Standby Generator and ATS
Whole-House Standby Generator Installation in Santa Clara County. Automatic when the grid drops.
When PG&E de-energizes the grid during a Public Safety Power Shutoff, or a storm takes the lines down, a permanently installed standby generator keeps your home running. The Automatic Transfer Switch detects the outage and switches to generator power within seconds, whether you are home or not. Our team sizes the unit, coordinates the fuel connection, ties the ATS into your panel, and pulls the permit.
- ATS switchover time
- < 30 secATS switchover time
- Whole-home standby, installed
- $8,000+Whole-home standby, installed
- Typical residential range
- 7.5–22 kWTypical residential range
- Electrical install time
- 1-2 daysElectrical install time
Quick answer
Portable vs. Standby Generator
Why a standby generator with ATS is different
A portable generator requires you to be home, start it manually, and run extension cords. A standby generator with an ATS does none of that. It switches automatically, runs on natural gas or propane, and covers your whole home or a defined set of critical circuits.
What is an ATS?
An Automatic Transfer Switch is the device that monitors your utility power and automatically switches your home to generator power the moment an outage is detected. It isolates the house from the utility line while the generator is running (so the generator can never backfeed the grid and endanger line crews), then transfers back and shuts the unit down once utility power is restored, with no manual intervention.
| Feature | Portable / Manual | Standby + ATS ★ |
|---|---|---|
| Switchover | Manual: you run an extension cord | Automatic: within 30 seconds |
| Fuel type | Gasoline: must be stored and rotated | Natural gas or propane: continuous supply |
| Coverage | Selected circuits via extension cord | Whole home or selected critical circuits |
| Run time | Limited by fuel tank | As long as gas supply continues |
| Noise | High: portable units are loud | Lower: standby units quieter, farther from home |
| Permit required | No (portable unit) | Yes: electrical and sometimes gas |
| Resale value | Minimal | Home improvement: adds value |
The ATS advantage
Without an ATS
You have to be home
Manual start, extension cords, gasoline on hand
With an ATS
Automatic, every time
Transfers in under 30 seconds. No action required.
Load assessment included. We size the generator before recommending equipment.
PG&E PSPS and outage protection
Backup power through a Public Safety Power Shutoff
A Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) is when PG&E proactively turns off power to a section of the grid during dry, windy, high-wildfire-risk weather to keep its lines from sparking a fire. It is not an equipment failure and not a rolling blackout. It is a deliberate, planned de-energization, and it can last from a few hours to several days until crews inspect every line and restore power.
Most of Santa Clara County sits inside PG&E territory, and homes in the foothills and along the wildland edges are the most exposed to PSPS de-energization during fire season. Utility coverage here is fragmented: PG&E serves the bulk of the county, while the City of Santa Clara is served by Silicon Valley Power and Palo Alto by CPAU. Those municipal utilities run their own systems and generally do not call PSPS events the way PG&E does, so whether your home is exposed depends on which utility serves your street. If you are on PG&E, planned shutoffs are a real annual risk.
A permanently installed standby generator paired with an Automatic Transfer Switch removes that risk. The ATS continuously monitors utility power; the instant the line goes dead it disconnects your home from the grid and starts the generator automatically, within seconds, with no manual steps and no need to be home. When utility power returns, the ATS transfers back and shuts the generator down. Running on natural gas or propane, the system carries your home through the entire shutoff, however long it lasts.
Fire-season shutoffs are also the reason a generator gets specified rather than a battery in a lot of foothill homes. A multi-day de-energization is exactly the scenario where stored kilowatt-hours run out and a fuel-fed engine does not.
Which utility serves you?
PG&E, most of the county
Calls PSPS events during fire weather. Standby backup recommended.
Silicon Valley Power, City of Santa Clara
Municipal utility with different shutoff exposure than PG&E.
CPAU, Palo Alto
City-run utility with its own grid and policies.
Considering a battery instead of a generator? A home battery is a quieter, fuel-free alternative for shorter outages.
Compare battery backup →Sizing and fuel
How big a generator, and what does it burn
Two decisions set the shape of the whole project: how much of the house you want backed up, and what the unit runs on. We answer both from a load assessment at your panel, not from square footage on a brochure.
7.5 to 12 kW: critical circuits
Covers the refrigerator, the furnace or air handler, a sump or well pump, and a handful of lighting and receptacle circuits, fed through a transfer switch or a small generator subpanel instead of the whole service. This is the practical tier for the 1950s to 1970s ranch housing stock across the county that still runs a 100-amp service, where whole-home backup would mean upgrading the service first.
14 to 22 kW: whole home
Covers most of a typical 2,000 to 3,000 sq ft home, including central air conditioning, electric cooking, and laundry. Air-conditioning startup is usually what sets the number, because a condenser pulls several times its running current for the first second or two. A soft starter on the AC can sometimes let a smaller generator carry the same house.
Above 22 kW: large or all-electric homes
A large home, an all-electric conversion (heat pump plus induction range plus EV charging), or a second dwelling on the same meter can exceed what a 22 kW unit holds. Load-management modules that shed the air conditioner or the EV charger while the range is running often keep a smaller, quieter unit in play, so we price both paths.
Natural gas
The simplest choice for most Santa Clara County homes, because the gas line is already at the house. The generator draws fuel continuously, so there is no tank to refill and effectively unlimited run time through a multi-day shutoff. The one thing to check is meter and pipe capacity: a 22 kW unit can ask for more volume than an older residential meter and the existing pipe sizing were built to deliver, and an upsize has to be requested from the gas utility.
Propane
The alternative when natural gas is not at the property or the meter cannot supply the volume, common in the county foothills and rural edges. It stores well, burns clean, and needs no utility coordination, but you own the refill schedule and the tank has its own siting and fire-code rules. We size the tank against the generator burn rate and the outage duration you want covered.
On equipment: we install Generac, Kohler, and Briggs & Stratton standby generators, along with ATS equipment from those manufacturers and third-party transfer switch brands. If you have already bought a unit, that is fine. We connect and commission customer-supplied generators.
What to budget
Generator installation cost in Santa Clara County
A standby generator installation has two main cost components: the generator equipment and the electrical installation. We handle the electrical scope (ATS connection to your panel, transfer testing, load assessment, and permit). Generator equipment can be customer-supplied or sourced through our vendors.
If your home runs on natural gas, the generator connects to your existing gas line. If a new line or a meter upsize is needed, we coordinate with a plumbing contractor. That work is a separate scope and a separate contract, which is why it sits outside our range rather than buried inside it.
Critical-circuit installations (refrigerator, HVAC, key outlets, lights) run on smaller generators and cost less than whole-home backup. If what you want is the lights on, the food cold, and the heat running, a critical-circuit setup is often the right call and it leaves room in the budget for the fuel work.
There is no active utility or federal rebate for a standby generator in Santa Clara County, so budget the full installed cost. If incentives are part of the decision, that conversation belongs with battery storage, and even there the federal 25D clean-energy credit expired at the end of 2025 and the general-market SGIP storage funds are closed. Any page still advertising those for a 2026 install is out of date.
01
Load Assessment
Generator size set from measured critical vs. whole-home load. Panel capacity and fuel supply evaluated.
02
Permit and Gas Coordination
Electrical permit filed with your city. Fuel connection scheduled with the plumbing contractor if a new line is needed.
03
ATS and Generator Install
Pad set, unit placed and connected, ATS tied into the service panel, transfer sequence tested.
04
Inspection and Commissioning
City electrical inspection, generator run under load, exercise schedule set and operation documented.
| Scope | Range |
|---|---|
| ATS installation, transfer switch only (generator already supplied) | $2,500 – $5,000 |
| Standby generator + ATS, whole home (7.5–22 kW) | $8,000 – $18,000 |
| Standby generator + ATS, critical circuits only | $6,000 – $12,000 |
| Subpanel addition for generator transfer | $1,200 – $2,000 |
| Gas line coordination (customer arranges, we connect) | Included in scope |
| Permit (electrical, varies by city) | $500 – $1,000 depending on jurisdiction |
Permits vary by city and typically add $500 to $1,000 depending on jurisdiction. A written quote is provided before any work begins.
Permits and code
Generator permit requirements across the county
Any generator tied into your home's electrical panel requires a permit and a final inspection from the local building department. The install has to satisfy a set of placement and safety rules before it passes:
- Clearances and setbacks: The unit has to keep manufacturer-specified distances from the home, from windows and doors, and from the property line, with adequate working space around the equipment.
- Exhaust and air: Engine exhaust must vent away from the home and from any openings, with enough open clearance for combustion air and cooling.
- Fuel capacity thresholds: Propane tanks above certain volumes can trigger additional fire-code review and their own siting rules. Natural-gas connections have to be sized to the unit.
- Electrical connection: The Automatic Transfer Switch and any subpanel are installed, grounded, and bonded to current code so the generator can never backfeed the utility line.
- Inspection to close: A city electrical inspection closes the permit after a load test confirms the system transfers and runs correctly.
Requirements and setbacks vary across Santa Clara County jurisdictions, and what one city enforces is not identical to the next or to the county's unincorporated areas. Fire-code review for a propane tank, for instance, can involve the fire district as well as the building department. We confirm the exact rules with the authority having jurisdiction over your address and pull the permit before any work starts.
A lower-cost option
Portable generator + interlock kit
Not every home needs a full standby system. A code-compliant alternative is a portable generator paired with a generator inlet box and a panel interlock kit. The interlock lets you power selected circuits (refrigerator, heat, key outlets) safely through your existing panel without the danger of backfeed, at a fraction of the cost of a standby install.
The tradeoff: it is not automatic. You roll out the generator, start it, and throw the interlock by hand, so it needs someone home during the outage and a place to store fuel. For homeowners who want PSPS coverage on a budget, it is a solid entry point.
Ask about an interlock setup →Why Cali Rollin Electric
The transfer has to work the day it matters
A generator install touches your service panel, your home's grounding and bonding, and (on natural gas) a second trade. Get the ATS connection wrong and the failure is invisible until the night the grid drops and nothing starts. Our team, with 15+ years in the trade, pulls the permit, makes the electrical connection, and tests the transfer under load before the permit closes, then sets the exercise schedule so the unit keeps proving itself.
Permit pulled on every install
Filed with the building department that has authority over your address. Inspection documented.
Transfer tested under load
We prove the switchover with the generator carrying real load before the permit closes.
Load assessment first
The unit is sized to your measured load, not to the biggest model on the shelf.
Panel integration handled
ATS, backfeed protection, grounding, and bonding brought to current code.
Fuel trade coordinated
We schedule the gas connection with the plumbing contractor so neither trade stalls the other.
County-wide coverage
Every incorporated city across Santa Clara County, one standard of work.
Related work
Not the right fit? Here is where to go next
Battery storage
The quiet, fuel-free alternative. Silent, no exhaust, pairs with solar, best for shorter outages.
Panel upgrade
If the service is undersized or the panel is obsolete, that gets fixed before the generator ties in.
EV charger installation
Bundling a charger with the generator work means one permit, one inspection, one mobilization.
All residential services
See the full Sanctuary lineup: panels, EV, batteries, rewires, generators, and more.
Serving homeowners across Santa Clara County.
Common questions
Home generator installation: FAQ
What size generator do I need for my home?
A 7.5 to 12 kW generator covers critical circuits: refrigerator, HVAC, a few outlets, and lights. A 14 to 22 kW unit covers most of a typical 2,000 to 3,000 sq ft home. We perform a load assessment before recommending a generator size, because the deciding factor is usually air-conditioning startup current rather than the square footage of the house.
What is an Automatic Transfer Switch and do I need one?
An Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) monitors your utility power and switches your home to generator power within seconds of an outage, automatically. Without an ATS, you manually connect your generator, which requires you to be home, know how to do it safely, and deal with extension cords. For a standby generator, an ATS is not optional. It is how the system works.
Do I need a permit for a generator installation?
Yes. Any generator installation that involves connecting to your home's electrical panel requires an electrical permit in every Santa Clara County city. We pull permits on every installation. This protects your home and ensures the install is code-compliant.
What generator brands do you install?
We install Generac, Kohler, and Briggs & Stratton standby generators. We also install ATS equipment from those manufacturers and third-party transfer switch brands. Customer-supplied generators are accepted. We connect and commission.
How long does generator installation take?
A standard standby generator plus ATS installation takes 1 to 2 days for the electrical work. Gas line installation, if a new line is needed, is coordinated separately with a plumbing contractor. Add 1 to 2 days. Permit approval is typically 1 to 5 business days.
Will a standby generator keep my home running during a PG&E PSPS shutoff?
Yes. A permanently installed standby generator with an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) is exactly the system designed for PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). When PG&E proactively de-energizes lines during high wildfire-risk weather, the ATS detects the loss of utility power and starts your generator within seconds. No action required from you, whether you are home or not. Because most of Santa Clara County sits in PG&E territory, PSPS events can last hours or days during fire season, and a standby generator running on natural gas or propane keeps your home powered for the full duration of the shutoff.
Natural gas or propane, which fuel should my generator use?
Most Santa Clara County homes already have a natural gas line, which makes natural gas the simplest choice. The generator draws fuel continuously from your existing supply, so there is no tank to refill and effectively unlimited run time during a PSPS or outage. Propane is the alternative when natural gas is not available at the property or the meter cannot supply enough volume; it requires an on-site tank that you refill, but it stores well and burns clean. We evaluate your gas meter capacity and fuel options during the load assessment and recommend the right fuel for your home.
How much does a whole-house generator cost in Santa Clara County?
For the electrical installation scope, a whole-home standby generator plus ATS in Santa Clara County typically runs $8,000 to $18,000, a critical-circuits-only standby system runs $6,000 to $12,000, and an ATS-only installation (generator already supplied) runs $2,500 to $5,000. Generator equipment can be customer-supplied or sourced through our vendors, and permits vary by city and typically add $500 to $1,000 depending on jurisdiction. See the full pricing table on this page for the per-scope ranges. Every project gets a written quote after a load assessment before any work begins.
Do I need to upgrade my electrical panel before installing a generator?
Sometimes. The Automatic Transfer Switch and generator backfeed have to be integrated with your service panel, and an older or undersized panel, or an obsolete FPE or Zinsco panel, may need to be upgraded first so the generator can be connected safely and to current code. We evaluate your existing panel capacity during the load assessment. If a panel upgrade is needed, we can do the panel upgrade and the generator installation together under one permit. See our panel upgrade page for details.
What does a generator permit require in Santa Clara County?
Every jurisdiction in Santa Clara County requires an electrical permit for a generator connected to your home's panel, and the generator has to meet placement rules: minimum clearances from the home, windows, doors, and the property line, exhaust directed away from openings, and adequate working space. Larger fuel tanks (for propane) can trigger additional review. A final inspection closes the permit. Requirements and setbacks vary between jurisdictions, so we confirm the specifics with the local building department before installation.
How much maintenance does a standby generator need?
A standby unit runs a self-test exercise cycle on a schedule you set, typically weekly or every other week, so it proves itself between outages instead of failing when you finally need it. Beyond that it is engine maintenance: oil and filter, air filter, and spark plugs on the manufacturer interval or by run hours, plus a starting battery that generally needs replacing every few years. Keep vegetation and stored items clear of the enclosure so the unit gets its cooling and combustion air. We set the exercise schedule at commissioning and walk you through the service intervals for your model.
Should I install a generator or a home battery?
It depends on how long the outages you care about last. A standby generator runs as long as fuel keeps coming, which is what makes it the answer for multi-day PSPS events, but it has an engine to maintain, a fuel connection, and audible run noise. A home battery is silent, needs no fuel, produces no exhaust, and pairs with solar so it can recharge during a daytime outage, but its runtime is bounded by stored kilowatt-hours and it is sized around specific loads rather than the whole house. Homes on the wildland edge with long shutoff exposure usually land on a generator. Homes wanting quiet backup for shorter interruptions, or already running solar, usually land on a battery. We are happy to price both.
Get started
Do not let the next shutoff catch your home in the dark
Tell us what you want backed up and what fuel you have at the house. Our team responds the same day during business hours with a load assessment and a written quote, and there is no charge to find out what your home needs.
Hours: Mon to Fri 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Emergency electrical services available 24/7.
Email: info@calirollinelectric.com