What Size Solar Generator Do I Need? (Power Station Tips)
When choosing a solar generator, one of the most important questions is "How many watts do I need?". To answer this question, you need to calculate the total wattage of all
Solar panel power output can get confusing fast. Is 400 watts good? 420 watts? Should you opt for the 450-watt panel? Is it worth the extra cost? About 97% of home solar panels installed in 2025 produce between 400 and 460 watts, based on thousands of quotes from the EnergySage Marketplace.
Here are some examples of typical wattages for various appliances: By adding these numbers up, we'll get the maximum possible wattage of 3,000W. If we intend to run all three of these appliances at once, then we'll need a solar generator with an inverter rated above 3,000W. How long will each device/appliance run for?
About 97% of home solar panels included in EnergySage quotes today have power output ratings between 400 and 460 watts. The most frequently quoted panels are around 450 watts, so we'll use this as an example.
A 400-watt panel can generate roughly 1.6–2.5 kWh of energy per day, depending on local sunlight. To cover the average U.S. household's 900 kWh/month consumption, you typically need 12–18 panels. Output depends on sun hours, roof direction, panel technology, shading, temperature and age.
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