Cooperative Living July 2022 - 22

CUTTING EDGE
Far left, the cost of installing solar
panels and a battery storage system
can be offset through energy savings.
Left, permanent generators are
connected directly to a residence.
Battery Storage or Generator?
Backup power options when the lights go off
by Katherine Loving, Contributing Columnist
P
ower outages can be more than a
minor nuisance. Extreme weather
can knock out the electric grid
for days to weeks at a time. Even for
shorter outage durations, the loss of
power affects electricity-dependent
medical equipment or home-based
businesses.
Many users are considering off-grid
solutions during prolonged outages.
Gas-powered generators are a traditional
choice for residential power generation,
but new battery storage systems, when
coupled with solar panels, can also be a
solution. Th re are pros and cons for
each type of backup power system, so
consumers should consider their power
needs and budget.
First, size your home energy needs
to evaluate whether you should power
the whole house or just a few critical
appliances. Tally the reported energy
use of each appliance that needs to
Grid-Tied Solar with
Battery Storage System
PROS:
* Quiet operation
* Seamless transition
from grid to battery
* Clean, emissions-free energy
Minimal maintenance
Excess power can be sometimes
resold back to utility
CONS:
High upfront cost
Requires sunlight to operate
or charge
Requires multiple batteries
to power the house
20 ● Cooperative Living ●
remain operational to get a rough
estimate of minimal energy needs.
PORTABLE POWER
Gas-powered generators have the
lowest upfront costs. These can be
portable, permanent or standby systems.
Portable generators typically cost
between $400 and $1,500 and use
roughly 20 gallons of gasoline per day.
Gas-powered generators are noisy and
have the least output, making them more
suited to occasional, brief outages.
Portable generators can be manually
connected to a circuit panel, but an
electrician must install a manual transfer
switch to protect appliances and utility
crews from a power surge once electricity
is restored. If not connected to a circuit
breaker, appliances can be plugged
directly into the generator but require
a long, heavy-duty extension cord
for safe operation.
Portable generators
Backup and
Standby Generators
PROS:
* Lower upfront costs
* Higher capacity/longer
run times
* No refueling (if connected to
propane or natural gas)
CONS:
Requires routine maintenance
Requires propane, natural gas
or diesel
also must be operated in
well-ventilated areas and
shielded from wet
weather. The U.S.
Consumer Product Safety
Commission estimates
80 deaths per year from
carbon monoxide
exposure are due to
improperly operated
portable generators.
STANDBY POWER
Permanent, or
standby, generators
July 2022
typically cost $2,000 to $5,000 and
can have installation costs that run as
much as $10,000. These are connected
directly to a residence and can be turned
on automatically in the event of a power
outage. Permanent generators can run
on natural gas or propane for extended
periods. Standby generators are suitable
for frequent outages or occasional
but sustained outages.
COMBO POWER
Overall expenses for a solar and
battery storage combination are much
higher than a generator. The National
Renewable Energy Lab estimates
the average U.S. cost for installation
to be around $1,200 to $1,500 per
kilowatt of system capacity. This
estimate includes the cost of the battery,
installation, permitting and inspection
costs. Adding a battery storage system
to an existing solar installation is
significantly more expensive and
may require an inverter change.
Compared with generators, this
option is quieter and does not create
local emissions like carbon monoxide.
The upside of a solar and battery
storage system is the ability to ff set
the higher initial investment costs
through year-round energy savings.
However, a battery storage system
can only provide 10 to 15 hours of
continuous power. In weather situations
that limit solar power generation, this
is not a solution.
Though costly, backup systems can
bring great peace of mind when the
power goes out. If you have questions,
contact your local electric cooperative. 
Katherine Loving writes on consumer
and cooperative affairs for the National
Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
co-opliving.com
PHOTO COURTESY TESLA
PHOTO COURTESY KOHLER
http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living July 2022

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