Generator horizon cost
Add installed cost to annual fuel (outage hours x fuel per hour x price) times horizon years. Fuel dominates long horizons.
Off-grid and hybrid paths
Off-grid pairs autonomy-day banks with arrays; hybrids keep a small generator for rare long outages.
EVs and portable stations
EVs can move energy but vehicle-to-home backup needs compatible hardware; portable stations cover small loads only.
Formulas used
Generator horizon
purchase + fuel/year x years
Worked examples
50 outage hrs/yr, 10 yrs
$2,500 + $1,400 x 10 = $16,500 vs a $9,000 battery.
Common questions
Generator or battery?
Generators win for rare, long outages; batteries win for frequent short outages and daily cycling value.
Can an EV back up a house?
Only with vehicle-to-home hardware and utility approval; check compatibility first.
Sources
- Energy Saver: Generators U.S. Department of Energy
- Electricity Data U.S. Energy Information Administration