Looking at solar or a back up generator for the whole house. Anyone have either and what are your opinions?

I am researching the same. I would do both.

Ive been running a 7.5 Kubota generator to power our entire fishing lodge for 30 years. I can run it 12-hours a day on 2.5 gallons of fuel. Looked into solar but it just didnt make sense financially.

Solar is a poor choice for a back up power source. Solar works when you're getting your electric from the grid. Solar only makes electric when the sun is shining. With most solar systems, you put electric into the grid when the sun is shining and take electric from the grid when the sun isn't shining. You pay for the net difference so your electric bill is lower. Most solar systems won't work when you can't get electric from the grid. Without power from the grid, solar requires a big bank of batteries to deliver power when the sun isn't shining. You charge the batteries during the day and use that power at night. A battery bank costs thousands and needs to be replaced about every 5 years.

A generator is less expensive and less complicated.

And if the storm takes out your panels, then what? A good generator is much cheaper than the same amount of panels required to get the same amount of power. Both may still require some maintenance but I would think the generator would be cheaper and easier to work with. Just make sure you have enough fresh gas on hand before you need it.

I would advise you towards them generator too. If you are handy with electricity it’s ok to go with a automatic double throw switch. Because if it doesn’t work it can be wired around. If you’re not get a manual double throw. It’s convenient to have the juice come on automatically after main power is lost, but the auto units have electric components that can and do fail. Good luck

Generator first, everyone should have one imo.

Then if you think you want solar, go for it.

i have checked into it and with the battery cost and low life span of them or high cost of lithium batteries solar sounds expensive. I would go with a water turbine if you had a stream or water above you way more cost affective than solar. I use a generator at our camp and a couple batteries it charges for night time use.

Was leaning toward the generator. After reading everyones comments, definitely looking that way. Thanks for the info!

We have a 30 kw Kohler gen set. Sure is nice to have when either snow or wind takes down trees on the powerlines. Ps we have lots of trees in N Idaho. Auto transfer switch and you never when the power blips out. Our unit is propane.

This. I have both.
The generator is the no nonsense work horse. Mine has remote start and stop buttons in different buildings. You can also get the auto switch that turns the generator on automatically when power is lost. Mine is in its own building and hooked to a good car battery for starting.
Honda ultra quiet 7k. Incredible power plant.

Osky

both grid tie solar to lower your monthly bills and a backup generator for when the lines are down.


maintaining batteries only works for limited loads.

assuming you want more than a few lights while the power is out like maintaining 3-4 freezers.

I have both. Use that genny once and you will be very happy that you made the investment

Just had a bid from solar company - did not include batteries. $231 dollars a month for 20 years.
My average electric bill is $176.
Think i will keep the $55 a month and stay with the electric company and buy a backup generator.