SolarCity vs Sungevity
Read on to discover the similarities and differences between SolarCity and Sungevity and determine which company is a better option for you.
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Overview
SolarCity
Sungevity
Reviews
SolarCity
Sungevity
Reviews for SolarCity
Helpful Favorable Review
Sawyer D
Thanks for allowing a system size under 3 KW. I was told you wouldn't for a loan, but for cash, you did. Haven't had any technical issues. I'm afraid if I did, I'd be on my own or face long long hold times. Also, your offer of move the panels for $2000 is too good to be true. They should have insisted on attic run for conduit. Very nice crew, they did offer some special install services, but attic run should have been seriously impressed on me.
Helpful Critical Review
Shrilurk
My inverter failed after five years. A week after reporting it, no progress. They keep moving the window of response out farther. After four business days and originally being told "Tier 2 will get back to within three business days" the response turns into "Tier 2 will get back to within 3-14 business days". Then they tell me "The contract obligation is for us to fix or replace. It does not provide a time frame for this to be completed." Preposterous!
Reviews for Sungevity
Helpful Favorable Review
Pamela Acosta Marquardt
My history with Horizon Solar Power has been quite challenging but I want to do a special shout out to both Sherril T. And Eva C. for the exceptional customer service that I received today. Those two get a 5 star rating from me. The company overall will be rated once they resolve this issue for me!
Helpful Critical Review
Dane Holly
Stay far away from this company, the subcontractor they used was amazing but now my monitoring is not working because Sungevity went bankrupt and stopped paying for it. Sungevity sold me my system years ago, they filed for bankruptcy in 2017. I was told they would charge me to fix my system. Now I see they are selling systems again. When will they file for bankruptcy again? Soon if you ask me.
The Final Word
Both SolarCity and Sungevity operate in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Washington D.C.
In addition to the states listed above, SolarCity offers solar services in Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Washington, while Sungevity does not.
However, Sungevity’s services are also available in Kansas and Missouri, while SolarCity’s are not.
Payment Options
SolarCity and Sungevity both offer a variety of ways to pay for a solar energy system, including outright purchases, loans, leases, and power purchase agreements (PPAs).
Equipment
SolarCity manufactures its own solar equipment, while Sungevity does not. Instead, Sungevity utilizes high quality materials, including black-on-black solar panels and low impact mounting hardware, from well-respected manufacturers such as LG and SolarEdge.
Installations
Neither SolarCity nor Sungevity outsources installations to third parties. Both companies have teams of professionals in house to install solar energy systems.
Warranties
SolarCity provides its customers with a 20-year equipment warranty, a 10-year workmanship warranty, and a 25-year performance warranty.
Sungevity matches SolarCity with a 20-year equipment warranty and a 25-year performance warranty, but Sungevity’s workmanship warranty is double that of SolarCity at 20 years.
Battery Storage
SolarCity’s solar systems are designed to work with Tesla Powerwall batteries, which are compact, stackable, and have a built-in inverter.
Sungevity’s solar systems have the ability to accommodate multiple battery storage options, including sonnenBatterie, as well as other functionalities such as EV chargers.
Referral Program
SolarCity pays customers $250 for each friend or family member they refer who chooses to install a solar energy system.
Sungevity offers up to $2,000 for every referred homeowner who makes the switch to solar.
Recommendation
SolarCity and Sungevity are on par in terms of payment options and installations. While SolarCity’s service area is larger, Sungevity offers a much longer workmanship warranty on its labor, as well as a larger referral bonus. Additionally, Sungevity’s proprietary remote solar design tool may make the solar process quicker and simpler for customers.
For those who live within its areas of operation, Sungevity is recommended over SolarCity.
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