge the two EP500Pro units at the same time. When using the regular charging cable, you have to disconnect them first.
Issues & Limitations
Expensive
The EP500Pro is already a pricey solar generator on its own. If you plan to set up a 240V system with two of them and a fusion box, expect to spend over $10K.
If you are on a budget, it might be cheaper to set up a solar power system instead using solar panels, batteries, a 240V split phase inverter, and a charge controller.
Only One 240V Outlet
The Bluetti EP500Pro fusion box lets you run just one 240V appliance at a time since it only has a single 240V outlet.
If you want to run multiple 240V appliances simultaneously, you’ll have to connect the outlet to a breaker box and then power the appliances from there.
Not Expandable
10.2kWh is probably enough capacity for most homeowners. But if you ever need more than that, there’s no way to expand the Bluetti EP500Pro.
This is unlike most high-capacity solar generators such as the Bluetti AC500 + B300S and EcoFlow Delta Pro that are expandable.
Many of the solar generators we have reviewed in this guide have expandable capacity. But none are as expandable as the Titan solar generator from Point Zero Energy.
As far as we can tell, there is no limit on how many batteries you can add to the Titan solar generator. So you can build up as much capacity as you need to keep your home powered in an emergency.
Pros
- Unlimited capacity expansion
- High output
- Wide variety of outlets
- Multiple ways to recharge
Cons
- Pricier than similar size solar generators
- Uses Li-ion batteries, which have a shorter lifespan
- Slow charging
Our Review
Titan is a rugged, modular and customizable solar generator. It comes with a removable 2000Wh Li-ion battery.
If you need more capacity, you can simply stack more batteries under the main power unit; no need for wiring or any cables.
Power output is 3000W, which is plenty enough to keep essential appliances running during a blackout.
Here’s roughly how long the Titan can power various appliances and electronics with just one 2000Wh battery.
Multiple Outlets
The Titan solar generator does not match the number and variety of outlets on most other large solar generators. But it has all the outlets you need to plug in different kinds of appliances.
It comes with seven 120V AC outlets (including one 30A outlet you can use to integrate Titan into your home grid), four 12V outlets and optional USB ports.
The USB ports are available separately as a paid add-on.
Three Ways To Charge
The Titan solar generator comes with a 14A AC charger that charges the battery at 406W max. You can upgrade to a 25A charger that puts in 725W.
You can also use two 25A chargers to achieve an input of 1450W, but you’ll need at least one extra battery to double the charging input.
Solar charging is better. The Titan solar generator has two MPPT charge controllers that accept up to 1000W solar input each (35-145V).
But to get the max 2000W input, you’ll need to have at least two batteries.
You can also charge the Titan solar generator from your vehicle’s 12V/24V port, though that puts in only 85W.
Issues & Limitations
Pricey
Compared to other solar generators in the same capacity and output range, Titan is expensive. Alternatives like the EcoFlow Delta Pro, EcoFlow Delta Max, and Renogy Lycan 5000 offer better value for money.
What makes it even pricier is that several components including a faster AC charger and USB adapters are available for an extra cost.
Slow Charging
Considering how much you can expand the Titan’s capacity, its charging performance is average at best.
The standard charger puts in a mere 406W. We have reviewed tons of smaller solar generators that have higher solar input.
And even when you get two 25A chargers (which, by the way, requires buying an extra battery), the 1450W max input is still too low. Once you start stacking more batteries, the whole system could take days to recharge.
The 2000W max solar input is also low for a system with unlimited capacity expansion. In contrast, the Renogy Lycan 5000 has a max solar input of 4400W and the Hysolis Apollo 5K can accept up to 4000W solar power.
If you just need to keep your devices charged and power some small appliances during a blackout, we recommend the Jackery Explorer 500.
Pros
- Perfect for charging devices.
- Lightweight and compact - ideal for use at home and away.
- Multiple outlets.
- Display screen lets you monitor power and battery.
Cons
- Not ideal for most appliances.
- No USB-C port.
Our Review
The Jackery Explorer 500 will not power your fridge or coffee maker during a blackout. It’s far too small for that.
But it’s perfect for mini appliances like a fan, CPAP or personal cooler as well as devices and gadgets.
It has a 518Wh lithium battery, enough to charge your smartphone, laptop and other devices many times over.
What Can The Jackery Explorer 500 Charge/Power?
The Jackery Explorer 500 is suited to devices and small appliances.
With four USB ports, you can plug in multiple devices at once such as a smartphone, camera, tablet, Bluetooth speaker and so on.
As for appliances, it’s limited to low power ones like mini coolers, portable refrigerators, a fan, or a mini projector.
How long the Jackery Explorer 500 lasts depends on the capacity or power draw of whatever you’ve plugged in.
For instance, you can charge a smartphone 50 times, recharge a laptop almost 5 times, and run a small TV for almost 8 hours.
Outlets
- (3) 5V 2.4A USB-A ports
- (1) 110V 500W AC outlet
- (2) 12V 7A DC outlet
- (1) 12V car DC outlet
Charging Options
When there’s power, you can charge the Jackery Explorer 500 from a wall outlet using the included charger. It takes about 7.5 hours to recharge.
In a blackout or when you are outdoors, connect a solar panel (a 100W max) or charge it from your moving vehicle.
Issues & Limitations
The Jackery Explorer 500 is limited in what it can power.
You cannot plug in high-wattage household appliances like a coffee maker and most blenders. It also cannot power a space heater or even a window or portable AC unit.
The other issue is the lack of a USB-C port, something that virtually all portable solar generators have. The Explorer 500 doesn't even offer a quick charge port.
Summary
The Jackery Explorer 500 is a great choice if you need a lightweight and compact solar generator that can keep your devices charged and power some small appliances.
