Generators for Construction
A power outage on a construction site can do more than stop work and put your company behind schedule. It can also endanger employees by increasing the risk of injury, resulting in lost profits. You can easily solve this problem by renting or buying a reliable backup power source.
A generator or uninterruptible power supply (UPS) provides temporary power when you need it. These devices can provide emergency power or a regular source of power. A contractor may need continuous power at a work site that lacks electricity. The same contractor might also need a source of emergency power in case of a power outage at a powered work site.
Staying on schedule helps the construction company complete the job on budget. Clients frown upon budget overruns because they bear the cost of lost workdays. You can’t control when plywood prices rise, or a manufacturer runs out of steel girders. However, you can provide your work site with a dependable backup power supply, so a power outage won’t put you behind on your work.
MTU 200 kW Standby Diesel Generator in place at San Miguelito Mutual Water Company
We offer high quality new, surplus and rental generators for temporary power or permanent solutions. If your construction site has sound or emissions restrictions, we have sound attenuated and EPA tier compliant generators to meet your needs, as well as the latest battery power generators and hybrid generators. We also have enclosed and open skid packages to handle extremely hot or cold conditions.
Choosing an Appropriate Backup System
Commercial generators provide a necessary solution for construction companies to maintain continuous power. Today, construction contractors can choose from many power solutions, including:
- Portable diesel generators
- Solar panel systems and battery energy storage systems (BESS)
- UPS trailers
Many companies use diesel generators because they offer a more stable fuel than natural gas generators. This provides added safety since they’re less likely to spark a fire. Diesel generators also cost less to maintain and repair. This durability results in greater operational dependability. These generators offer versatility in the equipment they can power and rarely overheat.
Installing a solar panel system on a construction trailer provides regular electricity. Your company won’t need to connect to the utility grid. This option lets you use generator power for tools and work lights. That reduces the amount of fuel you need to buy.
Construction sites rarely use solar for power tools. Solar can charge battery-powered tools overnight. That option reduces the amount of fuel used. Combining power sources results in cost savings and a greener operation.
Backup power sources provide temporary power that guarantees a continued workflow in a power outage. When a worksite lacks electricity, consider rental UPS trailers. These large-scale UPS systems come on a trailer. You can drive them to any work location and power the whole site. A UPS integrates a battery, surge protector, and inverter in a single unit, providing AC and DC power.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Construction Generator
Choosing the right construction generator is essential to keeping your job site running safely and efficiently. Global Power Supply provides high-performance generators for construction sites, backed by expert guidance and trusted support. Whether you’re a general contractor managing multiple worksites or an operations manager in need of temporary power, this guide answers your most common questions about selecting, buying, and installing a construction site generator.
What size construction generator should I buy for my job site?
A generator’s size determines how much power it produces. It can also dictate whether or not the generator does its job well. Undersizing can cause power outages and project delays, and oversizing wastes precious fuel and inflates your budget. Finding the right size starts with knowing your job site’s power requirements.
First, you need to calculate the total wattage of all the power tools, equipment, and lighting that will be used simultaneously at your construction site. This step is crucial not only for the site as a whole but also to ensure task-specific requests aren’t being overpowered. It’s also important to factor in the starting wattage (surge wattage) of some tools, especially motors, because it can be significantly higher than their running wattage.
To determine the proper size for your work site generator, follow these steps:
- Identify and list all your equipment: Include tools like drills, saws, compressors, welders, lighting fixtures, and heaters.
- Determine wattage requirements for all parts: You can find these values by consulting the equipment’s specifications or the manufacturer’s data sheets.
- Calculate tool wattage: Add up the running wattage of all tools you plan to use at the same time. If a tool’s starting wattage is higher than its running wattage, consider this value in your total to ensure you have enough power to supply your equipment during a potential power outage.
- Choose a generator with enough power: The generator’s wattage rating must be at least equal to your calculated total. It’s best to select a generator with a slightly higher capacity to account for power surges and future changes in your supply needs.
Consider additional factors like proper voltage, fuel type (gasoline or diesel), noise levels, and project runtime to help you make the correct choice.
Not sure where to start? Our team can perform a detailed generator sizing analysis to help match your site requirements.
What types of generators are best for construction sites?
The main goal for all construction contractors and companies is to find a quality generator that meets their power needs. Portable, or mobile, diesel generators are the go-to for most construction projects because of their efficiency. They’re sturdy, less flammable, provide steady power, and are easy to tow or reposition across a job site.
However, the answer ultimately depends on your specific job requirements. Diesel generators are highly durable and ideal for remote locations, while natural gas models are cleaner and may suit city-based job sites with immediate fuel access. Portable units are flexible, while larger, stationary models (standby generators) are better for long-term, high-load applications.
Global Power Supply offers new and used options from leading brands like Cummins, Caterpillar, Blue Star, Kohler, and more. Check out our mobile diesel generator inventory to power your construction equipment.
How do I choose between diesel generators and natural gas generators?
Begin by assessing your needs. Here’s what you need to know:
- Diesel generators: Higher fuel efficiency, better suited for heavy-duty and remote work sites, longer lifespan, safer storage, and widely used across the construction industry.
- Natural gas generators: Lower fuel costs, cleaner emissions, quieter operation, easier to install, and best utilized when gas lines are available on-site.
Our experts can help evaluate your location, emissions requirements, runtime needs, and fuel availability to determine the best choice. Simply contact us here.
Do you offer new and used construction site generators for sale?
Yes. Global Power Supply offers both new and certified pre-owned construction site generators. Our used inventory is thoroughly tested and inspected to meet performance standards, and we offer trade-ins and buybacks to help support your budget.
What warranty comes with a purchased construction generator?
New generators typically come with a manufacturer’s warranty. Duration depends on the brand and model. Used units purchased from Global Power Supply are sold with a limited warranty that covers key components and labor for a defined period (for standby applications).
For more information, contact us or read our full Warranty Policy.
Can Global Power Supply help with the installation of generators for construction sites?
Absolutely. We’re more than a reseller and supplier. Global Power Supply is a full-service critical power partner. That means we can support you with:
- Generator delivery and installation services
- Site surveys
- Preventive maintenance for emergency power systems
- Project management
- Load bank testing
- And more services
Learn more about our Industrial Power Solutions for construction and beyond.
Standby vs. portable generators: Which is best for construction sites?
The right fit depends on your site size, budget, runtime expectations, and how often the unit needs to move.
For construction sites, portable generators are the preferred choice because they’re easily movable. They allow you to power sensitive equipment in different areas, as opposed to being confined to a single work zone. Now, standby generators can also be transported as needed, but this process often requires planning and professional assistance because of how heavy they are (and their use of complex electrical connections).
So, which one is easier and better? Consider how each generator type performs in the following categories:
- Easier to install: Portable
- Simpler connections: Portable
- Permanent installation: Standby
- Fewer maintenance requirements: Portable
- Higher power output: Standby
- Fueled by natural gas or propane: Standby
- Fueled by gasoline or diesel: Portable
- Jobs that require mobility and fast setup: Portable
- Smaller job sites and short-term projects: Portable
- Larger construction zones and critical infrastructure sites: Standby
Here’s another key difference between the two options: Standby generators only activate during power failures, while portable generators power heavy-duty equipment at all times.
Is it better to rent or buy a job site generator?
It depends on your project timeline and budget.
- Rent if you have a short-term or seasonal need, multiple job sites, or want to avoid maintenance responsibility.
- Buy if you have ongoing power needs, want full ownership, and are planning long-term use.
Global Power Supply supports both options with a large inventory of rental and purchase-ready units. Our team can help you determine the best solution for your operations.
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