Solar Generator for Home Backup
Which essential loads should a solar generator cover during an outage? A ~1.5–2 kWh station keeps a fridge, lights, router and CPAP alive; a sump pump changes the math.
Bottom line
Outage planning is event-driven: demand has a dual peak — hurricane/heat season (Jun–Sep) and winter storms (Dec–Jan), per Google Trends (five-year pattern). Review demand quarterly, not weekly. Model your exact loads in the size calculator.
Essential load list
| Load | Power | Daily use | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator (home, compressor) | 150 W | ≈ 1.5 kWh/day | Typical label (illustrative) |
| LED lights (set) | 50 W | 4 h | Typical label (illustrative) |
| WiFi router + modem | 15 W | 24 h | Typical label (illustrative) |
| CPAP (heated) | 53 W | 8 h | ResMed official typical — see CPAP guide |
| Sump pump | 800 W (startup ~1,200 W) | as needed | Typical label (illustrative) — changes sizing |
Sizing guidance
Essentials only
With sump pump
Generator pairing
Frequently asked questions
What size solar generator do I need for home backup?
For essentials — refrigerator, lights, router, CPAP — budget ~1.5–2 kWh per day and a station of roughly 2,000–2,500 Wh with 400W of solar. Add 1–2 kWh if you must run a sump pump.
How long will a 2kWh station run a refrigerator?
A typical home fridge draws ~150 W at label but cycles — roughly 1.5 kWh/day. A 2,000 Wh station (1,700 Wh usable) covers the fridge for about a day plus lights and router.
Should I plan backup power by outage season?
Yes — demand is event-driven with a dual-peak pattern (Google Trends): hurricane/heat season Jun–Sep and winter storms Dec–Jan. Evaluate the plan quarterly, not on a weekly baseline.
Do I need a special inverter for a sump pump?
A sump pump starts at ~1,200 W vs 800 W running. Inverter selection uses max(largest load × 1.25, actual surge) — the pump's startup decides the inverter size.