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How to Buy a Portable Solar Generator

How to · Tech

How to Buy a Portable Solar Generator

Get off-grid power for camping without buying twice. Here is the straightforward way to time your gear purchase.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $900 before anything else
Across the 0% window $50.00/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $900 spread evenly across the 18-month introductory window on the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

A good portable solar generator keeps your fridge cold and your gear charged for years, so you want to buy the right capacity the first time. We are looking at a typical cost of about $900 for a reliable setup that handles weekend trips without breaking a sweat.

Spring gear sales are the sweet spot for this purchase. Outdoor brands drop prices right before camping season hits, and you can often grab last year's model at a discount because newer versions with minor updates just dropped.

That 18-month window is a deadline, not free money. If you still have a balance left when the intro period ends, the remaining amount gets hit with regular interest.

The steps

  1. 01

    Pick your capacity

    Add up the wattage of what you actually plug in, like phones, lights, and a cooler. A 500 to 1000-watt-hour unit hits the sweet spot for most weekend car camping without weighing a ton.

  2. 02

    Time the spring drop

    Wait for major outdoor and tech retailers to clear inventory in the spring. Last year's battery models perform nearly identical to the new ones but cost noticeably less.

  3. 03

    Map your monthly payments

    If you are breaking up the $900 cost, look at what it takes to clear the balance over time. Spreading it evenly comes out to about $50.00 per month.

  4. 04

    Check the card terms

    If you are using the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card, you get 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening to spread out the cost.

  5. 05

    Test everything at home

    Do not wait until you are at the campsite to unpack the box. Charge it fully from the wall, test the solar panels in your yard, and make sure all the ports work.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card carries the date a person verified it against Citi and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Citi Simplicity® Credit Card terms →

Common questions

How many watts do I actually need for camping?

For weekend trips running phones, LED lights, and a small electric cooler, a 500 to 1000-watt-hour generator is usually enough. If you plan to run heavy heating elements or coffee makers, you will need something much bigger.

Can I leave the solar panels outside in the rain?

Most portable panels have some level of water resistance for light splashes, but they are generally not waterproof. You should bring them in during heavy downpours to avoid ruining the connections.

Do I need to buy the solar panels separately?

Some brands sell the power station and panels as a kit, while others sell them separately. Always check the listing carefully so you do not end up with just the battery and no way to charge it off-grid.

How long will the battery last before it stops holding a charge?

Quality lithium iron phosphate batteries usually last for thousands of charge cycles before dropping below eighty percent capacity. That translates to many years of normal weekend use if you store it properly in the off-season.