About Sunalite

Table of Contents

Practical solar and backup power guides for regular homeowners and renters.

Sunalite answers the questions real households actually have, like “what size power station do I need?”, “will it run my sump pump?” and “is solar worth it where I live?”, in plain English, with the math shown and no sales pitch.

Why this site exists

Hi, I’m Derek. I live in the Chicago area, where summer storms knock out power, basements flood when sump pumps stop, and winter outages turn into a race against frozen pipes.

When I started researching power stations, plug-in solar and rooftop panels, I kept finding two kinds of information: sales pages from companies trying to sell me something, and forums full of conflicting advice. Sunalite is the resource I wanted, built for real homes rather than off-grid cabins or solar installers.

A modern suburban home at dusk, beautifully lit with exterior lights.

What you’ll find here

Power StationsSizing, run times and honest comparisons of portable power stations.Backup PowerKeeping the fridge, sump pump, furnace and Wi-Fi going during outages.Plug-In SolarBalcony and portable solar: how it works, where it’s legal, what it saves.Solar SavingsIncentives, payback math and net metering for Illinois and the Midwest.

How we work

Primary sources firstManufacturer specs, utilities, state agencies and legislatures, the USDA and published testing, linked so you can check them.

The math, shownEvery run time, size and savings estimate includes the formula and assumptions, so you can plug in your own numbers.

Honest about testingWhen we’ve personally used something, we say so. When a pick is based on specs and published reviews, we say that too.

Read the full editorial policy.

How Sunalite is funded. Sunalite is reader-supported. Some articles contain affiliate links, and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We may also show ads. Neither ever changes what we recommend. Details are in our affiliate disclosure.

Have a question or a correction?

I read every message. Solar rules, incentives and product lineups change fast, so tips are always welcome.

Get in touch

Safety note: Sunalite provides general information only. Anything involving your home’s electrical system, such as transfer switches, inlets and interconnection, should be handled by a licensed electrician.