Backup Power for Marin: PSPS‑Ready Home Solutions

Wildfire season in Marin can turn a normal week into a scramble to keep the lights on. If you’ve lived through a PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff, you know outages can stretch from hours to multiple days, and they rarely arrive at a convenient time. Whether you work from home, rely on a well pump, or need to protect medical equipment and refrigeration, a plan matters.

This guide walks you through practical backup power choices for Marin homes. You’ll learn how PSPS events work locally, compare generators and batteries, understand transfer switches and critical‑load panels, and see typical costs and permitting steps. By the end, you’ll be able to pick an option that matches your home, budget, and comfort level. Let’s dive in.

PSPS in Marin: what to expect

Public Safety Power Shutoffs are preventive outages used when wind and fuel conditions increase wildfire risk. In Marin, these events most often occur in late summer through fall and can last from hours to several days. Terrain and crew access can affect restoration time.

Many Marin customers buy electricity from Marin Clean Energy. PG&E still owns and operates the distribution lines and performs PSPS shutoffs and restoration. That means interconnection rules, transfer safety, and alerts flow through PG&E programs, while MCE may provide customer notifications and occasional program support.

If you live in a higher wildfire risk area, plan for multiple multi‑day outages in some seasons. Common priorities include refrigeration, medical devices, well and sump pumps, routers and phones, security systems, and heating or cooling needs.

Backup options at a glance

You have three core paths: portable generators, permanent standby generators, and home battery storage. Some homes benefit from a hybrid setup that blends batteries and a generator.

Portable generators

Portable gasoline or propane generators are a budget‑friendly way to run a few circuits or appliances during short outages.

• Pros: low upfront cost, flexible, easy to buy and replace, good surge capacity for motors.
• Cons: noisy, emissions, manual setup and refueling, must run outdoors for carbon‑monoxide safety, limited fuel availability during extended events.
• Typical costs: about $400 to $1,200 for small 1,000 to 3,000 W units; $1,000 to $3,500 for 3,500 to 7,000 W units. A safe inlet, transfer switch, and electrician labor often add $500 to $2,000.
• Good fit: occasional use, smaller budgets, comfort with manual operation and fuel storage.

Safety note: never run a generator indoors or in a garage. Use a transfer device or interlock to avoid dangerous backfeeding.

Standby generators

A standby generator runs on natural gas or propane, sits outdoors on a pad, and connects to an automatic transfer switch. When the grid fails, it starts and powers your home or a critical‑load panel.

• Pros: automatic operation, long runtimes if fuel is available, can support whole‑home or heavy loads like well pumps and HVAC.
• Cons: higher upfront cost, permits and professional installation required, noise and emissions, ongoing maintenance; fuel supply must be reliable.
• Typical costs: roughly $8,000 to $25,000 or more installed. Larger systems or sites needing propane tanks and complex work can exceed $30,000.
• Sizing tip: account for both continuous load and motor starting surges. Well pumps and AC compressors need ample surge capacity or soft‑start devices.

Home battery storage

Residential battery systems store electricity and supply backup through an inverter. Many systems transfer automatically and can pair with solar to recharge during daylight.

• Pros: quiet and clean, low maintenance, instant transfer in many setups, indoor or compact outdoor placement with proper clearances, can stretch runtime with solar.
• Cons: limited stored energy means runtime depends on capacity and load, higher cost per kWh, requirements for interconnection and fire safety, finite lifespan and warranty limits.
• Typical costs: commonly about $500 to $1,200 per usable kWh installed. A single 10 to 14 kWh battery often lands between $7,000 and $20,000 installed. Multi‑battery or whole‑home systems with new solar can reach $15,000 to $40,000 or more.
• Runtime math: usable kWh divided by average load (kW) equals hours of backup. Factor about 10 percent inverter losses and keep a reserve.

Example: a 13.5 kWh unit with 12 kWh usable supporting a 1.0 kW average load provides close to 12 hours before losses and reserve. Heavier loads will shorten that time.

Hybrid approaches

A battery plus a standby generator offers strong resilience. Your battery handles the many short outages quietly and cleanly. During long PSPS events, the generator can recharge the battery and serve large loads. This reduces fuel use and noise while giving you multi‑day coverage without oversizing the battery system.

Critical‑load panels and transfer switches

A critical‑load panel is a subpanel with only your prioritized circuits, like the refrigerator, lighting, router, and well pump. During an outage, only that panel is powered by your generator or battery, so you need less backup capacity.

• Manual transfer options: a manual transfer switch or interlock lets you select when to power the subpanel. Costs are lower, but you must be present to switch.
• Automatic transfer switch (ATS): an ATS senses grid loss and switches to backup automatically. This is useful for medical equipment and many battery systems.
• Whole‑house transfer vs critical‑load: whole‑house switching requires a larger generator or inverter. A critical‑load setup costs less and stretches runtime.

Installation for a subpanel and transfer equipment in a straightforward retrofit often runs from about $1,200 to $5,000. Complex panel changes and whole‑house ATS setups cost more. Any connection to home wiring must be permitted, inspected, and completed by a licensed electrician. Never plug a generator into a wall outlet.

Permits, interconnection, and incentives in Marin

Most backup systems require permits and inspections. Expect an electrical permit for any generator, inverter, or transfer switch. Standby generators often need mechanical or plumbing permits for gas lines and propane tanks. A building permit may be needed for a pad or enclosure. Your local fire department may require clearance for propane and for larger or indoor battery installations.

PG&E interconnection rules apply to battery systems and inverter setups that can island or export power. Some systems require formal agreements and fees. Requirements vary by system size and export capability.

Incentives can help with battery costs. The California Self‑Generation Incentive Program offers rebates for eligible residential storage projects, with higher incentives for qualifying customers. Federal clean energy tax credits may apply to standalone batteries and solar‑plus‑storage. Program details and eligibility change, so confirm current guidelines with a tax professional and your installer.

Local programs may be available through Marin Clean Energy, Marin County, or regional initiatives. Check for any current resilience programs and financing options.

Plan your outage strategy

Use this simple workflow to build a plan that fits your home and budget.

1. List your critical loads. Include medical devices, refrigerator and freezer, well or sump pumps, router and phones, lighting, garage door, and security systems.
2. Note wattage and starting surges. Pumps and compressors often need several times their running watts to start. Your backup source must handle both.
3. Choose your target duration. A few hours can be covered with a small battery or portable generator. Multi‑day resilience usually points to a standby generator, a larger battery bank with solar, or a hybrid approach.
4. Decide on automation. If you need unattended operation, consider an automatic transfer switch or a battery system with seamless transfer.
5. Plan fuel logistics. For generators, choose between natural gas and propane. Gasoline is least suitable for long storage or multi‑day events.
6. Set a budget and timeline. Get multiple quotes and confirm permit steps and inspection schedules with your jurisdiction.

Sizing quick math and examples

• Battery runtime: hours of backup ≈ usable battery kWh ÷ average load (kW), then reduce for about 10 percent inverter losses and keep a reserve.
  • Example: 12 kWh usable ÷ 1.2 kW load = 10 hours. After losses and reserve, plan for roughly 8 to 9 hours.
• Generator sizing: add up your continuous loads in kW and choose a generator with continuous output above that amount. Confirm surge capacity for pumps and compressors or add soft‑start devices.
• Critical‑load panel: list and prioritize circuits. Many electricians size for up to 80 percent of device ratings for continuous service.

Which option fits your home

• Low budget, short outages, OK with manual setup: portable generator with a safe transfer method.
• Quiet, clean backup with solar integration: battery storage sized for critical loads.
• Automatic operation and heavy loads for long durations: standby generator with natural gas or propane, possibly combined with a critical‑load panel.
• Best balance for multi‑day resilience: hybrid system where a battery covers frequent short outages and a generator extends runtime and recharges storage.

Local next steps in Marin

• Get on‑site assessments from a licensed electrician, a solar‑plus‑storage installer, and a generator contractor familiar with Marin rules.
• Contact your local building department and fire department early for permit scope and siting requirements for propane and batteries.
• Coordinate with PG&E on interconnection and enroll in PSPS alerts. If anyone in your home uses qualifying medical equipment, sign up for medical baseline or critical services in advance.
• Gather documentation: your current panel schedule, pump nameplate details, any single‑line diagrams, and clear meter access for installers.
• Ask each installer for a load analysis, a proposed critical‑load panel diagram, a permitting and inspection plan, warranty details, maintenance expectations, and a complete installed price with any incentives or financing.

Ready to talk about how backup readiness factors into resale value, disclosure, and buyer expectations in Marin? Reach out to Unknown Company for local guidance grounded in real market experience.

FAQs

What is a PSPS and who controls it in Marin?

• PG&E operates the distribution grid and performs PSPS shutoffs and restoration, while many Marin customers buy electricity from MCE; outages typically occur during late summer to fall wind events and can last hours to multiple days.

How much do generators and batteries typically cost for a home?

• Portable generators often range from about $400 to $3,500 plus $500 to $2,000 for safe transfer gear; standby generators commonly run $8,000 to $25,000 or more installed; home batteries often cost $7,000 to $20,000 for a single unit, with larger systems reaching $15,000 to $40,000 or more.

Do I need permits to install a generator or battery in Marin?

• Yes, expect electrical permits for all systems; standby generators often need gas or propane permits and possibly a building permit for pads; many battery installs also need fire department clearances, and PG&E interconnection may be required for inverter systems.

Can a battery run a well pump during a PSPS outage?

• Often yes, but you must size the inverter for motor starting surges or use a soft‑start device; some pumps may be better served by a generator or a hybrid setup.

Should I back up my whole house or only critical loads?

• A critical‑load panel reduces system size and cost and stretches runtime; whole‑house transfer requires larger equipment but provides full‑home convenience if budget and fuel allow.