Backup generators and home battery backup

A generator keeps running as long as it has fuel. A battery is silent and works every day. Which you need depends on how long you must stay powered and what has to keep running.

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A backup generator beside the house. Concept image.

Do I need a generator or a battery?

If outages are short and you want lower bills as well, start with a battery. If you need power for long outages, or you run heavy loads on a farm or business, a generator is the stronger choice. Some sites need both, and hybrid systems can combine solar, batteries and a generator.

A battery needs no fuel, makes little noise and helps reduce your bill every day, but it can only supply what it has stored, and it needs backup capability built in. A generator does not save you money. Its value is avoiding losses during an outage, such as spoiled food, missed work or downtime.

Which generator suits you?

We supply and install generators from leading manufacturers, in a range of sizes and fuel types, for homes, farms and businesses across South Australia.

Standby: permanently installed and starts automatically in an outage. It can run the whole home.
Inverter: clean, stable power for sensitive electronics, and usually quieter.
Portable: small and movable, for temporary or partial power.
Fuels: diesel for heavy use, LPG with a long shelf life, natural gas for continuous supply, petrol for portable units.

Why the installation matters

A generator must never feed back into the grid. A transfer switch connects it safely to your home circuits and prevents that. Connecting a generator directly to home wiring without a switch and a licensed electrician is dangerous.

Generators also produce carbon monoxide, so they must run outdoors, away from doors, windows and vents. Placement is part of the design, along with noise. Portable units run at about 60 to 80 decibels. Standby units are quieter, especially in a soundproof enclosure.

How we size and install it

Every project starts with an on-site consultation. We add up the wattage of what must keep running, because essential circuits need far less power than a whole home. We look at your site layout and preferred system type, then handle supply, installation and testing.

Keeping it ready

A generator has to start the day you need it. Service it every 6 to 12 months or after 50 to 100 hours of use, including oil changes, spark plug checks and a fuel system inspection. Most standby units can run weekly or monthly self-tests. With proper servicing, portable generators last 10 to 15 years, and standby units 20 years or more.

Common questions

Can a generator run my whole house?

A standby generator can, if it is sized for the load. Portable generators usually power selected circuits only.

How long can a generator run?

Portable units typically run 6 to 12 hours on a full tank. Standby units on a mains gas or LPG connection can run for much longer.

Do I need a transfer switch?

Yes. It connects the generator safely to your home circuits and prevents backfeed into the grid.

Can a generator work with my solar and battery?

Yes. Hybrid systems can integrate solar, batteries and a generator for backup power.

Is it safe to run a generator indoors?

No. Generators produce carbon monoxide and must always be used outdoors, away from doors, windows and vents.

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Reviews of Westside Energy on Google.

    
 
 
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   Less_73 HD 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great service and installation by crew
  
 
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   J T 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. From the first face to face consultation with Tom, with the follow up by Darren. Ethan and his crew doing the solar and battery installation absolute fantastic on all counts
Keep up the good work
  
 
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   Anne Fergusson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very efficient workers and great job
  
 
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   Leslie Frawley 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We are extremely happy with our Jinko 9 kilowatt solar array and 16.65 kilowatt Goodwe battery.Danny the sales rep.is very good to deal with. Eathen, Liam and the team were excellent.The whole job was done in 1 day.They first had to remove our old system which was past its use by date. We would certainly recommend Westside Energy A+
  
 
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   Gregory Doube 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very satisfied with Westside. Salesman Danny was thorough and detailed.  Installation of new panels and battery and removal of old 16 year old panels occurred on time on the day arranged. Installers were efficient, friendly, clean and careful and fully explained the system. All working as expected.  I would rate their service as 5 stars and have no hesitation in recommending them.
  
 
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   Jonno McIntyre 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Made the whole process easy, even though I wasn’t easy to do business with! All queries answered, expertly tailored to my needs (having first got to know them and explore different solutions). Genuine advice reflective of high quality products offered. One month in and bills now closer to $140 from over $500 for the month!
  
 
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   David Smith 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great work from the team at Westside
We have now done both Solar and Batteries with the team and have been super satisfied with the results. Would highly recommend for great advice, product quality and service.
Dave
  
 
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   Joel Brock 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This is a wonderful company. The salesperson, Danny, was extremely knowledgeable and proactive. Communication was both easy and responsive, and the installation team performed an excellent job.
  
 
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   Vince Chho 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have bought Solar several times from a few different companies now for different properties. No company has been as straight forward and efficient as Westside. Danny was amazing to deal with - very thorough and knowledgeable. Would and have recommended this team to friends and family