PG&E in California has what they call a "BPTM" or Backup Power Transfer Meter program. PG&E installed one for free for me last summer and I am enclosing two helpful links below. They have a list of compatible generators and criteria (such as living in a high fire risk or high outage area which you need to include in your application to get a free one installed. In addition, an electrician told me that he has installed them for a fee for his customers. So far, I have had good luck with mine and I highly recommend it in favor of a panel mounted interlock (which I had before the BPTM). There are several reasons for this. First, the BPTM does not require you to trip your main breaker, you just trip all of the individual in your panel breakers and then turn on only the ones you need to power. This saves wear and tear on your main breaker (and you really don't want it fail). Second, the BTPM has status lights that tell you what is happening with your generator and the utility power. Third, when the utility power comes back on the BTPM, switches off the power from your generator and reconnects you to the utility after a few seconds delay. You then know when its time to turn off your generator which you would not know if you are using a main breaker interlock. I should also mention that the BPTM is limited to use with a 30A generator, so you can only power your essential circuits.
PG&E in California has what they call a "BPTM" or Backup Power Transfer Meter program. PG&E installed one for free for me last summer and I am enclosing two helpful links below. They have a list of compatible generators and criteria (such as living in a high fire risk or high outage area which you need to include in your application to get a free one installed. In addition, an electrician told me that he has installed them for a fee for his customers. So far, I have had good luck with mine and I highly recommend it in favor of a panel mounted interlock (which I had before the BPTM). There are several reasons for this. First, the BPTM does not require you to trip your main breaker, you just trip all of the individual in your panel breakers and then turn on only the ones you need to power. This saves wear and tear on your main breaker (and you really don't want it fail). Second, the BTPM has status lights that tell you what is happening with your generator and the utility power. Third, when the utility power comes back on the BTPM, switches off the power from your generator and reconnects you to the utility after a few seconds delay. You then know when its time to turn off your generator which you would not know if you are using a main breaker interlock. I should also mention that the BPTM is limited to use with a 30A generator, so you can only power your essential circuits.
PG&E links:
https://www.pgecurrents.com/articles/3400-kind-technology-allows-pg-e-customers-safely-easily-connect-backup-power-homes
https://www.pge.com/en/outages-and-safety/outage-preparedness-and-support/general-outage-resources/backup-power-transfer-meter-program.html