When it comes to backup power, one size does not fit all. Whether you're protecting a cannabis grow facility, dairy operation, data center, or aggregate processing site, properly sizing your backup generator is critical to avoid underperformance, power loss, or equipment damage.
At American Energy Solutions (AES, Inc.), we specialize in custom backup power solutions designed around your exact needs. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to size a backup generator correctly, ensuring maximum efficiency, uptime, and return on investment — all while highlighting how our expert team and industry-leading inventory can support you every step of the way.
⚡ Why Proper Sizing of Backup Power Systems Matters
Selecting the right backup generator isn’t just about finding a unit with high output — it’s about matching the system to your specific electrical load, application type, and operational priorities.
Improper sizing can result in:
🔻 Insufficient power during outages
🔺 Excessive fuel consumption
💥 Overloading and system failure
⚙️ Mechanical wear and reduced lifespan
💰 Wasted investment on oversized equipment
That’s why AES provides precision generator sizing services, ensuring your business is protected with the right product at the right power rating, no matter the application.
🧠 Step-by-Step Guide to Sizing Your Backup Power Solution
Step 1: Identify Your Critical Loads
Make a list of all the electrical equipment you need to keep running during a power outage. This often includes:
🧑🌾 Milking machines, pumps, refrigeration (for dairies)
💡 HVAC, lighting, ventilation (for cannabis facilities)
🧯 Fire suppression, safety systems, alarms
💻 Servers, routers, cooling (for data centers)
🚜 Crushers, conveyors, pumps (for aggregates)
🧪 Lab equipment, compressors, cleanroom controls (biotech)
Label each system as critical, essential, or non-essential, so we can determine which need immediate, uninterrupted power during an outage.
Step 2: Determine Total Starting and Running Load
Calculate the total wattage (or kW/kVA) required by your equipment:
Running Load (kW): The amount of power equipment needs while operating.
Starting Load (kW): Some equipment — especially motors, compressors, or HVAC systems — requires 2x to 7x more power to start.
At AES, we account for both steady-state loads and surge/startup power, ensuring your generator won’t stall or trip when systems start.
Step 3: Factor in Voltage, Phase, and Frequency Requirements
Different industries require different power formats. We'll help determine:
- Single-phase vs. three-phase power
- 208V, 240V, 480V, or 600V service
- 50 Hz or 60 Hz frequency (depending on location)
AES supplies industrial-grade generators configured for a wide range of voltage and phase requirements to meet regional codes and site-specific demands.
Step 4: Consider Runtime and Fuel Type
Do you need standby backup power (for emergencies only) or prime/continuous power (for daily off-grid operation)? This determines:
⛽ Fuel type — Diesel, natural gas, or propane
🕒 Runtime capacity — From a few hours to 24/7 continuous duty
🛢️ On-site fuel storage and refueling support
AES will guide you through the best choice, considering fuel availability, emissions regulations (Tier 4 Final), and total cost of ownership.
Step 5: Choose Stationary or Mobile Configuration
Do you want a permanently installed generator or a mobile generator you can relocate?
🏗️ Skid-mounted units for long-term onsite power
🚛 Trailer-mounted mobile generators for flexible or remote applications
🧰 Rental-ready units for temporary or seasonal needs
AES maintains a massive mobile inventory, especially Caterpillar XQ units, ideal for construction sites, quarries, and disaster relief operations.
Step 6: Don’t Forget the Transfer Switch and Controls
A proper backup power system isn’t just about the generator — it includes:
🔄 Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS)
🧠 Load management systems
📡 Remote monitoring and diagnostics
⚡ Paralleling gear (for multiple generator systems)
AES provides complete system integration, ensuring seamless startup and real-time control of your power systems.
🔍 Real-World Applications We Serve
AES provides tailored sizing and power solutions across industries:
🌿 Cannabis Grow Operations: Clean power for lights, HVAC, fertigation
🧀 Dairies & Cold Storage: Continuous power for pumps, chillers, milk tanks
🖥️ Data Centers: Uninterrupted backup for mission-critical systems
🧱 Aggregate Plants: Rugged power for crushers, screens, conveyors
🚨 Disaster Relief & First Responders: Mobile, rapid-deployment power
🔬 Pharma & Biotech: Clean, reliable backup for labs and cleanrooms
🔧 Why Choose American Energy Solutions to Size and Supply Your Backup Power System?
✅ Experience Across All Industries – From cannabis to critical infrastructure
✅ Top Brands You Trust – Caterpillar, Cummins, Generac, MTU
✅ Massive Inventory – Skid and trailer-mounted units ready to deploy
✅ Engineering Expertise – System design, sizing, integration, and commissioning
✅ 24/7 Support & Maintenance – We don’t just sell — we support
✅ Rental, Purchase, and Custom Lease Options – Flexible solutions for your needs
📞 Need Help Sizing Your Backup Power System?
Don’t leave your power needs to guesswork. Contact American Energy Solutions today and speak with our backup power specialists. We'll walk you through a comprehensive load analysis and recommend the right-sized, most efficient, and most cost-effective generator solution for your unique business.
🔌 Whether you need a 100 kW standby unit or a 2 MW mobile generator array — we’ve got the power to back you up.
👉 Contact us now to get started with your personalized backup power sizing consultation.