Key takeaway
A generator runs as long as it has fuel and can power a whole home, but it's loud, needs maintenance and burns gas or propane. A solar battery is quiet, has no fuel, recharges from your solar panels and can earn ConnectedSolutions payments in Massachusetts, but it holds a set amount of energy. The right backup depends on how long your outages last and what you need to keep running. Some homes use both.
Who this guide is for: Massachusetts homeowners comparing home backup power options, with solar or a plan to install solar.
When the power goes out in Massachusetts, the question isn't whether backup power is nice to have. It's which kind fits your home. The two main options are a backup generator and a solar battery, and they work very differently.
Here's how each one works, the pros and cons of each, and how to pick the right backup for your power needs.
At a Glance: Generator vs Solar Battery Backup
| Solar battery | Standby generator | Portable generator | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power source | Stored energy from your solar panels and the grid | Natural gas or propane | Gasoline, usually |
| Turns on | Automatically, in a split second | Automatically, after a short delay | You start it and plug things in |
| How long it runs | Until the battery runs low, then recharges with sun | As long as it has fuel | As long as you keep refueling |
| Noise | Silent | Loud while running | Loud while running |
| Upkeep | Very little | Regular maintenance | Regular maintenance and fuel storage |
| Earns money | Can, through ConnectedSolutions | No | No |
How Does a Solar Battery Backup System Work?
A solar battery is solar storage: it holds electricity so you can use it later. When it's paired with solar panels, your panels charge the battery during the day with power you'd otherwise send back to the grid. When the grid goes down, the battery system separates your home from the power grid and keeps your backed-up circuits running.
The battery capacity sets how much energy it can hold, and its power rating sets how many things it can run at once. During a long outage, your solar array can recharge the battery whenever the sun is out, so solar charging stretches your backup much further than a battery alone.
How Does a Backup Generator Work?
A generator burns fuel to make electricity. There are two main kinds.
Standby Generator
A standby generator is installed outside your home and runs on natural gas or propane. It connects to your electrical panel through a transfer switch and turns on by itself when the power goes out. A big enough standby generator can run a whole home for as long as the fuel lasts.
Portable Generator
A portable generator usually runs on gasoline. You set it up outside, start it and run cords or connect it through an interlock or transfer switch an electrician installs. It has a lower upfront cost than other options, but you have to keep it fueled. Never run a portable generator inside your home or garage, because the exhaust contains carbon monoxide.
Solar Battery vs Generator: Pros and Cons
Home Battery Backup Pros and Cons
- Pros: quiet, no fuel to buy or store, no emissions while running, kicks in automatically, recharges from your solar panels and can earn ConnectedSolutions payments.
- Cons: holds a set amount of energy, and backing up a whole home takes several batteries. It works best when paired with solar panels.
Fuel Generator Pros and Cons
- Pros: runs as long as you have fuel, can power a whole home, and a portable generator has a lower upfront cost.
- Cons: loud, needs fuel and regular maintenance, makes emissions, and won't help your electric bill when the grid is up.
Battery Backup vs Generator Upkeep
A traditional generator needs oil changes, test runs and fuel. A generator may also need a permit and space outside with clearance from windows. Home backup battery systems need very little care, and solar battery systems top themselves up from your solar input every sunny day. Batteries are also better for the environment, since they don't burn fuel to make power.
Got a quote with a battery on it?
Send it to Mark. He'll check whether the battery is sized for what you actually want to keep running.
Mark, review my quoteWhat Can Home Batteries Power During a Power Outage?
A battery holds a set amount of energy, so most homes choose which circuits get power during outages. Common picks are the refrigerator, lights, outlets for phones and Wi-Fi, a well pump or sump pump, and the furnace blower. A big appliance like central air or an electric range uses a lot of power to keep running, so it drains backup batteries faster.
Whole home backup is possible with enough batteries, but for most homes, covering the essentials is enough to keep your home running and give you peace of mind. A generator can power your home longer, as long as the fuel holds out.
Generator or Solar: Which Is the Right Backup for Your Home?
Start with your backup power needs. What do you need to keep running, and for how long? Your answers point to the right solution for your home.
- A solar battery fits if you have solar or plan to install solar, your outages usually last hours rather than days, and you want quiet, automatic backup for the essentials.
- A standby generator fits if you need whole-home backup for long outages, or you run big loads like electric heat or central air.
- A portable generator fits if you want a lower upfront cost and don't mind setting it up and refueling it during an outage.
Think about your power needs, too. A well pump, a sump pump or a home office can make reliable backup power a must, while a fridge and a few lights need much less.
Can You Use a Generator and Solar Together?
Yes. Some homes get the best of both worlds: a solar battery for everyday backup and peak events, and a generator for long outages. Some battery systems can even accept a generator as a power source to recharge the battery when there's no sun for days.
Solar and Battery Backup Plus a Generator
Pairing the two gives you quiet, automatic solar backup for most outages and a generator for the rare long one. Your solar system keeps cutting your electric bill the rest of the year, and you get more home energy independence and reliable power when you need it.
If you want to connect a generator to your existing solar or battery system, have a licensed electrician do it. The setup has to keep the generator, the battery and the grid from feeding into each other.
FAQs About Solar Batteries vs Generators
Is a solar battery or a generator better for Massachusetts winter outages?
For short outages, a solar battery covers the essentials quietly and automatically. For multi-day outages after a big nor'easter, a generator can keep running as long as it has fuel. Shorter winter days mean less solar charging, which is why some homes pair a battery with a generator.
Can a solar battery power my whole home?
It can, with enough batteries. Whole-home backup takes more battery capacity, especially for big loads like central air or electric heat. Most homes back up their essential circuits instead.
Is a solar generator the same as a home power backup battery?
No. A "solar generator" usually means a portable battery pack you charge with a small solar panel. It's handy for camping or charging a few devices, but it isn't a home battery backup wired into your electrical panel.
Can I connect a generator to my existing solar?
Often, yes, but it has to be done right. A licensed electrician should install the transfer switch or interlock, and your solar and battery equipment has to be compatible with a generator input.
Do generators qualify for Massachusetts battery incentives?
No. ConnectedSolutions pays battery owners, and the Mass Save HEAT Loan offers 0% financing for battery storage. Generators aren't part of either program.
About Mark Featherstone
Mark has been in solar for 14+ years, working at some of the biggest solar companies in the country, before co-founding Your World Solutions. His goal is simple: help homeowners get into solar deals that actually work for them, and make sure they understand every part of it before they sign.