POWER WHEN YOU NEED IT
When the grid goes down, a properly installed standby generator keeps your home or business running automatically. Pacific Coast Generation installs backup and standby generators for residential and commercial properties throughout Riverside, Orange, San Bernardino, and San Diego Counties. We are based in Canyon Lake, CA ready to serve you.
PSPS events (Public Safety Power Shutoffs) have become a seasonal reality across Riverside County and surrounding areas. Summer heat drives grid demand to its limits. And when a wildfire, windstorm, or equipment failure takes out power in your area, there’s no telling how long it will be out.
A standby generator changes your relationship with grid reliability. Unlike a portable generator that you have to start, fuel, and manage manually, a properly installed standby generator turns on automatically within seconds of a power outage, runs on natural gas or propane, and keeps running until grid power is restored. Your refrigerator, HVAC, lights, and critical equipment stay on without you doing a thing.
Pacific Coast Generation is a licensed C-10 electrical contractor installing residential and commercial generators throughout Southern California. We handle the full scope for you. This includes generator sizing, site preparation, electrical connection, permit, and final inspection. One team, start to finish.
Generator sizing is the most important decision in the process and the one most commonly done wrong by DIYers and underprepared contractors.
An undersized generator will overload and shut down when multiple appliances run simultaneously. An oversized generator wastes money upfront and runs inefficiently when lightly loaded.
We size your generator based on a complete load calculation of your home or facility:
We provide a written load calculation with every generator proposal, so you understand exactly what the recommended unit covers.
We install both generators and battery backup systems (like the Tesla Powerwall), and we get this question on nearly every outage-preparedness consultation. Here’s an honest comparison (below).
The right answer depends on your home, your energy setup, and how long you typically need to ride out an outage. We’ll walk you through both options during your consultation, including whether a combination approach makes sense.
| Feature | Standby Generator | Battery Backup (Powerwall) |
|---|---|---|
|
Fuel |
Natural gas or propane runs indefinitely while fuel is available |
Stored electricity, typically 8-24 hours of critical loads per unit |
|
Startup |
Automatic, 10-30 seconds after outage |
Instantaneous; no detectable gap |
|
Noise |
Audible; operates like a vehicle engine |
Silent; no moving parts |
|
Extended outages |
Best option, no runtime limit |
Limited by capacity; must recharge from solar or grid |
|
Best with solar |
No, doesn’t pair with solar |
Yes, charges from solar panels during the day |
|
Upfront cost |
Lower for whole-home coverage |
Higher per kWh of backup capacity |
|
Maintenance |
Annual servicing required |
Minimal; no oil changes, filters, or fuel management |
|
Best for |
Long outages, whole-home coverage, no solar |
Solar-paired homes, shorter outages, noise-sensitive locations |
Generator installation costs in Southern California depend on the size of the generator, fuel type, site preparation requirements, and whether an electrical panel upgrade is also needed. General ranges below include equipment, labor, permit, concrete pad, and gas line connection. Panel upgrades, if needed, are quoted separately.
| System | Generator + Installation Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
10-13 kW standby (essential loads) |
$5,000-$9,000 |
Best value for partial-home coverage |
|
16-18 kW standby (partial-home) |
$7,000-$13,000 |
Covers most loads, excluding large electric appliances |
|
20-22 kW standby (whole-home) |
$10,000-$18,000+ |
Full coverage; larger homes may need 2 units |
|
Transfer switch only (portable hookup) |
$800-$2,000 |
For existing portable generator owners |
|
Commercial standby generator |
$15,000-$50,000+ |
Depends on facility size and three-phase requirements |
Natural Gas
If your home is connected to a natural gas line, a natural gas standby generator is the most convenient option. The generator draws directly from your gas supply and can run indefinitely as long as the gas line is active. Most homes in Canyon Lake, Menifee, Murrieta, Temecula, and surrounding areas have natural gas service.
Propane
If natural gas isn’t available at your location, a propane-fueled generator is the alternative. Propane generators perform the same as natural gas units but require a dedicated propane tank on your property. Tank size determines your runtime capacity. We coordinate with propane suppliers and ensure proper installation and safety compliance.
Based in Canyon Lake, CA, we serve homeowners and businesses throughout the Inland Empire and the Southern CA coast.
If you’re in Riverside County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, or San Diego County, we’ve got you covered. Don’t hesitate to reach out. No subcontractors, no handoffs.
We visit your property, assess your panel, calculate your load, discuss your coverage goals, and recommend the right generator size and fuel type. You'll receive a written proposal with full cost breakdown before any commitment.
Standby generators require a concrete pad and clearance from windows, doors, and gas meters per local code. We handle pad installation and coordinate with your gas utility for the service connection.
We install the automatic transfer switch (ATS), the device that detects an outage and signals the generator to start, and connect the generator to your electrical panel. The ATS also safely disconnects your home from the utility grid during generator operation, preventing dangerous backfeed.
Generator installations require permits from your local building department and often coordination with your gas utility. We handle both. After installation is complete, we schedule and pass the final inspection.
We perform a full load test, walk you through the generator's automatic exercise cycle (most standby generators run a weekly self-test), and show you how to monitor status and schedule maintenance. Your generator is ready to protect your home from day one.
Whole-house standby generator installations in Southern California typically range from $10,000 to $18,000+ for a 20-22 kW unit, including equipment, labor, concrete pad, gas line connection, and permit. Partial-home coverage systems (16-18 kW) range from $7,000 to $13,000. A site assessment and load calculation are required for an accurate quote.
Most residential standby generator installations are completed in 1-2 days once all permits are in place. Permit processing typically takes 1-3 weeks, depending on the jurisdiction. We’ll give you a realistic timeline during the proposal phase.
Generator sizing is based on a complete load calculation of your home. A 10-13 kW generator covers essential loads (refrigerator, lights, outlets, one HVAC zone). A 20-22 kW unit covers most whole-home needs. We provide a written load calculation with every proposal so you know exactly what the recommended unit covers.
Yes. All standby generator installations in California require a building permit, an electrical permit, and coordination with your gas utility for the fuel connection. Pacific Coast Generation handles all permitting and utility coordination.
An automatic transfer switch (ATS) is the device that detects a power outage, disconnects your home from the utility grid, and signals the generator to start automatically. It is required for any permanently installed standby generator. Without an ATS, you would need to manually start and connect the generator during every outage, and you risk dangerous backfeed to utility lines.
It depends on your priorities. Generators are better for long outages and whole-home coverage without a runtime limit. Battery backup systems are better for solar-paired homes, for silent operation, and for shorter outages. We install both and can walk you through the comparison at your consultation.
Join 500+ Southern California families who have switched to cleaner, efficient power with Pacific Coast Generation. Whether you’re looking to install battery storage, add an EV charger, or completely offset your home’s energy usage with Tier-1 Enphase solar, our crew is ready to help.
