Overview
Empower Energy Solutions
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
25 Years
Yes
Lease, PPA, Loan, Cash
6 Years
Vivint Solar
N/A
SolarEdge
N/A
20 Years
20 Years
N/A
N/A
14 Years
Ratings
Empower Energy Solutions
Vivint Solar
Reviews
Empower Energy Solutions
Reviews
Vivint Solar
Reviews for Empower Energy Solutions
Helpful Favorable Review
Benjamin Zimmerman
August 15th, 2025
USA
Verified Customer
Review Source
Helpful Critical Review
J F
August 16th, 2025
DETAILS
Verified Customer
Review Source
The company was great to deal with at the beginning. Installation went OK with some minor issues. 2 years after installation I had issues with my system and they would only help if I paid $600 for a service call even though the part that broke had a 25 year warranty. Said warranty only covers parts not labor. I said I would replace part myself if they could help with the reprogramming of the inverter with the manufacturer. They would not, said would void warranty, said I didn't care about warranty, would not help. Apparently won't stand behind the products they sell. Now I have a 2 year old system that's been broken for 2.5 months with no support and not working
Reviews for Vivint Solar
Helpful Favorable Review
James Koller
March 2nd, 2023
Seattle, WA
DETAILS
Review Source
They seem like a decent company. Only issue I had was the fact that that the amount my house needs to produce to have a zero bill seems high. They are making money of the sale of the power I generate and I am not seeing benefits on my bill for it, well I am seeing benefits but just not what I think is a fair number...
Helpful Critical Review
W Fenner
August 2nd, 2022
Spring, TX
One of their representatives, Trent D came to my door, despite the No solicitation sign at the entrance to our community and the one outside my door. He argued with me and refused to leave stating I was the reason energy prices are so high, ranting about how he wasn't' actually selling anything so he was free to ignore the no solicitation signs. I will spend my time spreading the word that Vivant is a company that does not respect the privacy of homeowners and openly ignores no solicitation signs. This is known as trespassing on private property.
The Final Word
When evaluating solar providers, homeowners want more than just panels, they’re also looking for reliability, transparency, and long-term value. Empower Energy Solutions and Vivint Solar (now a Sunrun company) are both recognizable names in the residential solar market, but they differ significantly in their approach to service, financing, and overall customer satisfaction. Here's how they stack up:
Customer Experience
Empower Energy Solutions is known for its personalized, customer-first approach. From initial consultation to installation and post-installation support, Empower consistently receives praise for clear communication, professionalism, and responsiveness. The company offers tailored system designs based on individual home needs, ensuring every homeowner gets the most out of their solar investment. Customers frequently note how Empower avoids high-pressure sales and instead educates buyers to make informed decisions.
Vivint Solar, on the other hand, has faced a wave of complaints over the years regarding aggressive sales tactics and inconsistent customer service. Many customers report difficulty reaching support teams, confusion around contract terms, and frustration with delayed system activation. While some experiences are positive, Vivint’s service quality can vary widely depending on location and representative.
Bottom Line: If you value transparency and support you can count on, Empower Energy Solutions offers a superior customer experience.
Financing
Empower Energy Solutions provides one of the most flexible financing structures in the industry. Homeowners can choose from:
- Cash purchases
- Solar loans
- Leases
- Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)
Empower’s financing options are designed to fit a variety of budgets and goals, whether you want to own your system outright, minimize upfront costs, or maximize monthly savings. Their team also assists with securing local and federal incentives to reduce the total investment.
Vivint Solar focuses primarily on leases and PPAs, which allow customers to go solar with little to no upfront cost. While this appeals to budget-conscious homeowners, it often means the customer doesn’t actually own the system, limiting potential return on investment and complicating home sales. Vivint does offer solar loans and cash purchase options, but these tend to be less emphasized.
Bottom Line: Empower Energy Solutions provides more ownership-oriented, customizable financing, empowering homeowners to choose what's best for them, both now and long term.
Equipment Quality
Empower Energy Solutions partners with premium solar manufacturers, including REC, Q Cells, and Jinko Solar, to offer panels that are efficient, durable, and aesthetically pleasing. Their systems are designed to maximize performance under a wide range of environmental conditions, and they’re paired with SolarEdge inverters, known for optimizing panel-level output and enabling intelligent system monitoring.
Vivint Solar typically uses standard-tier panels and micro-inverter systems, such as Enphase, which are effective for complex rooflines and partial shading. However, the specific equipment provided can vary, and customers don’t always get clarity on the exact panel model or specs before installation.
Bottom Line: Empower’s commitment to using high-efficiency, name-brand components ensures long-term performance and value. With more consistent equipment transparency and customization, Empower stands out.
Warranties
Empower Energy Solutions backs its systems with a 25-year equipment warranty and a 10-year workmanship warranty, giving homeowners peace of mind that both the components and installation are covered. Their close partnerships with top-tier manufacturers ensure strong support if issues arise.
Vivint Solar also offers 25-year warranties on some components, but these can vary depending on whether the system is leased or purchased. Some customer reviews cite confusion about what is and isn’t covered, especially when it comes to repairs and service response times.
Bottom Line: Empower Energy Solutions offers reliable, transparent warranty protection, giving homeowners clearer expectations and stronger post-installation support.
Conclusion
Both Empower Energy Solutions and Vivint Solar offer pathways to clean, renewable energy, but they serve very different types of customers. Vivint Solar caters to those seeking zero-down leases or PPAs with minimal commitment to system ownership. While this model may suit some, the lack of transparency and inconsistent service raises concerns.
Empower Energy Solutions, by contrast, delivers greater flexibility, higher equipment standards, and a more transparent, customer-focused experience. For homeowners who want to maximize the return on their solar investment and enjoy peace of mind throughout the process, Empower stands out as the more competitive and trustworthy choice.
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