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Starlink’s satellite internet service has revolutionized connectivity, particularly for those in remote and off-grid locations that previously could not access services. However, understanding its power requirements is essential for maximizing utility, especially for users relying on generators or solar systems.
This guide will explore Starlink’s energy consumption, the factors that affect it, and the best energy solutions so that you can ensure seamless internet access no matter where you are.
How Many Watts Does Starlink Use?
How many watts Starlink uses depends entirely on what model you have and how you use it. For instance, the standard dish and hardware typically consume about 50-75 watts (W) when the hardware is actively being used. It may draw more power when booting and configuring when it first turns on or when it needs to reconnect to the satellites.
When it’s on but sitting idle, its consumption drops to about 20W. However, their high-performance dish and hardware system consumes about twice as much energy at around 110-150W, and when it’s sitting idle, it drops to about 45W.
Here is a table of the different hardware systems and their average power consumption when actively used and when idle, along with a calculation of kWh used to keep it running for a full 24 hours.
| Starlink Standard Actuated | Starlink Standard & Enterprise | Starlink Mini | High Performance and Flat High Performance | |
| Average consumption when in use | 50 – 75W | 75 – 100W | 20 – 40W | 110 – 150W |
| All-day active usage in Wh (watts x 24 hours) | 1200 – 1800Wh | 1800 – 2400Wh | 480 – 960Wh | 2640 – 3600Wh |
| Idle consumption | 20W | 20W | 15W | 45W |
| All-day idle usage (watts x 24 hours) | 480Wh | 480Wh | 360Wh | 1080Wh |
What Affects Starlink’s Power Consumption?
Here are the main factors that affect how much energy it consumes.
Network Connections and Activity
The number of devices connected to the router at any given time and how much data each device uses will significantly affect electricity consumption. The more devices, the more electricity the dish and router will need to support those connections. It also uses more energy when that activity involves high data usage, like downloading large files, playing video games, streaming videos, or making video calls.
Weather
When the weather is cloudy, raining, or snowing, this obstructs the line of sight between the dish and the satellite, making Starlink work harder to get a strong enough signal to support your online activities. A clear sky without obstructions will allow it to perform better, leading to lower electricity usage.
Physical Obstructions
Like weather, other physical objects that obstruct the line of sight, including hills, trees, or buildings, will also affect energy consumption. This is because the dish uses more electricity when it needs to re-establish connections with the satellites than it would if it had an unobstructed view.
Can I Run Starlink Using a Generator?
Yes, you can run Starlink with a generator. In fact, portable power stations are excellent solutions for running Wi-Fi routers and as a UPS battery backup for sensitive electronics and computers. They are also a great way to use Starlink when off-grid, traveling, or at home during a power outage, so you can always stay connected.
Gone are the days of smelly, noisy generators you cannot bring indoors due to the danger of lethal carbon monoxide poisoning. Modern solar generators are changing the way we use generators. Since they use no fossil fuels and operate at noise levels just above a whisper, you can use them inside your home, tent, or RV without concerns.
The EcoFlow Portable Power Stations come in various capacities, including mini generators like the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Portable Power Station, which can run small appliances like Starlink and are perfect for traveling. EcoFlow also offers much larger models with expandable capacities, which allow you to use them as a whole-home generator and run anything that needs electricity.
How To Use Starlink With EcoFlow
Depending on your system, you can use a large portable power station as a whole-home backup. In that case, it might be already wired into your household electricity, and you simply plug Starlink and other appliances into your AC wall plugs as you usually would. Alternatively, if it is not wired into your electrical, plug it into the power station during an outage alongside your other essential appliances.
Alternatively, the EcoFlow RIVER 3 is a small solar generator. This one would also work as a backup energy source during outages. But you can also leave it plugged in as a dedicated energy source since it protects sensitive electronics from electricity drops and surges. Then, if there is an electrical outage, you will stay connected without any interruptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
A standard system running on 12V will draw 50-75 watts or 4.2−6.25 Amps. However, the draw may spike to 100W or more when booting and configuring before returning to normal consumption. High-performance systems typically draw about twice as much energy as the standard model.
To run a standard Starlink dish with solar, you typically need a solar panel or a small solar array rated between 300 and 400 watts, depending on your usage and battery backup system.
If you need an inverter just to run Starlink, a 200W model should be sufficient. However, a larger inverter, between 300 and 500W, is usually recommended to handle the energy consumption spikes that may occur when the system is booting or configuring.
Final Thoughts
Starlink is a practical option for high-speed internet, even in off-grid settings. Its energy consumption varies based on usage and your hardware, consuming anywhere from 20W to 150W when actively used.
With solutions like EcoFlow Portable Power Stations, staying connected is easier than ever, whether traveling, working remotely, or preparing for electricity outages. Simply plug your hardware into the portable power station, and you can stay connected anywhere.