Solar Power Backup Systems for Homes: How to Choose a Kit
A home backup solar kit keeps the fridge, well pump, furnace fan, internet and lights running when the utility drops, and recharges from panels instead of gasoline. Solar power backup systems for homes come in two tiers: a plug-in power station with a solar panel for short outages and a few circuits, or a wired 48V system with a split-phase inverter, lithium battery bank and roof or ground panels for days of independence.
This collection holds 233 products from Sungold Power, EG4, Anker, Bluetti and BigBattery. Entry points start at from $899 for a 2,600W Bluetti Elite 200 V2 and run to from $15,725 for a 16,000W Sungold Power system with 25.6kWh of storage and 32 panels.
How to choose a home backup solar kit
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Which circuits must stay on. List them and add the watts. A fridge, lights, router and a furnace fan sit under 1,500W; add a well pump or central air and you are past 5,000W. The Sungold Power 5,000W Kit SGM-5K5E covers essentials; the Sungold Power 8,000W Kit SGR-8K10E handles the heavier list.
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120V or 120/240V. Well pumps, dryers and central AC are 240V. The SGR-8K10E and SGR-6510E are 120V/240V; the SGM-5K5E and SGM-5K10M are 120V only, which is fine for lights, fridge and outlets.
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Hours of storage. 5.12kWh runs a lean essentials load overnight. 10.24kWh, as in the Sungold Power 5,000W Kit with 10.24kWh SGM-5K10M, gets most homes through a full day. The EG4 PowerPro 12kW 28.7kWh System is built for multi-day outages.
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Panel wattage to refill. Eight 415W panels (3,320W) recharge 10.24kWh in a sunny day; six 200W panels (1,200W) will not. Match panel wattage to the battery you chose.
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Grid-tied or off-grid. The EG4 WallMount 16kWh + FlexBOSS21 is a grid-tied system that also backs up; the Sungold Power kits are off-grid units that accept grid or generator power for charging.
Popular picks in this collection
| Product |
Key numbers |
Best for |
Price from |
| Bluetti Elite 200 V2 |
2,600W, 2,073.6Wh, 53.4 lb |
Apartments, short outages, no wiring |
$899 |
| Anker SOLIX F3800 + PS400 400W Panel |
6,000W, 3,840Wh, plug-in home backup |
240V loads without an electrician |
$2,600 |
| Sungold Power SGM-5K5E |
5,000W, 5.12kWh, 6 x 200W |
Essentials for a small home or cabin |
$3,145 |
| Sungold Power SGR-8K10E |
8,000W, 120/240V, 10.24kWh, 8 x 415W |
Whole-home backup with a well pump |
$5,518 |
Sizing tips
- Run the Solar Kit Calculator with your must-run appliances and ZIP code. It sizes the battery, inverter and panel array for your sun hours, which is the fastest way to decide between a 5.12kWh and a 10.24kWh kit.
- Check the starting surge of motors. A well pump or AC compressor draws several times its running watts for a moment; size the inverter with headroom rather than to the nameplate.
- A wired 48V kit needs a transfer switch or critical-loads panel and, in most jurisdictions, an electrician and a permit. Budget for both.
- Plan the panel location before ordering. Eight 415W panels need a sizeable stretch of unshaded roof or a ground rack; walk the site first.
- If storage is the limiting factor, add a battery rather than a whole kit. The Sungold Power 5.12kWh Powerwall Battery from $1,130 extends any Sungold Power kit here.
- Winter output is lower. A solar backup system for home use in the northern states should carry more battery, not just more panels.
Frequently asked questions
Will a solar backup power kit run my whole house? A 12,000W to 16,000W system with 25kWh or more can. Most buyers instead back up a critical-loads panel with a 5,000 to 8,000W kit and leave the electric range and dryer off during an outage.
Do I need an electrician? For the Bluetti and Anker power stations, no; they plug in. For any 48V wired kit with a split-phase inverter, yes.
Can I add a generator? Yes. The Sungold Power inverters and the HUSKY 2 + Victron MultiPlus-II 5000W kit accept generator input to charge the battery when the sun is not enough.
All solar home backup systems ship free to the mainland US from our brand partner warehouses, usually within a few business days, with 30-day returns. Call us with your circuit list and we will help you pick the right size before you commit.
