The 2024 storm season left parts of Tampa Bay without power for days, some for more than a week, in late-September heat. For many homeowners, backup power moved from a luxury to a requirement. The question is no longer whether to have it but which system fits your home, your budget, and how you want to live through an outage.

Three approaches dominate: a standby generator, solar with battery storage, or a combination. Each solves the problem differently.

Key Takeaways

• A standby generator runs indefinitely with fuel and can power the entire home, but it’s loud, needs maintenance, and depends on fuel supply.
• Solar with batteries is silent and self-recharging but has finite capacity and requires careful load planning.
• The federal residential tax credit for solar and batteries ended for systems placed in service after 2025; state and utility considerations still apply.

Standby Generators

A whole-home standby generator sits on a pad outside the house, connects to natural gas or a propane tank, and starts automatically through a transfer switch when utility power fails.

Strengths

• Runs as long as fuel is available. On natural gas, that’s effectively indefinite.
• Can be sized to power everything, including central air conditioning.
• Mature, well-understood technology with local service networks.

Considerations

• Noise. Modern units are quieter than portable generators but still audible. Placement relative to bedrooms and neighbors matters.
• Fuel. Natural gas service is the simplest. Propane requires a tank, often buried, sized for the outage duration you want to cover.
• Maintenance. Oil changes, weekly self-test cycles, and annual service.
• Placement. Code sets clearances from windows, doors, and property lines. In flood zones, the unit must sit above the flood elevation.
• Cost. Equipment, pad, electrical, gas piping, and permitting. Larger homes with multiple AC systems need larger units.

Solar With Battery Storage

Rooftop solar paired with a battery provides silent backup and daily energy savings. During an outage, the battery powers selected circuits and recharges from the panels each day.

Strengths

• No fuel, no noise, no exhaust.
• Lowers utility bills every day, not just during storms.
• Recharges daily as long as the sun is out.
• Florida law provides a property tax exclusion for the value of residential renewable energy devices and exempts qualifying solar equipment from sales tax.

Considerations

• Capacity. A typical residential battery runs essentials for a day or two: refrigeration, lighting, outlets, a mini-split. Running central air conditioning for a 4,000-square-foot home requires multiple batteries and careful design.
• Weather. Storm aftermath often means clouds. Recharge is slower than in clear conditions.
• Roof. Panels must be rated and mounted for our wind zone. Install them on a roof with substantial remaining life, since removing and reinstalling panels for a re-roof is costly.
• Incentives. The federal residential clean energy credit that covered solar and battery systems ended for equipment placed in service after December 31, 2025. Homeowner-owned systems installed in 2026 do not receive it. Leased or third-party-owned systems operate under different rules; a tax professional can advise on your situation.

Comparing the Options

Factor	Standby Generator	Solar + Battery	Both
Runs the whole house including AC	Yes, if sized	Difficult and costly	Yes
Duration	Unlimited with fuel	Limited by battery and sun	Unlimited
Noise	Moderate	None	Moderate when generator runs
Daily savings	None	Yes	Yes
Maintenance	Regular	Minimal	Regular for generator
Fuel dependence	Yes	No	Reduced
Flood zone placement	Elevated pad required	Battery above flood level	Both

A combination system uses the battery for short outages and quiet overnight hours, with the generator starting for extended outages or heavy loads. It’s the most resilient configuration and the most expensive.

Planning It Into a New Home

Backup power costs far less to design in than to add. For new construction or a major renovation:

• Electrical panel design. A dedicated backup subpanel or a whole-home transfer switch, planned with the electrician from the first drawing.
• Load management. Smart load-shedding devices let a smaller generator or battery handle a larger home by cycling heavy loads.
• Location. A generator pad with proper clearances, above flood elevation, away from bedrooms. A battery location in a conditioned or shaded space.
• Roof. If solar is planned, design the roof with an unshaded south- or west-facing plane and conduit runs to the electrical room.
• Gas. If natural gas is available at the street, bring it in during construction. If not, plan a propane tank location.

Our resilient design guide covers how backup power fits into a broader hardening strategy.

Adding to an Existing Home

Standby generators are among the most common retrofits in Tampa Bay. The work involves a pad, gas piping or a propane tank, a transfer switch, and permits. Battery systems can be added to existing solar or installed alone. In both cases, evaluate the electrical panel first; older homes often need an upgrade to support the added equipment safely.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big a generator do I need?

It depends on what you want to run. A load calculation by a licensed electrician determines the size. Running central air conditioning is the largest single factor.

Can a battery run my air conditioner?

A properly sized battery system can run a high-efficiency or mini-split unit for a limited time. Running a large central system through a multi-day outage requires substantial battery capacity or a generator.

Is the federal solar tax credit still available?

Not for homeowner-owned systems installed in 2026. The residential credit ended for equipment placed in service after December 31, 2025. Some third-party ownership arrangements operate under separate commercial rules. Consult a tax professional.

Do I need a permit for a generator?

Yes. Standby generators require electrical and often gas permits and inspections. Placement must meet code clearances and, in flood zones, elevation requirements.

How long will a propane tank last?

It depends on tank size and generator load. A commonly installed underground tank can run a whole-home generator for several days at moderate load. Your installer will size the tank for your target duration.

Can I have solar without a battery for backup?

Standard grid-tied solar shuts off during an outage for safety. Backup requires a battery or a generator.

Keep the House Running

The right backup power plan depends on your home, your priorities, and how long you want to be comfortable when the grid isn’t. TomCo Solutions integrates generators, solar readiness, and battery systems into custom homes and renovations across Tampa Bay.

Schedule a private 30-minute consultation or call (813) 922-2299.