In this guide
Short answer: buy a plug-in solar kit if you want to cut your electricity bill and your state allows it. Buy a portable power station with a panel if you want backup in outages, live in a state without a plug-in law or need something you can take camping. A plug-in kit saves 5 to 10 times more; a power station works when the grid is down.
Side by side
| Plug-in solar kit | Power station + panel | |
|---|---|---|
| How it connects | Feeds your home through a wall outlet | You plug devices into the battery |
| Typical savings | $60 to $300 a year | $10 to $40 a year |
| Works in a blackout | No (shuts off by law) | Yes |
| Needs a state law or utility approval | Yes | No |
| Typical cost | $600 to $2,000 | $500 to $2,500 with a panel |
| Portable | Movable, but stays put | Yes: camping, RV, home office |
| Effort | None after setup | Daily: plug things into it |
Why plug-in solar saves so much more
A plug-in kit's power goes into your home's wiring, so the fridge, router, TV and every other running appliance uses it automatically, all day. Nothing is wasted as long as your home's draw is above the kit's output.
A power station only saves the electricity of what you plug into it, and only until its battery is full. On a sunny day, a 400 W panel can fill a 1 kWh station by early afternoon; after that the panel's output is wasted unless you move loads onto it. In practice most owners save a few dollars a month. See how much balcony solar saves.
Why a power station wins in outages
Every plug-in solar law requires the kit to stop feeding power when the grid goes down, so line workers aren't hurt. A grid-tied kit without a battery therefore produces nothing during a blackout, even on a sunny day. A power station keeps running its own outlets: a fridge for several hours, a CPAP overnight, phones and lights for days. Read does balcony solar work in an outage?
Never connect a power station or generator to a wall outlet with a male-to-male cord to "back-feed" your home. It can electrocute utility workers and start fires. Use the station's own outlets, or have an electrician install a transfer switch or inlet.
Legality
A power station with a panel never connects to the grid, so it's legal in every state with no paperwork. A grid-tied plug-in kit is only legal without approval where a state law allows it; elsewhere you need your utility's permission. Check the 50-state map.
Hybrid options
- Plug-in batteries like EcoFlow's STREAM Ultra store solar and feed your home through an outlet; some models add a separate backup outlet. See plug-in solar with a battery.
- Both: a plug-in kit for savings and a small power station charged from the wall for outages. Many households end up here.
Which to choose
- Your state has a plug-in law and you want savings: plug-in kit.
- No law in your state: power station now; plug-in kit when the law passes.
- Frequent outages or medical devices: power station first.
- You move often or camp: power station.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between plug-in solar and a solar generator?
A plug-in solar kit feeds power into your home's wiring through an outlet, so every appliance uses it and your bill drops. A solar generator (portable power station plus panel) stores power in a battery, and you plug appliances into the battery. It doesn't feed your home's wiring.
Which saves more money?
Plug-in solar, by far. An 800 W kit can save $100 to $250 a year in many states. A power station only saves what you manually run from it, often $10 to $40 a year.
Is a portable power station legal everywhere?
Yes. Because it doesn't connect to your home's wiring or the grid, no utility approval or plug-in solar law is needed. Your lease or HOA rules on placing panels outside still apply.
Can I plug a portable power station into my wall outlet to power my house?
No. Never connect a power station's output to a wall outlet with a 'suicide cord' (male-to-male cable). That's dangerous and illegal. Use a transfer switch installed by an electrician for whole-circuit backup.
Which is better for renters?
In states with a plug-in law, a small plug-in kit if your landlord agrees. In states without one, a power station is the legal option and leaves no trace when you move.
Update log
- Guide published.
Sources and official texts