Own the Outcome, Not the Equipment
How Renting or Leasing Puts On-Site Power Within Reach
You need on-site power. Maybe it's for a new facility that's months or years away from a grid connection. Maybe it's supplemental power generation for an operation that can't afford downtime. Or maybe you're evaluating distributed energy for the first time and don't want to commit seven figures before you've proven the model.
Whatever the scenario, the question isn't just what equipment to deploy; it's how to deploy it. And for a growing number of organizations, the answer isn't a traditional equipment purchase at all.
Two Energy as a Service (EaaS) pathways — rental and leasing — give you access to microturbine power without the full financial and operational burden of ownership. Both deliver the same proven, low-emission technology. But they're designed for different situations, and choosing the right one can have a significant impact on both your budget and your peace of mind.
Because what you need isn’t to own the equipment – it’s to own the outcome.
Here's how to think about it.
Renting: Speed, Flexibility, and a Fully Managed Solution
Capstone C1000S microturbines deployed at a remote oilfield in Vaca Muerta, Argentina.
What started as a single pilot unit grew into a multi-megawatt installation
Capstone's rental program is built for organizations that need reliable, robust, scalable, energy-efficient power solutions fast and don't want to manage the equipment once it arrives.
When you rent, you're deploying equipment from Capstone's existing rental fleet. That means faster mobilization, because the equipment is already built, tested, and ready to ship. Terms range from 6 to 60 months and can be extended, renewed, or scaled as your needs evolve. No significant upfront capital required.
Scheduled maintenance is included. Capstone's factory-trained technicians handle service, remote monitoring keeps your system optimized, and you never have to carry a parts inventory or manage service logistics. You focus on your operation. We focus on the power.
Rental makes the most sense when:
- You need power quickly: in days or weeks, not months
- Project duration is short-term, uncertain or evolving
- You want a fully maintained, turnkey solution
- You're bridging a gap while permanent infrastructure is under construction
- You need to scale capacity up or down based on seasonal or project-driven demand
Think of it this way: renting is the lowest-risk entry point. You're paying for performance and uptime, not managing an asset.
Leasing: New Equipment, Long-Term Planning, Built-In Optionality
Capstone's leasing program is designed for organizations with a clearer operational horizon, typically multi-year energy needs tied to a specific site or contract.
The key distinction from rental: when you lease, you're getting new, factory-direct microturbine equipment. This isn't fleet equipment being redeployed; it's a new system built and commissioned for your application. Lease terms run from 36 to 60 months with fixed, predictable payments that simplify operational budgeting.
Leasing requires an upfront investment, lower than a full equipment purchase and preserves your long-term borrowing capacity. Scheduled maintenance is not included by default, but Capstone offers optional maintenance programs that can be added to your lease, giving you the flexibility to manage service in-house or let Capstone handle it as an add-on.
At the end of the term, you have options: purchase the equipment, renew the lease, or upgrade to newer technology. That built-in optionality is powerful, especially in an energy landscape where technology and regulations are moving quickly.
Leasing makes the most sense when:
- You have a defined multi-year energy need (3–5 years)
- You want new, factory-direct equipment configured for your site
- Predictable monthly payments align with your operational budget
- You want the option to own the equipment at the end of the term
You want to preserve capital and spread the cost of new equipment over time rather than committing to a full purchase upfront. Think of leasing as a commitment with an exit strategy. You get cost certainty and new equipment now, with flexibility built into the back end.
What About Buying?
Direct purchase is still an option, and it's the right one for permanent installations with long-term, stable energy demand. You get full ownership, full asset control, and no term restrictions. But it comes with the full financial commitment and the full operational responsibility: maintenance, staffing, parts, insurance, and depreciation are all on you.
For many organizations, especially those with evolving energy needs or projects with defined timelines, renting or leasing offers greater financial flexibility and lower upfront risk than a full purchase. Purchase makes sense when you're certain about the next 10 to 15 years. Renting and leasing make sense for everything in between.
Why This Matters Now
Infrastructure timelines are getting longer. Grid reliability is under pressure across markets worldwide. Meanwhile, operational demands aren't slowing down.
Capstone's EaaS model exists because too many organizations have delayed critical power decisions because the only option on the table was a large capital purchase. Renting and leasing remove that barrier – letting you move forward with clean, reliable on-site power on a timeline and financial structure that matches your reality.
And because it's Capstone microturbine technology behind every deployment, you're getting the benefits that come standard: a single moving part, air-bearing design, no oils, lubricants, or coolants, ultra-low emissions, and the ability to run on a wide range of fuels, including natural gas, biogas, propane and more.
The right path for your project is closer than you think.
Call us at 1.866.422.7786 or visit capstonegreenenergy.com/contact
Capstone Green Energy — Smarter Energy for a Cleaner Future
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