Practical solar for real homes
Plain-English guides to power stations, plug-in solar and keeping the lights on when the grid goes down, with the math shown and no sales pitch.
Start here
The four guides that answer most questions.
Explore by topic
Pick where you are in your solar and backup-power journey.
Latest guides
Fresh, fully researched and regularly updated.
Can a Portable Power Station Run a Space Heater?
A power station with 1,800W+ output can run a 1,500W space heater, but a 1,000Wh battery only lasts about 30–40…
Best Portable Power Stations for Home Backup
Our picks for the best portable power stations for home backup, from 1kWh units for the fridge and Wi-Fi to 120/240V…
EcoFlow vs. Jackery vs. Bluetti: Which Power Station Brand Fits Your Home?
EcoFlow, Jackery and Bluetti (plus Anker SOLIX) all make solid LFP power stations, but they’re good at different…
Can a Power Station Run a Sump Pump? Battery Backup vs. Power Station
Yes, a power station can run most 1/3 to 1/2 HP sump pumps if it has enough output and surge capacity. Here’s how to…
How Long Will a Refrigerator Run on a Portable Power Station?
A typical full-size fridge runs about 10–14 hours on a 1,000Wh power station and roughly a day on 2,000Wh. Here’s how…
Is Balcony Solar Legal in Illinois? Current Status and What Renters Can Do Now
Plug-in balcony solar isn’t simple to set up in Illinois yet. Here’s where the state’s plug-in solar bill (SB 3104)…
Ready for the next outage?
Midwest storms and ice don’t wait. Our checklist covers what to do before, during and after an outage, from sump pumps to frozen pipes.
- Which appliances to back up first
- How long a fridge lasts on battery power
- Winter and summer outage safety
Hi, I’m Derek.
I’m a Chicago-area homeowner who got tired of solar sales pitches and conflicting forum advice. Sunalite is the straight-talking guide I wanted.