8.0
Overall Score2 days ago
SunPower
verifiedFounded in 1992, SunPower is a solar company that prides itself on delivering reliable energy and long-term peace of mind for homeowners and businesses. The company is a pioneer in the industry and currently holds more than 750 patents for solar technology.
Known for manufacturing top quality, high efficiency solar panels that generate more power than conventional solar technologies and have a uniquely attractive, all-black appearance for itself and many other players in the industry, SunPower offers a few different options to help both residential and commercial consumers get started with renewable energy, but outsources most, if not all, of its projects to third-party solar installers.
Keep reading to discover The Good, The Bad, and The Bottom Line about SunPower, and check out SunPower reviews from real customers.
The Good
- Purchase, Lease, and Loan Options Available
- High Efficiency Panels
- Industry-Leading Solar Panel Energy Production
- Attractive Appearance
- Compatible With Battery Storage
- Online Monitoring
- Lengthy Warranties
Purchase, Lease, and Loan Options Available
SunPower offers three different payment options for customers to choose from: solar leasing, purchasing with cash, and financing with a loan.
With the lease option, SunPower Capital owns the system and the customer rents the system from the company, requiring monthly payments. The lease comes with a 20-year performance guarantee, as well as easy options in case the customer needs to transfer the lease.
SunPower also offers outright purchase and financing options for customers interested in the tax credits and other incentives that come along with solar power ownership. Loan terms for solar systems typically range from 5 to 20 years and do not have any prepayment penalties attached.
The cost of a SunPower solar system ultimately depends on several factors, including current energy usage, available amount of unshaded roof space, the local utility’s net metering policy, and other factors. The easiest way to figure out exactly how much solar will cost you is to obtain a free quote from SunPower.
High Efficiency Panels
SunPower is on the cutting edge of solar technology and excels when it comes to innovation, design, and production of solar equipment, so customers can be confident that they will have high quality products on their homes.
In fact, SunPower makes the highest efficiency solar panels you can buy for your roof in today's market, and the company's solar cells are made of anti-reflective glass and coated with anti-reflective coating to ensure that they capture as much sunlight as possible.
Industry-Leading Solar Panel Energy Production
SunPower's X-Series solar panels excel in terms of power generation and deliver 44 percent more energy per watt than competitive products. This means that SunPower can provide more clean power for its customers' homes with fewer solar panels.
SunPower panels also boast 75 percent more energy per watt than conventional solar panels, meaning that an investment in a SunPower system will ultimately pay off more in the long run.
Additonally, SunPower panels maintain their energy production much better than conventional panels in partly-shaded conditions, making them a better rooftop solar option for customers who live in a cloudy region or a relatively shaded area.
Attractive Appearance
In addition to being highly efficient, SunPower's panels are uniquely attractive and aesthetically pleasing. While many other companies in the solar industry offer traditional blue photovoltaic panels, SunPower's panels are all black, which helps them to blend in better with the rooftop on many houses.
Compatible With Battery Storage
SunPower's panels are compatible with the Freedom CPAP Battery produced by Battery Power Solutions. When a SunPower module is installed along with this battery, customers will still have access to electricity in the event of a power outage.
Online Monitoring
Online monitoring is extremely important for customers who want to see what the panels on their roof are producing and ensure that everything is up to par.
SunPower offers a helpful, convenient app for customers to do just that. The app provides important system information such as power output, savings, energy usage over time, and environmental effects.
There is also a consumption monitoring kit that provides more information than the app for customers who would like a more in-depth way to monitor their system. The consumption monitoring kit is installed by the dealer, but may not be compatible with all homes.
Lengthy Warranties
SunPower offers multiple warranties to protect its customers' solar energy systems, including a 25-year product warranty, which covers the equipment itself, and a 25-year workmanship warranty, which covers the labor and installation. The clean energy company also offers a 25-year performance warranty, which covers the customer in the event that their solar modules underperform in terms of electricity production and output.
The Bad
- No PPAs for Non-Commerical Buyers
- Few In-House Installations
- Customer Service Complaints
No PPAs for Non-Commercial Buyers
Many customers may be interested in obtaining a SunPower module through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) because this payment method typically includes some kind of $0 down option, which eliminates a barrier to entry for them to go solar.
Unfortunately, SunPower only offers PPAs to commercial customers, so consumers who are interested in a PPA for their home solar system will not have much luck with this company.
Few In-House Installations
SunPower is performing installations itself in select areas of California; however, SunPower panels are available in 41 states, excluding the following, through a network of dealers:
- Alaska
- Montana
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Nebraska
- Iowa
- Arkansas
- Mississippi
- Alabama
The dealer you choose will end up being your installer and customer care center for the life of the solar PV panels, which creates a bit of confusion as to who should be contacted (the dealer or SunPower) in the event that any issues occur.
Customer Service Complaints
Many users on our site have provided negative feedback in regards to SunPower's customer service.
Common complaints include difficulty to reach a representative, company failure to return phone calls, slow response time, and inability to resolve issues.
The Bottom Line
SunPower offers a number of payment options, some of the most efficient solar panels in the industry, online monitoring for its customers, and a lengthy workmanship and product warranty.
However, the company does not offer PPAs to residential customers and outsources most of its installations, making it confusing for customers to know who to contact if there is an issue.
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User Reviews
SunPower has a great product, no doubt about it. The problem lies in their customer service, which is deplorable. As long as nothing, I mean nothing, goes wrong with your system and you never have to call them you will be fine. If anything happens however, you can expect absolutely nothing but headaches and a runaround. I am a proud owner of a $32k system that is useless. Two stars because the panels, when they function, are the best. 0 stars for customer service
Reply from SunPower
Feb 14, 2019
Hello Jason, I'm sorry to hear that you are having a difficult time with customer service. Please send me a private message with your account info and i will escalate your case to a specialist to reach out to you within 24 hours.
If I could give 0 stars I would. The seller, Greg F at the time of contact for selling the solar panels to my husband did not explain anything about added pigeon coverage so we did not have the choice to opt in at the time. Fast forward 2 years later, we now have a pigeon infestation, we are getting sick picking up dead birds all around, and my dogs are getting sick. I have courtesy reached out to Christine, as well as Greg to fix this issue. He accepted fault that he did not let us know about this at the time due to having to finance more money and that we can use their preferred vendor. I got a quote from the solar office asking over $1000 to fix a mistake on their end that could've easily been handled at the point of sale. I have asked for them to fix it on their behalf, but they are not willing too, even though they are at fault. As a pregnant woman, my health is at a concern at this time, and I am just asking this company to do the right thing.
Reply from SunPower
Feb 14, 2019
Hello, I apologize for the experience you've had with the dealer thus far. I would love the opportunity to restore your confidence in SunPower. When you have a moment, please send us a private message with your contact details and we will have a specialist reach out to you to address your concerns.
Verified Customer
great install team. professional, well organized, friendly, concerned, responsive.
Verified Customer
All of our contacts and service have been excellent
Verified Customer
Amazing experience with California Solar. They are truly a professional, competent contractor. Exceeded all my expectations. Ellis was so easy to work with, very knowledgeable, knew his stuff, always helpful with the best follow- up customer service I have probably EVER received. The crew that installed our Solar were timely, neat and clean, reliable and hard working. I truly cannot say enough good things about this company. We have had many remodel projects and have never encountered such a well-run, start to finish operation. It went smoothly from start to finish, finished on-time and when we had questions, we always heard back from Ellis and California Solar in a timely manner. Not only is their work and product excellent their follow up and support after our system was up and running was super! A year after our system was installed Ellis called to check in and see how everything was working out for us. I have never experienced that type of customer service in the construction industry. They are a first rate company - hands down.
Verified Customer
Exceeded all expectations from the initial bid to the installation.
They were great to work with from start to finish
Verified Customer
Very good service and delivery. Would recommend them to all.
Reply from SunPower
Feb 06, 2019
Thanks, Steven!
Verified Customer
Very helpful and also met all the deadlines that they promised
Reply from SunPower
Feb 06, 2019
Thanks!
Verified Customer
Very professional and walked me thru the whole process all the way.
Reply from SunPower
Feb 06, 2019
Thank you for choosing SunPower!
Verified Customer
They make a good product, but the customer service has been poor.
Reply from SunPower
Feb 06, 2019
Thank you for the feedback, Jay. I'll reach out privately to see if we may better assist you.
Verified Customer
Good service, the panels seem to be doing their job
Reply from SunPower
Feb 06, 2019
Thank you Wendy. Your SunPower monitoring app should give you all the information you need to ensure the panels are performing as expected.
Verified Customer
They have the best contractor (Ambrose).
Reply from SunPower
Feb 06, 2019
Thanks, Mike!
Verified Customer
Reviews on line and 25 year warrant on the panels
Reply from SunPower
Feb 06, 2019
Thank you!
Verified Customer
Outstanding production, great app, easy to use website. I haven't ha d to buy power since the system was installed! It withstood a hail storm that destroyed my roof!
Reply from SunPower
Feb 06, 2019
Wow, Bill! We're so glad our industry leading durable panels were able to withstand such a storm. Sorry to hear about your roof, though. Thank you for choosing SunPower!
Verified Customer
after all my research their design with the micro inverters is superior to the other panels on the market
Reply from SunPower
Feb 06, 2019
Thank you for choosing SunPower.
Verified Customer
They were easy to work with for the installation and delivered the amount of power they promised.
Reply from SunPower
Feb 06, 2019
Thanks for choosing SunPower, Peter!
Verified Customer
Great solar panels. Great workers. Great speed and customer treatment.
Reply from SunPower
Feb 06, 2019
Thank you!
Verified Customer
Very responsive, no pressure sales and great customer service and follow up.
Reply from SunPower
Feb 06, 2019
Thank you Keith! Our solar advisors are great about how they work with prospective customers. We often hear that people appreciate a low-pressure approach.
Verified Customer
Fast, reliable, & most effecient panels.
Reply from SunPower
Feb 06, 2019
Thanks! Yes, our panels have a world record efficiency of 22 percent or higher.
Verified Customer
The Local Sale Consultant provided a Great (SunPower) product and followed with great service.
Reply from SunPower
Feb 06, 2019
Glad to hear it!
Verified Customer
Great quality and their subcontractor made it easy to understand. Very little required by me. 25 years is a very good warranty in the industry. Website is excellent
Reply from SunPower
Feb 06, 2019
Thank you Rod. Glad you appreciate our 25-year Power & Product warranty!
Verified Customer
Whenever I had to call for service troubles, my answers were answered quickly!
Reply from SunPower
Feb 06, 2019
Thank you!
Verified Customer
The employees are very prompt and clean.
Reply from SunPower
Feb 06, 2019
Thank you, Beth!
Verified Customer
Repeated poor communication with customer, made design changes without customer approval
Reply from SunPower
Feb 06, 2019
Sorry to hear this, Odle. Let us know if you need further assistance.
Verified Customer
Worked first time, works every time, excellent way to tract energy produce and energy used.
Reply from SunPower
Feb 06, 2019
Thanks Glenn! Glad you're enjoying our energy monitoring app.
Verified Customer
The system and the panels are fantastic! They perform as expected!
Reply from SunPower
Feb 06, 2019
Thanks, Eric!
Verified Customer
High-quality panels and integrated mounting hardware
Reply from SunPower
Feb 06, 2019
Thank you for choosing SunPower, Ron.
Verified Customer
great product, doing what its supposed to do
Reply from SunPower
Feb 06, 2019
Thanks, Dave.
Verified Customer
great customer service. Their team was very nice and respectful on the property. They would ask me if their installation idea was good for me and they kept all installs clean and professional.
Reply from SunPower
Feb 06, 2019
Thank you, Michael. Our installation crews work hard to make every job perfect.
Verified Customer
Working with your contractors was very easy time will tell with the rest
Reply from SunPower
Feb 06, 2019
Thank you, Kevin. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions once your system is up and running and producing clean energy for you.
Verified Customer
Best technology at a fair price. Zero hassles
Reply from SunPower
Feb 06, 2019
Glad to hear you're satisfied, Mike!
Since the solar panels were installed, they have not worked properly. Since May, Sunpower has been diligent is correcting the problems. I expect this Saturday they will finally have everything operational.
Reply from SunPower
Feb 06, 2019
Glad we finally got everything fixed for you, Mike. Don't hesitate to reach out for anything in the future.
We wanted to go solar to save on our electric bills and do something good for the environment. We chose SunPower and couldn’t be happier. SunPower’s technology is the best in the market and they have the most efficient panels of anyone else. Our system was turned on yesterday and it’s already producing beyond our expectations! The entire experience from the energy consultant to the project coordinator and the entire installation team was awesome. We’re very excited and satisfied and would recommend SunPower to anyone looking for the best solar solution.
Reply from SunPower
Feb 06, 2019
Thank you for choosing SunPower!
I have 2 bad roof leaks. No one cares about. I just bought my house a year ago . Brand new. They came out repaired the leak. After that no one called nor came by to check on it again. Also no one repaired the damage done in the inside due to the roof leak.
Reply from SunPower
Feb 01, 2019
Hello Kersali, An escalation specialist emailed you on Jan 30th to address your concerns. Please let us know if you did not receive it.
a very responsible company, a very professional staff, I am very satisfied with the service and I recommend one hundred percent
Reply from SunPower
Feb 06, 2019
Thank you, Alexandra!
Desmond provided exceptional customer service when I inquired about the products being offered! Very satisfied with the help I received. Far exceeded my expectations! Very evident this company cares and values their business!
Desmond was amazing explaining the product.
I was very pleased with the customer service Desmond provided when I was inquiring about solar panels and pricing for my home. Very professional and and very customer service oriented. Although it’s not quite in my budget yet, I will be planning on returning to make the purchase soon.
Very knowledgeable and friendly staff, this will help me make a decision very soon on purchasing solar. I like how the solar panels look very sleek and will look great on my new home! Thanks again.
Reply from SunPower
Jan 25, 2019
Thank you for choosing SunPower, Anthony. If you have any questions during the process, don't hesitation to reach out.
We have nothing but good things to say about SunPower. Everyone we spoke to was courteous and went out of their way to help. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for the products.
Reply from SunPower
Jan 25, 2019
Thank you, Brittany!
I love our SunPower solar panels. I love how the online profile displays all of our information and that it is easy to read.
Reply from SunPower
Jan 25, 2019
Thanks Greta, It's great you're using the monitoring app to see how much clean energy you're making and how it's making a positive impact on the environment.
The installation and all associates in concerning this job were first rate. I wholeheartedly recommend people do business with Sun Power. We could not be happier with our solar system installation. Thanks state of Connecticut for helping move us away from fossil fuel.
Reply from SunPower
Jan 25, 2019
Thank you Gary, and congrats on helping to change how our world is powered one home at a time.
So far, I have nothing but positive things to say about this company. They are a pleasure to deal with. They make you feel like family. :)
Reply from SunPower
Jan 22, 2019
Awe, thanks Sonia! That's great to hear. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need any assistance from us in the future.
Love the ease of installation and the time it took to get me up and running
Reply from SunPower
Jan 22, 2019
Thanks for choosing SunPower, Henry.
My experience with SunPower has gone from “good” during installation to “terrible” following the installation. I have had ongoing issues with my system not functioning properly since it has been installed and now I believe SunPower is over inflating the monthly energy consumption that they report for both the grid and solar power when compared to the energy consumption reported by my electrical supplier. NO one at SunPower can is able to address this issue when Incall customer service and NO higher level manager ever calls me back. I am extremely frustrated and plan to report this to the Better Business Burueau and any other consumer watch dog group that can assist me in getting SunPower to respond to my requests to discuss these irregularities with me.
Reply from SunPower
Jan 22, 2019
Craig, We are very sorry to hear this, and we'd definitely like to help you get this resolved. I will have a supervisor reach out to you.
Professional sales person great work fast and clean installation. The system works very well
Reply from SunPower
Jan 22, 2019
Thanks for choosing SunPower, Wagdy.
We received unbelievable customer service throughout the process of installing our system - from direct contact with our sales rep, to weekly email updates from the project coordinator, to the team who installed the panels on our roof, EVERYONE was extremely knowledgeable and well informed - and kept US well informed. The installers were polite and personable, respected my home, and kept our yard clean and neat at all times. We're very pleased so far!
Reply from SunPower
Jan 22, 2019
Thanks for the feedback, Margaret! Let us know if you ever have any questions down the road.
Very professional people that are exceptionally knowledgeable about product and installation. Support has been excellent!
Reply from SunPower
Jan 22, 2019
Thanks for choosing SunPower, Gerald!
I had my hand held from the inception of the project and was kept very informed throughout the process.
Reply from SunPower
Jan 22, 2019
Thank you, Valarie!