If you have lived in New York for a while, you already know how unpredictable the power grid can be. One week you are running the air conditioner, the next you are digging out from a snowstorm. Between the weather and the aging grid, outages are just part of life here. That is why so many homeowners are turning to solar power and generators to stay prepared.
At Home Power Systems, we work with both. Net metering helps you make the most of your solar panels when the sun is shining. Generators step in when the grid goes down. Together, they create a system that saves money and keeps your home powered through every kind of weather.
What Is Net Metering
Net metering is a simple idea that makes solar energy more practical. When your solar panels make more electricity than you are using, the extra power goes back to the utility grid. Your utility company gives you credit for that energy. Later, when your panels are not producing as much, you can use those credits to reduce what you pay for electricity.
During bright summer days, you might send plenty of power to the grid. In winter, when sunlight is weaker and the furnace is running, you can use the credits you earned earlier in the year. It keeps your energy costs steady instead of spiking with the seasons.
What Is a Generator
A generator is your backup power source when the grid stops working. It runs on fuel like propane or natural gas and turns on automatically when it senses an outage. When power is restored, it shuts itself off again.
For people who live in upstate cities like Syracuse or Rochester, this is more than a convenience. It is peace of mind. Winter storms can take down lines for hours or even days, and a generator keeps your essentials running the whole time. That means lights, heat, refrigerators, and sump pumps all keep working until the grid is back.
Home Power Systems installs generators and services them year-round. We know the conditions in this part of New York and match each system to your home and power needs.
How Net Metering and Generators Can Work Together
Net metering and generators handle different parts of the power equation, but they complement each other perfectly.
Net metering saves you money on electricity during normal operation by sending extra power to the grid.
A generator makes sure you still have power when the grid goes down or when the sun is not producing enough energy.
Together, they give you both efficiency and reliability.
Think of net metering as your everyday savings plan and the generator as your insurance policy. When combined, they create a balanced system that keeps your home powered without wasting energy or money.
For many homeowners around Syracuse and across upstate New York, this setup could be the best of both worlds.
What Makes This Combination Ideal for New York
New York’s weather makes this approach especially useful. In rural areas, outages can last longer, and in cities, short flickers can still cause problems. Having solar with net metering keeps your costs low most of the time, and the generator steps in when storms or grid failures cause longer blackouts.
The state also has some of the strongest energy programs in the country, which means systems like these can be built to meet local regulations and qualify for certain incentives. Home Power Systems takes care of all the permits and inspections related to your generator so everything works safely and meets code.
Why Choose Home Power Systems
We have been installing generators and backup systems across New York for years. Our technicians live here too, so they know what local homes deal with in every season. We do not use cookie-cutter setups. Every system we build is based on the home’s size, energy use, and outage history.
If you are installing a new generator, we can help. We handle everything from design and installation to maintenance and repairs. Our goal is simple: to make sure your home never loses power when you need it most.
Keep Your Power Steady Year-Round
Net metering and generators do not compete with each other. They work together. Net metering helps you save energy and money, while the generator takes care of things when the weather or the grid cannot keep up.
For homeowners in Syracuse and across New York, that combination means you can depend on your home to stay powered and comfortable through every season. Home Power Systems can design a generator setup that fits your home perfectly.



