Author: Mariela Guanchez
Whenever a storm knocks out the power, you might regret not having backup. Some folks lean on a generator, others consider solar with battery storage. But there’s another angle: a simple grid-tied solar system can slash your bills year-round, even if it won’t power your house in an outage. So let’s dissect solar panels vs. generator and see how they each handle home backup power—and what net metering means for your savings.
The Generator Approach
Generators are tried and true: fill them with fuel, turn them on when the grid fails, keep your fridge and lights running. But there are drawbacks:
- Fuel Cost & Storage: Gasoline, propane, or diesel must be ready. In a long outage, you might scramble to find more fuel.
- Noise & Emissions: Generators can be loud, plus they spew exhaust.
- No Net Benefit When Grid Is Up: A generator sits idle 99% of the time, costing you money if you maintain or eventually replace it.
Solar Panels as Ongoing Savings
Solar panels feed your home with green energy day by day—renewable energy solutions that reduce bills under net metering. If you add a battery, you can also handle short outages. But even without a battery, you’re reaping monthly savings. That’s something a generator just can’t match.
Cost & Eco-Friendliness
- Generators: Cheaper up front for backup, but no long-term electricity savings. Fuel costs add up, and there’s a carbon footprint.
- Solar: Higher initial cost (especially if you add battery backup), but big monthly savings plus minimal environmental impact.
Net Metering: A Silent Advantage
Under Nova Scotia’s net metering program, each kilowatt-hour you overproduce is credited to you. So while the grid is up, you reduce or eliminate your bills. This is a year-round payoff. If there’s an outage, grid-tied solar (without batteries) does shut off to protect utility workers. But if outages are rare or short, does that matter enough to skip daily savings? Often, no—people prefer the net billing advantage, especially if a simple generator can do short-term backup.
Making the Choice
Ask yourself: How often does my area lose power, and how long do these outages last? If the answer is “rare and brief,” then a generator might not be worth the cost or hassle. Alternatively, a small battery with solar might keep essentials going. But if you frequently endure multi-day outages in a remote area, maybe a generator or a more robust off-grid solar system is wise.
Conclusion
So, Solar Panels or Generator? For many Nova Scotians, a straightforward solar setup brings daily cost reductions and a smaller ecological footprint, while a generator only helps in outages. You might do a hybrid approach—grid-tied solar for year-round savings plus a small generator for the occasional storm. Atlantic Solar can help you weigh the economics, especially if you crave that sweet net metering deal.
