Whole-home standby generators with automatic transfer switches — the PSPS workhorse in the San Lorenzo Valley. We're certified Generac installers. Our C-10 crew does the transfer switch, panel and circuit work the install depends on, and the gas line goes to a licensed subcontractor.
A standby generator is a permanently installed unit that starts itself when the power goes out, runs on natural gas or propane, and shuts itself down when utility power comes back. You don't carry anything, run extension cords, or go outside in a storm.
A standby generator installation brings together electrical work, a gas connection, and a pad for the unit. We handle the concrete pad work in-house too. The automatic transfer switch disconnects your home from the utility before the generator supplies power, preventing power from feeding back onto utility lines. That switch is included in every whole-home install we do.
We're a C-10 electrical contractor first, which is the reason we can be straight with you about whether you need one at all. Plenty of homes in this county are better served by a battery, and some are better served by a portable generator and an interlock kit — a fraction of the cost. We'll tell you which one you are before we quote you.
A tech looks at your panel, your gas supply, and the possible locations, then walks through what you need running during an outage. Sizing is the whole job — an oversized unit wastes money and an undersized one trips on the first well pump start. You get a written report and a real number.
We pull the building permit and confirm your gas meter can actually carry the load — this is where jobs get delayed if nobody checks, because upsizing a meter is on PG&E's timeline, not ours. If a sound enclosure is part of your scope, it gets ordered here; those run about three months.
Pad set, unit placed, transfer switch installed at the service, gas line run and pressure-tested by a licensed gas subcontractor, everything terminated and labelled. Your power is off for part of the day while the transfer switch goes in — we tell you which part in advance.
Electrical and gas inspections, then a real load test — we cut the utility feed and watch it transfer, carry the house, and hand back. Exercise schedule set, Mobile Link paired, warranty registered, and a walkthrough so it isn't a mystery box in the side yard.
Our whole-home package is a Generac unit and an automatic transfer switch, supplied and installed, with the switch inside the price rather than bolted on afterwards. We give you a real number at the free inspection instead of a range on a web page, because the honest spread between an easy install and a hard one is wide enough that a single mid-range figure would mislead you in either direction. What moves the number is site work, and it's worth knowing before you compare quotes — a new gas supply line, an upsized gas meter, a sound enclosure, or panel work the install turns up are each real line items that some quotes leave out and add later. Ours are itemised at quote. There is no federal tax credit on a standby generator. The residential energy credits that used to be quoted at people (Sections 25C and 25D) both terminated on 31 December 2025, and generators never qualified under either. Anyone telling you otherwise is selling.
“We were having serious problems with our Tesla, solar system, and Carlos came out to evaluate the problems. He was right on target with what the problems were, and he called his boss just to confirm which I appreciated the second opinion. They will be installing the solar system correctly and I’m so relieved. Carlos was wonderful. He is so personable and so intelligent, and I admire him. Can’t wait to get this whole system fixed”
“We've had an exceptional experience with Sunrise Electrical Contracting. In the middle of winter with a 5 week old baby - we found ourselves without power once again in the Santa cruz Mountains. We had already purchased a solar system but hadn't set it up. My husband called Sunrise Electrical Contracting and connected with Branden who came on an emergency call on short notice. He was able to set up our solar system in a few hours and took a lot of time to explain things to my husband who asks a lot of questions and give him advice on the system. Branden was professional and friendly, as well as extremely knowledgeable and friendly while he met at our home. He got us out of a bind and now we can keep our house warm. The rate was great and out of the companies we called, they were the most responsive. We definitely trust this company with our electrical needs moving forward and recommend them to anyone who needs work.”
Pulled from what we actually hear on quotes and on-site. If yours isn't here, ask us — we'll answer in plain English.
We'd rather you get the right outcome than the Sunrise outcome. Some of this points away from us on purpose.
Look for a CSLB-licensed C-10 contractor who is also a certified Generac installer. Verify the licence at cslb.ca.gov, and confirm the quote includes the transfer switch, the permit, and the gas inspection rather than listing them separately later.
Browse our field guidesCompare the loads you need, the outage duration you want to cover and the energy available. Batteries can recharge from compatible solar; generators depend on fuel and maintenance. We assess both against your home rather than choosing on duration alone.
Solar, battery + backup powerA portable generator plus a factory interlock kit at your panel is a legal, inspected, far cheaper way to back up a few essential circuits. It is manual and you have to be home to start it — but it is honest backup and we install them.
Schedule a free inspectionFrom Davenport to Pajaro Dunes, San Lorenzo Valley to Pleasure Point. Same crew, same warranty, same pricing.
Free on-site inspection, correct sizing, and a written quote with the transfer switch and permit already in it. No pressure to book on the spot.