Home Generator Cost: How Much Does A Generator Cost

Whenever the electricity grid fails due to high power demand or a storm strikes your area, the first thing you'll experience is a power outage. It's when you'll start finding the flashlight and lantern, put all perishable food into coolers, and find a way to power essential medical appliances like CPAP machines. Thankfully, you can save yourself from all the worry by investing in a solar generator.

But how much does a solar home generator cost? Generally, it lies between $1000 and $11,000, with an average of around $5000. The popular Jackery Solar Generators for the home include Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro, Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus, and Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro, which requires no expert installation. These portable home battery backups can charge 99% of home appliances for long hours.

Products	Image	Capacity	Rated/Peak Power	Battery	Size
Solar Generator 3000 Pro		3024Wh	3000W (6000W Peak)	Lithium-Ion	Length: 18.6 in (47.24 cm) Width: 14.1 in (35.81 cm) Height: 14.7 in (37.36 cm)
Solar Generator 2000 Plus		2-24kWh	3000W (6000W Peak)	LiFePO4	Length: 14.7 in (37.36 cm) Width: 18.6 in (47.3 cm) Height: 14.1 in (35.94 cm)
Solar Generator 2000 Pro		2160Wh	2200W (4400W Peak)	Lithium-Ion	Length: 15.1 in (38.4 cm) Width: 10.5 in (26.9 cm) Height: 12.1 in (30.75 cm)

How Much Does A Home Generator Cost?

When it comes to investing in a home battery backup, the first question that comes to mind is the home generator cost. In general, the cost of a large home generator is around $3000 to $11000, with an installation fee of $3000 to $5000. However, the price might vary depending on your home location.

In comparison, the portable yet powerful Jackery Solar Generators have a much lower cost of around $1500 to $2500. Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro and Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus can even be wired into the electric panel via a transfer switch. They automatically turn on when there's a power outage and start charging essential home appliances.

What Affects The Home Generator Cost?

The whole home generator cost will depend on different factors, including generator types, fuel types, installation, transfer switch, and more. Let's discuss them briefly.

Generator Types

A home generator produces electricity and supplies it to the electrical appliances when there is a power outage. However, there are different home generators available: home standby generators, portable generators, inverter generators, and portable power stations.

• Home standby generators are the most expensive type and are typically powered by natural gas, diesel fuel, or liquid propane.
• Portable generators are much more affordable and typically run on gas or propane. They're much cheaper and generally ideal for short-term power outages.
• An inverter generator is the third type that produces a different current that's stable enough to power home appliances.
• Portable power stations or solar generators are powered using free solar energy and can charge most home or outdoor appliances. Unlike other options, portable power stations are safe and do not emit any toxic fumes — making them safe for indoor use. The industry-grade Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations have high battery capacity and can be recharged using the Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels.

Fuel Types

Another thing that impacts the overall cost of home generators is the fuel type. The most common include gasoline, propane, diesel, and solar. Gas-powered generators are affordable and convenient, but they emit significant carbon gases and contribute to pollution. Diesel generators are more efficient than gasoline, but they aren't portable.

The third type is natural gas generators, which are highly efficient compared to the other two. However, these generators may not be a great choice if electricity and natural gas run out, as happened during the 2021 winter storm in Texas.

The most efficient fuel type is solar energy, which uses the sun to produce electricity. Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations are compatible with Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels for recharging. This means you don't have to worry about carbon emissions or toxic fumes.

Size

The larger the size of a solar generator is, the more will be its cost. If the output capacity is higher, the solar generator can power more appliances for longer hours. The following table reveals the different generator sizes, costs, and the coverage area.

Installation

If you choose a portable Jackery Solar Generator, you don't have to worry about installation. They're easy to set up: all you need to do is connect the Jackery Explorer Portable Power Station with the Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels via a solar cable. Alternatively, the average installation cost of a home generator lies between $500 to $3000, depending on its size.

Transfer Switch

A transfer switch acts as a connection point between the home wiring and the solar generator. Since you'll need an expert electrician to install the transfer switch, it will cost you around $150 to $1000.

Why You Need A Home Generator?

A home generator is an important investment to keep essential gear charged during power outages or grid failure. If you're still unsure if you want a solar generator, here are a few reasons.

• With a powerful home generator, you can charge all your essential gear, like a refrigerator, laptop, and other electronic devices.
• If your area experiences frequent power outages, a home generator ensures your family remains warm and comfortable during the brownout or blackout.
• A solar generator is essential for people dependent on medical devices like CPAP machines. For example, the Jackery Solar Generators can power long hours of electricity to medical equipment and other appliances.

What Size of Home Generator Do You Need?

When determining the size of a generator for a home, the first step is to calculate the wattage of the appliances you wish to power. Generally, a solar generator of nearly 2kWh to 3kWh can supply most home appliances.

The best way to determine the right size solar generator is by understanding the wattage consumption of the appliance. Here's a table that reveals the common home appliances and their running/starting watts.

Let's say you're charging multiple appliances that consume 1000 watts using Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro.

Working Time = Capacity in Wh * 0.85 / Operating wattage of the appliances = 3024Wh * 0.85 / 1000W = 2.5H.

Jackery Solar Generators also support pass-through charging, meaning you can charge the appliances while plugging in the power station for charging.

Jackery Solar Generators Explained

Jackery Solar Generators combine Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations and Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels to charge home appliances. The Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels have monocrystalline silicon cells that collect and then convert solar energy into electricity.

This DC electricity is supplied to the Jackery Explorer Portable Power Station, where the pure sine wave inverter converts it to usable AC electricity. Finally, you can connect the appliances to the power station and start charging them.

Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro

The Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro has a battery capacity of 3024Wh and can support 99% of home appliances. The pull rod and double wheels of the Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations make it easy to transport from one place to another. With the assistance of an expert electrician, you can integrate the Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro into the home circuit via a transfer switch.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus has a LiFePO4 battery capacity of 2042.8Wh, which can be expanded to 24kWh with the help of Jackery Battery Pack 2000 Plus. It can supply electricity to 99% of home appliances like refrigerators, lights, and medical equipment like CPAP machines.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro

With a battery capacity of 2160Wh, Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro can charge 96% of home appliances. It has a lithium-ion battery that's a safe and reliable choice for most homeowners and even outdoor enthusiasts. The Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro can be recharged in 2.5 hours using 6*Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels.

How to Choose The Best Home Generator

Power outages can last from a few hours to even a few days, leaving all your appliances unfunctional. However, choosing the best battery backup and determining the home generator cost can be overwhelming as there are many options available. Here are a few things you must consider before finalizing the best one.

Capacity: The battery backup system should have a high capacity to meet all your power needs.

Durability: The best solar generators should be durable, portable, and sturdy, making them an excellent choice for home or outdoors.

Noise Level: Since you'll be using the solar generator indoors, it's important to calculate the noise level and ensure it won't disturb your sleep.

Jackery Solar Generators come in various sizes and capacities, making these charging solutions an excellent option for homeowners. In addition, they have a noise level between 30dB and 45dB, which is less than a whisper.

What Are The Tips When Using & Installing A Home Generator?

You'll need to keep a few things in mind when installing and using a home generator.

Understand Your Actual Usage: When powering multiple appliances together, it's essential to anticipate the actual usage of all the appliances and ensure you're not exceeding the total power output.

Hire a Professional: Portable solar generators are relatively easy to install, but if you want to install the transfer switch, you'll need expert help.

Choose Modern Systems: Most newer generators perform better and run more efficiently. For example, the Jackery Solar Generators operate highly efficiently and include smart features like WiFi control and monitoring. Jackery Solar Generators has a smart app that helps you track battery storage, solar generator usage, and more.

Is A Home Generator Worth It?

There's no doubt that home generators are an excellent investment for most homeowners. This involves working with gas lines or the permanent installation of solar panels. Installation can become costly and usually requires professional help. Fortunately, you can simplify the process and reduce home generator costs by going solar.

Jackery Solar Generators are portable, so you can power most appliances indoors or outdoors. If you want a solution that can power all your home appliances and is affordable, Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro makes more sense. Alternatively, Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is ideal for those who want an expandable solar solution for various use cases.