In my mind I was comparing versus the alternative stated of buying a generator & fuel for it. The generator will be up-front pricier, weightier, and bulkier, by far on each count. So it still seems like a huge win to me versus what's available now, if the use case is as described.
I'll try to find out how people could afford buying generators. Solar shouldn't be much more expensive but I can't find any prices online.
I think there's also the sunk cost aspect. You saved for a long time for the generator on the basis it would provide power for you for a very long time so an alternative to this prized asset isn't high on your list of things to spend all your savings on (even if on paper it was economically rational to do so)