It is natural for us to love stability and comfort, so the panic when the power goes out is no surprise. In those moments, alternative solutions step up as first aid, they can save the workday or prevent major damage caused by an outage. The first thought is a generator, but increasingly also a solar system, which never leaves you stranded.

In this article we'll show you how to resolve the dilemma and decide whether a solar system is a better solution than a generator when frequent outages are the issue.

The question of economy, what's cheaper, a generator or a solar system?

If we compare a generator and the installation of a solar system, we'll see that the initial investment in a generator is a significantly more economical solution upfront.

Generators can cost from €200 to €2,000, depending on capacity, while installing a solar system can be from €1,000 to €6,000 and more, depending on the size of the system.

However, even though there is a significant price difference at the start, in the long run the situation is exactly the opposite. You need to bear in mind what follows installation, whether of a generator or a solar system.

For fuel to power a generator, you'll need 1–2 litres per hour. If the generator runs only 5 hours a day, on average over ten days that's about €80 for fuel. In addition, regular oil, filter and spark plug changes are required, as well as annual maintenance costs.

Generators last on average 5–10 years if regularly maintained and of good quality, so this investment is short-term, and the initial low price isn't really that low at all.

On the other hand, with the installation of a solar system, you have initial installation costs, but no fuel costs, because solar energy is free, and whatever you consume, you've also produced yourself. You don't have maintenance costs; you have minimal maintenance in the form of periodically cleaning the panels.

The calculation could roughly look like this if we measure a 10-year period of use:

Initial price comparison:

| Item | Generator | Off-grid solar with batteries | | --- | --- | --- | | Initial price | €2,000 | €7,000 | | Fuel (10 days a month) | €9,600 (€80/month × 120 months) | €0 | | Maintenance | €1,000 | €200 | | Replacement (failures, new generator) | €1,000+ | €0 (panels last 25+ years) | | Total | €13,600 | €7,200 |

When you're already opting for security during an outage, go for a long-term, sustainable solution that saves you money, because a 10-year period is short and a doubled amount of money is not insignificant.

Using a generator vs a solar system, which is easier?

When it comes to using a generator, it usually only handles basic appliances (fridge, light) and cannot power heavier appliances (water heater, air conditioning, washing machine) unless it's an expensive model.

For powering apartment buildings and multi-storey buildings, a generator isn't really a practical solution. A solar system, on the other hand, is sized to your real needs, can power an entire home or business space, and is the ideal solution for houses, holiday homes, farms, buildings, and commercial properties, no matter the size.

For a generator, you need physical presence to start it, sometimes several times a day, while a solar system functions without the need to switch on. The batteries work automatically, you don't depend on starting it, on the petrol station, on running out of fuel, or on transport. So, a solar system gives you complete energy independence and the electricity always works, without you having to wonder how, from where, and at what cost.

Another very important item is independence. A generator runs while there's fuel, while the batteries of a solar system store surplus energy for the night or cloudier days. Everything works without your involvement, and you don't feel any obligation, but you're certain that you'll have electricity for all your needs.

The question of ecology, space, and noise, generator vs solar system

It is clear that solar systems are at the top of the choice for ecological energy sources, and no other power supply system can match them in that segment. Still, it should be noted that:

A generator runs on fuel and pollutes the air
It is very loud, especially the smaller and more economical models
It is not suitable for enclosed spaces, and you have to provide a special outdoor location for it

A solar system is a clean energy source with no harmful gas emissions. It works silently, no smells, smoke, or pollution. It integrates easily onto the roof or walls and doesn't take up space, it needs no special conditions to operate beyond being in the sun.

Bear in mind that generators can fail if not used for long periods, while solar systems keep producing, and the batteries keep storing energy continuously.

When is a generator a smart choice?

Although here we've compared the use of generators and off-grid solar systems with batteries during outages, no one disputes that generators are an economical and quick solution for these situations. Here are when a generator is a good choice:

When you need a temporary solution (on a construction site or in places where you need electricity but don't plan to stay)
When you don't have the option to install a solar system
When you have smaller needs, e.g. only for the occasional operation of a single appliance

In all other situations, the more efficient and sustainable solution is a solar system.

In closing

A comparison of a generator and a solar system clearly shows that a generator is a fast and cheap option, but only at first glance. A solar system starts paying for itself after just a year or two, and after ten years the difference is enormous.

It should be noted that, to have electricity even when the grid goes down, you must have a solar system with batteries and a hybrid inverter. Only then does everything work without interruption.

If you need advice or have any doubts about off-grid systems and batteries, or about the security of power supply when the electricity goes out, the MySolar team is at your disposal.