Backup Power in
Home battery backup and standby generators for Hingham, from the harbor and Crow Point to the historic houses on Main Street and North Street.
Get a Savant QuoteHingham's own utility has a good record of getting the lights back on quickly. The weak point is how the power reaches town, on two transmission lines that share one set of poles, and a fix that will not be in service until 2028 at the earliest.
Many Hingham houses are old enough to sit in one of the town's historic districts, so where the equipment goes matters as much as what it is.
Boston Backup Power is a division of Boston Automations in Norwood. We design and install RoseWater Energy systems, Savant Power and Generac and Kohler standby generators, and licensed electricians and gas fitters make the connections.
Authorized RoseWater Energy Dealer. Authorized Savant dealer. Authorized Generac and Kohler partner. Updated .
Storms and outages in Hingham
In the October 27, 2021 nor'easter, with gusts up to 70 mph, about 6,500 Hingham customers lost power at the peak, and the lighting plant brought in four mutual-aid line crews and three extra tree crews. On April 13, 2020, a rain and wind storm knocked out about 4,020 of the plant's 10,662 customers, about 38 percent, mostly from trees.
The harbor floods too. In the January 13, 2024 storm surge, water came over the harbor stone wall, the start of Meadow Road was underwater for a few hours, and the Rockland and Kilby Streets intersection was completely submerged, with closures at Crow Point and along the Weir River.
Who supplies the power
The Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant is the town's own utility. It says its two above-ground transmission lines on one set of poles leave the town vulnerable to extended outages. The planned fix is an Eversource switching station in Weymouth, about 3.2 miles of underground line and a new substation at the Hobart Street transfer station, with Eversource listing an in-service date in the fourth quarter of 2028, pending siting approval.
Which system fits a Hingham home?
We install all three, so we can recommend the one that suits the house and the budget.
RoseWater Energy
For a large house on the harbor or in the hills with lighting control, AV and a big network, a RoseWater HUB carries the house with zero transfer time while the town waits on its new supply line.
Whole-home battery backup with zero transfer time and power conditioning, for large homes where nothing can blink. Most projects run $125,000 to $1,000,000.
Standby generator
Where the lot has room, a standby generator on natural gas covers a long outage on its own or keeps a battery system charged. In a historic district it needs a location the commission accepts.
A Generac or Kohler standby generator on natural gas or propane that starts on its own when the power goes out. Most installs run $7,500 to $20,000.
Where the equipment goes in Hingham
Near the harbor, at Crow Point and along the Weir River, keep battery cabinets and generator pads above the flood level and out of basements that take water. The town names flooding as its greatest hazard, and a waterfront resiliency project along Route 3A and Summer Street is in permitting.
Hingham's older houses, some from the 1600s, often have tight basements and stone foundations. A Savant battery or a RoseWater HUB in a garage or barn is often the cleaner choice.
Permits in Hingham
In a Hingham historic district, no building permit can be issued until the Historic Districts Commission issues its certificate. Work not visible from any public area usually qualifies for a Certificate of Non-Applicability, which the administrator decides within five days. A Certificate of Appropriateness requires a public hearing. An indoor battery system usually falls in the first group, and a visible generator in the second.
How to start
For a RoseWater system, start with the Power Plan. For Savant Power, use the Savant quote form. For a standby generator, use the generator quote form. If you are not sure which one fits, use the contact form or call (781) 333-8003 and we will talk it through. We reply within one business day.
Questions about backup power in Hingham
Hingham has its own utility and restores fast. Why add backup?
Hingham has its own utility and restores fast. Why add backup?
The lighting plant restores well, but it depends on two lines on one set of poles until the new supply is built. A system at your house keeps it running through that kind of failure, and a battery also keeps short outages from rebooting your equipment.
Do we need the Historic Districts Commission for a battery?
Do we need the Historic Districts Commission for a battery?
If the equipment is inside and cannot be seen from a public area, it usually qualifies for a Certificate of Non-Applicability, decided within five days. A generator or anything visible may need a Certificate of Appropriateness and a hearing.
Who handles interconnection for a battery with solar in Hingham?
Who handles interconnection for a battery with solar in Hingham?
Whichever utility is on your bill, which for most Hingham homes is the Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant. We coordinate with them and your solar partner.
Ready to plan backup power in Hingham?
Tell us about the house and what has to stay on. We visit, size the system and give you a written proposal. We reply within one business day.