Should You Buy or Rent a Solar Generator During Storm Season

With storm season underway, some households consider renting a generator instead of buying one, especially if they are unsure how often they will actually use it. Here is an honest look at both options.

The case for renting

• Lower cost if you only expect to need it once or twice a year
• No storage space needed the rest of the year
• Someone else handles maintenance

The case for buying

• Available the moment you need it, no rental booking or availability issues during a storm when everyone wants one at once
• Costs less over two to three years compared to repeated rental fees
• You keep it for every future outage, not just one event

Why rental often falls short during an actual storm

The biggest risk with renting is timing. Rental stock disappears fast once a storm warning is issued, exactly when you need it most. Owning your own power station means you are not competing with everyone else in your area for the same limited supply.

Our GridBackup Fast-Ship Kit ships from US stock in days, giving you ownership without the typical long wait, so you are covered for this storm and every one after it.

For most households in storm prone areas, buying works out cheaper and more reliable over time, even if renting looks tempting for a single event.