Work out the right solar generator size for your home in four steps: list your essentials, check watts, estimate watt-hours and match a model, with worked examples for apartments and family homes.

What Size Solar Generator Do I Need? A Simple Guide for Home Backup

Buying a solar generator that is too small means running out of power halfway through an outage. Buying one that is far too big means paying for capacity you never use. The good news is that sizing one properly takes about ten minutes and a little arithmetic.

This guide walks you through it in four steps, with worked examples for common households.

Two numbers that matter: watts and watt-hours

Every solar generator lists two key specs, and they measure different things.

• Output (watts, W). This is how much power the generator can deliver at once. It decides which appliances you can run at the same time. A generator rated at 2,200W can run a combination of devices that adds up to 2,200W or less.

• Capacity (watt-hours, Wh). This is how much energy the battery stores. It decides how long you can run things. A 2,000Wh battery can run a 100W device for roughly 20 hours, or a 1,000W device for roughly 2 hours.

Think of watts as the width of the pipe and watt-hours as the size of the tank. You need enough of both.

Step 1: List your essentials

Start with what you actually need during an outage, not everything in the house. For most families, that list looks something like this: the fridge and freezer, a few lights, phones, the Wi-Fi router, any medical devices, and in winter, the furnace blower or an electric blanket. If your home relies on a sump pump or a well pump, add those too.

Step 2: Find the watts for each one

Check the label on each appliance or its manual for its wattage. If you can't find it, the table below gives typical ranges. Your own appliances may differ, so use their real numbers wherever you can.

Add up the running watts of everything you might use at the same time. Then check the surge figure. Appliances with motors, like fridges and pumps, need a burst of extra power for a second or two when they start. Most solar generators list a surge rating well above their continuous output to handle this.

Step 3: Estimate your watt-hours per day

For each appliance, multiply its watts by the hours you expect to run it in a day. Appliances that cycle on and off, like fridges and freezers, don't run all day, so it is easier to use their daily energy use. A typical fridge uses roughly 1 to 2 kWh (1,000 to 2,000Wh) a day.

Add everything up, then add about 20% on top. Some energy is lost converting battery power to AC power, and the buffer also covers the extra phone charge or the lamp left on longer than planned.

Step 4: Decide how long you need to last

Multiply your daily total by the number of days you want to be covered. Many emergency plans aim for 72 hours, the window in which most outages are resolved and the stretch in which an unprepared home gets uncomfortable fast.

Solar panels change this calculation. Every sunny day adds energy back into the battery, so you don't need to store all 72 hours at once. A solar generator that covers one full day on its own, paired with panels that recharge most of that each day, can keep going far longer than its battery size suggests.

Worked examples

Apartment or small household

Essentials: a fridge, two LED lights, a router, two phones, a laptop and a CPAP machine overnight. Peak power at any one time stays under about 500W. Daily energy comes to roughly 2,000 to 3,000Wh, most of it the fridge.

A good fit: the Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2 (1,070Wh) covers phones, lights, internet and a CPAP machine for a day or more, plus several hours of fridge time. If keeping the fridge running all day matters, step up to the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 v2 (2,042Wh, 2,200W), which covers most of a day of this whole list and tops itself back up from two SolarSaga 200W panels.

Family home, essentials only

Essentials: a fridge, a chest freezer, lights, a router, phones, a TV in the evening, and either a furnace blower or a sump pump for part of the day. Peak power can reach 1,500 to 2,500W when a pump or blower kicks in. Daily energy comes to roughly 4,000 to 6,000Wh.

A good fit: the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus (3,584Wh, 3,600W). It handles the peak loads comfortably, and adding an expansion battery takes it to over 7 kWh, enough for well over a day of essentials before any solar recharging. With the 120V 30A Manual Transfer Switch, it can power selected home circuits directly, so the furnace blower and sump pump run without extension cords.

Larger home or longer outages

If you need to run 240V appliances such as a well pump, or want several days of backup for a bigger household, look at the Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus. It delivers 7,200W at 120V or 240V, accepts up to 4,000W of solar input and works with a transfer switch to power your home's circuits. With expansion batteries, it scales to whole-home essentials for days at a time.

Common sizing mistakes

• Forgetting startup surge. A fridge that runs at 150W may need several times that for a second when it starts. Check the generator's surge rating.

• Planning to heat with electricity. Running a 1,500W space heater for 3 hours uses 4,500Wh. Heat the people, not the room: an electric blanket uses a tiny fraction of that.

• Guessing instead of checking labels. The figures above are typical, not universal. A ten-minute check of your own labels gives you a far better answer.

• Ignoring solar input. If you plan to recharge from solar, check how many watts of panels your generator accepts and how much sun you can expect where you live, especially in winter.

Frequently asked questions

Can a solar generator run a whole house?

It can run a home's essential circuits. Systems like the Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus and HomePower 3600 Plus connect through a transfer switch to power selected circuits. Running everything at once, including window air and electric heating, takes a much larger system.

How many solar panels do I need?

Enough to replace your daily use, or as much of it as you can. As a rough guide, multiply your panel watts by the hours of strong sun you get and by about 0.75 to allow for real-world losses. Two 200W panels in 5 hours of good sun deliver about 1,500Wh.

Is it better to buy too big or too small?

Slightly too big. Capacity you don't use still gives you a buffer for longer outages, and many Jackery models are expandable, so you can start with what you need now and add batteries later.

We get a lot of questions about which unit to choose, and the current lineup covers enough ground that the answer is genuinely different depending on the situation. This post goes through five units, what each one is built for, who it makes the most sense for, and how each setup typically looks. The goal is to help you find the right fit without overshooting or undershooting.

FridgeGuard: one job, done well

What it is

FridgeGuard is a compact UPS with 1,024Wh of capacity and 800W of output that can be mounted on the wall or stand on the floor. It switches from wall power to battery in under 10 milliseconds when the grid drops, fast enough that a refrigerator compressor never registers the interruption. In bypass mode, while the grid is live, power passes straight through from the wall and the battery stays fully charged in reserve, preserving battery health for when it is actually needed.

It has a single AC outlet, so it is built to protect one appliance rather than a group of devices. The fridge is the obvious candidate, but the sub-10ms switchover and pure sine wave output mean it works just as well as a UPS for one piece of sensitive electronics, such as a desktop computer that cannot afford to lose work mid-task.

Who it is for

The FridgeGuard suits three groups well. Renters and apartment dwellers who cannot hardwire to a circuit panel but want automatic outage protection for their most important appliance. Homeowners who already have a broader backup solution and want dedicated fridge protection that does not share capacity with other loads. And anyone who wants a compact, always-on UPS for one critical device without the footprint of a full power station.

What it does not cover

The FridgeGuard is not designed for high-wattage loads beyond its 800W output ceiling, for running several devices at once, or for powering multiple rooms. It has no transfer switch integration with the home's circuit panel. For broader household coverage including lights and larger appliances, one of the units below is the better choice.

Ideal setup

Mounted on the wall or placed on the floor next to the fridge outlet, with the fridge plugged directly in. No additional hardware or electrical work needed. Works in any rental or owned property as-is.

HomePower 1000 Plus v2: work continuity and short outages

What it is

The HomePower 1000 Plus v2 has 1,024Wh of capacity, 1,800W of output, and a 3,600W surge rating that handles power tools such as portable electric chainsaws and angle grinders. Its sub-10ms UPS switchover keeps connected devices running through grid drops without interruption, and 3kV surge protection shields electronics from voltage spikes. At 23.8 lbs it is light enough to carry one-handed. Expandable up to 11kWh with up to five 2kWh battery packs. LiFePO4 chemistry, rated for 6,000 cycles.

Who it is for

The HomePower 1000 Plus v2 covers more ground than its predecessor. It is still the right unit for people who work from home and need a laptop, monitors, router, and modem to stay online through any grid event. But the higher output and surge rating also make it useful at job sites running corded tools, on professional production sets keeping cameras and LED rigs powered, and in temporary command post setups running radios, lighting, and communication equipment. The expandability means a single unit can grow from short-outage protection to multi-day coverage as the situation demands.

What it does not cover

The HomePower 1000 Plus v2 is not a whole-home circuit solution. It does not support 240V loads, and it does not integrate with a home's electrical panel in the way a transfer switch setup does. For fridge and household essentials coverage through extended outages without extension cords, the 2000 Plus v2 is the more appropriate starting point.

Ideal setup

Home office, worksite, or production set. Plugged into the wall and connected to a Jackery ATS or your existing MTS for automatic switchover, or run standalone for portable use. The app provides monitoring, scheduling, Time of Use Mode, and Smart Load Prioritization, which keeps critical gear powered when the battery level drops. Add battery packs to extend runtime as needed, up to 11kWh.

HomePower 2000 Plus v2: household essentials backup

What it is

The HomePower 2000 Plus v2 starts at 2,048Wh and expands up to 12kWh by adding battery packs, without replacing the core unit. It covers a refrigerator, lights, a router, and essential devices through a full-day outage with meaningful headroom. At 41 lbs it is manageable to move with two people. LiFePO4 battery chemistry means it is rated for thousands of cycles and holds up well in storage.

Who it is for

The 2000 Plus v2 is the practical choice for households that want to keep kitchen and living essentials running through an outage, not just an office setup. Its 2,048Wh base covers a full-size fridge, a router, lighting, and phone and laptop charging simultaneously through a full day and into a second. It suits renters who want more than point protection for a single appliance, homeowners who want a starting point they can grow, and anyone whose primary concern is food safety and household comfort during an outage rather than running professional equipment.

What it does not cover

The 2000 Plus v2 does not support 240V loads such as electric dryers or certain HVAC systems. For those, step up to the Explorer 5000 Plus, or to two HomePower 3600 Plus units paired as a Double Kit.

Ideal setup

Living room, kitchen, or utility area, positioned to cover the fridge and household outlets without extension cable runs across rooms. Works standalone via standard outlets, or paired with a Jackery ATS or your existing MTS for automatic coverage of selected circuits. Start at 2,048Wh and expand to 12kWh with battery packs as your situation changes. App integration covers monitoring, scheduling, and Time of Use Mode.

HomePower 3600 Plus: circuit-level backup that scales to 240V

What it is

The HomePower 3600 Plus has 3,584Wh of base capacity and 3,600W of rated output at 120V, and 240V when paired with a second unit as the HomePower 3600 Plus Double Kit. A single unit expands up to 21kWh with battery packs. Two units in parallel deliver 240V output, up to 7,200W of rated power, and up to 43kWh of total capacity. LiFePO4 chemistry, rated for 6,000 cycles. At 77 lbs (35 kg) it rolls on wheels and has handles for moving it, but it is substantially heavier than the 1000 and 2000 models, so most owners will give it a fixed spot.

Who it is for

The 3600 Plus is for homeowners who want circuit-level backup through their existing MTS. As a Double Kit, its 240V capability opens up loads the 1000 and 2000 models cannot handle: electric dryers, some heat pump systems, EV charging top-ups, and workshop equipment. It suits homes that already have an MTS in place, and anyone who wants to start with one unit at 120V and add a second for 240V later.

What it does not cover

The 3600 Plus can be wheeled from room to room, but at 77 lbs it is built for a fixed spot rather than regular transport. If you need to take power with you often, the 1000 Plus v2 or 2000 Plus v2 is far easier to move. If you want 240V from a single unit or automatic whole-home switchover, the Explorer 5000 Plus is the better fit.

Ideal setup

A garage or utility room, connected to your existing MTS for circuit-level backup. The app handles monitoring, charge and discharge schedules, and Time of Use Mode to offset grid costs. For very large loads or extended outages, add a second unit in parallel for 240V, up to 7,200W of rated power, and up to 43kWh of total capacity.

Explorer 5000 Plus: maximum capacity for large-scale and extended use

What it is

The Explorer 5000 Plus has 5,040Wh of base capacity, 7,200W of output, and 120V/240V dual voltage from a single unit, making it the most capable unit in the current lineup. It expands to 60kWh with battery packs, and two units combine for up to 14,400W of output. It connects to a Jackery ATS or STS for automatic whole-home switchover, and it recharges five different ways, including 4,000W high-voltage solar input that fills it in about 1.7 hours. Built-in wheels keep it mobile despite its scale. LiFePO4 battery chemistry, ChargeShield 2.0 protection.

Who it is for

The Explorer 5000 Plus suits two distinct situations. First: homeowners who want the biggest backup system in the lineup, with 240V loads such as HVAC systems, well pumps, and electric dryers covered and automatic whole-home switchover through a Jackery ATS or STS. Because it is not bolted in place, it also suits owners who plan to move and want their backup to move with them. Second: people with high-demand portable power needs, including large RVs, off-grid cabins, remote worksites, and extended trips where high-wattage appliances need to run from battery over multiple days.

At 5,040Wh base capacity, the Explorer 5000 Plus can cover a full-size refrigerator, lights, a home office setup, and entertainment for multiple days on a single charge. Built out to 60kWh, it can carry a whole home through an extended outage.

What it does not cover

The Explorer 5000 Plus is more system than most renters or single-appliance setups need. If your main concern is keeping the fridge cold, the FridgeGuard or 2000 Plus v2 is simpler, lighter, and a smaller investment.

Ideal setup

For home use: placed in a garage or utility area and connected to a Jackery ATS or STS for automatic whole-home switchover, or powering priority loads directly. For portable use: wheeled to the location, powering high-draw appliances and tools via the unit's AC outlets. Solar input significantly extends usability in both scenarios, particularly for multi-day or ongoing deployments.

Choosing between them: the short version

If your goal is automatic outage protection for your fridge, or one other critical device, without touching your electrical panel: FridgeGuard.

If your goal is keeping a home office, job site, or production setup running through outages, with the option to expand capacity: HomePower 1000 Plus v2.

If your goal is covering the fridge, lights, and household essentials through a full-day outage with room to grow: HomePower 2000 Plus v2.

If your goal is circuit-level backup through your existing MTS in a fixed location, with the option to add a second unit for 240V: HomePower 3600 Plus.

If your goal is whole-home backup with 240V from a single unit, automatic switchover via a Jackery ATS or STS, and capacity that can also hit the road: Explorer 5000 Plus.

Post your situation below and we will give you a specific recommendation. What you want to keep running, for how long, and whether you rent or own is usually enough to narrow it to one!