What does whole-home backup power actually cost?
Equipment price is only part of the quote. Compare the full installed system and its ongoing costs rather than comparing headline equipment prices.
Compare these quote components
| Component | Generator | Battery | Solar + battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core equipment | Generator | Battery/inverter | Solar array + battery/inverter |
| Electrical work | Transfer equipment, wiring, panel work as needed | Controls, wiring, panel work as needed | Solar + storage interconnection and related electrical work |
| Site work | Pad, placement, possible fuel work | Mounting/location preparation | Roof/ground mounting plus battery location |
| Permits/inspection | May apply | May apply | Typically material to project |
| Ongoing costs | Fuel + maintenance | Limited routine maintenance; eventual equipment replacement | System maintenance considerations; eventual equipment replacement |
Why quotes can differ so much
Home size alone does not determine price. Desired loads, existing electrical service, equipment capacity, installation complexity, local permitting, fuel availability, roof conditions and incentives can materially change the project.
Before accepting a quote
Ask the provider to separate equipment, installation/site work, permits, supplemental electrical/fuel work, maintenance and any optional items. That makes multiple quotes much easier to compare.