Sunrun vs SunPower

Kaitlyn Short
Kaitlyn Short | Senior Editor

Switching to solar energy is an excellent way to reduce your energy bills, minimize your carbon footprint, and invest in a sustainable future. When choosing a solar provider, Sunrun and SunPower stand out as two of the most prominent names in the industry, each offering unique advantages tailored to different homeowner needs.

Sunrun is known for its flexible financing options, including leasing and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), which make solar more accessible without requiring significant upfront investment. The company also offers energy storage solutions with its Brightbox battery system, providing backup power during outages.

On the other hand, SunPower has built its reputation on innovation, manufacturing industry-leading Maxeon solar panels known for their superior efficiency and durability. SunPower focuses on system ownership, enabling homeowners to take full advantage of federal and state solar incentives while offering comprehensive 25-year warranties for peace of mind.

Whether you're looking for affordability and low-maintenance solutions or high-efficiency panels with long-term ownership benefits, this comparison will help you decide which provider—Sunrun or SunPower—is the right choice for your solar energy needs. Keep reading to explore their features, financing options, customer reviews, and more.

Sunrun logo
#1 Sunrun
9.8 Overall Score
4.5
star star star star star_half
(3,025)
SunPower logo
#29 SunPower
8.2 Overall Score
1.5
star star_half star_border star_border star_border
(4,360)

Overview

Sunrun

Panels from

Hanwa, LG, Trina, LONGi, JA Solar

Inverters from

SolarEdge, Delta, Enphase, Solis

Batteries from

LG, Tesla, SolarEdge

Workmanship Warranty

20 Years

Equipment Warranty

25 Years

NABCEP Certified

Yes

Purchasing Options Offered

Lease, PPA, Loan, Cash

Time in Business

17 Years

SunPower

SunPower

SMA

SunPower

25 Years

25 Years

Yes

N/A

39 Years

Ratings

Sunrun

Overall Score
9.8 of 10
Review Score
4.5
star star star star star_half
Value for Money
3.7
star star star star_half star_border
Quality of Product or Service
3.8
star star star star star_border
Company Trustworthiness
3.6
star star star star_half star_border
Likely to Recommend
6.8 of 10

SunPower

8.2 of 10
1.5
star star_half star_border star_border star_border
4.3
star star star star star_half
4.3
star star star star star_half
4.3
star star star star star_half
8.6 of 10

Reviews

Sunrun

Number of Reviews
3,025
Review Breakdown
4.5
star star star star star_half
1 star
20%
2 star
4%
3 star
6%
4 star
13%
5 star
58%

SunPower

4,360
1.5
star star_half star_border star_border star_border
1 star
10%
2 star
2%
3 star
3%
4 star
12%
5 star
74%

Reviews for Sunrun

Helpful Favorable Review

star star star star star

Iris Prairie

December 6th, 2024

DETAILS

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Verified Customer

check_circle

Review Source

We have gotten many benefits from putting in solar panels. Our electrical bill has gone down I hundreds of dollars and at the end of the year we got reimbursed for the excess solar that we made. This has been a very good experience for us and I am very grateful not to mention the fact that we didn’t pay anything for it initially. We pay a small monthly bill to Sunrun And will sell the house with the solar panels, which will benefit the next homebuyer immensely.

Helpful Critical Review

star star_border star_border star_border star_border

ALLAN Harry

December 5th, 2024

DETAILS

INSTALLATION TOOK 9 .ONTHS TO INSTALL. I WAS PROMISED, WOULD REDUCE MY ELECTRIC BILL BY 2/3 rd, NOT! ONLY REDUCED ELECTRIC BILL BY 28% !! DAMAGES TO EXTERIOR STUCCO OF GARAGE , AND SECTIONS OF DRYWALL ON INSIDE WALL OF GARAGE, CUT OUT, NEVER REPLACED, NOR REPAIRED. EXTERIOR CABLE AND INTERNET METAL COVER PLATE TAKEN, TO ALLEGEDLY MATCH EXTERIOR PAINT COLOR,NEVER WAS RETURNED !!

Reviews for SunPower

Helpful Favorable Review

star star star star star

Ethan Furman

January 31st, 2024

DETAILS

I had a great experience with SunPower. Very high quality panels, excellent warranty, and great savings compared to what I’m paying for with the utility. Given SunPower has been in business for decades, I feel very comfortable using their products.

Helpful Critical Review

star star_border star_border star_border star_border

Cat Huss

September 27th, 2024

DETAILS

They never told us that when we need power such as after hurricane it’s automatically turned off. SUNPOWER doesn’t work without the Internet. save your money buy a whole house Generac. at least then when you need power, you have it. all we have now is an $81,000 bill

The Final Word

SunPower and Sunrun are prominent players in the solar energy industry, each offering unique solutions to meet the diverse needs of homeowners. SunPower is renowned for its high-efficiency solar panels and comprehensive energy solutions, while Sunrun specializes in flexible financing options and extensive customer support. This comparison examines both companies across several key categories to assist you in making an informed decision.

Equipment

SunPower is recognized for producing some of the most efficient solar panels available today. Their Maxeon 3 Series panels offer efficiency ratings of up to 22.6%, and the Maxeon 6 Series reaches up to 22.8%. These panels incorporate advanced design features, including a back-contact design and a solid metal foundation, providing superior strength and resistance to corrosion and cracking. 

Sunrun offers customizable solar energy systems through its Automated Site Modeling design technology. With this technology, the Sunrun team can quickly design custom solar energy systems from satellite imagery of your home’s roof. Sunrun installs solar panels from various manufacturers, including Hanwha, LG, Trina, LONGi, and JA Solar, allowing customers to choose from a range of options to suit their specific needs. 

Financing Options

SunPower provides multiple payment options to accommodate different customer preferences:

  • Purchase with Cash: Allows customers to own the system outright, maximizing long-term savings and eligibility for tax credits.
  • Financing with a Loan: Enables ownership with manageable monthly payments, offering the benefits of ownership without the full upfront cost.
  • Solar Lease or Power Purchase Agreement (PPA): Provides access to solar energy with little to no upfront cost, where customers pay a fixed monthly fee or a rate for the electricity generated. 

Sunrun offers four distinct purchasing options:

  1. Solar Lease: Customers lease the solar panels from Sunrun for a fixed monthly payment, with Sunrun handling installation, maintenance, and monitoring.
  2. Solar Loan: Provides financing options that allow clients to purchase their solar system through a loan, enabling ownership with spread-out costs.
  3. Solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA): Clients agree to purchase the electricity generated by the solar panels at a predetermined rate, typically lower than the local utility rate, with Sunrun owning and maintaining the system.
  4. Outright Purchase: Allows clients to buy the solar system outright with a one-time payment, maximizing potential savings over time.

Installation Process

SunPower's installation process involves:

  • Consultation and Assessment: A SunPower representative assesses your home's suitability for solar energy.
  • Custom Design: A tailored solar solution is designed to meet your energy needs.
  • Permitting: SunPower handles all necessary permits and approvals.
  • Installation: Certified installers complete the installation.
  • Activation: After final inspections, the system is activated, and you begin generating solar energy.

Sunrun's installation process includes:

  • Home Evaluation: Technicians visit, measure, and evaluate the home to design a customized solar plan.
  • Design Review: Design experts review and adjust the custom evaluation.
  • Permitting: Sunrun submits the design plans to the local city government for permitting.
  • Installation: After the permit is granted, installers come to the home, go over the custom design with the customer, receive approval, and proceed with installation.
  • Inspection and Activation: The city or county performs the final inspection, and Sunrun submits documents to the utility company to grant "Permission to Operate."

Warranties

SunPower offers a comprehensive 25-year warranty covering product, performance, and service, ensuring long-term reliability and customer satisfaction. 

Sunrun provides a 10-year warranty for systems that are purchased and up to a 25-year warranty for systems that are leased. The warranties cover maintenance, repairs, and daily monitoring at no additional fee. 

Battery Storage

SunPower offers a battery storage option called SunVault™, which pairs with the SunPower Equinox® residential solar power system. The SunVault system charges during the day and can be discharged when needed, providing reliable power during blackouts. SunVault storage is covered by a 10-year warranty.

Sunrun offers a battery storage option called Brightbox, which can be purchased or leased. Brightbox provides homeowners with a reliable power source during blackouts, ensuring continuous energy supply. 

State Availability

SunPower's solar energy systems are available in 28 states.

Sunrun's solar services are only available in eight states.

Conclusion

Both SunPower and Sunrun offer robust solar solutions with unique advantages. SunPower's high-efficiency panels and comprehensive warranty make it a strong contender for those seeking top-tier equipment and long-term reliability. Sunrun's flexible financing options and customer-centric approach cater to homeowners looking for accessible solar systems. 

The choice between them largely depends on your priorities and financial goals.

  • SunPower: if you value cutting-edge technology, long-term ownership benefits, and a comprehensive 25-year warranty. SunPower's Maxeon panels are ideal for maximizing energy production in limited roof space and achieving long-term savings.
  • Sunrun: if you're looking for flexible financing options, such as leases or PPAs, to access solar energy with little to no upfront cost. Sunrun is also a great choice for homeowners who want hassle-free system maintenance and optional battery backup with Brightbox.

Consider your home’s energy needs, budget, and long-term goals to determine which solar provider is the best fit for you. For additional insights, check out customer reviews and request quotes to compare offerings.

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