What do you need power for?
Pick the job. Each guide works out the size you need and the model that fits it.
Start with one number
A solar generator is sized by watt-hours (Wh), the energy it stores. A watt-hour is one watt used for one hour, so a 50-watt fan running 8 hours uses 400 Wh. Add up what you use in a day and you know the size you need.
| What you want to run | Typical daily use | Size to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Phones, laptop, lights | 150 to 300 Wh | about 300 Wh |
| A CPAP or 12-volt cooler on a weekend | about 800 to 1,300 Wh | about 1,000 Wh |
| Fridge, Wi-Fi and lights in an outage | about 2,000 to 2,700 Wh | 2,000 Wh and up |
| A cabin or tiny home | 2,300 to 6,000 Wh | about 5,000 to 12,000 Wh, plus panels |
Watts matter too, for a different reason. A unit's output in watts decides whether it can start a fridge, a pump or a coffee maker. Our best solar generator guide walks through the five numbers that decide it.
Where most people land
These are affiliate links to Jackery. Specs are Jackery's published ratings, checked October 29, 2026. Prices and stock change often, so confirm both on the product page.
Camping and CPAP: Explorer 1000 v2
1,070 Wh and 1,500 W at about 23.8 pounds. A CPAP night, a weekend of camp gear, or a short outage.
Check the Explorer 1000 v2One unit for most jobs: Explorer 2000 v2
2,042 Wh and 2,200 W at about 39.5 pounds. Runs a fridge for about a day and a half and still fits in the car.
Check the Explorer 2000 v2Home backup that grows: HomePower 2000 Plus v2
2,048 Wh and 2,400 W, expandable to 12 kWh with add-on battery packs.
Check the HomePower 2000 Plus v2See what a solar generator actually does
Two minutes on sizing, run time and which one fits the way you would use it.
How we write these guides
We are a Jackery affiliate based in East Texas, and we earn a commission when you buy through our links. We have not lab-tested these units. Our guides work from Jackery's published specs, government data such as the U.S. Energy Information Administration and the USDA, and typical appliance loads, and we list our sources on each page.
We would rather send you to the right size than the expensive one, and we say plainly what portable solar cannot do.
Common questions
What is a solar generator?
A portable battery with wall outlets, USB ports and a 12-volt socket built in, paired with folding solar panels to recharge it. It makes no fumes and almost no noise, so it can be used indoors.
What size do I need?
Phones and lights need about 300 Wh. A CPAP or a 12-volt cooler for a weekend needs about 1,000 Wh. A fridge, Wi-Fi and lights through a one-day outage need about 2,000 to 3,000 Wh.
Do you test these products?
No. Our guides work from Jackery's published specs, government data and typical appliance loads. We say that plainly so you can weigh our advice accordingly.