A storm is raging outdoors, but you and your family are safely tucked away in your cozy home ... that is, until the power goes out. You don't know if the outage will last minutes, hours or days, but you do know that you need backup power quick to keep the heat and lights on and necessary appliances like your fridge running.

The first solution you might think of is your gas generator. However, you can't safely use it indoors, and it might be too dangerous to brave the weather to run the generator outdoors. Plus, you may not have enough gas to turn the generator on, let alone power what you need.

Instead of hoping the power comes back on sooner rather than later, consider upgrading to a safer, reliable backup power source: a solar generator.

Not a matter of if but when

Power outages are becoming more and more common. According to the U.S. Energy Administration, Americans averaged 11 hours of outages in 2024 — nearly double the prior decade's average. States that experienced the most time without power dealt with major weather events like hurricanes.

Given the increase and duration of power outages, it pays to be prepared to weather the storm comfortably and safely inside your home.

The problem with gas

For decades, gas generators were the go-to backup power solution for many homes. However, gas has many drawbacks.

First and foremost, gas generators create carbon monoxide, which means they're not safe to run inside your home or garage. Depending on the storm, they may not even be safe to operate outdoors. For apartment dwellers without dedicated outdoor spaces, a gas generator isn't even an option.

Second, gas generators require you to keep fuel on hand. You can't rely on leftover gas from its last use. Depending on the intensity of the storm, you may not be able to get to the gas station before or after a disaster. Even then, the gas station may not have fuel available due to high demand or supply disruptions caused by the storm.

Solar: A modern solution for modern power outages

Gas generators were built for a different era with different needs. To tackle today's backup power needs, you need a modern solution like a solar generator.

When it comes to powering your home during a storm, a solar generator offers several benefits, including:

• Fume-free, quiet operation
• Easier maintenance
• Multiple charging methods
• Modular, scalable designs

Solar generators aren't just for homeowners. Now, apartment residents can finally have reliable emergency power instead of waiting for the lights to come back on.

Best of all? You won't run out of fuel. All you need is the sun.

A solution for any home

If you're ready to upgrade to a solar-powered generator, consider one of Jackery's home backup power stations. For example, the Solar Generator 5000 Plus is reliable backup power accessible to any household, designed to bridge the gap between portable generators and complex permanent home energy systems.

As the name suggests, solar is the main charging source for the portable home generator. However, it can also be charged via a standard wall outlet or 12-volt car port. When paired with Jackery's Smart Transfer Switch, the 5000 Plus can connect directly to a home's circuit panel, automatically delivering backup power the moment the grid goes down — no extension cords, no manual intervention.

When running, the 5000 Plus is completely silent and 100% fume-free, ideal for safe indoor use. The solar generator also requires virtually no maintenance. That means no oil changes, no fuel stockpiling, no seasonal startup rituals.

The solar generator's size is versatile enough for apartment use and powerful enough to power all your needs in a house. Thanks to its modular and scalable design, you can easily expand the solar generator's total power capacity with additional battery packs.

But backup is only the beginning. When the Solar Generator 5000 Plus is expanded to its full 60kWh modular capacity and paired with a Smart Transfer Switch, it becomes more than an emergency power source. Homeowners — especially those with electric vehicles or higher daily energy use — can lower their electricity bills by up to $11,800 a year through simple peak shaving, which means charging the system when rates are low and using stored power when prices rise. It's an easy way to make your energy dollars go further, with no noise, no fumes and no ongoing fuel costs. For many households, it's not just a cleaner backup option. It's a practical, long-term upgrade that can pay off year after year.

A smarter, safer upgrade for today's households

Don't wait for disaster to strike. Before the next storm hits, ditch your old gas generator and upgrade to solar. To learn more about this portable solar generator and Jackery's other power solutions, visit Jackery.com.