SunPower vs Sunrun

Jordan Grimmer
Jordan Grimmer | Senior Editor

SunPower and Sunrun are both well-known names in the solar industry. SunPower has been in business since 1985, setting it apart as one of the oldest and most reputable solar companies in the industry. Sunrun was founded in 2007, but even though it has been in business for a shorter period of time, it has grown to become one of the nation’s largest residential solar companies.

SunPower is the top-rated solar company on BestCompany.com based on reviews, but it is worth noting that it has substantially more reviews than Sunrun, which affects a company’s overall rating. But, both Sunrun reviews and SunPower reviews are favorable with the majority of customers giving their chosen company a 4-star or 5-star rating.

SunPower logo
#1 SunPower
9.9 Overall Score
4.5
star star star star star_half
(4,263)
Sunrun logo
#23 Sunrun
7.9 Overall Score
3.6
star star star star_half star_border
(2,111)

Overview

SunPower

Panels from

SunPower

Inverters from

SMA

Batteries from

SunPower

Workmanship Warranty

25 Years

Equipment Warranty

25 Years

NABCEP Certified

Yes

Purchasing Options Offered

N/A

Time in Business

38 Years

Sunrun

Hanwa, LG, Trina, LONGi, JA Solar

SolarEdge, Delta, Enphase, Solis

LG, Tesla, SolarEdge

20 Years

25 Years

Yes

Lease, PPA, Loan, Cash

16 Years

Ratings

SunPower

Overall Score
9.9 of 10
Review Score
4.5
star star star star star_half
Value for Money
4.4
star star star star star_half
Quality of Product or Service
4.4
star star star star star_half
Company Trustworthiness
4.4
star star star star star_half
Likely to Recommend
8.7 of 10

Sunrun

7.9 of 10
3.6
star star star star_half star_border
3.5
star star star star_half star_border
3.6
star star star star_half star_border
3.4
star star star star_half star_border
6.4 of 10

Reviews

SunPower

Number of Reviews
4,263
Review Breakdown
4.5
star star star star star_half
1 star
8%
2 star
2%
3 star
3%
4 star
12%
5 star
75%

Sunrun

2,111
3.6
star star star star_half star_border
1 star
26%
2 star
5%
3 star
7%
4 star
14%
5 star
48%

Reviews for SunPower

Helpful Favorable Review

star star star star star

RICKY DOCKEN DELIA DOCKEN

September 27th, 2023

DETAILS

I chose Sunpower because of their top quality hi-watt panels.The less panels on your roof producing more energy is what we liked.The guys came out and had the job finished in 6 hours.Extremely pleased with the experience

Helpful Critical Review

star star_border star_border star_border star_border

Kim Medzunas

September 12th, 2023

DETAILS

I started down the path with SunPower in August 2022. It's now Sept 2023 and I'm still waiting for the panels to be "tested" so I may use them. My local electric company, ComEd, has given me permission to use, however SunPower still tells me I'm in the testing phase. The slowness and lazy attitude shown be nearly everyone in the company is tiresome. Their responses are scripted verbiage each time...no new info can ever be obtained. They have now started to bill me prematurely, which is another headache. So now I'm paying ComEd and SunPower. I would not recommend SunPower to anyone!

Reviews for Sunrun

Helpful Favorable Review

star star star star star_border

Marla

October 3rd, 2023

DETAILS

check_circle

Verified Customer

check_circle

Review Source

I didn’t like that my system was not working for over a month before Sunrun said something in email. I kept looking online and it said it wasn’t registering but was probably working. However when tech came and checked the breaker had been tripped and not working. So I had to pay monthly Sunrun bill plus Edison took their share also. So double dipping for over a month. Irritating to pay both companies.

Helpful Critical Review

star star_border star_border star_border star_border

Scott

September 20th, 2023

DETAILS

check_circle

Verified Customer

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Review Source

The installers that were at my house said they would be returning to cut a few pieces that were too long. They never came back and I haven’t been able to get anyone back. There are 3 pieces that extend past my roof and it doesn’t look good at all. Also, we were offered a $1000 referral for anyone that we recommended SunRun to as long as they also purchased solar. We never received that $1000.

The Final Word

SunPower and Sunrun are both great options for your solar energy needs, but there are a few differences between the companies to be aware of as you compare solar companies.

Industry-leading solar panels

Both SunPower and Sunrun offer customizable solar panel systems that will be fitted to your specific home, but SunPower’s solar panels are known to produce and maintain energy beyond typical solar panel systems from other companies.

SunPower offers customers its M-series solar panels which generate and deliver 60 percent more energy per watt than competitor panels. This means that the company could install fewer panels on your roof while maintaining high energy production. The M-series panel performance also makes them a good option if you live in a cloudier region or shaded area.
 
If you are concerned about your home’s curb appeal with newly installed solar panels, SunPower’s panels are also more aesthetically pleasing than those of its competitors. SunPower’s panels are black, and have minimal and sleek mounting systems, resulting in a solar panel system that blends in with a roof. Traditional solar panels are blue with highly visible mounting systems.

Solar battery storage

SunPower offers a battery storage option called SunVault™. The SunVault system pairs with SunPower Equinox®, the company’s residential solar power system, which charges the SunVault battery during the day when the sun is out and can be discharged at any point if the homeowner needs it. SunVault storage is covered by a 10-year warranty.

Sunrun offers a battery storage option called Brightbox. The system can be purchased or leased, and provides homeowners with a reliable power source if there is a blackout.

Solar monitoring

SunPower and Sunrun both provide mobile apps that can help you monitor and track panel performance. The SunPower app, mySunPower™, and Sunrun app, mySunrun, are both available for iOS and Android devices.

SunPower solar energy systems also include a consumption monitoring kit that allows homeowners to track their own energy consumption.

State availability

SunPower solar energy systems are available in 28 states, while Sunrun’s solar services are only available in eight states. 

SunPower is available in the following states:

  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • District of Columbia
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Montana
  • Nevada
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Oregon 
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • Wisconsin

Sunrun is available in the following states:

  • California
  • Connecticut
  • Hawaii
  • Illinois
  • Massachusetts
  • Nevada
  • New Jersey
  • New York

The bottom line

SunPower and Sunrun are both reliable solar companies that offer customizable solar solutions. What your decision might come down to is whether or not the company’s services are available in your state — SunPower has a much wider state coverage area than Sunrun. Check which company is available in your state of residence.

SunPower does set itself apart as an industry frontrunner with more than 30 years of experience. In addition, it has high performing solar panel systems that could help you generate and maintain more energy. 

Based on reviews on BestCompany.com, we would recommend either company for your solar needs.

Top Choice

SunPower Logo
SunPower

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