Generac Power Systems is the company behind Generac generators, and today it sells far more than generators. Its catalog now includes transfer switches, remote monitoring, home batteries, solar inverters, smart thermostats and electric vehicle chargers. Generac describes itself as “a total energy solutions company”.
That is good news if you want one brand for everything. It is confusing if you just want to know what each product does and whether you need it.
This guide is a map of the whole range. It explains every Generac product line in plain English, shows how the pieces connect, and helps you decide between the two main ways to keep the lights on: a generator that burns fuel, or a battery that stores electricity. Product facts come from Generac’s own website and published spec sheets. We have not tested this equipment.
Generac Power Systems at a glance
One company, nine product lines
Figures come from Generac’s website and spec sheets, checked October 2026.
Quick answer
Generac Power Systems, based in Waukesha, Wisconsin, makes portable generators, home standby generators and industrial generators. It also makes the equipment around them: automatic and manual transfer switches, the Mobile Link monitoring service, PWRcell 2 home batteries, PWRmicro solar inverters, ecobee smart thermostats and Level 2 EV chargers. A generator gives long run time from fuel. A battery gives silent, instant power for hours. Generac says its systems can work together, with a generator able to recharge the battery.
How we put this guide together
We have not tested Generac products and we have no business relationship with Generac. Generator facts come from generac.com. Battery figures come from Generac’s PWRcell 2 specification guide. EV charger and solar inverter details come from Generac’s spec sheet and its product announcements, as reported by trade publications. All were checked in October 2026. Generac updates these newer product lines often, so confirm current specifications with a dealer before you buy.
In this guide
- Who Is Generac Power Systems?
- The Generac Product Map
- Home Standby Generators
- Portable Generators
- Transfer Switches and Load Management
- Mobile Link Remote Monitoring
- PWRcell 2 Home Battery Storage
- PWRmicro Solar Inverters
- ecobee Smart Thermostats
- EV Chargers
- Portable Power Stations
- Commercial, Industrial and Mobile Products
- How the Pieces Fit Together
- Generator or Battery: Which Do You Need?
- Generac Products You Can Order Online
- Support, Registration and Dealers
- Common Mistakes When Looking at the Generac Range (and the Fix)
- Pro Tips for Choosing From the Range
- Real-Life Scenarios: Which Generac Products Fit?
- Generac Power Systems: FAQ
- Your Generac Product Checklist
Who Is Generac Power Systems?
Generac Power Systems, Inc. is the full legal name of the company most people simply call Generac. It was founded in 1959, and its headquarters are in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Its shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GNRC.
Generac’s own website calls it the number one manufacturer of home backup generators, and says it was the first to engineer affordable home standby generators. Those are the company’s claims.
For most of its history Generac was a generator company. Over the last several years it has added energy technology. It announced the purchase of ecobee, a smart thermostat maker, in November 2021, and it has built a line of solar and battery products under the PWRcell name.
For the company’s history, where its products are made and how it compares with rivals, see our separate Generac company profile. This guide is about the products.
The Generac Product Map
| Product line | What it does | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Home standby generators | Automatic backup power from natural gas or propane | Homeowners who want hands-free backup |
| Portable generators | Power you wheel out and start | Homes, RVs, camping and job sites |
| Transfer switches | Connect a generator safely to a home’s wiring | Every generator that powers house circuits |
| Mobile Link | Remote monitoring of a standby generator | Standby generator owners |
| PWRcell 2 battery storage | Stores electricity for backup and for daily use | Homes with or without solar |
| PWRmicro solar inverters | Convert solar panel output to household power | Homes adding solar |
| ecobee thermostats | Smart heating and cooling control | Any home |
| EV chargers | Level 2 charging at home | Electric vehicle owners |
| Commercial and industrial | Large generators, mobile generators and light towers | Businesses and job sites |
The rest of this guide takes each line in turn.
Home Standby Generators
This is the product Generac is best known for. A home standby generator is installed outside, like a central air conditioner. It runs on natural gas or propane and starts by itself within seconds of an outage.
Generac’s current air-cooled range has seven sizes: 10, 14, 18, 22, 24, 26 and 28 kW. Above that, liquid-cooled models continue up to 150 kW, and Generac also lists diesel standby units.
- Run time: Generac says a standby unit runs as long as fuel is available and it is maintained.
- Noise: Generac gives an average of 65 to 67 decibels, similar to a central air conditioner.
- Warranty: current listings state a 5-year limited warranty.
- Limits: Generac says these generators are a backup to utility power, not a primary power source.
Our guide to Generac standby generators compares every size.
Portable Generators
Generac’s portable range runs from a 2,200-watt inverter to an 18,000-watt machine. It includes GP open-frame models, quiet inverter models, dual fuel and tri fuel models and one diesel.
Portables cost far less than a standby system. The trade-off is that someone has to be home to wheel the generator out, start it, refuel it and run it safely outdoors.
Our guide to Generac power generators compares the families, and Generac portable generators for home use gives home backup picks.
Transfer Switches and Load Management
A transfer switch is the part people forget, and it is the part that makes a generator safe to use with house wiring. It disconnects your home from the utility before it connects the generator. That stops generator power from flowing back into the power lines, where it could injure a line worker.
Generac’s website says it is a leading designer and manufacturer of manual and fully automatic transfer switches. There are three kinds to know.
| Type | Works with | How it switches | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| HomeLink manual transfer switch | Portable generators | By hand, with a rocker switch | 30-amp and 50-amp kits. Generac says it can be upgraded to automatic |
| Automatic transfer switch, selected circuits | Standby generators | Automatically | Backs up a chosen set of circuits |
| Automatic transfer switch, whole house | Standby generators | Automatically | 200-amp models, some rated for the service entrance with built-in surge protection |
The Generac Load Manager
A whole-house switch lets every circuit use generator power. That creates a risk: the air conditioner, the dryer and the oven could all start together and overload the generator.
Generac’s answer is the Load Manager, which it used to call the Smart Management Module. It holds back large appliances and lets them run in turn. With load management, a smaller generator can serve a larger home.
What the HomeLink does for a portable
A HomeLink kit gives a portable generator a proper connection to the house. The 30-amp kit’s listing describes a switch set up for 8 circuits, expandable to 10, with a power inlet box and a 10-foot cord. You plug the generator into the inlet outside, flip the switch and those circuits run from the generator.
Transfer switches are not a DIY item
Every transfer switch connects to your home’s electrical panel, and a whole-house switch connects to the service entrance itself. Generac recommends installation by a certified, licensed electrician. Permits are usually required. Never connect a generator to your home by plugging it into a wall outlet. That is dangerous and illegal.
Our guide on how to connect a generator to your house explains the options.
Mobile Link Remote Monitoring
Mobile Link is Generac’s monitoring service for standby generators. According to Generac, it can:
- Send status alerts by text, email or app notification.
- Show run time and the weekly exercise schedule.
- Let you choose a preferred dealer and send a service request from the app.
- Report the propane tank level, with an optional fuel monitor.
Generac’s current standby generators have cellular connectivity built in, and older Guardian models used Wi-Fi. Some features need a paid subscription. Check what is included before you rely on it.
The value is simple. A standby generator that failed its weekly test three weeks ago is no use in tonight’s storm. Monitoring tells you while there is still time to fix it.
PWRcell 2 Home Battery Storage
This is Generac’s biggest step beyond engines. PWRcell 2 is a home battery system. It stores electricity, from solar panels or from the grid, and releases it when you need it.
Generac’s specification guide lists four sizes of battery cabinet.
| Configuration | Usable energy | Maximum continuous power |
|---|---|---|
| M3 | 9 kWh | 5.2 kW |
| M4 | 12 kWh | 7 kW |
| M5 | 15 kWh | 8.7 kW |
| M6 | 18 kWh | 10.5 kW |
| Two cabinets | Up to 36 kWh | Up to 11.5 kW |
The guide also lists a roundtrip efficiency of 88%, and a warranty on the battery modules of 10 years or a set amount of energy throughput. It gives a charging temperature range of 23 to 122°F, and says output may be reduced above 104°F and below 32°F.
Two numbers to understand
A battery has two ratings, and they answer different questions.
Kilowatt-hours (kWh) is how much energy it holds. It tells you how long the battery lasts. Think of it as the size of the fuel tank.
Kilowatts (kW) is how much power it can deliver at one moment. It tells you how many things can run together. Think of it as the size of the engine.
How long does a battery last?
Divide the usable energy by your average load.
| Average load | Example | 9 kWh | 18 kWh | 36 kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 watts | Refrigerator, lights, internet | 18 hours | 36 hours | 72 hours |
| 1,000 watts | The above plus a furnace fan | 9 hours | 18 hours | 36 hours |
| 2,000 watts | A busy household without air conditioning | 4.5 hours | 9 hours | 18 hours |
| 5,000 watts | Central air running | Under 2 hours | About 3.5 hours | About 7 hours |
That table shows both the strength and the limit of a battery. For a short outage with modest loads, it is superb: silent, instant and fuel-free. For a multi-day outage with air conditioning, a battery alone runs down quickly unless solar panels can refill it each day.
Key insight: a generator’s limit is its fuel supply. A battery’s limit is its size. A generator on natural gas can run for a week. An 18 kWh battery running central air lasts a few hours. Choose by the length of the outages you actually get.
PWRmicro Solar Inverters
Solar panels make direct current. Your home uses alternating current. An inverter does the conversion.
Generac’s PWRmicro is a microinverter, which means a small inverter mounted at the panels themselves. Generac announced its current version in September 2025. According to that announcement:
- It is an 820-watt, dual-input unit, so one microinverter serves two solar panels.
- It works with PWRcell 2 batteries and with Generac’s next-generation home standby generators.
- It carries a 25-year warranty.
- Generac claims it delivers up to 40% more power output than leading microinverter lines. That is the company’s claim, not an independent test.
Solar and batteries are sold and installed through Generac’s network of certified installers, not as boxed retail products.
ecobee Smart Thermostats
Generac announced its purchase of ecobee, a Toronto-based maker of smart thermostats, in November 2021. The products are now sold as ecobee by Generac.
A thermostat may seem an odd fit for a generator company. The link is energy management. Heating and cooling are the largest electrical loads in most homes. A thermostat that can talk to the rest of the system can reduce that load when the home is running on a generator or a battery. Generac’s listings describe its current standby generators as compatible with ecobee by Generac thermostats, and it has sold its 28 kW generator in a bundle with one.
EV Chargers
Generac sells Level 2 home chargers for electric vehicles. Level 2 means 240-volt charging, which is much faster than a standard wall outlet.
Its spec sheet and product announcements describe two versions.
| Version | Connection | Maximum output | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 amp | Plugs into a NEMA 14-50 outlet | Up to 9.6 kW | Easier to install where an outlet exists |
| 48 amp | Hardwired | Up to 11.5 kW | Needs a dedicated circuit fitted by an electrician |
Both use a 25-foot cable with the standard J1772 connector, and both have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for Generac’s charging app. Generac’s “up to 40 miles of range per hour” figure assumes a vehicle that travels 3.5 miles per kilowatt-hour.
One practical note for generator owners. An EV charger is a very large load. At 48 amps it draws more than half the output of a 22 kW generator. If you have a standby generator and an EV, ask your installer how the charger will be managed during an outage.
Portable Power Stations
Generac also sells two battery power stations, the Portable Power Station 1000 and 2000. These are small, carry-around batteries with outlets. Generac lists the 2000 at 1,600 running watts and 43 pounds.
They produce no exhaust, so they can be used indoors. They suit phones, laptops, medical devices and a refrigerator for a few hours. They do not replace a generator for a long outage.
Commercial, Industrial and Mobile Products
Outside the home, Generac builds:
- Stationary generators for businesses, hospitals, data centers and other buildings.
- Transfer switches for backup power applications up to 2 megawatts, according to its website.
- Mobile generators and light towers under the Generac Mobile name, for construction and events.
- Power washers. Generac says it pioneered the residential power washer category.
These are sold through industrial dealers. Generac’s dealer locator has a separate link for finding one.
How the Pieces Fit Together
Generac’s pitch is that these products form one system. Here is how they connect in a fully equipped home.
- Solar panels make electricity during the day, through PWRmicro inverters.
- The home uses what it needs, and the surplus charges the PWRcell 2 battery.
- In the evening the battery supplies the home, which reduces what you buy from the grid.
- In an outage the battery takes over instantly and silently.
- If the outage is long, the standby generator starts. Generac says a home generator can charge the battery.
- The ecobee thermostat trims heating and cooling to stretch the stored energy.
- Mobile Link and the apps report what is happening to your phone.
You do not need all of it. Most homes will have one or two of these pieces. The point of the map is to see which ones solve your problem.
Generator or Battery: Which Do You Need?
| Point | Standby generator | Home battery |
|---|---|---|
| Run time | As long as fuel is supplied | Hours, set by battery size and load |
| Whole-home power | Yes, at 22 kW and up | Limited by the kW rating, up to about 11.5 kW |
| Noise | 65 to 67 dB while running | Silent |
| Switchover | A few seconds | Instant |
| Fuel | Natural gas or propane | Electricity from solar or the grid |
| Routine upkeep | Oil, filters, battery, weekly exercise | Very little |
| Everyday benefit | None. It only runs in outages | Can store solar power and cut bills |
| Best for | Long or frequent outages, big loads | Short outages, homes with solar |
A simple way to decide: think about your worst outage in the last five years. If it lasted days, you need fuel. If it lasted hours, a battery may do. If you have solar or plan to, a battery adds value every day, not only in outages.
Our guide to portable vs standby generators covers the generator side of the choice.
Generac Products You Can Order Online
Batteries, solar and EV chargers are mostly sold through installers. Generators, transfer switches and accessories are sold online. We have not tested these. Details come from Generac’s pages and the Amazon listings.
Home standby
Generac 22 kW Whole Home Generator with Transfer Switch and Cellular Monitoring
A 22 kW air-cooled standby generator with a transfer switch and built-in cellular for Mobile Link. The listing says it is compatible with ecobee by Generac thermostats and PWRcell.
- Rating22 kW on LP, 21 kW on NG
- EngineGenerac G-Force 1000
- MonitoringBuilt-in cellular for Mobile Link
- Propane at half load2.45 gallons per hour
- Weight451 lb
- Warranty on listing5-year limited
- Why it works: it is the center of the Generac system, and it connects to the monitoring, thermostat and battery products.
- Who it is best for: family homes that want automatic whole-home backup.
- What it solves: long outages, which no battery of practical size can cover alone.
- Keep in mind: installation is a separate cost and needs licensed trades. Monitoring features need a Mobile Link subscription. Stock was limited when we checked.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Specs come from Generac’s product pages and the Amazon listing, checked October 2026.
Automatic transfer switch
Generac 200-Amp Next Gen Automatic Transfer Switch
A 200-amp automatic transfer switch for Generac standby generators. The listing describes a control module that resists brownouts and false transfers, in an aluminum NEMA 3R enclosure.
- Rating200 amps
- Voltage120/240 V, single phase
- ControlHardened, with brownout protection
- EnclosureNEMA 3R aluminum, indoor or outdoor
- Works withCompatible Generac standby generators
- Stock on listingIn stock when checked
- Why it works: it watches utility power and moves the whole 200-amp panel to the generator without anyone touching it.
- Who it is best for: owners buying a generator without a switch, or replacing an old one.
- What it solves: the manual steps of a portable setup.
- Keep in mind: it must be installed by a licensed electrician and matched to your generator model. A service-entrance version with surge protection is sold separately.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Details come from the Amazon listing, checked October 2026.
For portable generators
Generac 6854 HomeLink 30-Amp Manual Transfer Switch Kit
A manual transfer switch kit for portable generators. The listing says it ships set up for 8 circuits, expands to 10, and includes an aluminum inlet box and a 10-foot cord.
- Rating30 amps
- Circuits8, expandable to 10
- IncludesSwitch, inlet box, 10 ft cord
- IndicatorsUtility and generator lights
- UpgradeTo automatic, with a HomeLink kit
- Weight27.2 lb
- Why it works: it gives a portable generator a safe link to chosen house circuits.
- Who it is best for: portable generator owners who are tired of extension cords.
- What it solves: running the furnace, the well pump and hard-wired lights, which cords cannot reach.
- Keep in mind: a 30-amp switch passes up to 7,200 watts. Generac recommends installation by a certified, licensed electrician.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Details come from the Amazon listing, checked October 2026.
Cold weather accessory
Generac 7101 Battery Heater Pad for 9 to 22 kW Air-Cooled Standby Generators
A heater pad that sits under the generator’s starting battery. The listing says it switches on at 40°F and off at 55°F.
- Part number7101
- Fits9 to 22 kW air-cooled, 2008 or later
- Turns onAt 40°F
- Turns offAt 55°F
- PositionUnder the battery
- BrandGenerac
- Why it works: a warm battery delivers far more starting current than a cold one.
- Who it is best for: owners in cold regions with conventional flooded batteries.
- What it solves: a generator that cranks slowly or fails to start on a freezing night.
- Keep in mind: the listing says it is not required with AGM-style batteries, which Generac’s newest models use. Check your battery type and model year first.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Details come from the Amazon listing, checked October 2026.
Support, Registration and Dealers
Generac lists a customer line at 1-888-GENERAC, which is 1-888-436-3722. Its website also has guided support, manuals, parts lookup and product registration.
For a standby generator, the service request form asks for the serial number and passes your request to a local service provider. Generac groups its dealers into tiers by what they can sell, install and service. Solar and battery products use a separate network of certified installers.
Our guide to Generac dealers explains the tiers, and Generac generator troubleshooting covers lights and error codes.
Common Mistakes When Looking at the Generac Range (and the Fix)
Pro Tips for Choosing From the Range
- Start with the problem. Write down how long your outages last and what must stay on.
- Know your daily use. Your electric bill shows kilowatt-hours per month. Divide by 30. The average American home uses about 30 kWh a day, according to federal energy data.
- Ask for a load calculation before anyone quotes a generator or a battery.
- Check temperature limits if a battery will be installed in a garage or outdoors.
- Think about the order. A generator can be added to a battery system later, and the other way round. Ask what the first purchase must include to allow the second.
- Read warranties side by side. Generators, batteries and microinverters have very different terms.
- Get quotes from more than one certified installer.
Real-Life Scenarios: Which Generac Products Fit?
These are typical situations. They are examples to help you decide, not reports from real customers.
🌀 The hurricane-coast home
Outages last four to seven days, in heat.
You need fuel. A standby generator with a whole-house switch and Mobile Link is the core. A battery is optional.
Fit: standby generator first
☀️ The solar home with short outages
You have panels, and outages are an hour or two, a few times a year.
A battery covers these silently and also stores your solar power every evening.
Fit: PWRcell 2 battery
🏡 The cautious budget
You want backup without a large installation.
A portable generator with a HomeLink switch runs the essentials at a fraction of the cost, as long as someone is home.
Fit: portable plus HomeLink
Generac Power Systems: FAQ
What does Generac Power Systems make?
Generac makes portable generators, home standby generators and industrial generators. It also makes transfer switches, the Mobile Link monitoring service, PWRcell 2 home batteries, PWRmicro solar inverters, ecobee smart thermostats, EV chargers, portable power stations and power washers.
Where is Generac Power Systems located?
Generac's headquarters are in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The company says its home standby generators are assembled in Wisconsin using both foreign and domestic parts.
What is Generac PWRcell 2?
PWRcell 2 is Generac's home battery system. Generac's specification guide lists four sizes, from 9 kWh with 5.2 kW of continuous power to 18 kWh with 10.5 kW. Two cabinets can be combined for up to 36 kWh.
Can a Generac generator charge a Generac battery?
Generac says a home generator can charge the PWRcell battery. The details depend on the models and how the system is designed, so ask a certified installer.
Does Generac own ecobee?
Yes. Generac announced its acquisition of ecobee, a smart thermostat maker, in November 2021. The products are sold as ecobee by Generac.
Is a Generac battery or a Generac generator better?
They solve different problems. A generator runs for as long as it has fuel, so it suits long outages and large loads. A battery is silent and instant and can store solar power, so it suits short outages and daily energy savings.
Your Generac Product Checklist
- Write down how long your outages usually last.
- List the loads that must stay on.
- Find your daily electricity use in kilowatt-hours.
- Decide whether you need days of run time or hours.
- Budget for a transfer switch with any generator.
- Ask about load management before buying a larger generator.
- Check what Mobile Link features need a subscription.
- If you have an EV, plan how it charges on backup power.
- If you have solar, ask how a battery and a generator would work with it.
- Get a load calculation and more than one quote.
The bottom line
Generac Power Systems now covers the whole path from fuel to stored electricity. A generator is still the answer for long outages. A battery is the answer for short ones and for solar. Start from your own outages, and buy only the pieces that solve them.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Sources: Generac’s website (generac.com): about page, home standby, portable, transfer switch, Mobile Link, home energy system and EV charger pages; Generac’s PWRcell 2 specification guide; Generac’s Level 2 EV charger spec sheet; Generac’s PWRmicro and ecobee announcements as reported by trade publications; US Energy Information Administration for average household electricity use; Amazon listings for the products named in this guide. All checked October 2026.
