With the past two years being unpredictable on many levels, one thing will always be guaranteed: power outages happen. When it comes to losing power, many homeowners are looking for safe and effective ways to keep their homes running when electricity fails. Historically, generators have been a means of doing this, but solar solutions are becoming more accessible all the time. So, if you’re a homeowner and deciding between a gas generator or going the solar route, but not sure what to invest in – have no fear. Here’s how the two compare:
Generators
Many families accept the noise of generators as a necessary part of dealing with a power outage. For the cost of that sound and daily fuel, you can count on some of your most necessary household fixtures operating while the electricity is out. The Generac gas generator, not to be confused with the Generac energy storage generator, is a prominent brand.
Pros
Generators can run appliances without having to charge the generator first. Weather doesn’t factor into their ability to supply power. Because they’ve been around so long, they’re easy to purchase and replace. They’re also a handy solution for when you need to be on the move if you have a portable generator.
Cons
Fuel can quickly add up, and storage can be dangerous. Getting fuel during a power outage is not always easy, although many run on the natural gas or propane already used in your home. Generators are noisy and restricted in some areas. It’s not only sound they give off… gas generators emit carbon monoxide and contribute to air pollution. They can also be heavy and bulky to haul around. And they aren’t cheap!
Solar Solutions
Solar solutions are more popular than ever, with new advances being developed every day to make them more convenient than ever. Solar plus energy storage equates to a gas generator plus fuel.
Pros
Solar panels are a clean source of power and are safe for you and your family. They don’t produce noise or other irritants and don’t harm the environment. Solar solutions don’t require fuel to run, so you never have to worry about how much fuel costs or how much you can access to keep your home running. Because they operate on power from the sun, the energy is free after they are installed.
Energy storage like the Tesla Powerwall is an excellent backup for solar panels, as they store the power you’ve accrued through sunnier times in case of a power outage. When the power goes out, your battery starts working automatically, so there’s no scrambling to set up a generator or acquire fuel to get things back up and running. Yes Solar has customers who never even realized they had lost power. Tesla even has a storm warning system that can help you prepare for oncoming weather. As long as you get some sun, your solar panels can charge your batteries indefinitely, and support whatever loads are most critical. These might be the kitchen, a well pump, an office or medical equipment.
Cons
Energy storage needs to be charged before it can run appliances, and can be challenged by more power-hungry appliances during power outages without efficient backups such as solar batteries. Therefore, your Energy Specialist should help you determine critical loads.
Initial start-up costs of solar solutions can seem steep to install. In fact, the federal government just increased the solar tax credit on both solar and energy storage to 30%, which significantly impacts the cost. The credit has been extended for ten years. There are also new financing options that bundle both solar and storage with attractive terms.
Want To Go Solar?
Generators have their benefits, but solar solutions set the bar high when it comes to the many advantages, as they meet the needs of consumers while remaining environmentally friendly and safe for families.
In 2017, Yes Solar Solutions was the first installer to be certified for Tesla and we have installed more Powerwalls than any company in North Carolina.
For more information about how solar solutions could become part of your life, contact Yes Solar Solutions online, or call our team of solar experts directly at (919) 804-1490 today!