To keep light and power without the grid, plan three layers: a head-torch and spare batteries for each person, a charged power bank to keep one phone alive, and optionally a small solar charger for longer outages. Keep candles as a backup, never the main plan, because of fire risk. Sweden's Agency for Civil Defence (MCF, formerly MSB) recommends every household manage at least one week on its own. Here is how to cover light and power.
Reviewed by Oskar Björk, adviser and co-founder of Kapsel, defence engineer at the Swedish Armed Forces (Försvarsmakten). Last updated 2026-09-07.
Light: a head-torch per person
- A head-torch keeps your hands free and is the single most useful light in a power cut. One per person.
- Keep spare batteries in the right sizes, stored together and checked twice a year.
- Candles and tea lights are a backup for a little light and warmth, used on a stable surface, never unattended, never near fabric. The Swedish Fire Protection Association publishes the guidance on safe candle use.
Power: a charged power bank
- A power bank of around 10,000 to 20,000 mAh charges a phone several times, enough to stay reachable for days if you use it sparingly.
- Charge it now and top it up monthly, an empty power bank helps no one.
- A hand-crank radio with a USB output, or a hand-crank charger, gives you power with no batteries at all.
How much onboard power does a full Kapsel system carry? About 15,000 mAh. That is a 10,000 mAh power bank plus a 5,000 mAh crank radio you can also recharge by hand or solar, enough to keep phones and lights going across a week without the grid.
Solar, for longer outages
- A small folding solar panel can keep a power bank and phone going over several days, useful in summer and on longer outages.
- Solar is slow and weather-dependent, so treat it as a top-up, not your only source.
How much do you need?
For a week, plan a head-torch and spare batteries per person, at least one good power bank for the household, a hand-crank radio (which also covers information and the VMA alert), and a solar charger if you want resilience beyond a few days. Keep it all in one place so you can find it in the dark. Krisinformation.se on power cuts sets out the official Swedish advice, and Energimyndigheten is the authority on the power supply itself.
Where this fits
Light and power is one of the five basics, alongside water, heat, communication and food. Build it from our complete emergency-kit checklist and our plan for a week without power and water. The Kapsel Core covers it in its Energy & Light capsule, with the torch, power and radio basics chosen to work together. See the Kapsel Core.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best light source in a power cut?
A head-torch, one per person. It keeps your hands free and runs on easily stored batteries. Keep candles only as a backup because of fire risk.
How big a power bank do I need for an emergency?
Around 10,000 to 20,000 mAh charges a phone several times. Keep it charged and top it up monthly so it is ready when you need it.
Is a solar charger worth it for preparedness?
For outages beyond a few days, yes, especially in summer. It is slow and weather-dependent, so use it to top up a power bank rather than as your only source.
How do I charge my phone without electricity?
Use a charged power bank, a hand-crank charger or radio with USB output, or a small solar panel. Use the phone sparingly to make the charge last.
Sources: MCF, the Swedish Agency for Civil Defence, krisinformation.se on power cuts, Energimyndigheten and Brandskyddsföreningen.
Light and power matter in the heat too: a charged power bank runs a fan during a heatwave.