How To Choose Solar Generator For A House In Chicago
The solar generator market was valued at $570 million in 2023 and is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.5% between 2024 and 2032. Increasing electricity bills and grid issues push homeowners to explore the green energy market.
Read this article to find out how to choose the best solar generator for a house in Chicago. Determine suitable system parameters with our detailed guide.
How Solar-Powered Generators Work
Unlike traditional gasoline generators, a solar-powered home backup generator harnesses energy from the Sun’s rays. It usually consists of solar panels, a charge controller, a battery, and an inverter. Here’s how a solar backup power system works:
- Solar panels absorb sunlight and generate DC electricity.
- The charge controller regulates the DC electricity and sends it to the battery for storage.
- When needed, the stored DC electricity is converted into AC power by the inverter, which is ready to power your devices.
A solar panel backup power system works like a mini hybrid solar station. The main difference is that in station cases, the system constantly powers your appliances. Meanwhile, solar backup power for home acts like a big eco-friendly power bank that you can connect to the house’s grid to power your appliances.
Currently, there are two types of solar-powered backup generators: portable and permanent.
| Parameter | Panel type | |
| Portable | Permanent | |
| Size | Lightweight (less than 30-50 lbs) | Heavy (more than 50 lbs) |
| Portability | Portable | Permanently installed |
| Where used | During outdoor activities or as an emergency option to power some appliances | A reliable option to provide power for all your appliances during grid outages |
Benefits of Solar-Powered Backup Generators
Green backup solutions are much better than traditional gas-powered options. The advantages of owning a solar generator for a house include but are not limited to:
- Environmental benefits: Zero greenhouse emissions and reduced carbon footprint throughout the whole system’s lifecycle.
- Long-term cost savings: While the initial investment in a permanent solar backup power kit can be high, it potentially significantly lowers your bills over time.
- Increased property value: A permanently mounted solar backup generator can increase the value of your home.
- Quiet operation: Solar generators are significantly quieter than gas-powered generators, providing a peaceful environment.
- Low maintenance: Solar-powered battery backup systems require minimal maintenance compared to gas generators.
Installation Process for Solar Backup Systems
Installing a solar backup power supply for a home is similar to mounting a hybrid solar system. Install multiple solar panels, and large batteries, and connect them to the house’s grid.
The key difference between systems is that the backup option doesn’t need many solar panels. You must ensure that a powered backup generator for homes covers vital devices like climate systems, fridges, and a small list of appliances.
Here is how the process of installing solar generators for a home usually looks:
- Initial contact: Find reputable solar installers who will do all the hard work.
- Needs assessment: The installer team evaluates your energy consumption habits to determine suitable solar home generator system parameters.
- System design: Experts will find components that fit your needs and budget.
- Permits and approvals. Solar installers will obtain necessary permits from local authorities and HOA.
- Installation: During this step, the team will install a home solar power backup generator system, including panels, inverters, and batteries.
- System testing. Here, installers meticulously test the system to ensure it performs at its best.
- Grid Connection. The installer team connects panels to the batteries and backup grid.
If you are looking for a permanent solar-powered backup generator in Chicago, ensure you collaborate only with certified teams. Self-installation is not only dangerous but also terminates the warranty.
Cost Comparison: Solar vs Traditional Generators
The upfront and long-term costs of solar and traditional generators are different. The comprehensive table breaks down the key factors.
| Parameter | Generator type | |
| Solar | Traditional | |
| Upfront costs | Typically higher due to investment in solar panels, batteries, and the inverter. | Lower, as you just need only a generator and a place to install them. |
| Operational costs | Almost none. Just clean your panels every few months. | Fuel and oil changes, regular maintenance, and replacement parts. |
| Long-term costs | Significant savings due to low maintenance. | While cheaper upfront, cumulative maintenance costs may outweigh the initial savings over time. |
Meanwhile, government incentives can lower solar backup generator costs even more. In Chicago, you can use the federal solar tax credit (ITC) to lower taxes and net metering and Illinois Shine’s credits to lower electricity bills. Meanwhile, there are no government stimuli for using traditional generators. We recommend you take the time to compare backup power generator cost, upkeep, and other factors.
Maintenance And Longevity Of A Solar Generator For A House
Regular care is vital to keep your solar system productive for years. Here is a short list of maintenance that you should do to prolong the life of the solar-powered backup generator in Chicago:
➥ Visual inspection: Check panels, batteries, and inverters for cracks, damage, or loose wiring.
➥ Regular maintenance: Remove dust, debris, and bird droppings from panels to keep the solar-powered backup generator clean and prevent hotspots.
➥ Removing snow from panels: Use snow guard heating systems and clean them with special bristles to prevent snow accumulation.
➥ Monitoring parameters: Invest in robust monitoring tools to spot potential problems before they become obvious.
➥ Professional inspection: Book professional inspection and cleaning once a year.
If you properly maintain the system, the home solar backup generator will work for years without additional costs. Solar panels usually function for 15-20 years with almost the same capacity as in the beginning. Inverters typically stay productive for 10-15 years, while batties have a 10-year warranty.
Top Brands for Solar-Powered Generators
The solar market is rapidly growing, and keeping up with all the new names is hard. That’s why we gather reputable brands in portable and whole-house solar generator lists.
Top 5 Leading Brands Of Portable Solar Generators
- Jackery: This brand offers many options for camping, outdoor adventures, and home backup.
- Bluetti: They specialize in high-capacity portable power stations, so its bundles suit you if you want a small solar-powered backup generator in Chicago.
- Goal Zero: A pioneer in portable power solutions that provide reliable and durable solar generators for various applications.
- EcoFlow: Offers innovative power stations with fast charging capabilities and advanced features.
- Anker: A well-known electronics brand that has backup batteries and portable solar panels.
Top Permanent Solar Generator Brand Options
If you want a whole-house solar generator where both panels and batteries are from the same brand, look for the following options:
- Tesla: Known for its innovative EVs, Tesla also offers solar panels and the PowerWall battery for home energy storage.
- SunPower: Provides high-efficiency solar panels and integrated battery storage systems.
- LG: Recently, they launched pretty powerful panels and energy storage solutions.
- Panasonic: Known for its high-quality appliances and batteries, Panasonic also provides solar solutions.
Environmental Impact of Solar Backup Generators
Solar power is much cleaner than traditional fossil fuel generators, allowing you to power your entire house with clean energy. This lowers air and water pollution in your area, as solar panels produce no greenhouse emissions, unlike fossil fuel generators that release harmful gases like carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide.
The solar whole-house generator is also suitable for those living in a quiet area, as it doesn’t produce any noise. During outages, you won’t disturb neighbors powering your house.
Investing in a solar-powered backup generator in Chicago is a significant step toward energy independence. Carefully consider your power needs, budget, and available space to select the system that best suits your lifestyle.
If you need a small portable system to power a smartphone, laptop, or mini-fridge, portable batteries with the solar panels bundle will suit you. If you need a powerful solar generator for a house that can power a heating system, fridge, and other vital appliances, contact solar installers who will place a permanent system.
Looking to buy a solar generator for a house in Chicago? Get your free solar quote in minutes!
FAQ
Can you have solar panels and a backup generator?
You can have both panels and a backup generator. While solar panels will generate electricity during the day, traditional generators may act as the “last straw” option during long blackouts when you don’t have enough stored energy in batteries.
How to build a solar power backup system at home?
Evaluate your needs and decide on preferable system parameters. If you need a portable option, you may install it yourself. But if you are looking for a solar generator for the whole house, book solar installers so they collect all permits and install the system for you.
How to choose the best solar generator for home backup?
Identify your needs and essential appliances to understand desirable solar panels and battery capacities. It will help you determine whether you need a portable or permanent system. Pick an inverter with a pure sine wave and capacious batterie if you want a permanently installed option.
