PG&E's Public Safety Power Shutoffs — PSPS events — are now an annual reality across the Sacramento Foothills. When Diablo winds and dry conditions create wildfire risk, PG&E preemptively deenergizes entire circuits, sometimes for 12 hours, sometimes for 5 days. Placer, El Dorado, and Nevada counties are the hardest hit, and PG&E's own data shows 200,000+ Sacramento-region customers affected annually.
A Generac whole-home standby generator is the only fully automatic answer. It runs on natural gas or propane (both immune to PG&E shutoffs), starts within about 10 seconds of a grid drop, and keeps your home fully powered until PG&E restores service. No cords, no fuel runs, no 2 AM trips outside during a wind storm.
Problems We Solve
The specific power reliability challenges Sacramento Foothills homeowners face — and exactly how we address them.
Multi-day PG&E shutoffs
PSPS events routinely last 24-72 hours; recent Nevada County events have exceeded 5 days. Your Generac runs until PG&E is back.
Spoiled food and medication
A single 48-hour outage can cost $500-$1,500 in lost groceries and refrigerated medications. One event pays for a large share of the install.
No AC in 105°F heat
PSPS events often coincide with heat waves. Losing HVAC for days is dangerous — especially for elderly residents and infants.
Home offices going dark
Remote workers lose income during outages. A properly sized Generac keeps every home office circuit running.
Medical equipment failures
CPAP, oxygen concentrators, insulin refrigeration, home dialysis — all stay powered 24/7 during a PSPS.
Security system loss
Alarm systems, cameras, garage door openers, and smart locks all fail together when the grid drops.
Benefits
Runs on gas or propane
Immune to PG&E outages. As long as gas is flowing to your home, your generator runs.
10-second automatic switchover
You often don't notice the outage — the transfer is fast enough that most electronics stay on.
Multi-day runtime
On natural gas, your Generac runs continuously as long as gas is flowing — days or weeks if needed.
No cords or fuel runs
Fully automatic. No manual steps. No outdoor trips in storms. Nothing to lift or refuel.
Peace of mind for elderly parents
Aging parents, medical dependents, and out-of-state family members all benefit from automatic backup.
Weekly self-test
The generator tests itself weekly and reports to Mobile Link — you always know it's ready before the next PSPS.
Our Process
Free Consultation
On-site load calculation, gas and electrical assessment, and generator sizing — no charge, no pressure.
Fixed-Price Proposal
Line-item quote covering equipment, transfer switch, concrete pad, gas run, permits, and PG&E filing.
Permits & Scheduling
We file with the county, coordinate PG&E interconnection, and schedule around fire-season priority.
Installation & Startup
1–3 day install by our W-2 crew, full commissioning, homeowner walk-through, and warranty registration.
Why Homeowners Choose Peak Power Systems
- Authorized Generac Dealer and Generac PowerPro certified installer
- California C-10 Electrical Contractor License #789456, held since 1986
- $2M general liability plus full workers' comp — every crew member is a W-2 employee
- 1,200+ Generac installations completed across the Sacramento Foothills
- Fixed-price proposals with line-item detail — no change-order surprises
- 24/7 emergency service for existing maintenance customers
- 5-year Generac manufacturer warranty registered on every install
How PSPS shutoffs actually work
PG&E monitors weather stations across California for Diablo wind events — dry, downslope winds from the northeast that historically spike fire risk. When forecast wind speeds and fuel moisture cross defined thresholds, PG&E notifies affected customers 48-24 hours ahead of a planned shutoff. The shutoff itself covers entire circuits, sometimes tens of thousands of customers at a time, and can last from 12 hours to over 5 days depending on how long dangerous conditions persist and how long the post-event inspection takes.
Why portable generators aren't enough
Portable generators require you to be home, awake, and physically capable of hauling a 200 lb machine outside, filling it with fuel, running extension cords, and refueling every 6-8 hours around the clock. During a 72-hour PSPS event, that's 9-12 fuel runs — often in the middle of the night, often in wind or rain. For elderly homeowners, families with medical dependents, or anyone who travels for work, portable generators are simply not a viable solution.
Installation before fire season
Fire season lead times spike. Every year, homeowners call us for the first time after a PSPS event, only to face a 6-8 week install queue. The smart move is to schedule a consultation in winter or early spring — installation lead times are shorter, permits move faster, and your generator is commissioned and tested before the first red-flag warning of the year.