How many solar watts to recharge a power station?
To refill a station in one day, divide its capacity by the peak sun hours you get, then allow for real-world losses. Panels rarely make their rated power; about 75% is a fair planning figure once heat, angle and charging losses are counted.
Panel watts ≈ capacity ÷ (peak sun hours × 0.75)
Panel watts for a full recharge in one day
| Station | 3 sun hours | 4 sun hours | 5 sun hours | 6 sun hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 Wh | 230 W | 170 W | 140 W | 120 W |
| 1,000 Wh | 450 W | 340 W | 270 W | 230 W |
| 1,500 Wh | 670 W | 500 W | 400 W | 340 W |
| 2,000 Wh | 890 W | 670 W | 540 W | 450 W |
Peak sun hours
A peak sun hour is one hour of full-strength sunlight. Most of the US gets about 3 to 6 a day depending on season and location, with winter and cloudy regions at the low end. Plan with your worst month, not the average.
Check the station’s solar input
Every station caps how many solar watts it accepts, commonly somewhere between 200 and 1200 W, and the voltage range of the panels. Panels beyond that limit add nothing. Both figures are on the station’s spec sheet.
See portable solar panels on Amazon
Figures assume 85% efficiency on AC and typical draws. The label on your appliance, or a plug-in power meter, gives the exact number; enter it in the calculator.