Backup power solutions for small Irish businesses. Unexpected power cuts can do more than just interrupt your work — they can cost you customers, stock, and even your reputation. Whether you’re a local shop, salon, café, or self-employed professional, having backup power is no longer a luxury — it’s a safeguard.
This guide breaks down the best backup power solutions for small Irish businesses, including portable solar generators, UPS systems, and affordable plug-and-play solutions
⚡ Why Backup Power Matters for Small Businesses
Power outages in Ireland are becoming more frequent due to storms, grid strain, and local works. For small businesses, even a 20-minute blackout can mean:
- Lost card transactions
- Disrupted appointments
- Spoiled refrigerated stock
- Offline Wi-Fi, printers, or EPOS systems
- No access to emails and other important software
🔌 But the good news? You don’t need an industrial generator. A compact, affordable solution can keep your business running during short outages.
🔋 Portable Power Stations (AKA Solar Generators)
These are all-in-one systems with a battery, inverter, and multiple outlets (USB, AC, etc.). They’re silent, clean, and ideal for powering:
- Card machines
- Wi-Fi routers
- Laptops & monitors
- Mini fridges or lights
Top Picks:
🔋 BLUETTI EB3A Portable Power Station
💡 Great Budget Option — 4.5 out of 5 Stars (Based on 192 Ratings) €219.00 at time of writing
A compact and affordable solar generator perfect for short outages in small businesses or home offices.. Despite its small size, it delivers 600W output with a 268Wh LiFePO4 battery, offering reliable power through 9 versatile outlets. It supports fast charging (0–80% in 30 mins) and solar input (up to 200W), making it a solid off-grid companion. Built-in UPS functionality protects sensitive electronics during power cuts, and the LiFePO4 battery ensures over 3,000 charge cycles—enough for up to 10 years of use.
💼 BLUETTI EB3A – Compact Backup for Critical Business Devices
With 268Wh capacity and a 600W inverter (1200W surge), the EB3A is perfect for short-term emergency use. It’s ideal for keeping your small business running during blackouts caused by storms, maintenance, or grid issues.
✅ What It Can Power (Estimates for full charge):
| Device | Estimated Runtime |
|---|---|
| Card Machine (10W) | 20+ hours |
| Wi-Fi Router (15W) | 15–17 hours |
| LED Lightbulb (10W) | 20+ hours |
| Laptop (50W) | 4–5 hours |
| 24” Monitor (30W) | 6–7 hours |
| Printer (Idle: 10W / Active: 300W) | Idle: 20h / Short bursts only |
| Mini Fridge (60W avg cycling) | ~3–4 hours |
| Phone Charging (10W) | 20+ full charges |
Usage case examples BLUETTI EB3A
| Use Case | Devices Powered | Estimated Runtime |
|---|---|---|
| 🏠 Home Office 1 | Laptop (50W) + Wi-Fi Router (15W) | ~3.5 hours |
| 🏠 Home Office 2 | Laptop (50W) + Monitor (30W) + Wi-Fi (15W) | ~2.5 hours |
| 🏪 Small Business 1 | Card Machine (10W) + Wi-Fi Router (15W) | ~10+ hours |
| 🏪 Small Business 2 | Card Machine + LED Light (10W) + Printer (idle) | ~6–7 hours |
| 🏪 Small Business 3 | Cash Register (30W) + Card Machine (10W) + Wi-Fi Router (15W) | ~4+ hours |
Check out the Blueetti on Amazon Ireland
BLUETTI EB3A Portable Power Station
Pro tip** Keep a fully charged spare laptop battery or power bank in your home office. That way, during a power outage, you only need to keep your Wi-Fi router running to stay connected for the first few hours.
Shop batteries on Amazon Ireland
🔋 EcoFlow RIVER 3 Max Portable Power Station
High-capacity, fast-charging power station with UPS protection for critical business equipment.
⚡ Pro-Grade Backup – 5.0 out of 5 Stars (Based on 3 Ratings) €549.95 at time of writing
A serious step up in power and capacity, the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Max combines 572Wh of energy with a 1200W output, enough to run most essential business devices—and even some power tools. It delivers UPS-level protection (<10ms switchover) to safeguard routers, PCs, POS systems, or security cameras during blackouts. The modular design lets you expand or detach the extra battery (EB300) as needed. Perfect for businesses needing longer runtimes, higher loads, and professional reliability.
✅ What It Can Power (Estimated Runtimes per Full Charge)
| Device | BLUETTI EB3A (268Wh) | EcoFlow RIVER 3 Max (572Wh) |
|---|---|---|
| Card Machine (10W) | 20+ hours | 50+ hours |
| Wi-Fi Router (15W) | 15–17 hours | 30–33 hours |
| LED Lightbulb (10W) | 20+ hours | 50+ hours |
| Laptop (50W) | 4–5 hours | 9–10 hours |
| 24” Monitor (30W) | 6–7 hours | 12–14 hours |
| Printer (Idle: 10W / Active: 300W) | Idle: 20h / Active: Short bursts | Idle: 45h / Active: Short bursts |
| Mini Fridge (60W avg cycling) | ~3–4 hours | ~7–8 hours |
| Phone Charging (10W) | 20+ full charges | 45+ full charges |
Usage Case Examples EcoFlow RIVER 3
| Use Case | Devices Powered | Estimated Runtime |
|---|---|---|
| 🏠 Home Office 1 | Laptop (50W) + Wi-Fi Router (15W) | ~7+ hours |
| 🏠 Home Office 2 | Laptop (50W) + Monitor (30W) + Wi-Fi (15W) | ~5 hours |
| 🏪 Small Business 1 | Card Machine (10W) + Wi-Fi Router (15W) | ~20+ hours |
| 🏪 Small Business 2 | Card Machine + LED Light (10W) + Printer (idle) | ~13 hours |
| 🏪 Small Business 3 | Cash Register (30W) + Card Machine (10W) + Wi-Fi Router (15W) | ~8 hours |
Check out the EcoFlow River 3 on Amazon Ireland
EcoFlow RIVER 3 Max
🔌 2. Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Systems
A UPS is a smaller backup that instantly kicks in if the power goes out, ideal for:
- Desktops and servers
- Modems and routers
- VoIP phone systems
Ideal for:
Offices, clinics, freelancers, salons
⚠️ Important Note
UPS systems are not power generators. They’re designed to instantly protect your equipment during a blackout and provide short-term backup power—typically just enough time to safely shut down computers, servers, or critical systems. For powering devices during extended outages, consider a portable power station or solar generator.
🔋 APC Smart-UPS SMC1500IC with SmartConnect
⚡ Reliable Power Backup – 4.3 out of 5 Stars (Based on 71 Amazon Ireland Ratings)
Professional-grade UPS with smart cloud monitoring and clean switchover for business-critical devices.
A robust and intelligent UPS solution for clinics, salons, offices, and home workstations. With 900W output (1,500VA), this model protects your most sensitive electronics from power interruptions while providing enough runtime for safe shutdown or continued operation during short outages.
✅ Key Benefits:
900W Capacity – Supports PCs, monitors, networking devices, and POS systems
SmartConnect Cloud Monitoring – Manage UPS status from any web-enabled device
<10ms Auto-Switchover – Keeps devices running without interruption
Lead Acid Battery with 3-Hour Recharge
LCD Status Display – Easily monitor load, battery health, and estimated runtime
Includes Ethernet cable and shutdown software
Usage case examples
| Use Case | Devices Powered | Estimated Runtime |
|---|---|---|
| 🏠 Home Office | Desktop PC (250W) + Monitor (30W) + Router (15W) | ~40–50 minutes |
| 🏪 Salon POS Station | POS System (100W) + Card Machine (10W) + Router (15W) | ~2.5–3 hours |
| 🏢 Clinic Front Desk | PC (200W) + Printer (idle 10W) + Router + VoIP Phone | ~1.5–2 hours |
| 🖥️ Small Server Setup | Server Tower (400W) + Switch + Backup Drive | ~30–40 minutes |
| 🧾 Retail Backup | Cash Register (30W) + Card Reader + Wi-Fi | ~3.5+ hours |
🧊 3. Smart Backup for Fridges & Freezers
If you’re a food business, florist, or deal with perishable goods, even a short power cut can ruin stock. A 1000–2000Wh solar generator can keep a fridge/freezer running for 10–20 hours.
Recommended Products:
- EcoFlow Delta 2 (1024Wh)
- Bluetti AC200MAX (2048Wh expandable)
- Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus
Pair with:
- [Wi-Fi thermometer alerts] – to monitor temps remotely
- [Smart plugs with energy monitoring] – to track fridge usage and detect drops
💡 Pro Tip: Charge your generator during off-peak hours or top it up with solar during the day to cut energy costs while protecting your stock.
💡 4. Emergency Lighting & Display Power
If you’re customer-facing, emergency lights or signs can keep your business safe and welcoming during outages.
Recommended:
- 🔗 LED rechargeable lights
- Motion sensor emergency bulbs
- Battery-powered POS displays
🧾 Battery lighting upgrades are low-cost and grant-eligible when combined with other improvements.
💶 Final Thoughts: Small Investment, Big Protection
Whether you’re running a small shop in Cork, a therapy room in Galway, or a home office in Dublin — backup power is more affordable than ever. Even a modest €300–€500 setup can keep you operational during a blackout and pay for itself in one outage.
