Generating Your Own Power During an Outage: 3 Options

April 30, 2025, 12:58 pm | Read time: 3 minutes

A power outage can cripple an entire home. But those who are prepared can continue to operate essential devices or even power the whole house. Find out what options are available and what you absolutely need to pay attention to here.

Power outages are relatively rare in Germany. According to figures from the Federal Network Agency in 2022, they last on average only about 12.2 minutes per year. However, in an emergency, having your own power supply can be crucial. Those who want to be on the safe side can generate or store their own electricity in case of an emergency. However, the larger the scope of self-sufficiency, the more expensive and complicated it becomes.

Minimal Solution: Small Energy Storage for Small Devices

A simple and cost-effective option is to have small energy storage devices like power banks or solar chargers on hand. These can power essential small devices such as smartphones, tablets, or battery-powered flashlights—provided the batteries are charged beforehand. However, this solution is not sufficient for larger household appliances.

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Original or as a (digital) copy: Important documents should always be readily accessible in case of an emergency.

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Middle Ground: Generate Power with Portable Generators or Solar Panels

Specialty stores offer a wide range of mobile power sources—from small generators to balcony power plants with integrated battery storage. The Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) recommends considering in advance which devices you want to operate. This is the only way to ensure that no overload occurs in an emergency.

Particularly power-intensive devices like electric kettles quickly require between 1,500 and 2,000 watts. If you opt for a fuel-powered generator, additional safety rules must be observed:

Generators should never be operated indoors due to the risk of suffocation from exhaust gases.
There are legal limits for fuel storage: Currently, up to 10 liters of gasoline or 20 liters of diesel may be stored in basements. However, according to the BBK, gas cylinders should not be stored in basements.
If you want to power sensitive electronics like computers, ensure the generator provides stable voltage and frequency.

Maximum Solution: Completely Independent Home Supply

Those seeking comprehensive autonomy can also power their entire home network independently. However, this requires professional planning and installation. The Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) recommends having a professional company conduct the consultation and installation, as only they are authorized to perform work on home installations. Coordination with the relevant network operator is also necessary.

Whether battery storage, a suitably sized photovoltaic system, or a powerful generator is used depends on local conditions and individual requirements. In any case, it is important to plan early which consumers should be operated in an emergency to ensure the system’s capacity is sufficient.

With material from dpa

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of MYHOMEBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@myhomebook.de.