Batteries are Cheap, Backup power is expensive

@dinov +1 Same here. I think it is a Cumings natural gas generator with 50A/120V = 6kW. For brownouts and the 5–10s between power out to generator auto-on, a few small APS do the job.

OP @erik_squires : Re UPCs, also consider battery degradation. At work I had a couple of Desktop PC-size UPCs (120 and 240V) to protect our scanning electron microscope mainly from brownouts. Batteries need to be replaced every 5-10 years. For one they cost, and in one case the batteries ballooned and I had to cut the case to get the batteries out. Between installation and full failure, the battery performance degrades, so if you really want to make sure your back-up lasts for the desired time, also factor in lowered battery capacity with time, or schedule regular battery swaps.

@oberoniaomnia  - That’s another thing.  The lead-acid batteries used in the common UPS does not have the lifespan of modern  LiFePO4.  

According to Gemini, I can get 5 to 15 years of service vs. 3 to 5 years with lead-acid. 

Generally, APC is still selling designs it came up with it seems 20 years ago while battery technology has really moved forward.  The one good thing is that in the US at least the lead recycling rate is high and environmental contamination low for lead acid. 

We finally installed a whole house generator 26KWa-Kohler- natural gas- a little more than a year ago. After the Texas "big freeze" in 2021, I swore I would not go through that again (or the threat of rolling blackouts during peak summer heat, which is brutal here). Since it takes the generator a bit to come fully online--arguably in the tens of seconds, though the switch over happens in milliseconds, that’s obviously enough of a time lag to disrupt Internet service. 

Since so much of what we have today is Internet dependent, including household alarms, security cameras, etc. (all with battery back ups), I bought a substantial Eaton sine wave 20 amp UPS. This way, the Internet signal is covered during the generator switch over. I’m less concerned about computer activity during a power outage than the security systems. (and fwiw, I had a pretty elaborate wiring scheme approved to avoid having my main hi-fi part of the same circuitry as the ATS for the generator; the hi-fi is not supported by the generator at all). One less thing to worry about  and--no, I would not be listening to the hi-fi during a power outage. 

Kohler Generators can also be set-up to use 20# lp propane cylinders 

if you don't have storage room for a back-up propane tank.

Actually, the warmer it gets, the less efficient solar panels are. Optimal temperature is 77 degrees Fahrenheit. After that, they lose efficiency. If that's what you're talking about!

@thecarpathian 

Did not know that. I guess if it rises to 90 each day it is efficient twice a day! AI does state that while they are less efficient they are designed to function between 59 and 95 degrees. 

Having a lot of little power stations, including home units, is less likely to collapse during strain than having a few giant one's.

@erik_squires 

Unfortunately, that is the best we have at this time. Solar should be much better by now. I have thought of just having a couple of panels put on my roof that explicitly powers my basement but am sure a solar contractor will tell me that once they are on the roof, the more they include the better the price/efficiency. Kind of like a builder who tells you that building up^^ is much cheaper (per square foot) than say, building a rancher without a second story.

The entire energy sector is so disappointing to a guy like me who grew up in the 70's mowing the family lawn with an electric John Deere mower. One that used four (maybe six?) car batteries and never broke down. Yeah, it was quiet. 

Look forward to hearing your experiences on the Renogy inverter/battery, Erik. I am always interested in how to utilize technology to reduce costs/carbon footprint.