What Bluetti solar generator models are available?

Key Bluetti models: AC180 (1,152 Wh, 1,800W, camping/RV starter), AC200MAX (2,048 Wh expandable to 8,192 Wh), AC500 (5,000W, expandable to 18,432 Wh with 6× B300S), and Apex 300 (4,096 Wh, 3,000W, modular next-gen). All major Bluetti models use LFP chemistry rated for 3,500+ cycles.

How long does it take to recharge a Bluetti station with solar?

At 5 peak sun hours and 85% panel efficiency: a 200W panel produces 200 × 5 × 0.85 = 850 Wh/day. A Bluetti AC180 (1,152 Wh) recharges in about 1.4 sunny days. An AC500 + B300S (3,072 Wh) with 700W of panels recharges in about 1 day. Larger arrays (1,000W+) can fully recharge even large systems in a single sunny day.

Is Bluetti better than EcoFlow for home backup?

For maximum expandable capacity, Bluetti AC500 + B300S (up to 18,432 Wh) competes with EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra. Bluetti uses LFP chemistry (3,500 cycles, safer) across all main models. EcoFlow has faster AC charging (X-Stream 1,800W wall charging) and a more refined app experience. Both are strong choices; Bluetti wins on LFP chemistry consistency and multi-unit expandability for serious off-grid use.

Bluetti Solar Generator Calculator

Bluetti solar generator kit sizing — select your use case (camping, RV, home backup, off-grid cabin), solar panel input watts (100–2,000W MC4), and station capacity (1,024–25,600 Wh) to get kit recommendation, recharge time, appliance runtime table, days of autonomy, and $/Wh comparison vs EcoFlow.

System inputs

Use case?

Solar panel input?

Station capacity?

Bluetti solar generator results

Recommended Bluetti kit

AC180 + PV120/PV200/PV350 — Starter Kit

Compact all-rounder — 1,152 Wh, 1,800W AC surge. Perfect for camping and short outages.

Metric	Value
Station capacity	1,152 Wh (1.2 kWh)
AC output	1,800W continuous
Solar input	200W (max 700W)
Daily solar harvest (5 PSH)	850 Wh/day
Recharge time from empty	1.4 sunny days from 200W
Can sustain daily load?	Yes — 850Wh solar > 400Wh load
Days of autonomy (no sun)	2.6 days without solar recharge
Kit starting price	~$878 (station + panel)
$/Wh comparison	$0.76/Wh (vs EcoFlow Delta Pro ~$0.68/Wh)
Expandable modules	No expansion modules (standalone unit)

Appliance runtime estimates (1,152 Wh station)

Appliance	Runtime (hrs)
Phones + tablets	6.5 hrs
Laptop	2.7 hrs
LED lights (4×)	5.2 hrs
Mini fridge	2.1 hrs
CPAP	3.2 hrs
TV 55"	3.2 hrs
Power tools	1.0 hrs

Link copied to clipboard

How to Use This Calculator

Select your use case

Choose the use case that matches your situation. Each use case carries a representative daily energy consumption: camping (400 Wh/day for phones, lights, laptop), RV adventure (1,200 Wh/day adding a travel fridge and fan), home backup (3,000 Wh/day for essential circuits), off-grid cabin (5,000 Wh/day for a more complete load), and jobsite (2,000 Wh/day for power tools and devices). These values are starting estimates — your actual load may differ, and the appliance runtime table at the bottom of the results lets you validate run times for specific devices.

Enter panel wattage and station capacity

Set your MC4-connected solar panel wattage and your Bluetti station's total capacity in Wh (including any expansion B230/B300/B300S modules). The calculator shows daily solar harvest at 5 peak sun hours, full recharge time from empty, whether solar production matches your daily load, and days of autonomy without solar. It also recommends the closest Bluetti kit — AC180 Starter, AC500 Home Backup, AC500+5×B300 Off-Grid Max, or Apex 300.

Read the appliance runtime table

The second results table shows how long your Bluetti station (at 90% usable LFP capacity) will run common appliances if they were the sole load. Use this to plan which devices to prioritize during an outage or off-grid stay, and where to add solar recharge to sustain indefinite operation.

The Formula

Daily solar harvest = panel_W × 5 peak sun hours × 0.85 panel efficiency Recharge time = station_Wh ÷ daily solar harvest (days) Can sustain = daily solar harvest ≥ use case daily Wh Days of autonomy = (station_Wh × 0.90) ÷ daily use case Wh Appliance runtime = (station_Wh × 0.90) ÷ appliance daily Wh $/Wh = kit price ÷ station capacity Wh

Example: Home Backup — AC500 + B300S + PV350

AC500 + 1× B300S Pro (3,072 Wh) + 700W solar

Station capacity3,072 Wh (3.07 kWh)

AC output5,000W continuous — runs any home appliance

Daily solar (700W, 5 PSH)700 × 5 × 0.85 = 2,975 Wh/day

Daily load (home backup)3,000 Wh/day (fridge + lights + devices)

Can sustain indefinitely?Nearly — 25 Wh shortfall/day (add 50W panel)

Recharge from empty3,072 ÷ 2,975 = 1.03 days of good sun

Autonomy without sun3,072 × 0.90 ÷ 3,000 = 0.92 days

Kit starting price~$5,878 (AC500 + B300S + PV350)

Fridge runtime alone3,072 × 0.90 ÷ 500 = 5.5 hours

For 3–5 day outage coverage, add 2× B300S expansion batteries (totaling 9,216 Wh) — the AC500 supports up to 6× B300S for 18,432 Wh maximum. At that capacity with 700W solar, you achieve roughly 6 days of full backup autonomy without sunlight, or indefinite operation in good weather.

Bluetti Model Guide

AC180 (1,152 Wh)Camping, weekend trips, small outages. 1,800W AC surge.

AC200MAX (2,048 Wh)Extended camping, RV, light home backup. Expandable to 8,192 Wh.

AC500 (varies)Home backup workhorse. 5,000W. Expandable to 18,432 Wh with 6× B300S.

Apex 300 (4,096 Wh)Next-gen modular. 3,000W. Expandable. Bi-directional EV charging port.

AC500+5×B300 (16,384+ Wh)Off-grid max. 3,000W solar input. Multi-day cabin autonomy.

FAQ

How is Bluetti different from EcoFlow and Jackery? ▼

Bluetti differentiates on large-capacity LFP chemistry and modular expansion. Their AC500 with B300S expansion batteries reaches 18,432 Wh — the largest modular capacity of any major brand's ecosystem. EcoFlow's DELTA Pro Ultra reaches a similar range but at higher cost. Jackery focuses on the camping/recreational segment with NMC batteries (lighter, but fewer cycles than LFP). Bluetti uses LFP (LiFePO4) across their main lineup — 3,500+ cycle life, safer chemistry, and better performance in heat. For serious home backup or off-grid applications, Bluetti's expandable LFP ecosystem is a top-tier choice; for lightweight camping, Jackery may be preferable.

Can a Bluetti run a whole house during a power outage? ▼

The AC500 with its 5,000W output can power essential home circuits — refrigerator, lights, internet router, phone charging, and small appliances — but cannot run high-draw loads like central air conditioning (typically 3,000–5,000W), electric water heaters (4,500W), or electric ranges simultaneously. For whole-home coverage including HVAC, a dedicated home battery system (Powerwall, FoxESS AIO, Enphase IQ Battery) installed with a transfer switch is more appropriate. Bluetti excels at critical circuit backup without the electrical panel integration cost.

What solar panels work with Bluetti stations? ▼

All Bluetti stations accept standard MC4 solar connectors, making them compatible with any solar panel on the market. Bluetti sells their own folding panels (PV120, PV200, PV350, PV2000) that are optimized for portable use, but rigid 60-cell and 72-cell panels from any manufacturer work equally well. The key limits are: maximum input voltage (usually 150V for AC500, 60V for AC180) and maximum input wattage (varies by model). Always check that your panel's Voc (open-circuit voltage) is below the station's maximum before connecting, especially when wiring panels in series.

How long do Bluetti LFP batteries last? ▼

Bluetti uses LFP (lithium iron phosphate) chemistry in their major products. LFP batteries are rated for 3,500 cycles to 80% capacity — if you cycle the station once per day, that's nearly 10 years before the battery degrades below 80% of original capacity. Compared to NMC batteries (typical in Jackery Explorer models) rated for 800–1,000 cycles, LFP offers 3–4× longer cycle life, making it the better long-term value for daily-use applications like home backup or off-grid living. LFP is also safer (no thermal runaway risk from overcharging) and performs better in hot environments.

Is the Bluetti AC500 eligible for the 30% federal tax credit? ▼

As of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) updates effective 2023, standalone battery storage systems with capacity of 3 kWh or more are eligible for the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), regardless of whether they are paired with solar panels. The AC500 + B300S combination with 3,072 Wh (3.07 kWh) just meets this threshold. Systems with 2+ expansion batteries (6.1+ kWh) clearly qualify. Consult a tax professional to confirm eligibility for your specific purchase — the Bluetti unit must be used for energy storage at a qualified residence and purchased new.