Sunrun
check_circleverifiedThere are many solar companies out there, but which one actually provides the most value and best customer service? We've made it our mission to find out.
After conducting exhaustive research on the solar industry and gathering hundreds of Sunrun reviews, we've weighed the good and the bad and discovered Sunrun to be one of the top installers of solar panels based on a variety of criteria points.
Sunrun, which is the nation’s largest residential solar, storage, and energy service company, has installed over 1,600 megawatts of solar power and helped hundreds of thousands of consumers in 18 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico to gain energy independence.
Sunrun is the pioneer of the solar-as-a-service model and continues to drive innovation of solar generation, storage, and energy services and technologies. The rooftop solar provider's mission is to create a planet run by the sun.
The Good
- Payment Flexibility
- Customized Solar Systems
- Simple Solar Process
- 25-Year Maintenance
- Roof Warranties and Coverage for Solar Panels
- Customer Care Team
- Battery Storage Options
- High Level of Transparency with Customers
- Installation Experience
- Extensive Availability
- Helpful Website
Payment Flexibility
To fit customer needs, Sunrun offers several financing options, including solar leases, Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), prepayments, outright purchases, and loans.
Sunrun solar lease and PPA options give customers the chance to reap the benefits of a home solar system for zero to little upfront cost.
The prepayment option features all of the same benefits as the lease option, except the customer doesn't have to worry about the hassle of monthly payments.
Purchasing a Sunrun solar system outright provides customers with long-term savings, while financing a Sunrun solar system through a loan allows customers to make payments to own their system, which provides long-term benefits.
Customized Solar Systems
Sunrun understands that every customer's home, lifestyle, and savings goal is unique.
As a result, the company customizes every system it installs to the customer's needs using its own proprietary Automated Site Modeling design technology. With just a few pieces of information and satellite imagery of the rooftop, Sunrun’s Automated Site Modeling software quickly designs a custom solar system to maximize energy production.
Simple Solar Process
Sunrun strives to make switching to clean energy as simple and hassle-free as possible for its customers. The rooftop solar provider saves time by taking care of everything from scheduling to permitting and allowing people to follow their installation progress through the mySunrun mobile app. The design and installation process is as follows:
- Step 1: Sunrun's experienced technicians will visit, measure, and evaluate the home; ensure that a solar system is the right fit; and design a customized solar plan.
- Step 2: Sunrun's design experts will review and make any adjustments to the custom evaluation.
- Step 3: Sunrun submits the design plans to the local city government for permitting.
- Step 4: After the permit is granted, Sunrun's installers will come out to the home, go over the custom design with the customer, receive approval, and get to work.
- Step 5: Once the system has been installed, the city or county will perform the final inspection.
- Step 6: Sunrun will submit documents to the utility company and "Permission to Operate" will be granted.
25-Year Maintenance
If customers choose to lease or obtain a PPA, Sunrun will own the system and, therefore, is responsible for all maintenance and repairs of the system. Additionally, Sunrun will refund customers if the panels installed on their roof ever underperform.
Roof Warranties and Coverage for Solar Panels
Other benefits of Sunrun's product include a 10-year warranty on systems that are purchased and up to a 25-year warranty on systems that are leased. Each solar customer's Sunrun contract also includes a roof warranty, which protects the roof from leaks or holes.
In addition, Sunrun provides its solar customers with daily system monitoring for no additional fee. The company's monitoring team oversees all all Sunrun systems and keeps an eye on production levels. If something happens or if performance dips, Sunrun will contact you as soon as possible to get things fixed.
Customer Care Team
Sunrun provides a U.S.-based customer care team that is ready to answer questions and help resolve any issues that may arise.
Battery Storage Options
Sunrun offers a battery storage option that can be purchased or leased called Brightbox. With Brightbox, customers can enjoy safe, clean, and reliable backup power in the event of a blackout.
Brightbox also helps customers manage electricity costs by seamlessly optimizing when a home uses electricity generated by solar panels, stored in the battery, or from the grid.
High Level of Transparency with Customers
Sunrun provides an abundance of helpful information on its website and strives to be very transparent with its customers. The company's website includes detailed solar education and FAQ sections, a helpful Guarantee page, and an informative "Plans and Services" page that will help customers better understand Sunrun's products and how to start taking advantage of solar power.
Installation Experience
When it comes to solar installation, Sunrun is one of the most experienced companies in the solar industry. In fact, the company is one of the few solar installers that has installed over 1,600 megawatts of solar energy.
As a result, Sunrun has offset 3.7 million tons of carbon emissions and helped more than 240,000 customers to control their electricity bills.
Extensive Availability
Sunrun currenty offers solar energy services in the following states and territories:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Texas
- Vermont
- Washington, D.C.
- Wisconsin
- Puerto Rico
Helpful Website
Sunrun's website includes a variety of articles and helpful, easy-to-digest resources, including information on solar panels, plans and services, the cost of solar, warranties, installations, rebates and incentives, net metering, local information, solar education, and more.
The Bad
- Outsourcing Installations for Remote Homes
Outsourced Installations for Remote Homes
A majority of Sunrun's installations are performed in-house, meaning that Sunrun employees will install the solar systems themselves, which is ideal. Occasionally, the company will contract other installers to work on homes that are too remote for Sunrun itself to reach.
While Sunrun does train and approve these third-party contractors before they work on a home, this outsourcing strategy has often led to inconsistencies in performance upon installation. Consequently, customer satisfaction concerning the installation quality and overall experience varies.
The Bottom Line
Overall, Sunrun is highly recommended to homeowners who are looking to go solar. Sunrun's high quality solar energy systems, variety of financing options, lengthy maintenance coverage and warranties, and customer service and transparency are attractive features that make breaking away from your utility company and switching to solar simple and affordable.
Interested in going solar with Sunrun? Find out more. Want to learn more about Sunrun? Check out the Sunrun solar reviews from real customers below.
Call our recommended rep over at Sunrun below.
1-(866) 717-0232
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User Reviews
Star Rating
1,314 Reviews
Review Breakdown
Sentiment Criteria
Verified Customer
App is glitchy. Had to jump through a lot of hoops to get my savings analysis, probably because they know I'm losing money. When I finally got the analysis, I saw I was essentially losing an average of $50 a month leasing solar panels from Sunrun. I have emailed and called and left a voicemail to discuss these results and someone coming to check my system for maximum effectiveness, but have received no reply. That is why I rate this company poorly.
Very through and comprehensive plus Volf was very learned in the process!
overpriced service starts out very attractive and builds to being so over normal cannot imagine it ever getting there
I was referred by a friend. Your prices went up 58% since he had panels installed. COLA only 3% per year.
Sunday, May 12, 2019, our Nest thermostat indicated a problem with power supply to our A/C unit. Checked our new electrical service panel. A circuit breaker for the A/C unit electrical power was tripped and would not reset. Thereafter, discovered that the breaker in the NEW electrical service panel, installed by SunRun/Infinity around August of 2018, was not properly installed!!!! The circuit breaker terminal for the A/C was LOOSE causing a dead short. A number of other circuit breaker terminal screws were LOOSE as well. Additionally, the breaker for the A/C unit, installed with the new electrical service, is a 70 AMP breaker. The A/C unit technical specifications plate, clearly and permanently installed on the A/C unit, calls for no more than 50 AMPS. Our electrical service circuit breaker for the A/C unit installed by Infinity/SunRun, is up sized 20 AMPs more than CODE. NEVER UP SIZE A CIRCUIT BREAKER Up-sizing a circuit breaker or fuse will cause the circuit wiring to over heat. Overheated electrical wiring will create a serious fire hazard. Overheated electrical wiring could easily result in a serious fire! ANY electrical issue with our A/C unit that increases the amperage load would have to exceed 70 amps instead of the CODE value of 50 amps. That can result in enormous overheating AND FIRE. As soon and possible, arrangements will be made with our electrical contractor to change the breaker to CODE. Monday, May 13, 2019, called the SunRun customer service line (posted on our new electrical service) at 855-478-6786. They committed to having someone contact me by email and/or sending a local technician, if in the area. Provided my email address,/phone. Did not receive a call or follow up on Monday or Tuesday or any day since. May 13, 2019, called our trusted A/C contractor, who, on Wednesday, May 14, 2019, analyzed the problem, tightened the terminal screws and recommended installing a 50 AMP circuit breaker. Today, Wednesday, May 15, 2019, chatted with the online customer service rep who committed to having a service manager/tech call me. Told online customer service rep not to bother; I will have this fixed at my own expense. If they want to contact me so I can show them video and documentation, fine. For the time being, SunRun and Infinity services credibility is cratered, gone, finished. Loose circuit breaker terminals, up sized circuit breakers. To some, may not seem to be worth complaining about. If you know the dangers of over sized circuit breakers AND loose terminal connections; if you realize that your house could be subject to dangerous overheated wiring and electrical devices, your hair would be on fire too.
Extreme lack of product knowledge by your sales rep.,
Do Not get into this process expecting it will be a quick turnaround for your service turn-up. do not expect good communication from your coordinator/manager, and do not expect any form of competence from their installation teams. i started my process in January 2019, it is now May 2019, and construction completed first week of March 2019. you may ask why it has taken so long, well it is because their project management is completely mediocre, their communication is almost non-existent, and their construction teams forget too many things. here is a timeline of this "install": January - Signed contract - was advised this would be up and running by May 1st, and start being billed June 1st so i could skip the outrageous prices of my local provider. first week of March - construction completed (was promised someone would be out for inspection within 1-2 weeks max) first week of April - oh no we realized that we forgot to submit pictures of our work to the inspectors to get the inspection scheduled, this will take more time. Mid April - photos sent out first inspection failed completely they used the wrong wires. late April - Failed second inspection (have no idea why) May 7th - Third Inspection (today in fact) - hopefully this one passes because there are still 2 other steps before i can even turn it on and start producing. this has been a complete mess with no accountability from sunrun.
We requested a quote for solar after speaking to a representative at Costco. We set an appointment and the salesman called and told us they had to run our credit to prequalify... They pulled my credit twice and never showed for our appointment. I left messages at their office and never got a return call. I have excellent credit so this wasn't the issue. I think it was just a scam to get people's credit information.
Purchased system cash $24,000 to bypass lease. Came and turned our service off two times when all cash was paid up front. Ruined a 50 year old Jade plant that is irreplaceable by stepping on it to turn the service off. Getting apologies today after two years and what they call "Apeasement" but it will take them two weeks to figure out amount. Wow really Sunrun, shame on you.
Lacking in technical information and references
More knowledgeable staff regarding layouts, online interaction was great. Seamless integration from sales force to order stage. Awesome working through Costco for the sales.
Verified Customer
the solarpennel produse mor kw then we use aps gif us a credit
Verified Customer
Not much interaction at this point. What I have seen so is what I except
Verified Customer
I am very satisfied with my service so far. The overall experience that i had from start to finish of install was terrific.
Verified Customer
Because it would have been a zero if not for Tommy Fox and his intervention to get system fixed for the 3rd time!!!! And Travis for his excellent field service and knowledge
Verified Customer
I have saved money. They have delivered on their promises The have proven trustworthey.
Verified Customer
Good service! Nathan was outstanding. Installation was seemless.
Verified Customer
Wonderfull works well the savings are amazing
Sun Run jobs out the install to various companies. In October of 2018 the installers began installing our solar panels on our garage. And while that was in progress the the grid hookup was being readied for final connection. So until now everything was going well. It was what happened next that began the downward spiral. The installer presented me with a manifest for my signature to sign off on. It was at this time I asked; what about the solar panels that are supposed to be installed on the house. It was getting late at point and the installer informed me that, they would be out next week. Since it was a Friday I agreed to allow then to return and complete the task. So I signed off on what had been completed. Little did I know that that particular company was to no longer doing installs for Sun Run. Our salesman informed us that following week. So as time went on we stayed in contact with our sales rep. He continued to a sure us that the panels would be installed. Well winter set in and one reason or another, the panels still had not been installed. It is now March 04th 2019 I received a phone call asking me, what would be a good time to come out and install our panels. We set a date for March 19th 2019. On March 5th Sun Run sent me a cancellation email. I called the number that they gave to call if there had been an error in the cancellation. I called our sales rep. as well as Sun Run. Everyone told us that the cancellation should not have happened. So phone call after phone has lead me to the same answer from Sun Run."you didn't cancel, that should not have happened". I've called our salesman so many times that, now he no longer communicates with us. All we want is our solar panels installed as agreed upon. And the money that is owed us for the referrals. It seems like no one wants to even attempt to complete the agreement.
Sunrun requested that I install a new roof so I did. after the roof company installed the new roof sunrun installed there solar and damaged over 100 roof tiles. Its been almost a year and they just wont fix it they replaced two tiles that don't match and that's all they will do. If you go with them read the contract before you sign Its not what the sales men say it is.
Reply from Sunrun
Jul 03, 2018
Hello Dave, thank you for sharing your concerns. We are sorry to hear that this was your experience with Sunrun. This is not the typical Sunrun experience, our drive is to make solar hassle-free by being attentive during installation. We would like to follow up with you in regards to the tech's findings, we will send you an email with the details. Thank you for helping us create a planet run by the sun.
I did not like there sale person, conversation over the telephone & lied about the solar tax credit, & he got mad because I would not fax my utility bill.
Reply from Sunrun
May 04, 2019
We are so sorry to hear that your sales experience was not the greatest we want to turn this experience around. Please feel free to private message us your contact information and we will have a sales representative reach out to you. We want to take the opportunity to change this experience around for you!
Your rep Rick C was polite, friendly, and inf
Reply from Sunrun
May 04, 2019
Thank you, Diana, we love to see that you were treated amazingly, we will always be here to answer your questions. Thank you for leaving this wonderful review, welcome to the Sunrun family.
they were the only Solar Company that met with us twice to answer all mine and my wife's questions!
The salesman (David) was great. Thanks for the experience.
Verified Customer
My monthly payment keep going UP by a few cents, I was told it was a fixed price. Please change this for customers then you will get a better rate. So far, I am referring anyone.
Reply from Sunrun
May 04, 2019
Hello Willow Keep in mind that the size of your utility bill is based on your usage. If your bill is higher than last year, you may be using more power than last year. Since your Sunrun rate is lower than that of your utility, that means you'd be paying even more for your current usage without solar. In other words, you're still saving.
Verified Customer
On time install, quality product and reasonable pricing.
Reply from Sunrun
May 04, 2019
Hello Tom, we are ecstatic to hear that you're happy with your product and happy to see you are happy with your prices. Let's create a planet run by the sun!
Verified Customer
Always got back to me quickly in the sales process. And the installation was flawless, I world never even have known they were there working for 3 days.
Reply from Sunrun
May 04, 2019
Hello Timmons Fam! Thank you for leaving this great review, we loved to hear your installation was a great experience, e will pass along this great review to your installation team! Once more thank you!
Verified Customer
Hard to get on phone. Was promised critter guards. No guards.
Reply from Sunrun
May 04, 2019
We want to make sure we are there when you need us. We are so sorry to hear that was not the case, feel free to private message us your contact information and we will have a representative reach out to you and address your critter guard concerns.
Verified Customer
I really don't find that it worked much after September/October
Reply from Sunrun
May 04, 2019
Hello, Keep in mind that the size of your utility bill is based on your usage. If your bill is higher than last year, you may be using more power than last year. Since your Sunrun rate is lower than that of your utility, that means you'd be paying even more for your current usage without solar. In other words, you're still saving. Remember that solar is seasonal. The panels will produce more during the sunnier months and less during the winter. Over the course of 12 months, you will still be saving.
Verified Customer
Roof leak that sunrun refuses to take responsibility for, the home was 5 years old when installed and leak free, after installation I had a leak caused by it. Also the monthly bill is ever increasing with no explanation.
Reply from Sunrun
May 04, 2019
We are sorry to hear that you are experiencing a roof leak, we want to make sure this issue is addressed we take this very seriously. Please private message us your contact information and we will have a representative contact you as soon as possible.
Verified Customer
I have had excellent service and answers to all my questions.
Reply from Sunrun
May 04, 2019
Woohoo, that's what we strive for Mark. To hear this was your experience makes us so happy and proud, thank you for helping us create a planet run by the sun!
Verified Customer
Complete explanation of the process, along the way. They gave everything they had processed.
Reply from Sunrun
May 04, 2019
We love to hear that you were provided with everything you needed to have a great experience. Thank you for choosing to go solar with Sunrun. Welcome to the Sunrun family.
Verified Customer
They were on time, kept me informed what was going and kind
Reply from Sunrun
May 04, 2019
Thank you for this wonderful review, Gary, it's wonderful to see that you were communicated with every step of the way! Now you can help us create a better environment and power forward.
Verified Customer
have had no contact with company except the monthly bill. inquiry regarding battery at home was never updated
Reply from Sunrun
May 04, 2019
Hello Don, we are sorry to see you have concerns that are causing you frustrations. Please feel free to private message us so we can address your questions. Thank you!
Verified Customer
Long delayed installation after 10 months
Reply from Sunrun
May 04, 2019
We are sorry to hear that communication may have been confusing. Please private message us your questions we will be happy to answer and address any concerns.
Verified Customer
My inverter needed replacing after only 5 years. It took them two months to replace it, meanwhile my electric bill was astronomical. I was also told I had a buyout option. They gave me a price which was almost higher than if I had purchased them originally.
Reply from Sunrun
May 04, 2019
We are so sorry to hear you are experiencing service issues. Please send us a private message and we will address your concerns in detail. This is not the Sunrun norm and we want to make this right!
Verified Customer
no complaints; the service has been exceptional
Reply from Sunrun
May 04, 2019
Thank you Brian!
Verified Customer
Easy and as promised from start to finish
Reply from Sunrun
May 04, 2019
Making sure we keep our promises is important to us, we want to keep you happy. Thank you for sharing this great experience. Let's create a planet run by the sun. #Sunrun
Verified Customer
The equipment is reliable and the customer service is great. I can always count on them if I have any problems.
Verified Customer
The installation was extremely smooth. They knew what they were doing and they were very efficient. It has a reasonable price.
Verified Customer
We got good service from SunRun. They got the job done quick.
Made an appointment with them & they never showed. Called to tell them the consultant didn’t show & the lady customer service was like...oh well! I’ll inform the supervisor & never bothered to reschedule me. The consultant is Daniel W. He never showed & never called to cancel or reschedule. Very unprofessional.
Reply from Sunrun
Apr 23, 2019
We are so sorry to see that we never showed up to the appointment Michael, this is not the way we do business. If you would still like a quote please private message us your contact information we will have a Sales Representative reach out to you as soon as possible.
Verified Customer
Installation and customer service are efficient.
Reply from Sunrun
May 04, 2019
Hello Jenette P. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience!
Verified Customer
Very good customer service. Easy installation and so far pricing is very good.
Reply from Sunrun
May 04, 2019
Thank you for your kind words, Steve, we love to see our Care Team is attentive and responds to your questions. We do have a great product. Thank you!
Verified Customer
The installation process was excellent, very neat and well organized. The people were knowledgeable and I was very happy with the installation. The curb appeal has not been affected by the equipment, they're not visible to people driving up to my house. Their customer service absolutely the best. I dealt with a gal by the name of Carly and she was on top of her game. She got back to me on a consistent basis.
Verified Customer
Installation went well and customer support has been pretty much what I need them to be. The equipment does not do well on cloudy days but other than that no issues.
Reply from Sunrun
May 04, 2019
Hello, Remember that solar is seasonal. The panels will produce more during the sunnier months and less during the winter. Over the course of 12 months, you will still be saving.
Verified Customer
We had to have out panels picked off twice to get the roof replace and it was a huge hassle to get anyone to come and take them down and then to come and get them to put it back up. They need better customer service and quicker response times.
Reply from Sunrun
May 04, 2019
Hello, Sandra thank you for your feedback we want to make sure we are reaching all customers in a timely manner. Thank you for your communication we will share this experience with our Leadership team.
Verified Customer
Installation was great. They were very efficient and clean and the product looks really nice. The customer service is always able to answer any questions I have.
Reply from Sunrun
May 04, 2019
Wow, David, we can only imagine how great your system looks on your new home! Let's create a planet run by the sun.
Verified Customer
This is my second home with solar, so I have a little bit of knowledge about it, and it is working better than expected. The panels are working the way they are supposed to and the people who installed it were on time and did it properly. Sun Run has taken care of everything I need.
Reply from Sunrun
May 04, 2019
Wow, that is great news and we are proud to see that our sales team and installations team takes care of our customers like you Leroy. Let's create a planet run by the sun and power forward.
Verified Customer
The representative was very personable and he explained he whole process to me, which was very helpful and he was very understanding. I am having problems receiving the documentation that I was supposed to receive and that is my only issue with their customer service. I was supposed to receive some visa gift cards and I have got collection calling me about payment, which the gift cards were supposed to go towards. The people who set it up were very professional and they involved me in the entire process, I really appreciated that. I am pleased with how it looks.
Reply from Sunrun
May 04, 2019
Hello Carla, we love to see that the process was an easy process. We are sorry to hear you have not yet been received the cards and are getting collections calls. Please private message us your contact information and we can address your concerns.