Semi Homesteaders

When the ice storm rolled through and knocked our power out for several days, it wasn’t just inconvenient — it was one of those moments that really shows you what you’re prepared for… and what you’re not.

Out here on our semi-homesteading journey, we’re not off-grid, but we also don’t like being completely dependent on the grid either. This storm was a real-world test, and one piece of gear absolutely proved its value: our 4Patriots solar generator.

👉 If you prefer to watch instead of read, we walk through this experience in more detail in our YouTube video. You can watch it here: No Power. No Roads. 5 Days Iced In – Here’s What Saved Us.

Solar Generator Power During an Ice Storm

When the power went out, our first concern was food. A full freezer represents a lot of work and provision, and losing it would have been a big setback. Of course it was cold enough outside to keep things frozen but the solar generator kept our freezer running without a problem — and it still had capacity left.

That was a big takeaway for me. This unit wasn’t barely scraping by. It had room to spare, which meant less stress and more confidence during the outage. We could keep the refrigerator going, as well.

How the 200-Watt Solar Panel Performed

We paired the generator with a 200-watt solar panel (that came with it), and in full sun it performed well. When the panel was aimed directly at the sun, I consistently saw 108–112 watts of input.

But solar taught me a quick lesson: angle matters — a lot.

Just moving the panel a few degrees off the sun dropped input to around 82 watts. Add cloud cover, and the charging rate varied even more depending on how thick those clouds were.

That experience convinced me of something important — I’d be much more comfortable running at least one additional 200-watt panel. More panels don’t just mean faster charging; they also help capture more usable sunlight when conditions aren’t ideal.

Why Panel Placement Is Critical

If you’re relying on solar during a power outage, panel placement isn’t optional — it’s essential. Keeping the panel pointed directly at the sun made a noticeable difference in how quickly the generator recharged.

It may mean adjusting the panel throughout the day, which we did, but when the grid is down, those small adjustments pay off.

Emergency Gear That Also Made a Difference

While the solar generator was the backbone of our power setup, a few other items really earned their keep during the outage:

• 4Patriots Solar Generator – reliable emergency power for our freezer and more
• Coleman Propane Lantern – dependable light when the sun went down
• Baofeng UV-5R Ham Radios – communication when cell service is unreliable
• Tecsun PL-990 Shortwave Radio – staying informed during severe weather
• Waterproof Rechargeable Headlamp – hands-free light that’s invaluable at night

If we didn’t already have a gas stove in the house, I’d strongly recommend adding a Coleman propane camping stove to an emergency kit. Both the BottleTop Propane Stove and the Coleman Triton 2-Burner are solid options for cooking hot meals when the power is out. A Coleman lantern is a great option for light.

(Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. This doesn’t change the price for you, but it does help support our homestead projects. We only share gear we actually use and trust.)

Would We Recommend a Solar Generator?

Absolutely.

We are very happy with our 4Patriots solar generator, and after using it through a multi-day ice storm, I can confidently say it’s worth having for emergencies like this. It kept critical systems running, reduced stress, and gave us options when the grid failed.

A Prepared Heart, Not a Fearful One

Moments like this remind me why we choose preparedness — not out of fear, but out of stewardship. We believe it’s wise to take care of what God has entrusted to us and to be ready to provide for our household when unexpected things happen.

Pro 22:3, A prudent [man] foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

Preparation brings peace. It allows us to stay calm, make good decisions, and even help others when times are tough.

If you’re considering emergency power for your home, plan for real-world conditions — not just best-case scenarios. A little preparation, done wisely, can make a big difference.

Thanks for being here and walking this semi-homesteading journey with us.

Lord bless you and yours — Kyle