SunPower and Sunrun are two of the largest solar companies in the U.S., each offering a unique set of services and benefits. While they provide installation, financing, and customer support, their offerings have key differences that may influence your decision when going solar. This guide compares SunPower versus Sunrun in-depth to help you choose the best solar company for your home.
Our Take
SunPower and Sunrun are leaders in the solar industry, but they have different strengths that may appeal to different customers. Here’s a breakdown of their offerings and what they’re best known for:
- SunPower: With nearly 40 years in the industry, SunPower is renowned for its high-efficiency panels and robust 25-year warranties. The company focuses on high-quality installations and innovative technology through its network of certified dealers. This makes it a top choice for homeowners prioritizing long-term performance and reliability.
- Sunrun: Sunrun, founded in 2007, has become a major player due to its affordable solar leasing options. The company operates in 17 states and offers a range of financing options, including solar leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs). This flexibility, along with Sunrun’s additional services, such as battery storage and EV charger installation, makes it an attractive option for homeowners seeking affordability and added convenience.
The table below provides a quick comparison of the two companies based on several key factors.
| Metric | SunPower | Sunrun |
|---|---|---|
|
Our pick |
Most Energy-Efficient |
Best Financing Options |
|
State availability |
50 states, but varies by ZIP code |
17 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico |
|
Panel options |
Maxeon |
LONGi |
|
Efficiency ratings |
Up to 22.8% |
Up to 21% |
|
Services |
Solar panels, solar battery, electric vehicle chargers, and system monitoring |
Solar panels, solar battery, electric vehicle chargers, and system monitoring |
|
Warranty |
10- to 25-year free equipment replacement and system repairs 10-year roof leak warranty |
25-year product, workmanship, and performance warranties |
|
Financing options |
Cash payment, loan, lease, or power purchase agreement |
Cash payment, loan, lease, or power purchase agreement |
|
BBB rating* |
D- |
A+ |
*Better Business Bureau information is accurate as of March 2025.
SunPower vs. Sunrun: Company Overview
SunPower and Sunrun are two of the country’s largest and most well-known solar companies. We highlight their company history and key features below.
SunPower Company Overview
Started in 1985, SunPower has a long-standing history in the solar industry. For decades, the company worked to develop its own solar panel system components and battery technology. Its development of high-quality solar cells, inverters, and energy storage makes SunPower an industry leader.
SunPower’s solar panel manufacturing division, now known as Maxeon Solar Technologies, branched off into its own company in 2019. Maxeon’s high-efficiency solar panels have some of the best efficiency ratings for residential solar panels. SunPower pairs these panels with its in-house solar equipment to create custom streamlined solar energy systems designed for optimal energy production.
Learn more: SunPower Review
Sunrun Company Overview
Founded in 2007 in San Francisco, Sunrun has become a leading solar installation company serving 20 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. In 2020, the company acquired Vivint Solar, leading to an expanded service area and customer base.
Sunrun stands out for its unique financing options, specifically its leasing options. Solar leases provide customers with the cost savings of solar without permanent ownership. Leasing also helps customers save on the higher solar installation costs associated with cash payments or solar loans.
Learn more: Sunrun Review
SunPower vs. Sunrun: State Availability
Before committing to either solar company, homeowners should ensure that coverage is offered in their ZIP code.
SunPower Coverage Area
SunPower includes all 50 states in its coverage area. However, when requesting sample quotes, we found that certain ZIP codes within each state weren’t covered. In addition, the company does not offer services in Washington, D.C. or Puerto Rico.
Sunrun Panel Coverage Area
Sunrun offers its products and services to 20 states, plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. Its coverage area includes Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
SunPower vs. Sunrun: Panel Options and Services
Investing in the best solar panels leads to excellent energy production and savings. Both SunPower and Sunrun have monocrystalline solar panels, which are considered the best type of solar panel offering excellent energy production. While SunPower has custom-made, in-house components, Sunrun uses name-brand technology from leading solar manufacturers. We’ll explore each company’s products and services.
SunPower Panel Options and Services
SunPower solar panels have some of the highest efficiency ratings. Panel efficiency is the amount of sunlight a panel can convert to usable energy. Higher efficiency ratings mean better sunlight conversion. High-efficiency solar panels have ratings of 20% or higher. SunPower offers industry-leading Maxeon panels with ratings up to 22.8%.
Along with its efficient panels, SunPower offers its exclusive SunVault Storage System to help store your excess energy for later use. You can also add the Wallbox electric vehicle (EV) charger to extend your system’s efficiency further.
With the SunPower app, homeowners can monitor their system and energy storage status on their phones. The app tracks your current energy use, solar battery status, and keeps historical energy usage data. You’ll also receive weather updates to help you prepare for inclement weather and low-sun days.
Sunrun Panel Options and Services
Although Sunrun doesn’t offer custom-built components, it does partner with leading solar manufacturers to provide high-quality equipment options. LONGi, a leading solar panel supplier, manufactures Sunrun solar panels. These panels offer up to 21% efficiency ratings, but ratings vary between models. Though this rating falls short of SunPower, you still benefit from quality, high-efficiency solar panels.
The company’s Brightbox Home Battery solution provides backup power during emergencies when solar panels aren’t in use. Homeowners can choose from two battery options: the Tesla Powerwall or the LG Chem RESU. The Powerwall offers whole-home backup solutions, while the Chem can support up to four circuits. (Solar batteries are not available in Wisconsin.) Sunrun offers the optional Ford Connected Charge Station as its EV charger.
The mySunrun system monitoring app provides a detailed view of your daily energy production. You can review previous months to compare your average energy use, view upcoming bills, and make convenient payments.
Leased customers receive advanced monitoring services that include production-level tracking. Sunrun will proactively contact you to schedule servicing if your production levels drop.
SunPower vs. Sunrun: Warranty
When it comes to solar warranties, SunPower and Sunrun offer different levels of protection. SunPower provides a longer warranty, while Sunrun includes additional benefits like roof penetration coverage.
SunPower Warranty
SunPower offers a strong 25-year warranty on its solar products, which matches the average lifespan of solar panels. This coverage includes any defects in equipment or issues with the system due to faulty installation. SunPower also guarantees that its solar panels will retain at least 92% of their initial output after 25 years, providing long-term reliability for homeowners.
One of the key advantages of SunPower’s warranty is that any claims go directly through the company since it manufactures its own components. This simplifies the process compared to dealing with multiple manufacturers.
Sunrun Warranty
Sunrun’s solar products come with a shorter 10-year warranty that covers system maintenance, free equipment replacement, and labor costs. However, the company does not offer a workmanship warranty, meaning any issues from improper installation are not covered.
One unique advantage of Sunrun’s coverage is its 10-year roof penetration warranty, which guarantees protection and repairs for any leaks caused by the installation, an offering that many solar companies, including SunPower, do not provide. Leasing customers benefit from a 25-year comprehensive warranty, which includes insurance protection against theft or damage.
SunPower vs. Sunrun: Cost and Financing
Most solar companies omit pricing information from their websites. Instead, homeowners are encouraged to request a free quote to get personalized system information. The same holds true for SunPower and Sunrun. No pricing information is available without a requested quote. According to some customer reviews, SunPower costs more than most solar providers due to its high-performing panels and custom components.
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), solar panels averaged around $3.30 per watt before incentives by the end of 2022. Applying this pricing to a 6-kilowatt (kW) solar panel system, you could pay around $19,500. The final system cost varies based on your chosen solar company, local market pricing, and estimated energy needs.
Although Sunrun only offers online quote requests, SunPower provides an online solar power calculator to help estimate your potential solar savings and system size. You’ll enter your home address and details on roof shading, monthly electric bill averages, and expected solar system production.
Our team tested the calculator to generate an estimate for a home in Los Angeles, California, with a monthly energy bill of $300, little roof shading, and a solar system that meets 80% of our energy needs. We received a potential first-year energy savings of $2,650 with 18
360-watt (W) panels. After receiving your estimate, complete an online form to speak with a SunPower representative for a full quote.
SunPower Panel Financing
SunPower offers four solar financing options: cash payment, solar loan, solar lease, and power payment agreement (PPA).
We’ll review each payment option below:
- Cash payments: This option requires the full up-front cost for your solar panel system and eliminates any additional interest fees normally tied to a solar loan.
- Solar loans: With a solar loan, you’ll make a smaller initial payment and have ongoing payments to cover installation costs. Typical solar loans last between eight to 20 years and include added interest rates and fees.
- Solar lease: With a solar lease agreement, qualifying homeowners spend little to no money down for a new system. You’ll pay a monthly fee to rent the system and never legally own it.
- PPA: This financing option is similar to a lease as you won’t own your system. But with a PPA, you pay for the solar energy, not the system.
You become your system’s legal owner using a cash payment or solar loan. This ownership qualifies you for additional federal and state solar incentives, rebates, and credits. These incentives help offset installation costs, making a solar investment more affordable. For example, the federal solar tax credit provides a 30% credit for installation fees. The credit goes toward your owed federal taxes and helps lower or reduce your tax liability. Although leasing options offer low-cost investment for homeowners, they disqualify you from solar incentives.
Sunrun Panel Financing
Sunrun offers four payment options. The company has unique names for each financing option, which we will outline below:
- Full purchase: This option represents a cash payment.
- Monthly loan: The payment option is their term for a solar loan.
- Monthly lease: This financing option represents solar leases.
- Full lease: This payment is equivalent to a PPA. Sunrun allows customers to prepay for 25 years of solar service up-front, locking in lower energy costs from the start.
SunPower vs. Sunrun: Reviews
When comparing potential solar panel companies, it’s essential to gauge current and past customer reviews to understand how each company treats its customers. We analyzed 100 reviews for SunPower and Sunrun to determine any ongoing patterns with installation, customer support, and equipment. We’ll compare customer opinions about Sunrun vs. SunPower.
SunPower Reviews
SunPower is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and holds an A+ rating from the company.* Positive reviews praised the installation speed and panel performance. Some customers noted that SunPower systems cost more than other companies.
However, customers expressed frustration with contacting customer support after installation and noted equipment issues that lasted for several months.
Here’s what some customers have to say:
“We’re finally up & running! We researched 3 other companies & are very satisfied with SunPower solar panels. They weren’t the cheapest or most expensive but seems to be the job as expected. No complaints.” —Mark E. via BBB
“Before I got this company, I did a lot of research from other companies and found Sunpower to be straightforward and professional. They gave a timeline of when to expect things. The installation was done in a couple of days. They left my house clean when done, and still, they followed up to make sure things were working well. This company has been around for over 30 years and is very reputable. No regrets [about] making SunPower my solar company.” —Margaret L. via BBB
“Solar panels not functioning after 4 months they became operational. Despite many requests to fix them for the past 2 months, are left unheeded. My electric bill is back to pre-solar days, and to make matters worse, I am paying SunPower $93 a month for the solar panels. Very poor customer service, to say the least.” —Luisa B. via BBB
“The customer care/support is horrible. I’ve had trouble with my system for over 4 months, and it’s still not fixed! Parts on order. Tell me, how can a company this large not have stock, even with the supply chain issues? I am beyond disappointed in the whole process. A tech came out and had [no] parts whatsoever in his truck. [G]etting ahold of them to start with is a task in itself. they have 48 hrs to respond. it appears they need that time to respond to all the issues they have. I would NOT recommend this company.” —Selina M. via BBB
Sunrun Reviews
As of April 2023, Sunrun’s BBB profile is being updated.* The company previously held accreditation with BBB and had an A- rating. Sometimes, company profiles are re-evaluated due to new business services, rescoring, or other necessary updates. Since BBB was unavailable, we analyzed customer reviews on Best Company.
Homeowners complimented the company’s knowledgeable staff and the cost savings from their new systems. Some customers mentioned a few issues with transferring service from Vivint to Sunrun, but stated that any problems were resolved.
Customers called out issues with delayed installation due to communication issues with Sunrun. They also found it difficult to contact customer support for repairs and service requests. Several customers noted failed follow-ups or unreturned phone calls.
Here is a sample of Sunrun’s customer reviews:
“From the beginning to the end, the representatives were very helpful, gave us answers to all our questions, gave us all the information, and were kind. We like the company, they are a trusted company to use. Installation was very smooth, and it was overnight. They were in contact with me and explained what to expect. The worker that showed up was respectful and nice, and everything went swiftly.” —Anna. via Best Company
“There were a few hiccups when Sunrun took over from our previous solar contract with Vivint but it all worked out fairly and now we’re enjoying considerable savings on our electric bill. 4 adults and a child use a lot of electricity but our rooftop solar system handles it like a champ!” —Dale B. via Best Company
“It has been more than a year and a half since they began the installation, the city permit has already expired, and they have not come to finish the installation of the solar panels. I have communicated with them, and there are always promises that they will finish their project and they never come. Honestly, I am very disappointed in their service. I do not recommend it.” —Manases E. via Best Company
“This review is for their customer service. We don’t have any problems with the solar panels, however, we have been calling almost every day to have the panels taken off so we can have a new roof installed due to the roof leaking. They keep telling us they will have someone call to schedule a time and date but no one has called back to schedule. This has been going on for over 2 months. We have not received any calls from their contractor/s to schedule a time. If we don’t have someone call us within the next few days we will turn this matter over to our attorneys. This has gone on way too long!!!” —Ron W. via Best Company
*Better Business Bureau information is accurate as of April 2023.
Our Conclusion
Both SunPower and Sunrun offer excellent solar panel options for homeowners. The best installer depends on your preference for system quality, financing options, and long-term benefits.
Sunrun will work best if you’re looking for affordable solar panels and flexible leasing options. The company offers systems with name-brand components and high-performing panels. You’ll need to choose a leasing agreement to extend your system protection. Keep in mind that leases and PPAs disqualify you from cost-saving solar incentives.
SunPower is a great choice for homeowners looking to invest in the most efficient system available. It uses high-performing Maxeon panels and custom solar components to create systems with streamlined performance and maximum efficiency. In addition, the company backs its system with a 25-year comprehensive warranty—15 years longer than Sunrun. According to some customer reviews, SunPower systems are often more expensive than other providers.
We recommend comparing quotes from at least three providers to find the option that best meets your needs.
FAQs About SunPower vs. Sunrun
Is Sunrun owned by Costco?
No, Sunrun is not owned by Costco. However, the two companies have partnered together to offer exclusive Sunrun deals and benefits to Costco customers.
Where can I find SunPower customer reviews?
You can find SunPower customer reviews at the Better Business Bureau, Google Reviews, and other third-party aggregator sites.
What happens at the end of a Sunrun contract?
When your Sunrun contract ends, you can upgrade to better equipment with a new lease, extend your current contract under the same terms, or remove your existing system.
What is the difference between SunPower and Sunrun?
SunPower offers a high-efficiency solar system built with in-house components and includes a 25-year extensive warranty. Sunrun offers a robust leasing program and efficient solar systems at more affordable pricing.
Our Rating Methodology
We are committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. After over a thousand hours of research on solar companies, interviews with experts, and common customer needs, we’ve created a detailed rating system for solar providers based on six factors:
- Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
- Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
- Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
- Financing options (15%)
- Experience (10%)
- Availability (10%)
Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.
