Can You Combine Solar Power with a Backup Generator? Here’s How It Works

If you’re thinking about energy independence, you’ve probably asked yourself: Can I combine solar panels with a backup generator?

The answer is yes — and it’s one of the smartest moves a Missouri homeowner can make.

Solar power lowers your utility bill, and backup generators keep your home running during outages. When combined, they create a resilient, efficient system that protects your home, lowers your long-term costs, and gives you peace of mind when the grid goes down.

In this article, we’ll explain how solar and generators can work together, when you might need both, and what setup works best for your home.

Why Combine Solar and Backup Generators?

Let’s start with the basics: solar panels generate power during the day. But what happens when the sun goes down — or during a storm?

If your solar system is grid-tied (most are), it automatically shuts down during an outage to prevent back-feeding electricity into power lines. That means even if the sun is shining, your home goes dark.

A backup generator fills that gap.

By combining solar and a generator, you get:

• Lower bills year-round from solar
• Automatic backup power during outages
• Reduced dependence on the grid
• Protection for critical appliances and systems
• Peace of mind knowing you’re covered 24/7

How Solar-Only Systems Work

If you have a standard solar system installed without backup:

• Your panels produce energy during the day
• You use what you need and send excess to the grid (net metering)
• At night or during outages, you draw power from the utility
• If the grid goes down, so does your solar system

Even with solar, a power outage will still knock out your lights unless you have battery storage or a backup generator.

How Whole-Home Generators Work

A whole-home generator, like those installed by Cain Electric, is:

• Permanently installed outside your home
• Connected to your natural gas or propane line
• Wired directly into your panel via a transfer switch
• Set to turn on automatically when the grid fails

Generators keep your refrigerator, HVAC, lights, well pump, and other critical systems running — no matter what the weather looks like.

Learn more about our whole-home backup generator solutions.

Combining Solar and Generators: Two Main Setups

There are a couple of ways to pair solar with a generator. Which one is right for you depends on your goals, budget, and local utility setup.

1. Solar + Generator + Manual Transfer Switch (Basic Setup)

This setup works well for homes with solar and a portable or partial-load generator:

• Your solar system remains grid-tied
• During an outage, solar shuts down
• You manually start the generator and switch over to backup power
• Once the grid returns, you manually switch back

This is a more affordable option, but it’s manual, doesn’t integrate solar during outages, and may not cover your whole home.

2. Solar + Generator + Automatic Transfer Switch (Seamless Integration)

This is the best option for most homeowners wanting convenience, safety, and full-home coverage:

• Your solar system stays grid-tied but is connected through a smart inverter
• Your generator is wired in with an automatic transfer switch
• When the grid fails, the transfer switch instantly switches to generator power
• Some systems (like those with battery backup) allow solar + generator to work together during outages

This setup offers:

• Fully automatic operation
• Minimal interruption during outages
• Support for critical and non-critical loads
• Scalability to add battery storage later

Cain Electric specializes in integrating solar and backup generators to work safely and seamlessly in this configuration.

See how we help Missouri homeowners with solar integration.

Can Solar and Generators Run at the Same Time?

Yes — but it depends on the system design.

To safely run solar and a generator at the same time, your system must include:

• A transfer switch that prevents back-feeding
• A hybrid inverter or compatible solar inverter
• Correct load management to avoid overloading the generator

Improperly designed systems can lead to:

• Electrical hazards
• Generator or inverter damage
• Violations of utility or NEC code

That’s why you need a licensed installer like Cain Electric to engineer the system properly.

What About Battery Storage?

Adding a battery like the Tesla Powerwall or Generac PWRcell is another great way to store solar energy for use at night or during outages.

You can combine:

• Solar + Battery (for silent, short-term backup)
• Solar + Generator (for long-term outages)
• Solar + Battery + Generator (for maximum resilience)

Battery-only systems are silent and clean but limited in duration. Most can’t run a whole home for more than a few hours — especially with HVAC or well pumps running.

A generator picks up the slack when the battery is drained or the sun isn’t shining.

When You Should Combine Solar + Generator

This combo makes sense if:

• You live in an area with frequent power outages
• You have medical devices, well pumps, or other critical loads
• You work from home and can’t afford downtime
• You want the benefits of solar without losing power during storms
• You want to prepare for emergencies or grid instability

Missouri homeowners — especially in rural areas like Pacific, Eureka, Washington, or Union — often face storm-related outages. Pairing solar with a generator is the best way to keep your lights (and life) running no matter what.

Installation Requirements

Cain Electric handles all aspects of your solar + generator setup, including:

• Site evaluation and load analysis
• Generator sizing and fuel planning
• Transfer switch installation
• Inverter compatibility and wiring
• Permit coordination
• Utility interconnection
• Post-installation testing

We make the entire process seamless and code-compliant from start to finish.

Why Work With Cain Electric?

We’re not just a solar company or a generator installer — we’re licensed electricians who understand the entire energy system in your home.

That means:

• No shortcuts or unsafe work
• Fully integrated systems, not bolt-ons
• Guidance on what makes sense for your home
• Service across Wildwood, Eureka, Washington, Union, Pacific, and surrounding areas

We’re here to help you make smart, future-ready decisions for your family and your home.

Ready to Build a Smart Backup Power Solution?

Don’t settle for a half-solution. Combining solar and a backup generator gives you the best of both worlds: lower bills and true energy independence.

If you’re ready to protect your home against the next storm or outage, Cain Electric is ready to help design and install the system that works best for your life.

Reach out to us today through our Contact Page to get started.