Power Outage?
You Don't Have to Sit in the Dark.
PG&E PSPS events, wildfires, and rolling blackouts hit without warning. A BLUETTI portable power station arrives at your door, charges from your wall outlet, and keeps your refrigerator, lights, Wi-Fi, and medical devices running — no installation, no permits, no waiting.
The Grid Goes Down. The Question Is — Are You Ready?
California's power grid faces three overlapping threats every year — and all three are getting worse. PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E have collectively cut power to millions of customers in the last five years. A portable power station doesn't require installation, permits, or a solar system. It's the fastest path to energy security available — order today, charged and ready tonight.
See installed home battery options → · Get a free solar + battery estimate →
Five Models. One for Every California Homeowner.
From $399 entry-level device protection to the $1,444 Apex 300 that runs your whole home through multi-day outages — every BLUETTI is available now, ships to your door, and is operational the same day it arrives. No installation. No permits. No timeline.
- Expandable from 3kWh to 100kWh with B300K expansion batteries
- 3,000W continuous output — runs most home appliances simultaneously
- Automatic switchover when grid power drops — no manual action needed
- Solar input up to 2,400W — recharge during extended multi-day outages
- LiFePO₄ battery — 3,500+ charge cycles (~10 years of daily use)
- Operates independently from your solar system — no installation required
- Always-on design — stays plugged in, activates the moment grid drops
- 2,400W output handles refrigerator, sump pump, medical devices, lighting
- Strong solar input for recharging during extended outages
- LiFePO₄ battery chemistry — long life, thermally stable, safe
- $145 less than Apex 300 — ideal if you don't need expandability
- Smallest 3kWh unit in the BLUETTI lineup — genuinely portable
- RV-ready — weekend camping and PSPS preparation in one purchase
- 2,000W output handles refrigerators and essential home loads
- Solar compatible — recharge independently of the grid
- $345 less than Apex 300 if expandability isn't needed
- 1,800W output — runs full-size refrigerators, CPAP, power tools
- ~35 lbs — light enough to carry between rooms or to your vehicle
- Charges from wall, solar panels, or car simultaneously
- 3,500+ charge cycles — nearly 10 years of reliable use
- 5-year warranty · LiFePO₄ battery chemistry
- Most affordable BLUETTI — lowest barrier to backup power
- Handles phones, laptops, Wi-Fi, LED lights, small fans
- Compact and lightweight — moves anywhere easily
- Great for camping, tailgating, and travel
- Same LiFePO₄ chemistry as larger units — long-life, safe battery
| Model | Capacity | Output | Best For | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apex 300 Top Pick | 3kWh+ | 3,000W | Home backup, expandable | From $1,444 | Shop → |
| Elite 400 | ~2kWh | 2,400W | Always-on PSPS backup | $1,299 | Shop → |
| Elite 300 | 3kWh | 2,000W | Portable + home combo | $1,099 | Shop → |
| AC180 | 1,152Wh | 1,800W | Best mid-range value | ~$499 | Shop → |
| Elite 100 V2 | ~1kWh | 1,000W | Entry / renter / camping | $399 | Shop → |
Questions California Homeowners Ask
Straight answers on BLUETTI power stations, California outages, what they can and can't power, and how they compare to installed home batteries.
What can a BLUETTI power station run during a California outage?
It depends on the model. The Apex 300 and Elite 400 (3,000W and 2,400W output) can run most essential home loads simultaneously — full-size refrigerator, Wi-Fi router, phone and laptop charging, LED lighting, CPAP or medical devices, and portable fans. They will not run central HVAC or electric water heaters without expansion batteries.
The AC180 (1,800W) handles a full-size refrigerator plus communication and medical devices — the practical minimum for a California PSPS event. The Elite 100 V2 (1,000W) covers phones, laptops, Wi-Fi, and lights — essential communication but not refrigerators or appliances.
How long will a BLUETTI last during a power outage?
Runtime depends on what you're running and which model you have. General real-world estimates for the AC180 (1,152Wh): refrigerator (~150W) for 12–18 hours, CPAP machine for 2–3 nights, Wi-Fi router for 2–3 days, phone charging 100+ times.
For the Apex 300 (3kWh base), runtime roughly triples those figures — and with expansion batteries up to 100kWh, it can power essential loads for days. During a PSPS event with solar panel input, the unit can recharge during daylight hours and extend runtime indefinitely.
Can I charge a BLUETTI before a PSPS event?
Yes — and this is exactly how it's designed to be used. PG&E typically gives 24–48 hours notice before a planned PSPS shutoff. During that window, plug your BLUETTI into a standard wall outlet and charge it fully before the grid goes dark.
The Apex 300 and Elite 400 also have an always-on mode — they stay plugged in continuously and maintain a full charge automatically, so you don't need to think about it. When the grid drops, they switch over instantly.
Is a BLUETTI the same as a Tesla Powerwall?
No — they solve the same problem in fundamentally different ways. A Tesla Powerwall is a permanently installed home battery — wired into your electrical panel, connected to your solar system, and backed up automatically without you doing anything. It runs your whole home including HVAC, qualifies for SMUD rebates up to $5,400 per unit, and earns $440/year in VPP payments in Sacramento.
A BLUETTI is a portable unit — no installation, no permits, available same day. It handles essential loads but not whole-home HVAC. Both are valuable. BLUETTI = immediate portable backup today. Powerwall = permanent whole-home solution that also works with your solar panels. See installed battery options →
Can I use a BLUETTI with solar panels?
Yes — all BLUETTI units accept solar panel input. The Apex 300 accepts up to 2,400W of solar, meaning it can fully recharge from portable panels in a few hours of direct California sunlight. This is especially useful for extended outages where grid power may be out for multiple days.
Note: BLUETTI portable solar panels and the BLUETTI unit are separate purchases. The BLUETTI is not connected to your home's rooftop solar system — it charges from portable panels or a wall outlet, not from a home solar installation. For a system that integrates with rooftop solar, see our installed home battery options.
Do BLUETTI power stations qualify for California rebates?
No. BLUETTI portable power stations are not eligible for SMUD battery rebates, SGIP incentives, or PG&E/SCE programs. Those rebate programs apply to permanently installed battery systems — Tesla Powerwall, SolarEdge, and Enphase units that are wired into your home's electrical panel and connected to a solar system.
If rebates matter to your decision, the SMUD rebate program offers up to $5,400 per installed Powerwall (plus $440/year in VPP payments) for Sacramento-area homeowners. That's a meaningful financial difference worth considering. Learn about SMUD battery rebates →
What is the difference between BLUETTI models?
The main differences are capacity, output power, and use case. Apex 300 ($1,444+) — largest, expandable to 100kWh, 3,000W output, best for whole-home backup. Elite 400 ($1,299) — always-on design, 2,400W, best plug-and-forget PSPS solution. Elite 300 ($1,099) — most portable 3kWh unit, RV and home combo. AC180 (~$499) — best mid-range value at 1,800W, ~35 lbs. Elite 100 V2 ($399) — entry-level, 1,000W, phones and lights.
All models use LiFePO₄ battery chemistry — the same safe, long-life technology used in installed home batteries. The right model depends on your budget and what you need to keep running during an outage.
A Portable Station Gets You Through Tonight.
A Powerwall Gets You Through Every Night.
BLUETTI covers you for outages. But if you're a homeowner ready for the next step — a solar + battery system eliminates your PG&E bill, charges itself automatically, runs your whole home including HVAC, and pays itself back in 7–8 years. SMUD customers in Sacramento also qualify for rebates up to $5,400 per Powerwall.
- No installation — ready today
- Covers essential loads during outages
- Portable — take it anywhere
- No rebate eligibility
- Does not reduce your PG&E bill
- Does not connect to rooftop solar
- Installed, automatic, whole-home backup
- Runs HVAC + all loads automatically
- Eliminates your PG&E summer bill
- SMUD rebates up to $5,400/Powerwall
- Connects directly to rooftop solar
- 7–8 year payback · free power after