🔆 Solar Recharge Reality Check

What a 100W or 200W panel can actually do during a power outage — and what it can’t.

Solar panels are useful tools — but most outages expose unrealistic expectations. This guide shows the math, not the marketing.

The biggest myth

Many people assume that adding a solar panel means their battery will “keep recharging all day.” In reality, solar output is limited by sunlight hours, angle, weather, season, and charge controller losses.

What a 100W panel really produces

Best-case solar window: ~4–5 hours/day
100W × 5 hours = ~500Wh/day
Realistic after losses: 300–400Wh/day

That’s enough for phones, lights, Wi-Fi — not refrigerators or space heaters.

What about a 200W panel?

200W × 5 hours = ~1,000Wh/day
Realistic after losses: 600–800Wh/day

Still not “run everything” power — but useful when paired with load discipline.

🔢 Run the numbers for your setup

Use the calculator to estimate daily solar Wh (with losses), net gains after loads, and time-to-full.

Open the Solar Recharge Calculator →

Why outages make solar harder

☁️ Cloud cover reduces output dramatically

❄️ Winter sun = fewer charge hours

🏠 Panels often can’t be roof-mounted during outages

🔌 Many power stations cap solar input

Quick Reality Check Quiz

1) A 100W panel will recharge a 1,000Wh battery in one sunny day. False True

2) Solar output is the same year-round. False True

3) Solar works best when paired with load discipline. True False

Recommended Solar Gear (Realistic Picks)

100W Folding Solar Panel Reliable trickle charging for phones, lights, and small power stations.

View 100W Solar Panel →

200W Portable Solar Panel Faster recharge for mid-size power stations when sun is available.

View 200W Solar Panel →

Power Station (500–1,000Wh) A realistic match for 100–200W solar input during outages.

View 1,000Wh Power Station →

MC4 Extension Cables (10AWG) Lets you place panels farther from shade and obstructions.

View MC4 Extension Cables →