Home batteries vs. generators
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Battery storage vs. generators
Protect your home when the grid fails. Choose the old way (a generator) or the modern way (a battery). This isn't just about backup; it's about picking the most reliable, convenient, and high-value solution for your family.
Solar storage
Benefits
- Provides home back-up
- Automatic start-up
- Silent noise level
- Recharges with the sun
- 25 year life span*
- $0 upfront cost*
- Multiple batteries can be installed for increased backup duration
Drawbacks
- May need multiple batteries to match the backup capacity of a standby generator
Standby generator
- Provides home back-up
- Automatic start-up
- Supports large loads for extended timespans
Drawbacks
- Moderate noise level
- Powered by natural gas or propane
- Large, often placed in visible, inconvenient locations
- Often require professional servicing
- Average equipment and installation cost of $4,000-14,000+ †
Portable generator
- Keeps select lights on in an outage
- Portable
- Low-cost option
Drawbacks
- Moderate to loud noise level
- Often powered by natural gas or propane
- Limited load capacity
- Requires refueling
- Must be kept a safe distance outside of home
- Requires manual start-up
* Available to all Sunrun Subscription Plan customers
† https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/generators/buying-guide/ (Typical cost: $2,000 to $7,000 without installation, which can more than double these prices.)
A solar battery vs. a generator
Consider the lifetime cost
It's natural to compare the initial cost of a generator to a solar battery. However, a battery system is a long-term investment that offers a new way to manage your home energy, potentially providing value every day, not just during an outage.
The hidden costs of a standby generator
Fuel dependency: Generators need to be connected to a natural gas line or consistently refueled with propane.
Continuous maintenance: They require professional maintenance every few years. This steady stream of expenses adds up to significant hidden costs over the system's lifetime.
The solar battery advantage
Renewable energy source: Home batteries run on the abundant solar energy your system produces.
Everyday energy management: Stored solar energy can be used at night when your panels aren't producing. For customers in areas with Time-of-Use (TOU) rates, this stored energy can be used during peak rate hours, helping reduce the amount of energy you use from the grid.
Minimal maintenance: Batteries require minimal maintenance and when maintenance is necessary, it’s covered by Sunrun for all subscription customers.*
*A subscription refers to a power purchase agreement or lease of a Sunrun-owned system
Backup power without the upfront price
With the Sunrun Subscription Plan, you can enjoy all the benefits of a home battery without the upfront costs. Instead, you pay a predictable monthly fee to Sunrun for the energy your system produces** and its storage capabilities.
*Sunrun Flex customers pay for the energy they consume from their system, subject to a monthly minimum bill.
Comfort, safety, and convenience you can count on
The differences between a generator and a battery extend far beyond the price tag—they impact your quality of life during a blackout. Here's how:
Virtually noise-free
A home battery doesn’t require a motor, meaning you have quiet but reliable backup power placed right on your home
Recharges with the sun
Instead of fuel coming from propane or gas, with a backup battery you get abundant energy from the sun that recharges your battery each day in extended outages
Zero local emissions
While generators produce carbon monoxide (CO) and other pollutants, batteries store solar energy making their operations emission free
Uninterrupted start-up
Unlike a generator, with battery storage there is no lag time for backup power to kick in meaning no need to reset the clocks or wait for the Wifi to turn back on.
Ready for the modern, reliable backup solution?
With a solar battery you get home outage protection that operates emission-free, is quiet, and is a reliable long-term investment. Our dedicated team is here to guide you through every step of your solar journey.
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