Solar and battery backup ideas homeowners say can replace constant generator use

"I can get through 5 to 7 days in fall, winter, and spring without sunshine."

After losing power for 11 days, one homeowner started searching for a backup solution that was cleaner and less cumbersome than a generator tied to a web of extension cords.

That person turned to Reddit’s r/SolarDIY community for advice on the best way to set up the system.

What readers should know

In the post, the homeowner explained they were trying to piece together a battery backup system. They said they planned to use a 16 kWh battery bank and wanted to know how to run the house from that bank while also charging it with both 120V AC and solar panels during a winter blackout.

The homeowner said the critical loads were lights, a well pump, a refrigerator, and freezers. Those items were already connected through a Reliance transfer switch with a 30-amp input.

The original poster asked whether that kind of setup was actually possible. The question about combining batteries and solar panels led other homeowners to describe how they keep essential appliances running while treating generators as a backup option.

Commenters offered a range of solutions, including hybrid inverters and expandable portable power stations.

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The most popular reply said, "I have pretty much what you have except I have the 50 amp Reliance transfer switches with essential loads… I can go 5-7 days in the fall, winter, and spring without sunshine."

Another commenter wrote, "Sure it's possible. In fact most of the inverters and portable power stations can charge off an AC source and PV at the same time without a problem."

A third homeowner said they had built a system with a 4,000-watt hybrid inverter and 33.6 kilowatt-hours of battery storage for about $3,700, not including panels and wiring.

Others simply posted photos of their own setups.

For readers looking into the solar side of a backup system, EasyHome offers free tools that help homeowners compare bids from local installers.

Where to learn more

Other homeowners have faced similar questions about how much battery storage is enough and how to recharge it during an outage.

• Two seniors comparing batteries with gas generators heard concerns from owners about whether batteries would be sufficient.

• A homesteader exploring battery backup for outages heard recommendations for a generator after a four-day blackout.

• Solar owners discussed recharging batteries from the grid, and one said they made it through a weeklong outage.