Solar and battery vs generator — realistic in NB?

Solar and battery systems are technically feasible in New Brunswick but face significant challenges compared to generators, making generators the more practical backup power solution for most NB homeowners.

New Brunswick receives decent solar irradiance — about 1,100-1,300 kWh/m² annually, which is comparable to parts of Ontario and better than many assume for the Maritimes. However, several factors make solar-plus-battery systems challenging for reliable backup power in our province.

The Maritime climate reality creates unique obstacles. Ice storms frequently coat solar panels, eliminating production for days when you need backup power most. Snow accumulation from November through March significantly reduces output, and our shorter winter days mean minimal solar generation precisely when heating demands are highest. A typical 10kW solar array might produce only 15-20% of its rated capacity during December and January.

Battery storage costs remain prohibitive for whole-home backup. A Tesla Powerwall (13.5 kWh) costs around $15,000-$18,000 installed, but most NB homes would need 2-3 units for meaningful backup duration during winter outages. That's $30,000-$50,000 just for batteries, compared to a whole-home generator at $8,000-$15,000 installed.

Net metering with NB Power allows you to sell excess solar production back to the grid, but the buyback rate is lower than retail electricity costs. NB Power's net metering program caps residential systems at 100kW, which is generous, but the economics don't strongly favor solar without significant federal/provincial incentives.

Generators offer superior reliability for NB conditions. A natural gas or propane generator provides consistent power regardless of weather, starts automatically during outages, and costs significantly less than a solar-battery system with equivalent backup capacity. Given our frequent ice storms and multi-day outages, generators are the practical choice for backup power.

For grid-tied solar without batteries, the economics are marginal but improving. A typical residential system costs $15,000-$25,000 installed, with payback periods of 12-18 years depending on your electricity usage and available incentives.

TSANB requirements apply to both systems. Solar installations need electrical permits for the DC and AC components, while generators require permits for the transfer switch and gas connections. Both need licensed electrician installation.

Bottom line for NB homeowners: If your primary goal is backup power during outages, choose a generator. If you want to reduce electricity bills and have a south-facing roof, solar can work but skip the expensive battery storage. The combination of our climate, NB Power's rate structure, and high battery costs makes solar-plus-battery systems hard to justify financially compared to proven generator technology.

Need help finding an electrician experienced with generator installation? New Brunswick Electrical can match you with local professionals who understand our Maritime power challenges.