Can I use a portable power station or solar panel in a storage unit?

Possibly, but check your lease first. Some storage leases ban batteries, and lithium power stations have temperature limits that a hot or freezing unit can break.

Some leases rule it out. One Florida operator’s rental agreement says the tenant shall not use the unit to store “tires or batteries.” The Self Storage Association has warned operators about lithium-ion battery fires, so expect facilities to be cautious.

Temperature is the other issue. An NFPA safety tip sheet says not to charge lithium-ion batteries below 32 degrees or above 105 degrees, and to store them away from anything that can catch fire. Jackery says its power stations should be stored long term between 32 and 104 degrees, in a dry, cool place. A unit that isn’t climate controlled can go outside that range.

Solar panels raise a different problem. Mounting a panel on the roof or door means changing the building, and the same Florida lease bars tenants from altering the unit. We found no facility that allows tenant solar panels.

If you want to try a power station, ask the facility:

• Can I keep a lithium battery power station in my unit?
• Can I use it while I’m there, and leave it when I go?

A power station is best for short visits, like running a light or charging a drill while you sort. Charge it at home, bring it with you, and take it home again. If you need power every visit, a unit with an outlet is the safer choice.