Empower Energy Solutions vs Sunrun

Kaitlyn Short
Kaitlyn Short | Senior Editor

Empower Energy Solutions and Sunrun are highly regarded for their exceptional solar services, catering to those aiming to minimize their environmental impact. Both companies provide a full range of residential and commercial solar energy solutions, encompassing solar panel installation, various financing options, and continuous maintenance support.

Empower Energy Solutions and Sunrun offer personalized solar solutions designed to meet the specific needs of each customer, helping them transition to sustainable, renewable energy while reducing reliance on traditional utility sources. Each company begins with a comprehensive consultation to evaluate the property's solar potential and energy needs, followed by the careful design and installation of a solar energy system. Their industry expertise guarantees the highest performance and durability of all installed solar systems.

Both Empower Energy Solutions and Sunrun allows customers to manage their energy consumption, lower their carbon footprint, and save on electricity costs. Both companies are dedicated to making the switch to solar energy seamless and advantageous, offering professional and dependable services that make solar energy accessible and beneficial for everyone.

Empower Energy Solutions logo
#44 Empower Energy Solutions
7.5 Overall Score
5.0
star star star star star
(29)
Sunrun logo
#1 Sunrun
9.8 Overall Score
4.5
star star star star star_half
(2,986)

Overview

Empower Energy Solutions

Panels from

REC Alpha, QCELL QTron, JINKO TopCon

Inverters from

SolarEdge

Batteries from

SolarEdge

Workmanship Warranty

10 Years

Equipment Warranty

25 Years

NABCEP Certified

Yes

Purchasing Options Offered

Lease, PPA, Loan, Cash

Time in Business

5 Years

Sunrun

Hanwa, LG, Trina, LONGi, JA Solar

SolarEdge, Delta, Enphase, Solis

LG, Tesla, SolarEdge

20 Years

25 Years

Yes

Lease, PPA, Loan, Cash

17 Years

Ratings

Empower Energy Solutions

Overall Score
7.5 of 10
Review Score
5.0
star star star star star
Value for Money
4.9
star star star star star
Quality of Product or Service
5.0
star star star star star
Company Trustworthiness
5.0
star star star star star
Likely to Recommend
9.5 of 10

Sunrun

9.8 of 10
4.5
star star star star star_half
3.6
star star star star_half star_border
3.8
star star star star star_border
3.6
star star star star_half star_border
6.8 of 10

Reviews

Empower Energy Solutions

Number of Reviews
29
Review Breakdown
5.0
star star star star star
1 star
0%
2 star
0%
3 star
0%
4 star
7%
5 star
93%

Sunrun

2,986
4.5
star star star star star_half
1 star
20%
2 star
4%
3 star
6%
4 star
13%
5 star
57%

Reviews for Empower Energy Solutions

Helpful Favorable Review

star star star star star

Michael Chipi

October 21st, 2024

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Verified Customer

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Review Source

Customer Review Video

Helpful Critical Review

None Available

Reviews for Sunrun

Helpful Favorable Review

star star star star star

William Roetling

November 19th, 2024

DETAILS

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Verified Customer

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Review Source

Program basically leases customers the equipment so zero upfront materials cost. Installation was rapid and quite thorough. Sunrun monitors the system and sends support for any issue. Sunrun has been great and I’ve recommended them to many people. Definitely get the battery option. There was a neighborhood black out and I didn’t notice except for an initial flickering light. Go solar!

Helpful Critical Review

star star star_border star_border star_border

Danny Kou

October 30th, 2024

Sunrun promised to give me a solar solution that would charge my EV, provide power to the entire house when the grid went down, and replace my electricity bill completely. It does about half of the things that were promised. I am now stuck on the hook to pay for a system that can charge my EV, supplies power during outages as long as the air conditioner isn't running, and generates power when the sun is out but doesn't carry over the excess from uptime. I feel like I was sold a promise that wasn't delivered

The Final Word

Solar Panel Selection

Choosing between multiple solar panel brands empowers consumers to find the perfect fit for their energy needs and budget. This flexibility allows homeowners and businesses to compare the efficiency, durability, aesthetics, and cost of various brands, ensuring they select the most suitable option. With advancements in solar technology and varying features across brands, having a range of choices provides the opportunity to optimize energy production, achieve better financial returns, and tailor the solar system to specific preferences and requirements. This variety not only enhances the overall customer experience but also drives innovation and competition in the solar market, leading to better products and services.

Sunrun offers an extensive selection of solar panels to meet the diverse needs of its clients, providing flexibility and customization in solar energy solutions. With a broad range of panel options, including various efficiency ratings, designs, and technologies, Sunrun ensures that customers can find a solar system tailored to their specific energy demands and aesthetic preferences. This variety allows clients to choose from high-performance panels that maximize energy output or cost-effective options that fit within their budget, all while benefiting from Sunrun’s expertise in integrating these choices into a seamless solar installation. By offering such a wide array of solar panels, Sunrun empowers customers to make informed decisions and optimize their transition to renewable energy. Currently, Sunrun installs the following manufactured solar panels:

  • Hanwa
  • LG
  • Trina
  • LONGi
  • JA Solar

Empower Energy Solutions provides an impressive array of solar panels, catering to a diverse range of client needs and preferences. By offering a wide selection of panels, including options with varying efficiency levels, designs, and technologies, Empower Energy Solutions ensures that customers can find the ideal match for their specific energy requirements and budget. This extensive range allows clients to choose from cutting-edge, high-performance panels that maximize energy production or more cost-effective solutions that still deliver reliable performance. Empower Energy Solutions' commitment to providing such a broad spectrum of solar panel choices enables customers to make well-informed decisions, ensuring an optimal transition to sustainable and efficient solar energy. Listed below are the options Empower Energy Solutions provides its clients for solar panels, solar inverters, and batteries:

Solar Panels:

  • REC Alpha
  • Q Cell QTron
  • JINKO TopCon

Solar Inverters:

  • SolarEdge

Solar Batteries:

  • SolarEdge

Purchasing Options

Sunrun offers four distinct purchasing options for clients looking to transition to solar energy: solar lease, solar loan, solar power purchase agreement (PPA), and outright purchase. Each option is designed to cater to different financial situations and preferences, ensuring flexibility and accessibility for a wide range of customers.

  • Solar Lease: With this option, clients can lease the solar panels from Sunrun for a fixed monthly payment. This arrangement allows homeowners to enjoy the benefits of solar energy without the upfront cost of purchasing the system. Sunrun takes care of installation, maintenance, and monitoring, making it a hassle-free option for those who prefer not to own the equipment.
  • Solar Loan: Sunrun provides financing options that allow clients to purchase their solar system through a loan. This option enables homeowners to own their solar panels while spreading the cost over several years with manageable monthly payments. The loan option often comes with competitive interest rates, and customers can benefit from available tax credits and incentives, leading to long-term savings.
  • Solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA): Under a PPA, clients agree to purchase the electricity generated by the solar panels at a predetermined rate, which is typically lower than the local utility rate. Sunrun owns and maintains the solar system, so there are no upfront costs for the homeowner. This option is ideal for those who want to lower their energy bills without the responsibility of owning and maintaining the equipment.
  • Outright Purchase: For clients who prefer to buy their solar system outright, Sunrun offers the option to purchase the solar panels with a one-time payment. This option provides the highest potential savings over time, as homeowners can take full advantage of tax credits, incentives, and the elimination of electricity bills. Owning the system also allows for greater control and the potential to increase property value.

These four purchasing options provide Sunrun clients with the flexibility to choose the solution that best fits their financial needs and long-term goals, making the transition to solar energy more accessible and tailored to individual preferences.

Sunrun often promotes solar leasing or power purchase agreements (PPAs) over outright purchases. While this can be an attractive option for those looking to avoid upfront costs, it can lead to higher long-term expenses compared to purchasing a system outright.

Empower Energy Solutions provides clients with four versatile purchasing options to make the transition to solar energy as accessible and beneficial as possible: solar lease, solar loan, solar power purchase agreement (PPA), and outright purchase. Each option caters to different financial needs and preferences, ensuring that every customer can find the right solution for their situation.

  • Solar Lease: This option allows clients to lease solar panels from Empower Energy Solutions for a fixed monthly fee. With no upfront costs, homeowners can enjoy the benefits of solar energy immediately. Empower Energy Solutions takes care of the installation, maintenance, and monitoring of the system, making it a worry-free choice for those who prefer not to invest in ownership.
  • Solar Loan: Empower Energy Solutions offers financing options that enable clients to purchase their solar system through a loan. This approach allows homeowners to spread the cost of the solar panels over several years with affordable monthly payments. With competitive interest rates and access to tax credits and incentives, this option provides significant long-term savings while allowing clients to own their system.
  • Solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA): Under a PPA, clients agree to buy the electricity generated by the solar panels at a predetermined rate, typically lower than the local utility rate. Empower Energy Solutions retains ownership and responsibility for maintaining the system. This option is perfect for those looking to reduce their energy bills without the upfront cost and maintenance responsibilities associated with ownership. The terms of Sunrun’s leases and PPAs can be complex and may include annual rate increases. These contracts can be difficult to understand fully and may lock customers into long-term agreements that are hard to exit.
  • Outright Purchase: For clients who prefer to buy their solar system outright, Empower Energy Solutions offers the option to make a one-time payment for the entire system. This option maximizes potential savings over time as homeowners can fully benefit from available tax credits, incentives, and the elimination of electricity bills. Owning the system also provides greater control and the potential to increase property value.

These four purchasing options from Empower Energy Solutions ensure that clients have the flexibility to choose the best financial solution for their solar energy needs, making the switch to renewable energy both accessible and tailored to individual preferences.

Solar Transfer

Selling a home with a leased Sunrun solar system can be complicated. Potential buyers must be willing to take over the lease, which can sometimes deter or delay real estate transactions. Unlike traditional home sales, transferring a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA) can add a layer of complexity to the transaction. Prospective buyers must be willing to take over the existing solar contract, which may not always align with their financial plans or preferences. This can result in delays or even jeopardize the sale if a suitable arrangement cannot be reached. Additionally, the process often requires extensive paperwork and coordination between Sunrun, the current homeowner, and the buyer, further complicating the transaction and potentially leading to frustrations for all parties involved.

Empower Energy Solutions offers a streamlined solar transfer process designed to make the transition as smooth as possible for homeowners looking to sell their property. Understanding that transferring a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA) can be a complex and daunting task, Empower Energy Solutions provides dedicated support and clear guidance to both the seller and the prospective buyer. Their team assists with all necessary paperwork, ensuring that the transfer of ownership is legally sound and transparent. Additionally, Empower Energy Solutions offers flexible terms that can be tailored to fit the buyer's financial plans, making it easier for them to adopt the existing solar agreement. This comprehensive support not only simplifies the sales process but also enhances the property's marketability by ensuring that potential buyers are well-informed and comfortable with taking over the solar system. By offering a hassle-free transfer process, Empower Energy Solutions helps homeowners maximize their investment in solar energy and facilitates a smooth transition to the new property owners.

Top Choice

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Sunrun

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