Microturbine Rentals vs. Generator Rentals: Why Capstone’s Solution Wins Every Time

When power needs arise, whether for a remote site, a large event, or an industrial facility in transition, the first instinct is often to rent a diesel or gas generator. But there’s a smarter, cleaner, and more efficient alternative. Capstone Green Energy’s microturbine rentals deliver reliable, low-maintenance power with lower emissions and faster deployment, offering major advantages over traditional reciprocating engine systems.

Capstone’s fleet of microturbines is available for short-, medium-, and long-term rentals, with flexible options to rent, lease, or purchase. Systems range from 65 kW to multi-megawatt configurations, available in both mobile and stationary formats and supported by Capstone’s global network of 60+ partners for local service and support.

Why Capstone Microturbine Rentals Outperform Generator Rentals

For rental applications, where uptime, mobility, and simplicity are everything, microturbines consistently outperform reciprocating engines.

Capstone Microturbine Rentals:

Fuel flexibility: Operate on natural gas, propane, butane, biogas, landfill gas, or digester gas.
Minimal maintenance: No oil changes, no lubricants, no additives.
Ultra-low emissions: Less than 9 ppm NOx (at 15% O2) without exhaust after-treatment.
Air-cooled design: Eliminates the need for external cooling systems.
Quiet, low-vibration operation: Ideal for populated or noise-sensitive sites.
Flexible deployment: Pre-packaged solutions can be trailer-mounted, skid-mounted, or drop-in-place configurations, enabling fast, plug-and-play installation and easy relocation between project sites.
Trailer-mounted and skid-mounted options limited to C65 and C200S systems.
Compact, modular footprint: Delivers exceptional power density per square foot and built-in redundancy within the C1000S family, ensuring scalable, reliable power even during maintenance or partial load conditions.

By contrast, traditional generator rentals often come with hidden costs and complications that renters discover too late.

Reciprocating Engine Rentals:

Require complex cooling systems and exhaust after-treatment technologies, adding to installation time and maintenance costs.
Demand frequent oil changes and regular service visits, increasing O&M costs and reducing equipment availability.
Generate higher noise and exhaust emissions, which can create tougher permitting hurdles and limit where units can be deployed.
Depend on large concrete pads or heavy skids for installation, making setup more time-consuming and less flexible.
Experience reduced efficiency and elevated emissions at part load, whereas Capstone’s modular C1000S systems maintain performance and low emissions even when operating below full capacity.

For temporary or backup power, generators may appear cheaper up front but the downtime, fuel inefficiency, and maintenance labor quickly offset those initial savings.

Now let’s dig a little deeper into how and why these differences matter.

Environmental Benefits

Capstone microturbines use a continuous lean-burn combustion process that produces dramatically fewer emissions than traditional reciprocating engines. With ultra-low NOx and CO output, they often meet or exceed regional air-quality standards without requiring exhaust aftertreatment. For rental applications, that means faster deployment and fewer permitting delays, allowing projects to get online quickly while maintaining compliance with tightening environmental regulations.

Simplified Installation & Minimal Maintenance

Capstone microturbine systems arrive fully integrated and ready to connect, eliminating the need for the auxiliary components—radiators, coolant lines, or lubricants—required by conventional engines. Each unit contains just one moving part supported by advanced air bearings, resulting in minimal maintenance and long service intervals. For rental customers, that translates to lower total operating costs, fewer service calls, and maximum uptime throughout the project term.

Compact Footprint and Quieter Operation

The compact, lightweight, and modular nature of Capstone microturbines makes them far easier to install and integrate than bulkier reciprocating engines, which typically require heavy concrete pads, large enclosures, and multiple external connections for fuel, cooling, and emissions control. In contrast, Capstone systems can be set up quickly and relocated as needed, providing exceptional flexibility for oil and gas fields, processing plants, and agricultural operations. Once online, they operate quietly and with no vibration, offering a smoother, low-impact experience for nearby personnel and infrastructure. The result is reliable, continuous power without the noise, maintenance, or space demands of traditional generator systems.

Flexible Rental, Lease, or Purchase Options

Every project is different. That’s why Capstone offers flexible rental, lease, and purchase options built around your specific operational goals. Customers commonly select 12- to 24-month terms, but we also offer shorter pilot rentals and extended contracts for long-term projects. However long you need clean, reliable power, Capstone delivers.

The Smart Choice for Clean, Reliable Power

Choosing between a rented generator and a Capstone microturbine isn’t just about technology—it’s about performance, reliability, and total cost. With no oil, no coolant, lower emissions, and 99% availability, Capstone’s rental microturbines offer a dependable power solution that helps you meet your energy and sustainability goals without compromise.

Ready to power smarter?

Whether you’re looking to rent, lease, or purchase, Capstone delivers clean, efficient, on-site energy you can depend on.

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Microturbine Rentals vs. Generator Rentals: Why Capstone’s Solution Wins Every Time