Why a Solar Generator Is the Smartest Power Solution for Drone Photoshoots
Drone photography captures amazing photos, but shoots can be unpredictable. Golden-hour lighting disappears fast, and you have to make every moment count. But that’s easier said than done when your battery packs drain far sooner than you’d like.
The last thing you need is to lose a shot because you ran out of power. Instead of looking for an outlet, embrace wild and uncharted locations with compact solar power generators. Learn why drone shoots benefit from solar and how to set up solar power for your next drone outing.
Why Drone Shoots Demand Serious Power
On average, drone batteries last 20 to 40 minutes. That’s not nearly enough time for long shoots, so you can expect to go through as many as 10 batteries for a full day of filming. But the drone isn’t the only piece of equipment that needs reliable power. You also need to recharge:
Your laptop for offloading footage
A monitor for reviewing shots
LED panels for additional lighting
Your phone
A small power bank can recharge your phone while you’re on the go, but it doesn’t have nearly enough power for drone batteries or your laptop. A portable solar generator is your best bet for reliable AC power and USB output, wherever you film.
Go Remote Without Limits: The Solar Generator Advantage
The coolest locations are far away from any infrastructure. Dramatic cliffs, dunes, mountain ridges, and spooky abandoned sites rarely have electrical outlets. When you’re shooting off-grid, a solar generator is the way to go. Solar generators work by converting sunlight into energy, keeping all of your devices powered up in the field.
Sure, that means you’ll still need a backup if you plan to film on a cloudy day, but it’s a flexible option that extends the life of any shoot. Solar generators have so many advantages, including:
Silent operation: Never worry about noisy gas generators ruining a shot or spooking the wildlife.
Lightweight travel: Solar generators are much lighter than gas generators. Plus, you don’t have to lug extra fuel with you.
Multiple ports: Recharge your laptop, drone batteries, and phone simultaneously. As long as you get a properly rated generator with the right ports, you can stay juiced up at all times.
Continuous energy: As long as you film outside on a sunny day, you’ll enjoy more time in the field without running out of electricity.
How Much Power Do You Actually Need?
Portable power stations can run drones, but they provide different amounts of energy depending on what you plan to charge. Drone power needs vary widely depending on your charger, model, and how long you plan to stay in the field.
Start by calculating the wattage demands of your drone and other gear. As a quick rule of thumb:
Multi-bay drone chargers often use 60–120W per battery
Laptops need 60–100W
LED panels and monitors add another 50–150W
Accessories (routers, SSDs, phones, GPS devices) pull 20–40W
If you routinely charge several drone batteries in rotation—or run AC and USB-C gear simultaneously—a solar generator with 300–600W output is ideal. For example, the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus Portable Power Station + 160W Solar Panel has a 600W output rating, but it’s expandable to 858Wh. Its 220W solar panel is perfect for rapid battery charging, allowing you to focus on snagging some fantastic shots without worrying about a dead battery.
What Features Matter Most for Drone Work?
Embracing solar will keep you powered up on the go, but not all solar generators are made equally. When choosing a solar generator for drone shoots, look for features like:
Fast AC output, allowing you to charge multiple batteries simultaneously.
Pass-through solar charging, which will enable you to charge devices while collecting solar power.
Multiple outputs for USB-C, AC, and DC so that you can charge just about any device.
Portability. A solar generator needs to be lightweight enough to transport to shooting locations without a car.
App monitoring. For example, the EcoFlow app enables you to monitor charging and energy usage, as well as adjust advanced settings with just a tap of your finger.
The EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus + 160W Solar Panel ticks all the boxes. Its AC output easily handles multi-bay drone chargers. USB-C, AC, and DC ports let you power laptops, lights, and accessories all at once. Pass-through charging and strong solar recharge rates keep energy flowing between flights. Lightweight and portable, it’s designed for quick setup and easy transport to remote locations.
How to Set Up for a Full-Day Drone Shoot
Planning is the key to a successful drone shoot. Follow these tips to make the most of your solar generator while filming.
1. Charge Everything At Home First
Nothing makes the day go smoother than starting with a full battery. Always recharge your drone batteries, phone, and laptop before heading to a shoot.
2. Position Solar Panels Early
As soon as you reach the filming location, it’s time to set up your solar panels. Place them in direct sunlight as soon as you arrive to start gathering energy. If you plan on being out there all day, remember to readjust the panels every few hours, so they’re always in the path of the sun.
3. Proactively Charge Equipment
Don’t run through all of your drone batteries before you start recharging them. Power up batteries on the solar generator as they run out of energy. By charging in cycles, you’ll use only a few batteries on the drone while the others charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Drone Batteries Can I Charge With a Solar Generator?
It depends on your power station’s battery capacity and the wattage of your drone charger. You can comfortably cycle through four to eight batteries with a solar generator like the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus or EcoFlow RIVER 3 Max Plus.
How Do I Prep a Solar Power Setup Before a Drone Shoot?
Charge your power station to 100% at home, clean your panels, pack spare cables, and check your wattage needs. It’s also smart to run a quick test with your drone charger at home to see exactly how long each cycle takes with your specific setup.
Compact Generators Transform Drone Photography
A reliable solar generator puts you in control of where and how long you film. Instead of racing against battery life, you work confidently through long days, review footage on-site, and adapt to changing conditions without losing power.
Solar generators provide compact and quiet energy, keeping drones airborne. Keep your creative momentum going: Check out the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Max Plus + 220W Solar Panel and elevate your drone shoots now.