What size solar generator for off-grid cabin?
Check, uncheck or adjust the typical device list below — watts, startup surge and battery size update instantly. Numbers come from U.S. DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer spec sheets, not marketing copy.
1. Check what you need to power
Refrigeration & Freezers
- 1
- 1
Kitchen
- 1
Heating, Cooling & Fans
- 1
- 1
Water & Pumps
- 1
Laundry & Cleaning
Electronics & Office
- 1
- 1
Medical Devices
Power Tools & Outdoor
Lighting
- 5
2. Your sizing
⚠️ Your selection includes 240V equipment (submersible pump / central AC / dryer) — you need a split-phase (120/240V) station or a transfer switch setup. Verify nameplate watts and starting amps before buying; consult a licensed electrician for fixed wiring.
Assumptions: daily hours per device follow DOE / ENERGY STAR duty cycles; capacity adds a 25% margin. Check your appliance nameplates — actual draw varies by model.
3. Best matches from our 6-brand database
No portable station in our database covers this load. This is expandable-system or fixed home-battery territory — check current models from EcoFlow, Anker SOLIX and Bluetti for expansion ceilings, or consider a standby generator.
Static answer (crawlable summary)
Typical device list: Pellet Stove (PelPro PP130 class)×1, Hydronic Circulator Pump (Taco 007 class)×1, Submersible Well Pump (3/4 HP, 240V)×1, Freezer (chest, ~15 cu ft)×1, Refrigerator (freezerless, ~16 cu ft)×1, LED Bulb (60W equivalent)×5, Induction Cooktop (portable single burner)×1, Router + Modem×1, Starlink Standard (Gen 3)×1.
Estimated from: Mfr spec: PelPro PP130 (Hearth & Home) · Mfr spec: Taco 007-F5 · Mfr spec: Franklin Electric AIM Manual · Energy Star Certified Products · Energy Star Certified Products (bulbs) · Mfr spec: Duxtop 8120MC (Secura) · Mfr spec class: Netgear KB + measured (ARRIS SB8200) · Mfr spec: Starlink
| Continuous load | 4,065 W |
|---|---|
| Startup peak | 11,865 W (driven by 1× Submersible Well Pump (3/4 HP, 240V)) |
| Daily energy use | 11,055 Wh |
| Recommended capacity | 13,820 Wh (25% margin included) |
| Minimum inverter | 4,480 W continuous |
Frequently asked questions
What size solar generator for off-grid cabin?
For a typical setup (Pellet Stove (PelPro PP130 class), Hydronic Circulator Pump (Taco 007 class), Submersible Well Pump (3/4 HP, 240V), Freezer (chest, ~15 cu ft) and Refrigerator (freezerless, ~16 cu ft), plus 4 more devices), you need at least 4,065W of continuous power. The single biggest moment is startup: when 1× submersible well pump (3/4 hp, 240v) kicks on, the momentary draw peaks at 11,865W. For a full day of runtime we recommend at least 13,820Wh of battery capacity (your devices use about 11,055Wh per day, plus a 25% margin for a full day of use).
Which power stations can handle this?
No single portable station covers this load — this is expandable-system or fixed home-battery territory. Look for a surge rating above 11,865W and at least 13,820Wh.
Why is the startup surge higher than the running watts?
Motor-driven devices (fridge compressors, well pumps, air conditioners) draw 2-5× their running power for a split second at startup — measured as locked-rotor amps (LRA). On this page the biggest spike comes from the Submersible Well Pump (3/4 HP, 240V): a station that only meets the running load will trip or stall when it starts. Data sources: U.S. DOE Energy Saver, ENERGY STAR certified products, manufacturer spec sheets.