Decision tools

Backup power calculators built for actual decisions.

Use the numbers before you buy. These tools combine your own load assumptions with normalized product specifications, public outage data and current EIA electricity-price data.

Selector

Power Station Finder

Filter the source-linked model database by capacity, AC output, solar input, weight and use case.

Comparison

Power Station Comparison Tool

Put any two tracked models side by side with normalized specs, energy density and a shared runtime load.

Explorer

Power Station Runtime Matrix

Enter one appliance load and compare estimated runtime across every tracked power station at once.

Outage planning

Power Outage Load Planner

Build an 8-, 24- or 72-hour critical-load energy budget and see how recharge changes storage needs.

Public data

State Power Outage Reliability Explorer

Search and sort 2024 EIA state reliability data by outage duration, frequency, restoration time and major-event impact.

Electricity cost

Power Station Charging Cost Calculator

Estimate full or partial recharge cost using battery size, state electricity rates, efficiency and monthly cycling.

Ownership

Battery Cycle Life Calculator

Convert a published battery cycle-life claim into equivalent years at your cycling frequency without confusing cycles with calendar life.

Cost model

Battery vs Generator Cost Calculator

Compare multi-year battery ownership with generator purchase, fuel and maintenance costs.

System design

Battery Bank Builder

Convert series and parallel battery layouts into bank voltage, Ah, Wh, usable AC energy and runtime.

Sizing

Home Backup Battery Size Calculator

Turn critical household loads and outage duration into a nameplate battery target.

Runtime

Battery Runtime Calculator

Estimate runtime from battery watt-hours, load watts and AC conversion efficiency.

Solar

Solar Recharge Calculator

Estimate peak-sun-hours and days required to replace battery energy from a solar array.

Solar design

MPPT Charge Controller Calculator

Estimate controller output current and cold-weather PV string voltage.

Why we build tools

Backup power questions are usually calculation problems disguised as product questions. A refrigerator buyer needs daily watt-hours and compressor-starting headroom. A home-backup buyer needs a critical-load budget. A charging-cost question needs the electricity rate, battery energy and conversion losses separated clearly.

We publish the formulas and assumptions so the result can be checked independently. When a tool uses a planning factor or a derived metric rather than a source-published measurement, we label it.

Use measured inputs when possible

Nameplate watts, manufacturer manuals, plug-in power meters and your actual utility tariff are better inputs than generic averages. State reliability and electricity-price data are useful comparison baselines, but they are not forecasts or personalized utility quotes.

For permanent home electrical work, transfer equipment and high-current battery systems, use qualified installation guidance and applicable electrical codes.