The three options
| Generator | Inverter and batteries (no panels) | Hybrid solar with battery | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Changeover in an outage | Manual or automatic start, with a gap | Instant | Instant |
| Running cost | Fuel every hour it runs | Grid power to recharge | Sunlight; grid only tops up |
| Effect on your monthly bill | None, plus fuel | None, slightly higher | Lower, every month |
| Noise and fumes | Yes | No | No |
| Maintenance | Servicing, oil, filters | Battery care | Rinse panels; annual check |
| Long outages | Runs while fuel lasts | Runs until the battery is flat | Recharges from the sun each day |
Generators
A generator can run heavy loads for as long as it has fuel, which makes it useful for long outages or big machinery. But it costs money every hour it runs, needs regular servicing, is noisy, produces fumes that must be kept away from living spaces, and does nothing for your normal monthly bill. Most businesses that rely on one also lose a few minutes of trade at each changeover.
Inverter and batteries without panels
A backup inverter charges batteries from the grid and switches over instantly in an outage. It is quiet and clean, but it only ever stores grid power, so it cannot lower your bill, and a long outage drains it with no way to recharge. If the batteries are lead-acid, they wear out quickly with frequent use.
Hybrid solar with a lithium battery
A hybrid system does both jobs. Every day it supplies your home or business from the panels, cutting what you buy from Kenya Power. When the grid fails it switches to the battery instantly, and during a multi-day outage the panels recharge the battery each morning. Most customers never notice the grid has gone.
Because it saves money every month, a hybrid system pays for itself, in about two to three years on our standard systems. A generator never does.
What about keeping the generator?
For heavy machinery or very long outages, some businesses keep a generator as a last resort and let solar carry everything else. That way it runs rarely, fuel costs drop sharply, and it lasts longer. We can design a system that works alongside an existing generator; tell us about it at survey.
Compare the numbers on your own bill with the savings calculator, or see our prices.
Common questions
Is solar better than a generator in Kenya?
For most homes and small businesses, yes. A hybrid solar system switches over instantly, is silent and lowers your monthly bill, while a generator costs fuel every hour it runs and does nothing for the bill. Some businesses keep a generator only as a last resort for heavy machinery.
What is the best backup power for blackouts in Kenya?
A hybrid solar system with a lithium battery gives instant, silent backup and recharges from the sun during long outages, while also cutting your Kenya Power bill. An inverter with batteries but no panels gives backup only and cannot lower the bill.