- SunPower
SunPower
check_circle VerifiedFounded in 1985, SunPower Corporation 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 500 U.S. patents for solar technology.
SunPower is known for its top-quality and high-efficiency solar panels that generate more power than conventional solar technologies. SunPower Panels have an attractive appearance and come in a few different size and wattage options to help both residential and commercial consumers get started with renewable energy. The majority of SunPower installations are completed by its expansive network of certified dealers.
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
- SunPower SunVault Battery Storage
- Monitoring
- Industry-Leading Warranties
Purchase, Lease, and Loan Options Available
SunPower offers three different payment options for customers to choose from that help them save on their electric bill: solar leasing, purchasing with cash, and financing with a loan.
With the lease option, SunPower Capital owns the system and the customer effectively rents the system via monthly payments. The lease comes with a 25-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 supplement the benefits of solar power ownership. Loan terms for solar systems typically range from 5 to 25 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 learn exactly how much solar will cost you is to obtain a free quote from SunPower.
High Efficiency Panels
SunPower has been on the cutting edge of solar technology for more than 30 years. Consequently, the company excels when it comes to innovation and design of solar cell equipment, enabling customers to be confident that they will have the highest-quality solar products expertly installed on their homes.
In fact, the solar installer provides the highest-efficiency solar panels you can buy today. The solar panel manufacturer engineers elite solar modules that are up to 22.3 percent in solar panel efficiency, and carry a temperature coefficient of -0.29, meaning output will not be negatively effected because of excessive heat. Each SunPower panel is made of anti-reflective glass and coated with anti-reflective film for optimum durability and to ensure that they capture as much sunlight as possible. In short, SunPower cells provide the best value for your money.
Industry-Leading Solar Panel Energy Production
The SunPower 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 a smaller solar installation and fewer panels than other companies.
Every SunPower solar panel also boast 75 percent more energy per watt than conventional solar panels, meaning that an investment in a SunPower solar energy system pays off significantly more in the long run.
In addition, SunPower panels maintain their energy production much better than conventional panels in partially shaded conditions, making them a better rooftop solar option for customers who live in a cloudy region or an often shady area.
Attractive Appearance
In addition to being highly efficient, SunPower panels are uniquely attractive and aesthetically pleasing. While many other companies in the solar industry offer conventional solar panels — traditional blue photovoltaic panels with bright, visible frames and mounting hardware — SunPower's panels are all black, and their mounting system sleek and nearly invisible, allowing the SunPower solar installation to blend in better with the rooftop on most homes.
SunPower SunVault Battery Storage
SunPower recently introduced SunVault™ storage — a powerful and sleek residential storage solution that pairs with SunPower Equinox®, the company’s premier residential solar power system. Once widely available, SunPower panels that are installed with SunVault storage will allow customers to have ready access to electricity even in the event of a power outage.
Monitoring
Monitoring of system status and performance is extremely important for customers who want to see how much energy the panels on their roof are producing —currently, as well as historically — and ensure that everything is operating as it should.
SunPower provides a helpful, convenient app for customers to do just that. The app provides important system information such as power output, estimated savings, energy production over time, and the environmental impact of the energy generated by the system. All of this system information is easily viewed on a smartphone.
SunPower systems also include a consumption monitoring kit, which is installed if the homeowner’s site is compatible. With consumption monitoring, homeowners can view current and historical energy usage, and the SunPower app provides more in-depth information about their energy profile.
Industry-Leading Warranties
SunPower offers multiple warranties to protect its customers' solar energy systems, including a 25-year Complete Confidence product warranty, which covers the equipment itself, and a 25-year workmanship warranty, which covers the labor and solar 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 energy production and output.
The Bad
- No PPAs for Non-Commerical Buyers
- 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; however, the company's solar lease option can provide immediate financial benefits (and at a flat rate) to customers.
Customer Service Complaints
Some users on our site have provided negative feedback with regard to SunPower's customer service. Common complaints include difficulty to reach a representative, delays in returning phone calls and inability to resolve issues.
The Bottom Line
SunPower offers a number of payment options, the most efficient solar panels in the industry, state-of-the-art monitoring for its customers, and a 25-year workmanship and product warranty.
While the company does not offer PPAs to residential customers, its lease program is a cost-effective alternative to outright purchase. The company leverages its dealer network to perform most of its installations, which in some cases can make it confusing for customers to know who to contact if there is an issue; however, these dealers are SunPower-trained and -certified, so customers should experience consistently high-quality regardless of service area or SunPower dealer.
Call our recommended rep over at SunPower below.
1-(844) 244-3436
SunPower Frequently Asked Questions
Is my home a good candidate for SunPower solar power?
Knowing how much you pay for electricity is the first step in evaluating whether your house is a good candidate for solar. The general rule is that solar makes the most financial sense for someone with a monthly electricity bill of at least $75. A utility bill of $75 is the threshold at which residential solar customers will see solar savings.
Another factor is your home’s roof. It’s a good idea to replace a roof that is near the end of its life before installing solar panels. Solar panels should be installed on roofs that are in good condition and will not need to be replaced in a 20 to 30 year span of time. To find out more, homeowners can contact a SunPower representative.
How are SunPower’s solutions different from traditional solar energy providers?
The SunPower Equinox® system is the only complete home solar system that is designed and warranted by one company. With the highest efficiency panels on the market, SunPower® solar panels provide more energy with less space. And homeowners can have confidence with the unique design of SunPower solar cells. With a solid copper backing, SunPower cells are resistant to corrosion unlike conventional solar cells. This helps the solar panels to perform more efficiently for a longer span of time. It’s one of the reasons that SunPower offers its homeowners a 25-year industry-leading warranty.*
* Monitoring system warranted for 10 years.
Does SunPower provide a solar + storage solution for homeowners?
Yes. SunPower offers the SunVault™ Storage solar battery, which is comprised of two boxes; the energy storage system and Hub+™. Additionally, all customers receive access to SunPower's mobile app to view their performance and manage system settings. SunPower provides a 10-year warranty for SunVault Storage as part of the Complete Confidence Warranty — the same warranty that covers your SunPower Equinox solar system. It is important to note that SunVault Storage is only available in select locations at this time.
What should I expect during a SunPower solar online appointment?
SunPower energy consultants are experts in evaluating, designing and estimating solar systems. Homeowners can expect an in-depth consultation that lasts approximately 45-60 minutes. During the call, an energy consultant will spend time assessing your current needs as well as how your needs might change in the future. To do this, a series of topics are discussed — from utility bill history to overall energy saving goals.
These important details factor into the design of a customized solar system and include opportunities for you to decide where panels will be placed on their roof. At the end of the consultation, the energy consultant will provide you with a quote based on your energy needs.
Are there federal incentives available when going solar?
The biggest solar tax incentive is a federal tax credit called the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit or ITC, and is available to qualified homeowners who purchase solar energy systems for residential properties.* The credit, which is applied to your income tax, is equal to a percentage of the cost of eligible equipment. Many state and local governments also provide incentives for homeowners with solar power. A visit to dsireusa.org can identify those offers based on location.
* Tax credits subject to change. SunPower does not warrant, guarantee or otherwise advise its customers about specific tax outcomes. Consult your tax advisor for advice on how the tax credit may apply to your circumstances.
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Learn MoreUser Reviews
Star Rating
1,591 Reviews
Review Breakdown
Sentiment Criteria
bookmark Featured Review
Verified Customer
Jim Yelvington
Customer Service was awesome all the way through the whole process. They had to hand off the baton multiple times to the roofing company because we were redoing the roof at the same time. Todd in particular is an awesome communicator and I highly recommend them!
bookmark Featured Review
Verified Customer
Evan
They were great - easy and helpful. My son told me that they make the best panels and he's been working on researching solar stuff for many years. The people who work at SunPower took care of everything and kept us informed.
Verified Customer
Cherry Kugle
Professional guidance on the process and competent installation. Very happy customer!
Verified Customer
Delicia Jean-Baptiste
Work completed promptly. Great customer service. I will recommend friends and family.
Verified Customer
Frank Viel
Quality, cost, and warranty all come together with Sun Power
Tara Lee
I entered into a contract with SunPower through Better Solar Solutions in early July. I was told it would take 4 to 6 weeks to complete the project. The salesman convinced me that I should do the project in 2020 so that I could get the current tax credit. It is now the end of 2020 and the project is still not complete. I would not recommend using the company without a guarantee on timing. I am beyond disappointed with the execution of my project!
Reply from SunPower
Jan 04, 2021
Hello Tara Lee, I'm sorry to hear that your solar project wasn't completed within the agreed upon timeframe and would like to investigate this matter further. Please send me a private message with your contact information so that I can escalate this to our Executive Service team for resolution.
Verified Customer
Charlie
The installation was excellent. I like the fact that their wiring is copper instead of aluminum. I think this company is very professional and fairly priced.
Verified Customer
Bruce
Sun Power is quick at getting back to you. If there is an issue or question, they are very responsive. I've been extremely pleased with their technical support. When it came time for installation, they were thorough and told me exactly what they were going to do and what time they'd come. They were very efficient and I'm very happy with the results. I had a failed panel and it was a long process to get it replaced. The part had to come from California and it wasn't readily available. It took a while to come, so I wish they had some in stock. I'm very pleased overall with the product as well as the sales team that provided exactly what I asked for.
Verified Customer
Cindy
The installation process was seamless. The customer service representative that was in charge of getting everything set up coordinated all the appointments and let me know if there were any delays or changes to the schedule. There were no issues during installation and I have no complaints. We had an issue that took awhile to get resolved. It took several phone calls before they sent someone out. I think everything took longer because of the pandemic, but they tested in a pretty timely manner. Whenever I call in to customer service, they answer my questions quickly and if they can't answer it they escalate it to someone who can. Each panel has its own sensor, so if one panel goes out the whole system doesn't shut down like with other companies. We've noticed a decrease in our electric bill, so I would recommend this company to anyone.
Verified Customer
C
Unfortunately, I'm not able to monitor my panels like I thought I could. None of them have broken on me. The installation was a good process.
Verified Customer
Edward
Their customer support is in contact with me from time to time, but I think they could be a little better at that. The installation was done in the summer and it took about two months to be completed when originally they said it'd take 7-10 days. My energy bill was negligent, and now the bill is $0, so it's been a big blessing.
Verified Customer
Gary
I picked SunPower based on my neighborhood's recommendation. The installation went very well. Everybody kept me in the loop and the service personnel that installed it were excellent people to do business with. Overall very good experience.
Verified Customer
Gary
When they came for installation, they were on time and finished in one day. They did a very good job on the panels, I'm very pleased. The system has been reliable. The bill is a bit expensive.
Verified Customer
Jerry
Of the few problems I've had with my panels, they've repaired them quickly. The installation process went very smoothly and didn't' take long at all. It works well and produces power on sunny days.
Verified Customer
Gary
They have a pretty reliable system. I wish I could pay it all at once, but I think you have to make payments.
Verified Customer
Joe
I've never had an issue with their customer service team. The installation went really good, and took about four to five days.
Verified Customer
John
Their customer service is very responsive. They are a reliable company.
Verified Customer
John
This company has been very responsive. The installers did everything in less than an afternoon! I've had no problems with the system at all.
Verified Customer
I
I had a couple of small issues regarding the monitoring, but they came out quickly to fix that. The installation went smoothly and it took them a whole day, then they were done. The system works just fine.
Verified Customer
John
This company is really pleasant to work with. The installation went flawlessly.
Verified Customer
Jennifer
Customer support was very helpful throughout the whole process. The installation went smoothly, and I like that the system is guaranteed for 25 years.
Verified Customer
Jerry
This company's communication is terrible.
Verified Customer
Joe
The installation went perfectly and everything has gone well with no issues.
Verified Customer
Alf
We worked with a great customer service representative. The installation process went smoothly, and we haven't had any problems with the system.
Verified Customer
Eric
The installation went smoothly and they were very professional. They were experienced and knew what they were doing. It was very expensive to get panels and we haven't been using it long enough to see if it's worth it.
Verified Customer
Don
I'm extremely happy with the system and the product seems really good. The installation went good and they did everything on time. They did an extremely good job on the installation. The panels look good on the house and the system gives feedback onto our computer for monitoring the solar power.
Verified Customer
Carol
Recently, my panels have become disconnected from my phone apps, so I've had to do some troubleshooting to solve the problem and get those reestablished.
Verified Customer
Anonymous
I really like the equipment. It looks attractive and works nicely. My electric bill has gone down from $300 to $5.
Verified Customer
Daniel
Customer service was really good at answering my questions and following up with me.
Verified Customer
John
Installation went fine with no problems. The only issue I had was that the sales representative that sold them to me said they were not going to replace some of my original solar panels.
Verified Customer
Anonymous
The installation was great, and the installers were excellent.
Verified Customer
Beth
I interviewed several companies I was very interested in 400 watt panels. SunPowerhad the 400 watt panels and I like the company that we hard to install them. Although installation turned out to be a little rough.
Verified Customer
John
I went with this company because of their cost. The installation was very smooth.
Verified Customer
Dash
It was very easy for my panels to get installed. So far, everything has gone well. Before I signed up, there was some miscommunication about paperwork like automatic payments that could've been handled easier.
Verified Customer
Micheal Levandoski
Products are very good but watch who you hire to put in your SunPower system. The contractor we had did not communicate well and did not have a good knowledge of SunPower's rebates. We actually did our own rebate after our contractor told us we did not qualify. Contractor also cut through our electronic dog fence and never repaired it. Very poor contractor but the SunPower product is excellent up to this point
Verified Customer
ALAN KATOF
I don't pay for electricity anymore. This is a good feeling. Our bills were out of sight and not coming down. The system is working as I was told it would. I think it looks good too.
Verified Customer
David Mohmmed
Great customer service and easy to deal with
Verified Customer
Godfrey Conway
Panels are efficiently producing electricity. Not a single issue since installation.
Verified Customer
Georgeanne E. Bonifanti
Easy to understand the monthly summary, seems to do what I thought it would do, I have no experience with any other solar company.
Verified Customer
Dat Tran
Quality and customer service. Solartech in general is great. They give good step by step until process is finish.
Verified Customer
C. S. R.
easy, quick, efficient, simple. All questions answered.
Verified Customer
gordon d Johnson
Excellent detailed explanation of product and options. Everything went exactly as planned from beginning to end.
Verified Customer
Pat Tirschfield
They were very professional and always left my property after every days work. I am extremely happy with my solar installation,
Verified Customer
Wesley
Highest quality modules and installation providers
Verified Customer
Linda Nelson
Response time is good when seeking assistance.
Verified Customer
Leonard Simon
Quality system and all supplied and installed by SunPower authorized dealer
Verified Customer
CMB
Good quality product and installation, excellent sales and service
Verified Customer
Ron J
Best Panels you can buy, top of the line warranty best on the solar market
Verified Customer
John Snodgrass
The panels have proven to be very effective.
Verified Customer
Kevin
Knowledgeable and informative installers