American Solar Generators for Disasters

Lion Energy, RevoPower, and Grid Eraser Make Them

My oldest sister called and asked me for the best generator that was not a “noisy, smelly, dirty, gas generator” as she had just lost power at her house for three days. That is a tough one to answer because everyone has different power needs and budgets, but I will provide three options below.

For disaster scenarios (e.g., hurricanes, floods, wildfires, or prolonged power outages), a solar generator needs to provide high power output, large battery capacity, durability, fast charging (via AC or solar), UPS functionality (for seamless power during outages), and reliability in harsh conditions. After researching multiple companies and solar generators, I think those below perform all these functions.

Lion Energy

Lion Energy uses lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4 or LFP) for its solar generators. Most lithium-ion batteries from Red China use compounds that include heavy metals such as nickel and cobalt so they are more capable of fires and explosions, so the Lion Energy Safari is much safer.

Lion Energy Safari

The Lion Energy Safari™ is a rugged, reliable solar power or plug in generator to back up any item that can be plugged into your home. You can choose different solar panels and light variations depending on your need. You can get the Safari alone, or combine it with its expansion pack to make it last three times longer. It is a 24V power system for fast charging.

Lion Energy Safari Expansion Pack

The Lion Energy Safari Expansion Pack™ (Safari-XP) gives you 3X the energy storage capacity than the Safari alone.

• More stored energy – 3X the stored energy when you connect the XP expansion pack to the Safari for nearly 4,300Wh total

• Easy to connect – Just plug it into the back of the Safari

• Maintenance free – Retains charge for up to 1 year

Lion Energy Summit

The Lion Energy Summit™ is a portable solar powered generator that provides safe, silent, and renewable power for disasters, cooking, communication, entertainment, CPAP, work, and emergency needs. No fuel or maintenance required. With 530W of output, multiple outlets and ports, and weighing only 18 pounds, you can have power at your fingertips, wherever you are.

• Faster Charge Time – Can fully charge from the wall in 4 hours.

• Easy to Transport - Weighing only 18 pounds but still holding a 530W / 665Wh capacity.

• Pure Sine Wave - Making this an ideal generator for all your sensitive electronics such as CPAP and media devices.

• Built tough to withstand the harsh elements and be able to consistently perform.

• Bluetooth connected to the Lion Energy App and a 5 year warranty.

Lion Sanctuary

To power your entire house or business during an extensive disaster and power outage, Lion Energy offers the Lion Sanctuary. The average power loss duration in the US is eight hours and increasing. The Lion Sanctuary keeps your essentials (e.g. fridge, lights, outlets, furnace, and WI-FI) running for the duration. The Sanctuary uses advanced technology as part of their LionESS (Energy Storage System).

For residents that live in higher risk areas for hurricane or flood zones, the average power outage duration is roughly 25 hours. The Lion Energy Sanctuary system stores 14.3kWh of backup power to automatically keep your house running during those unexpected power outages.

Avoid noisy, fuel-powered generators that require upkeep and maintenance. The Sanctuary uses lithium iron phosphate battery cells to give you immediate power that is safe, silent, and renewable. No maintenance is required.

RevoPower

RevoPower offers a range of solar generators designed for use in disasters, off-grid power, backup energy, and sustainable living, with models like the Fortress, Fortress Mini, Fortress II, Rebel, Scout, TrailForce, and Trailblazer. They are built to provide reliable, eco-friendly energy with customizable options, allowing users to integrate their own batteries or use RevoPower’s premium 12V Lithium LiFePO4 batteries.

Their generators are engineered for ease of use, with plug-and-play setups, and are often waterproof or weatherproof, making them suitable for harsh outdoor disaster conditions. They support a variety of power needs, from small devices to power tools to whole-home systems.

• Modular and Customizable Design

  • RevoPower generators enables users to supply their own 12V or 24V batteries (e.g., lead-acid, AGM, SLA, gel, or LiFePO4) or opt for pre-installed LiFePO4 batteries with 5,000–15,000 cycles and 100% depth of discharge for long-term reliability. Modular connections enable future battery expansions or add-ons like wind turbine controls, EV chargers, or grid-tied inverters.

  • DIY kits are available (e.g., RevoPower DIY Solar Generator Kit), enabling users to customize enclosures and wiring to reduce costs.

• High-Performance Components

  • Solar Charge Controllers: Feature advanced PWM or MPPT controllers (e.g., 20A in Fortress Mini, up to 480W in Fortress) with protections for overcharge, discharge, and temperature extremes. Some models include Bluetooth monitoring for voltage and charge status.

  • Inverters: Range from 150W (Fortress Mini) to 18kW (Rebel) with surge capacities up to 36kW. Low-frequency inverters with conformal-coated PCBs provide higher surge tolerance (300% vs. 200%) and durability in humid or harsh environments.

  • Battery Management Systems (BMS): Integrated BMS ensures safety and efficiency for LiFePO4 batteries, handling large-scale and incremental loads.

• Durability and Weather Resistance

  • Models like the Fortress, Fortress II, and Fortress Mini are designed for 24/7 outdoor use, with waterproof housing, IP68-rated charge controllers, and weatherproof 120V receptacles. They can withstand rain, sleet, snow, mud, and high-pressure washdowns. Therefore, they are ideal for disaster power use.

  • Features like weep holes, temperature-controlled fans, and special vent covers prevent water ingress and condensation damage. Again, this is ideal for disaster power use, especially in flooding or hurricanes.

• Versatile Applications

  • Suitable for holiday lighting, outdoor movie nights, camping, tailgating, emergency backup, and whole-home power. For example, the Fortress can power refrigerators, security cameras, or medical devices during outages, while the Rebel supports entire homes with up to 18kW output and 52.8kWh storage.

  • Models like the TrailForce and Trailblazer are optimized for overlanding and off-road adventures, with vehicle alternator charging via Anderson connectors.

  • Plug-and-play setups require minimal assembly (e.g., connecting 5/16” ring terminal wires to batteries).

  • Maintenance is user-friendly, with off-the-shelf parts and simple hand tools for repairs.

  • Programmable outputs (e.g., dusk-to-dawn or 24/7 modes) cater to specific needs like landscape lighting or continuous power.

  • Plug and Play: Easily connects to your home's breaker box via a transfer switch (optional).

  

• The Rebel features a low frequency inverter. Low frequency inverters are extra heavy duty. They use powerful transformers (lots of copper!) which makes them more reliable and sturdier than the cheap high frequency inverter’s MOSFETs. MOSFETs use electronic switching and are more prone to damage, particularly at high power levels.

• Low frequency inverters have a much higher tolerance for harsh and humid environments, making our solar generators ideal for use in emergency situations. Plus, our Rebel's inverter has conformal coating on the PCB, further reducing the potential water/moisture damage to the electronics.

• Low frequency inverters have a higher surge output than high frequency inverters. (300% surge versus typical 200%)

• The surge rating of 36,000W is for a full 20 seconds! Almost all solar generators except the Rebel have a surge rating of about 10 milliseconds to 2 seconds.

Grid Eraser Solar Generator

Grid Eraser, a veteran-owned company based in Trevor, Wisconsin that manufactures portable solar generators entirely in the USA, offers a low cost alternative to Red Chinese solar generators for disaster preparedness.

• Power Output: 1,500W continuous (surge capacity varies, typically 2,000–3,000W), sufficient for refrigerators (600–800W, 2 hours runtime), CPAP machines (60W, 25 hours), or small pumps (800W, ~1.5 hours).

• Battery Capacity: ~1,200–1,500Wh (varies by configuration), comparable to mid-range disaster-ready generators.

• Charging: Supports AC charging (~6–8 hours) and high solar input (up to 600W, ~2–4 hours with optimal sunlight), optimized for off-grid scenarios.

• Durability: Built and tested in the USA for rugged use, with weather-resistant designs suitable for harsh conditions (e.g., rain, dust). Specific IP ratings not listed but designed for indoor/outdoor reliability.

• Portability: ~30–50 pounds (model-dependent).

• UPS Functionality: Not explicitly advertised, but some models support seamless power switching for critical devices (verify with Grid Eraser for specific models).

• Warranty: Typically 2–3 years backed by U.S.-based customer support.

• Ports: Multiple AC, USB-A, USB-C, and DC outputs (exact count varies), supporting simultaneous charging of devices like phones, laptops, and medical equipment.

• Price: $1,000–$1,500 (varies by customization)

Disaster Suitability Strengths

• American Manufacturing: Fully built and tested in Trevor, WI, ensuring no reliance on Red Chinese facilities or potential PLA-affiliated supply chains.

  • Disaster-Ready: Powers essential appliances (e.g., fridges, medical devices) for hours, with fast recharge times. Suitable for outages from hurricanes, floods, or wildfires.

  • Quiet and Safe: No gas, noise, or fumes, safe for indoor use during shelter-in-place scenarios, unlike gas generators that pose carbon monoxide risks.

  • Customizable: Offers tailored configurations for specific power needs, ideal for disaster prep (e.g., medical equipment or communication devices).

The company’s focus on sustainability, veteran leadership, and aerospace and electronics expertise ensures reliable, high-quality construction for emergency use. Its light weight (30–50 pounds) aids portability during evacuations, and its U.S.-based support offers peace of mind for repairs or service.

NOTE: Although there are many Red Chinese-made solar generators of varying quality available, for obvious reasons, I suggest you buy an American-made generator. For one reason, look into Red Chinese transformers for more details as to why I say this.

Poetry for Play

Tonight, is a night for poetry for play,

of the word well turned in grace

that gently caresses the long neck,

softly lifts the red hair on your head,

opens the fleshy pink folds of your mind,

whispers tenderly to your soul's desire,

and raises, raises, raises and kisses

your expectations with a female understanding

of the worth of tending to the other's wants.

Tonight, I will hold you with no abruptness,

take your flesh's warmth and embrace

and merely embrace it back as fiercely,

expect nothing more and demand even less,

bathed in this moment of pink-dawn light

I will supplicate before your spirited ways,

go to the altar of your life and love,

take the communion of your hope

and live up to it...no lies...no deceit...

no obstacles to your thoughts or beliefs.

Tonight, the ending of this poem is yours.