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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Solar generators can help during weather emergencies.
- Prepare your setup before an emergency hits.
- Severe weather events are becoming more common.
Solar-powered generators are growing in popularity. More and more households have started using them for a wide range of purposes — from cutting electricity costs through solar energy to building a dependable power supply that can handle the rising frequency of severe weather emergencies we now face.
Recently, I came across reports suggesting that a strong El Niño event could affect us this year.
Also: How I boosted my portable solar panels’ power by up to 30% – 11 expert-approved tips
However, power stations can carry hidden dangers that may not be clear to their owners. These problems can emerge during an emergency, making an already bad situation worse.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through essential preparation steps to get your solar generator ready for extreme weather events. I’ve worked with solar generators for years — from compact setups used in remote, off-grid locations all the way to larger systems capable of keeping a home running for days.
Also: Considering plug-in solar? My expert advice after setting up the DIY energy tech at home
Beyond that, I’ve spent my whole life as a dedicated hiker, bushcrafter, and outdoor enthusiast. I’ve completed numerous survival-related training courses, covering everything from first aid and map navigation to urban emergency preparedness and the UK version of SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape), known in Europe as Survive, Evade, Resist, Extract.
What emergency are you most likely to face?
The first step is understanding the specific type of emergency you might encounter, as this shapes your entire approach. Unfortunately, depending on your location, there’s no shortage of possibilities:
- Midwest and Plains: Tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and floods.
- Southeast and Gulf Coast: Hurricanes, tropical storms, and flooding.
- West: Wildfires, prolonged droughts, and sporadic winter storms.
- Northeast: Heavy winter storms, blizzards, and occasional hurricanes.
- Coastal Regions: Hurricanes, storm surges, and steadily rising sea levels.
Understand what your gear can and can’t handle
Power stations are generally quite reliable devices. I’ve spent countless hours with one rattling around in the bed of a truck or tucked beside my sleeping bag in a tent slowly collecting rainwater. But never forget: these are containers packed with large lithium-ion batteries capable of delivering thousands of watts of potentially fatal AC current.
Also: I built my own Wi-Fi router with a Raspberry Pi for Starlink and solar control – here’s how
Power stations are engineered to perform best at room temperature — between 68°F and 77°F (20°C to 25°C) — but can typically charge at temperatures from 32°F (0°C) to 95°F (35°C) and discharge between 14°F (-10°C) and 104°F (40°C). When it comes to moisture, this is where the real danger lies. Treat a power station with the same caution you’d give any electrical outlet or extension cord. They generally tolerate humidity between 0% and 60% during use, and up to 80% in storage.
They also handle water poorly. Unless the unit is specifically built to resist moisture, any exposure to rain, spills, or flooding can damage internal parts and pose a genuine safety risk.
The Bluetti AC60P could handle some serious downpours!
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
But that’s not the only threat to keep in mind.
Fire is a major concern, and absolutely worth considering. That said, debating whether your power station uses lithium-ion or the more stable lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) cells becomes largely irrelevant when a wildfire is bearing down on your property.
Also: Is plug-in solar legal in your state? How to check before setting one up at home
Wind is another serious danger. Strong gusts can rip solar panels off rooftops or balconies, snap cables, and send 100-pound power stations flying through the air like projectiles.
Steps to take before an emergency strikes
Every situation is unique, but here are the key factors I recommend considering:
- Store your power station as cool and dry as possible. Some people keep them inside the house, others in garages or workshops, and some place them in a small outdoor shed. Elevating the unit a couple of feet off the ground is wise in flood-prone areas, while placing it upstairs or in an attic exposes it to major flooding risks. In hot climates, keep it out of direct sunlight.
- Ensure that any solar panels you own are securely mounted, even if you have a basic solar generator or plug-in solar arrangement. High winds can damage panels and wiring, and gusts at 50 mph can launch them into the air like dangerous projectiles that threaten both property and personal safety.
Also: The solar-powered backup station I trust after years of testing – and why it works so well
- If your power station is larger than the compact portable models, think about getting a dolly or wheeled cart to make transporting it easier. I’m actually planning to weld together a custom cart for my Tower of Power setup to improve its mobility.
Using wheels makes hauling a heavy unit far easier!
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
- If you live in a region where power outages can stretch on for days or longer, you may want to pair your solar generator with a propane or gas-powered generator for a tougher, longer-lasting backup solution. Be sure you know how to operate it safely beforehand.
- Think about investing in a protective cover for your power station. It can shield the unit from debris, dust, and water splashes. There are even covers designed for outdoor use cases.
- If there’s any indication that an emergency could be days away, make sure your power station is fully charged — use wall outlet power if necessary — and consider storing away any solar panels. When in doubt, play it safe
- Use caution, and if the emergency never actually occurs, think back on what you handled during a trial run.
Also: Avoid these 8 solar mistakes that cut your power output in half – I learned the hard way
Tip: It’s a smart move to store your important documents in a secure place. I recommend using a waterproof/fireproof lockbox or safe, since replacing lost documents can be a real hassle.
What Happens During an Emergency
Alright, the situation is becoming serious. Your preparations are complete, and it’s now time to increase your readiness. Here’s what my plan of action would be:
- Use any available time to fully charge your power station and all your devices.
- Tune into local weather and news updates. Stay alert for any evacuation warnings. Try to understand how long the main part of the emergency might last. For wildfires, pay close attention to wind direction, and for flooding, consider moving important items – including your power station and other electronics – from the ground floor to a higher level.
- Once the charging is complete (or the weather emergency is approaching), disconnect the power station from the mains power (this protects it against power surges and lightning strikes).
- Don’t drain your power station’s reserves unnecessarily. Focus on essentials such as refrigerators, medical devices, communication tools (smartphones, radios), and lighting.
- Pay attention to any instructions provided by local authorities or emergency services.
- Remember that once the emergency is over, the risks are not. Flooding, building damage, overflowing sewers, downed power lines, and broken gas mains are just some of the dangers that might follow a weather emergency.
And After the Emergency?
Congratulations, you survived.
Now there are two possible scenarios ahead.
The best outcome is that the emergency has passed, and things are pretty much back to normal, or close to it, with just a bit of cleanup to handle. You can expect things to get back to normal quite quickly.
Also: I spent two years testing wind power at home – here’s why solar is still my preferred source
The other possibility is that the primary emergency has passed, but it’s left secondary chaos in its wake, which could take days, weeks, or more to resolve, depending on the scale of the damage.
Get the solar panels working as soon as it’s safe to do so.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
If your property is mostly undamaged, but AC power isn’t flowing from the outlet, you need to think about maintaining the power station’s reserves. Focus on conserving power, prioritizing essentials. Also, you need to start thinking about recharging the batteries, either by getting the solar panels operational again or starting up the generator.
And if you are using the generator, fuel might be limited, so use it judiciously to recharge batteries.
