(BPT) - Your family has taken shelter inside your home, safe from the hurricane, but not necessarily safe from other dangers. To keep the lights on throughout the night, you've set up your gas generator in your garage, not knowing that doing so can put your household at risk.
When it comes to weathering a disaster, gas generators can be more trouble than they're worth. They pose safety risks and can be challenging to use.
To prepare for a storm with peace of mind, consider upgrading to a solar-powered solution. Read on to discover eight ways solar-powered solutions beat out their gas generator counterparts.
Safety
The most pressing reason to switch from a gas generator to a clean-energy solution is safety.
Because gas generators produce carbon monoxide (CO), they cannot be safely operated indoors, even with a window open, and cannot be more than 20 feet from a window, door or vent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The consequences for improper use can be deadly. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), on average, nearly 80 Americans die each year from CO poisoning caused by portable gas generators.
To keep the lights on in inclement weather, you'll need a solar generator. Many, like those made by Jackery - a global leader in green, off-grid energy solutions - are certified for safe indoor use and produce zero toxic emissions.
Emissions and environment
A gas generator's emissions aren't just bad for humans; they're also bad for the environment. Because they run on gas, generators continuously emit air pollutants. In fact, according to the California Air Resources Board, a new portable gasoline generator at an average load emits as much smog-forming pollution as driving an average passenger vehicle for about 150 miles. Imagine how much pollution a gas generator emits when running all day and night.
When you use a portable solar-energy generator, you won't have to worry about contributing to the greenhouse gas problem, because they produce zero direct emissions while operating.
Noise
Conventional gas generators are loud, generally operating at 70-80 decibels (dB).That's comparable to the noise of a vacuum cleaner, heavy traffic or lawn mower, according to Salus University Health.
On the other hand, solar generators are remarkably quiet. The Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus and the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus both operate at around 30dB - about as quiet as a library. That kind of quiet makes a real difference when you're trying to sleep through a storm or avoid disturbing neighbors.
Maintenance
One factor that is easily overlooked when it comes to gas generators is the cost and effort of maintaining the unit. According to SolarTechOnline, gas generators require yearly oil changes, spark plug replacements, air filter replacements and fuel system checks, which can run $300-$600 annually.
Maintenance isn't an issue when it comes to solar generators because they require virtually zero ongoing maintenance. All you have to do is plug in, charge and occasionally wipe the panels with a damp cloth. No oil, fuel or filters needed.
Cost of ownership
The lower upfront cost of a gas generator compared to a solar generator makes the former more attractive budget-wise. According to OptionOneSolar, a traditional whole-home standby generator system costs $3,000-$8,000 while a comparable whole-home solar panel system with battery storage and installation costs $15,000-$25,000. Portable solar generators like the Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus start at a fraction of that price.
However, the sales tag doesn't tell the whole story.
According to OptionOneSolar, when you factor in annual gas generator maintenance and the cost of fuel, it costs $0.73 per kilowatt hour (kWh) to operate. Over 25 years, it costs about $78,012 to own and operate a gas generator.
When it comes to solar generators, it costs $0 per kWh to operate after installation, and the source of power (the sun) is free. Over the same period, it costs $39,434 to own and operate a solar system.
By comparison, the most robust Jackery solar generator system - the Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus built out to its full 60kWh capacity with two power stations, 10 battery packs and a Smart Transfer Switch - starts at around $25,587 plus minimal installation costs. For that, you get a whole-home backup system that switches to battery power in under 20 milliseconds during an outage so your home never skips a beat, saves up to $11,800 on electricity costs through peak-hour energy shifting, runs entirely on free solar energy with $0/kWh operating costs, and does it all without fuel, fumes or maintenance - for up to 10 years.
Fuel costs and electricity bills
Here's something most people don't think about until it's too late: running a gas generator during an outage means you're paying for every hour of power - and fuel prices are anything but predictable. The U.S. Energy Information Administration confirmed that electricity prices rose across most of the country in 2025, with natural gas prices as the primary driver. That cost gets passed directly to consumers - on their utility bills and at the pump.
The grid itself isn't a sure thing either. NERC's 2025 Summer Reliability Assessment warns that several regions - including Texas, New England, the Midwest and the Southwest - face a real risk of supply shortfalls during peak summer heat. More demand, fewer power plants and extreme weather is a combination that doesn't favor anyone depending on the grid to stay on.
A solar generator changes the equation entirely. Sunlight is free, it doesn't run out, and it doesn't care what's happening at the gas station or on the grid.
Portability
Whether you need to run a generator at home, a campground or out of a camper van, you'll want to ensure that you can easily take your power source from place to place. Because a gas generator is bulky and heavy (typically 50-120 lbs.) and requires outdoor operation, you can't move the unit from room to room, limiting your use.
Portable solar generators, on the other hand, are just that - portable. Units like the Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus and Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus feature built-in wheels and telescoping handles, making them easy to roll between rooms, move indoors or transport to wherever power is needed - all without fuel, fumes or the noise restrictions that make gas generators impractical in apartments, condos or enclosed spaces.
Ease of use and storage
The time it takes to set up a generator takes precious moments away from powering your home.
Before using a gas generator, you have to find a safe place outdoors to run the unit, carefully position the exhaust to avoid CO poisoning, determine how to route the extension cord, fill the fuel tank, prime the engine and pull to start. If you don't have fuel on hand, you'll have to risk going to a gas station during a disaster, and your local gas stations may run out of fuel.
During a disaster, you can set up and use a solar generator quickly and easily. A Jackery solar generator takes approximately 60 seconds to set up - you just need to unfold the panels and connect the cable. You won't have to worry about running out of fuel, because solar generators recharge from sunlight. The Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus and HomePower 3600 Plus also support multiple additional charging pathways, including AC wall outlets, hybrid charging, and - if you have one on hand - a gas generator, giving you flexibility no matter the conditions.
Reliability when you need it most
When the lights go out, the last thing you need is to worry more. If you're ready for a safe, low-maintenance, cost-effective and easy-to-use power solution, it's time to ditch your gas generator and upgrade to a solar-powered option.
To learn more about the advantages of upgrading to a solar-powered energy solution, visit Jackery.com.