Generator installation in San Diego. Stay powered through outages.
PSPS shutoffs and storm outages are part of life in San Diego County now. A standby generator turns the lights back on within seconds; a portable interlock kit lets you back-feed key circuits without an automatic transfer switch. We install both the right way — permit pulled, transfer switch correctly installed, no back-feed risk.
What's included in this service?
- Whole-home automatic standby generator installation (Generac, Kohler, Briggs)
- Automatic transfer switch (ATS) selection and installation
- Manual transfer switch and portable generator interlock kits
- Generator sub-panel for prioritized critical loads
- Natural gas, propane, and diesel fuel supply coordination
- Concrete pad pour and generator anchoring
- Permit, inspection, and SDG&E paperwork (when interconnected)
- Annual generator service contracts (oil, filters, exercise testing)
When do you need this service?
- You've been hit by PSPS shutoffs in fire-prone parts of the county
- Medical equipment in the home that needs uninterrupted power
- Working from home and a single outage costs you money
- Refrigerated medications or expensive food in freezers
- Well pump or sump pump that must keep running through outages
- Detached structure (ADU, shop) you want kept powered separately
What do homeowners ask about Generators?
How much does a whole-home generator cost in San Diego?
A 14kW–22kW Generac or Kohler whole-home standby with automatic transfer switch runs $9,000 to $22,000+ installed, depending on size, gas/propane supply work, and permit complexity. Smaller systems for partial-home coverage (8kW–10kW) start around $7,500. Free in-home assessment.
What's the difference between a standby generator and a portable interlock?
Standby is automatic — power goes out, generator starts within 10 seconds, ATS transfers your house. Portable interlock is manual — you wheel out a portable generator, plug it into an exterior inlet, flip the interlock, and run priority circuits. Standby is more convenient and more expensive; interlock is budget-friendly and well-suited for occasional outages.
Do I need a permit for a generator install?
Yes for any standby generator, and yes for any interlock kit installed at the panel. We pull the permit, schedule the inspection, and meet the inspector. Working without a permit voids insurance and creates resale problems.
How long does the install take?
Portable interlock kits finish in a day. Whole-home standby installs run 2 to 4 days: pad pour and cure (or pre-cast pad), gas supply work, ATS install, generator set, commissioning, and inspection. We coordinate gas plumbing with your gas contractor or refer one.
Can the generator run my whole house — including AC?
Depends on size. A 14kW unit usually runs essentials plus one AC condenser; a 22kW unit handles two AC units plus most of the house. We size based on what you need running, not just total panel amperage. Soft-start kits on AC compressors let smaller generators handle larger loads.
Where do we offer Generators in San Diego County?
We provide generators in every city and community in San Diego County. Pick your city for local climate notes and service specifics.
See generators in all 47 cities
Homeowners who hired us for this
Our 1960s Federal Pacific panel was flagged by our home inspector. Bright Pro pulled the permit, swapped it for a 200-amp modern panel, and had us back online by end of day. Insurance premium dropped the next month.
Installed a Tesla Wall Connector on a 60-amp circuit with a clean conduit run along the garage wall. Helped me file the SDG&E rebate paperwork. Charges my Model Y from empty overnight with no issues.
We bought a 1940s craftsman with knob-and-tube wiring. Bright Pro rewired the whole house over 5 days without tearing up any plaster walls. Crew cleaned up every night. Insurance dropped the exclusion.
Need generators in San Diego County?
Call for a free quote. Most work scheduled within the week.