Plug-in solar vs. the alternatives

The quick comparison

These five options often get lumped together as "solar" or "backup," but they solve different problems. Here's how they stack up at a glance.

A rough comparison. Costs and capabilities vary widely by product, home, and location.

Plug-in solar vs. rooftop solar

These are the two that actually generate solar electricity to cut your everyday bill, so they're the natural comparison. The difference is scale and permanence.

Rooftop solar is a large, permanent system an electrician bolts to your roof and connects to your home. It can cover a big share of a household's yearly electricity, but it typically costs many thousands of dollars, needs a roof you own and control, and involves permits and inspections. Plug-in solar is small and movable, costs hundreds to a couple thousand dollars, and — its whole reason for existing — works for renters and apartments. The trade-off is size: plug-in solar trims your bill, while rooftop solar can transform it. If you own a good roof and plan to stay, rooftop solar usually saves far more.

Plug-in solar vs. batteries and generators

This is where people get confused, because a portable power station looks a bit like a solar battery. The key difference is direction: plug-in solar makes electricity to lower your bill over time; power stations and generators store or burn fuel to deliver electricity during an outage.

A portable power station is a big rechargeable battery you charge from the wall (or a solar panel) and draw on when the power's out — great for keeping phones, laptops, and a few small devices going, but it doesn't lower your normal bill. A gas or propane generator makes serious power for longer outages, but it needs fuel, runs loud, and must stay outdoors for safety. If your goal is backup power, one of these — not plug-in solar — is what you want. If your goal is a lower monthly bill, plug-in solar is the fit. Some people eventually want both.

Plug-in solar vs. community solar

Community solar is the odd one out because you install nothing. You subscribe to a share of a larger solar farm somewhere in your region, and its output shows up as a credit on your utility bill. It's a great option if you can't or don't want to mount anything, and it's available to renters too — but availability depends entirely on whether such a program exists where you live.

The contrast with plug-in solar is ownership and control. With plug-in solar you buy and own a physical kit, set it up yourself, and can take it with you when you move. With community solar you own nothing and simply subscribe. Neither provides backup power. Many people choose based on what's actually offered in their area and whether they'd rather own equipment or just sign up.

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