Power Stations & Solar

Power Stations & Solar

A solar generator is a portable power station paired with portable solar panels: a rechargeable battery with a built-in inverter that stores electricity, and a panel that tops it back up from the sun. Unlike a petrol, diesel or inverter generator there is no fuel to store, no fumes and no engine noise, so a battery generator can run indoors during a power cut, beside the tent on a campsite or inside a campervan. That makes a solar powered generator one of the most practical silent generators for Irish homes, camping trips and work vans. Whether you search for a solar power generator, an electric solar generator, a battery powered generator or a portable electric generator, the same few numbers decide which one suits you.

Capacity, measured in watt-hours (Wh), tells you how long a power station will run, and continuous output, measured in watts (W), tells you what it can run at all. To estimate runtime, divide the capacity by an appliance's wattage and allow for some conversion loss. Compact portable power stations of a few hundred watt-hours keep phones, laptops, LED lighting, a fan, a broadband router or a 12V cool box going for a weekend of camping or an evening without power. Mid-size units of around 1,000Wh are the all-rounder for campervans, festivals and riding out a power cut with the router, lights and laptops on. Larger home backup power stations of 2,000Wh and above pair that capacity with high-output inverters for heavier loads. Always check an appliance's rated wattage, and its start-up surge for anything with a motor or compressor, against the station's continuous and surge output before relying on it.

For home battery backup, look beyond capacity. A UPS (uninterruptible power supply) or EPS mode switches a router, modem, desktop PC or fridge to battery within milliseconds when the mains drops, so nothing restarts. Pass-through charging lets a station charge from the wall while powering devices, which turns it into a standby power pack for the house. Expandable power stations accept add-on expansion batteries, so a home backup power system can grow later rather than be replaced. LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate) battery chemistry is worth looking for in any power station you plan to keep for years, as it is rated for far more charge cycles than older lithium-ion cells.

For camping, caravans and campervans, a camping power station supplements a leisure battery with no wiring: carry it in, plug in, and recharge it from a campervan solar panel, the 12V car socket or an alternator charger while you drive. DC power stations without a three-pin mains socket are lighter and suit USB, 12V and other DC devices, while models with AC outlets run anything with a standard plug within their output rating. Weight, carry handles or wheels, and the mix of USB-C, USB-A, 12V and AC outputs decide how easy a unit is to live with off grid.

Portable solar panels are what turn a power station into a true solar generator. Foldable solar panels are rated by peak wattage and pack flat for the boot, rucksack or van. Small solar panels with USB-C and USB-A outputs work as a portable solar charger for phones, tablets and power banks with no battery in between, while larger folding solar panels plug into a power station's solar input for off-grid recharging at the campsite or through an extended outage. Check the panel's connector, voltage and wattage against the power station's maximum solar input, look for IP65 or IP68 weatherproofing for Irish conditions, and note that bifacial solar panels also capture light reflected onto their rear face. Output depends on sunlight, panel angle and cloud cover, so angle panels towards the sun and reposition them through the day.

Looking for a solar power bank? A power bank with a built-in solar cell has only a very small panel area to work with, so for practical off-grid charging the better set-up is a standard power bank paired with a small USB solar panel or solar phone charger: the panel tops up the power bank by day and the power bank charges your phone at night. For camping, festivals, hiking and emergency kits, choose a power bank by capacity in mAh and output in watts, with USB-C PD fast charging for phones, tablets and laptops.

Power Stations

Portable power stations and battery generators for home backup, camping, campervans and work sites, including compact DC units for USB and 12V devices and high-capacity home backup power stations with AC outlets, UPS switchover and expandable batteries. Compare capacity in Wh, continuous and surge output in W, recharge speed from the wall, the car and solar, and LiFePO4 battery life to choose the right portable power station for your home or your next trip, and add expansion batteries or an alternator charger where your station supports them.

Power Banks

Portable power banks and battery packs for phones, tablets and laptops. Slim 5,000mAh and 10,000mAh power banks slip into a pocket, magnetic wireless power banks charge a compatible phone without a cable, and high-capacity 20,000mAh-plus power banks with high-wattage USB-C output can charge a laptop as well as a phone. Compare capacity in mAh, output in watts, built-in cables and the number of ports, and pair a power bank with a solar charger for off-grid use.

Solar Panels

Portable and foldable solar panels for camping, campervans, caravans and home backup. Small USB solar panels charge phones and power banks directly, while larger folding solar panels connect to a portable power station to make a solar generator kit. Compare peak wattage, conversion efficiency, IP weatherproof rating, weight and folded size, and check the connector and voltage match your power station's solar input before you buy.

EV Chargers

Home EV chargers and Type 2 EV charging cables for electric cars in Ireland. A tethered smart home EV charger keeps the cable attached and ready at the wall, while an untethered Type 2 charging cable connects your car to public charge points and untethered wallboxes. Match the cable's kW rating and single or three-phase capability to your car's onboard charger and the charge point, as the car charges at whichever is lower, and have any home EV charger installed by a registered electrician.

Charging Stations

Wireless charging stations and multi-device chargers for a desk, bedside locker or hallway. 3-in-1 wireless charging stations charge a phone, smartwatch and earbuds together, foldable designs pack flat for travel, and charging stands hold a phone upright for video calls. Pair them with the right lead from Charging Cables.

Power Stations & Power Banks Sale

Reduced portable power stations, solar generators, power banks and solar panels gathered in one place. The same buying rules apply: match capacity in Wh to how long you need power, continuous output in W to what you want to run, and panel wattage and connector to the station's solar input.

Shop portable power stations, solar generators and solar panels from Anker, EcoFlow, Bluetti, Jackery and DJI, with Anker also covering power banks, wireless charging stations and home EV charging, power banks from Adata and Type 2 EV charging cables from Platinet. For more ways to keep the lights on when the power goes, see Power Cut & Emergency Essentials and Generators.