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hysolis apollo 5k

Hysolis Apollo 5K Review: Most Powerful Home Solar Backup System Yet?

The Hysolis Apollo 5K is currently the most capable and versatile solar generator in the market. 

A lot of brands have released impressive high capacity & output solar generators. Our favorites include the Bluetti EP500Pro, the Bluetti AC500, the EcoFlow Delta Pro and the Renogy Lycan 5000 Power Box

But none match the performance, flexibility and scalability of the Hysolis Apollo 5K. 

In this in-depth review, we take the Apollo 5K apart to see why it’s the best solar generator for home back and off-grid power. 

If you don't need something this massive, see our reviews of the best 2000W solar generators to find a smaller and cheaper power station.  


A Note On Hysolis Apollo 5K Safety & Deliveries

Before we get into the review, there are a couple of things you should be aware of. 

The Hysolis Apollo 5K is currently available on pre-order and is expected to ship starting June. This is actually the second time it is on pre-order. 

Last year, it was on pre-order then shipments began at the beginning of 2023. However, a safety issue arose, prompting the manufacturer to halt shipments for additional quality control. 

The problem was discovered by Will Prowse while he was reviewing the unit. Here is the video. 

Hysolis replied in the comments that they are taking serious steps to address the problem and would implement stricter quality control and seek safety certification. 

If you are still feeling uneasy about ordering the Hysolis Apollo, we have a few alternatives we recommend at the end of the review. But if you are still interested, keep reading.


Hysolis Apollo 5K Pros & Cons 

Pros

  • Huge capacity.
  • High power output.
  • Scalable - both capacity and power output.
  • Great for home backup & off-grid power.
  • Fast charging. 

Cons

  • Pricey.
  • Big and heavy. 

Best Features

5000 watt solar generator

High Capacity & Output 

Lately, we’ve been seeing bigger and bigger solar generators. We’ve gone from small portable power stations for camping to huge solar generators that are closer to home solar power systems in capability. 

The Hysolis Apollo 5K is one of these heavy duty solar generators. 

It has a capacity of 5,376Wh. As far as we know, it’s currently the largest capacity portable solar generator in the market. Others that come close are the Renogy Lycan 5000 (4800Wh) and the Bluetti EP500Pro (5100Wh).

Continuous power output is 3000W with a surge capability of up to 6000W. This is similar to many large solar generators, and it’s actually lower compared to the EcoFlow Delta Max and the Renogy Lycan 5000. 

But, as we discuss next, 3000W is only the beginning of what you can get from the Hysolis Apollo. 

But even if you don't expand the 3000W power output, it’s still plenty for home backup and off-grid power. You can power multiple household appliances without a problem. 

Highly Scalable 

What really sets the Hysolis Apollo apart from other heavy duty solar generators is just how scalable it is. 

Most large-capacity power stations are expandable, but usually to no more than 30kWh. In contrast, you can expand the 5.3kWh capacity of the Apollo 5K to 48.4kWh by adding up to eight expansion batteries. 

You could build a serious battery bank that powers your home, RV or boat for days. You can start with a single expansion battery and add more with time. 

You can also expand power output. This is a first among solar generators. Most offer split phase 240V power output, but you cannot increase the single phase output. 

With the Hysolis Apollo, you can connect up to nine units in parallel to boost output to 27kW. That’s enough to power an entire home. 

The Hysolis Apollo 5K is the first solar generator that can truly power an entire home. 

As with the batteries, you don't need to scale up the output all at once. You can get a couple of units to get 6kW of power or three to get 9kW. You can then add more as your budget allows. 

The Hysolis Apollo 5K also has a split phase 240V option where you connect two units to get up to 6000W 240V power for running large appliances like a dryer, well pump or AC.   

Note: 48kWh is actually not the max capacity you can expand the Apollo 5K to. If you connect nine Apollo 5K units to get 27kW of power, you can connect up to 8 expansion batteries to each for a max possible capacity of 435.6kWh. 

Perfect for Off-grid/Home Backup Power

In our opinion, the Hysolis Apollo 5K is the best solar generator for off-grid power and home backup/emergencies. Here’s why. 

  • On top of its already huge capacity and high power output, it is highly scalable. You can expand both capacity and output to meet your needs. Whether you need to power a few appliances or your entire home, the Apollo 5K is up to the task.
  • The Apollo 5K comes with a highly efficient inverter. The claimed efficiency is 94%. Will Prowse tested this in his video and found it to be true. This means you get as much capacity as possible from the battery since inverter losses are minimal.
  • The Apollo 5K has a power saving mode that reduces the inverter idle power consumption to 15W, much lower than most solar generators. You can leave the inverter turned on all the time and the battery will not drain drastically.
  • Instead of the usual lithium-ion batteries, the Hysolis Apollo uses LiFePO4 batteries. These are great if you plan to use the Apollo 5K daily or frequently. The LiFePO4 batteries can last through 3000+ charge and discharge cycles before capacity drops to 80%. Overall lifespan is over 6000 cycles or about 10 years. In contrast, Li-ion batteries last 800 cycles to 80% capacity and about 2000 cycles overall.
  • The Apollo 5K charges fast via solar, so you can rely on solar panels alone to keep it charged when you are off-grid.
  • True uninterruptible power supply with a switch over of less than 15ms when mains power goes out. 

Multiple Output Options

The Hysolis Apollo has six 120V/15A household style outlets. You can connect appliances directly to these sockets. 

If you prefer connecting the Apollo directly to your home grid or hooking it up to your RV, there’s also a 120V/25A outlet and a 12V/30A outlet. 

Other output options include a 12V/15A cigarette lighter outlet, two 5.5mm 12V/10A outlets, three USB-A ports (one with quick charge capability) and one 60W USB-C PD port. 

Fast Charging with Solar & AC 

hysolis apollo 5k

Charging performance is another area where the Hysolis Apollo trumps other heavy duty solar generators. It charges really fast, whether you are using AC or solar. 

Solar Charging

Max solar input is 4000W, which is one of the highest we’ve seen (though the Renogy Lycan has a higher input of 4400W). On a sunny day, a 4000W array can recharge the Apollo 5K in under three hours. 

Notably, the Apollo 5K has a much wider voltage range compared to most solar generators. It can accept a solar voltage input between 120 and 450VDC. Most solar generators only accept up to 150VDC. 

The higher max voltage input lets you string many solar panels in series, which is easier than the parallel connections you have to use with most other solar generators to avoid exceeding the max voltage. 

AC Charging

The included AC charger delivers up to 3000W of power to the Hysolis Apollo, charging it in under two hours. 

You can also combine AC + solar charging at the same time to get a max input of up to 6000W for even faster charging. 

So whether you are using the Apollo off-grid or at home for emergencies, the fast charging speed ensures you’ll never be left in the dark. 

Does The Hysolis APollo 5K Have Car Charging?

Yes, the Apollo 5K comes with a car charger that charges the solar generator at 10 amps. You can plug it into a 12V (120W) or 24V (240W) car cigarette lighter port.

But note that it’ll take a long time for it to recharge from a car outlet (44+ hours). So use this option only to top up the Hysolis when you are on the move in your truck, van or RV. 

Quiet   

For a solar generator this big and powerful, the Hysolis Apollo is surprisingly quiet. Even when you are charging at the highest speeds, the fans never get too loud. 

Rugged & Modular

While Hysolis does not specify whether the Apollo 5K is weather resistant, it’s clearly built to withstand rough conditions. 

It has a metal chassis and all outlets and inlets are capped. 

The solid build quality and the high capacity make the Apollo 5K heavy (it weighs 132 lbs), but you can remove the battery to make it lighter by half. This modular design makes the Hysolis Apollo easier to transport.  

The Apollo 5K is also wheeled to make it easier to move it over short distances (note that wheels are a paid add-on). 

Touch Screen & App Control 

There are two ways to control and monitor the Hysolis Apollo 5K. 

There’s a built-in touchscreen that shows you all the info you need. Since the touchscreen is wireless, you can remove it and place it somewhere easier to access. Just make sure it’s within 60 feet of the solar generator. 

You can also control and monitor the Apollo 5K from a smartphone app. 


Issues & Limitations

The Hysolis Apollo 5K doesn't have any major limitations when it comes to its capability. It’s designed to fit a wide range of needs from running a few appliances to powering an entire house. 

Of course, this power and versatility doesn't come cheap. The solar generator itself is fairly pricey. It gets even more expensive once you start expanding it. Expect to spend well over $10k if you plan to build a serious system with multiple units or batteries. 

Don’t forget to budget for solar panels, which you’ll need plenty of to charge the Apollo 5K in a decent amount of time.

The other issue to keep in mind is that the Hysolis Apollo 5K is bulky and heavy. It is portable in the sense that it’s not permanently installed in one place, but it’s not the best choice if you want a solar generator you can easily move around and travel with. 


Top 3 Alternatives To The Hysolis Apollo 5K

1. Renogy Lycan 5000 Power Box - Cheaper Option for Off-grid/Home Backup 

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If you feel the Hysolis Apollo is out of your budget, consider the Renogy Lycan 5000. It’s a powerful solar generator that’s also great for home backup and off-grid power. 

The Lycan 5000 is around $700 cheaper. It has a capacity of 4800Wh, which is only slightly lower than the Apollo’s 5376Wh. 

You can add more Renogy 48V LiFePO4 batteries to expand the Lycan 5000 to 19.2kWh. It’s lower than the Apollo’s 48kWh max expandable capacity, but it’s still plenty enough to power your home for days. 

One thing we like about the Renogy expansion batteries is that they are cheaper. You can expand the Lycan 5000 on a budget. 

As for power output, the Renogy Lycan beats the Apollo 5K. It comes with a 3500W inverter capable of powering most household appliances. 

But the Lycan’s power output is not expandable. You only have 3500W to work with. The Renogy Lycan doesn't even offer a split phase 240V option. 

The Renogy Lycan 5000 has a pretty impressive charging performance. It accepts up to 4400W of solar power, more than the Apollo 5K. 

AC input from a wall outlet is 2400W. You can combine AC and solar to get 6800W and charge the Lycan 5000 to 80% in just one hour. 

The Lycan 5000 only has two outlets: a 20A and 30A AC outlet. It’s designed for connecting directly to a home grid rather than power appliances directly. 

If you are using it for home backup, connect it to an automatic transfer switch to use it as a UPS. 

2. Bluetti AC500 - Higher Power Output 

5000 watt solar generator

If you want more than 3000W of power without having to expand or get extra accessories, we recommend the Bluetti AC500 solar generator. 

It comes as a kit with a B300S battery module included. 

The Bluetti AC500 has a power output of 5000W, which is the highest we’ve seen in a solar generator so far. To get the same output from the Apollo 5K, you’d have to spend close to $10K on two units. 

With 5000W of output, you can power part of your home or your entire RV or boat. This makes the AC500 an excellent pick for off-grid or home backup. 

As for capacity, the B300S LiFePO4 battery has a 3072Wh capacity, much lower than the Apollo 5K. You can add more B300S modules to expand capacity to 18.4kWh. 

The AC500 has a split phase option that delivers up to 10,000W, 240V power. In that case, you can expand capacity to 36.8kWh. 

Charging performance for the Bluetti AC500 is great. It accepts up to 3000W solar power. AC charging is even faster at 4500W. 

Dual solar + AC charging is also available. 

3. EcoFlow Delta Pro - Smaller & Lighter Alternative 

5000 watt solar generator

If you are looking for a more portable solar generator that’s powerful enough for home backup or off-grid power, we recommend the EcoFlow Delta Pro

It weighs 99lbs. That’s still hefty, but it’s a lot more manageable than any of the above solar generators. It’s also ideal for smaller spaces like a tiny home, RV or campervan. 

The Delta Pro is also cheaper than any of the above options, making it a good budget pick. 

The Delta Pro comes with a 3600Wh LiFePO4 battery, which is expandable to 25kWh. So you can build up a lot of capacity to keep your home powered through prolonged emergencies. 

Power output is 3600W, which you can increase to 4500W by turning on X-Boost. The Delta Pro can easily power multiple appliances. 

As for charging, the Delta Pro’s max solar input is 1600W. That’s the lowest among the solar generators we’ve compared in this review, but it’s still fast enough to charge the Delta Pro in under four hours. 

The AC charger puts in 1800W to charge the Delta Pro in 2.7 hours.

You can also combine the two, charge the Delta Pro from any level 2 EV charging station, or charge it from the EcoFlow smart generator. 

Of all the solar generators we’ve discussed, the Delta Pro has the most charging options. 


Hysolis Apollo 5K Warranty 

All Hysolis solar generators come with a 2 year warranty, while the batteries inside have a 3-year warranty. 

We’ll see if Hysolis offers a longer warranty once they resume shipping the Apollo 5K. Both Bluetti and EcoFlow offer longer warranties for their large solar generators. 


Care & Maintenance

Solar generators are essentially zero maintenance and the Hysolis Apollo is no different. The most important thing is to operate and store it within the recommended temperature range.

Extreme temperatures will affect the performance and lifespan of the batteries. The recommended operating or storage temperatures are 4 to +122 F. So watch out where you set up or store the solar generator. 

Avoid keeping it in places like the garage where temperatures can get really high or very low. 

Also make sure it is not exposed to any elements. As we mentioned, it’s not clear whether the Apollo 5K has any weather resistance. And even if it did, it’s a bad idea to leave it out in the sun or rain.  

If you plan to store the Apollo solar generator for a long time, charge it before storage and recharge it every 3-6 months to prevent a deep discharge. 

That’s all you need to do. Because this is a LiFePO4 solar generator, expect it to last for 10 years or more with minimal care. 


Specifications

Weight:

132lbs

Size:

 23.1 x 14.7 x 18.6 in

Capacity: 

5376Wh

Expandable:

Yes (to 48kWh)

AC Output:

3000W continuous, 6000W surge pure sine wave inverter (expandable to 27kW continuous)

Outlets:

6xAC, 1x120V/25A, 3x12V, 1x12V/30A, 4xUSB

Max solar input:

 4000W

Battery chemistry:

 LiFePO4

Battery lifespan:

3500+ cycles to 80%

Operating temperature: 

-4℉-104℉


Where To Buy

You can pre-order the Hysolis Apollo 5K on their official website

About the Author David Roberts

I'm a Mechanical Engineer who's obsessed with solar energy and sustainable living.

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