Our Thoughts on Sunrun Solar
Sunrun’s lease and PPA options are among the industry’s most lucrative, with competitive pricing and benefits such as an energy production guarantee, daily system monitoring and included maintenance. This is why Sunrun makes our list of the best solar installers and is our pick for leasing options.
Sunrun also offers high-quality solar equipment sourced from leading manufacturers on the market. Although Sunrun has thousands of satisfied customers, it has undergone a rough phase recently in which the installer was incapable of handling a large number of service requests. Customers have pointed out its unresponsiveness in negative reviews and filed complaints with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). That said, its CEO wrote a publicly addressed statement apologizing for the issues and promising better service on the company’s BBB profile.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Offers one of the best solar leasing and PPA models in the country
Has extensive experience in the U.S. solar industry
Offers high-quality equipment with strong warranties
Cons
Workmanship warranty is shorter than some competitors offering 25-year coverage
Has a pattern of negative reviews from customers on the BBB in recent years, though the CEO has promised better service going forward
Sunrun State Availability
Sunrun has offices in over 175 cities across 20 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.
Sunrun Cost and Services Offered
Based on responses to our 2023 survey of 1,000 homeowners with installed solar, the average price of a solar power system purchased from Sunrun is between $2.50 and $3.12 per watt. This translates to $20,000 to $25,000 for an 8 kilowatt (kW) system, which is similar to that of most major solar providers in the country. Below is a table that shows the average pricing for a variety of Sunrun system sizes.
| System Size | Installation Cost |
|---|---|
| 5 kW | $12,500–$15,600 |
| 6 kW | $15,000–$18,720 |
| 7 kW | $17,500–$21,840 |
| 8 kW | $20,000–$24,960 |
WalletWatch Tip
Sunrun’s average pricing, at $20,000-$25,000 for an 8 kW system, is similar to that of its competitors. However, local installers may offer lower pricing. Additionally, Sunrun’s leased systems will include a different pricing structure in which you pay monthly to rent panels from the company.
Solar Panel Brands Offered
Sunrun was an authorized LG solar panel installer for many years. LG manufactured some of the highest-rated solar panels in the industry until it stopped producing the technology in 2022. Sunrun now installs modules from other, similar manufacturers.
While Sunrun does not provide information about the solar panel brands it installs, it mentions that each of its systems uses high-efficiency, monocrystalline solar panels from Tier 1 manufacturers.
Solar Battery Installation
Sunrun’s solar battery installations have seen growing demand — in a recent financial report, Sunrun disclosed that its battery installations have grown by 131% year-over-year. The installer offers two of the most popular solar batteries on the market, including the Tesla Powerwall. Sunrun also offers the LG Chem RESU battery branded under its Brightbox program, a combo package of solar panels and battery backup.
Besides traditional batteries, Sunrun also offers the LG Shift battery in California. This smart storage device shifts your power consumption from expensive hours during the day to cheaper times at night to avoid peak rates.
The Tesla Powerwall is a popular option among homeowners. In our survey of 1,000 homeowners, 59% of respondents installed a battery, of which 30% reported buying a Powerwall. Here is a breakdown of battery costs by brand.
| Battery | Cost of Battery and Installation |
|---|---|
| Tesla Powerwall | $11,500 |
| LG Chem RESU | $7,000–$16,000 |
| Shift | $9,000–$11,000 |
Additional Services
Sunrun offers several other services in addition to solar panel and battery installation. Customers can also install an electric vehicle (EV) charging system. The company also partners with Ford to offer the Home Integration System, which allows customers to use their Ford F-150 truck as a backup battery.
Payment Options
Sunrun’s biggest strength is its payment models. It offers four major payment options — a cash purchase, solar loan, lease or PPA. Although numerous companies offer similar payment options, Sunrun’s lease and PPA packages are uniquely beneficial. Sunrun offers daily system monitoring and maintenance with its leases and a production guarantee that pays the customer back if promised energy production levels are not met.
However, we recommend you consider the pros and cons of leases and PPAs when deciding how to pay for a solar system. Since you essentially rent the system from an installer, you will never own the panels and cannot claim certain tax incentives as a result.
Sunrun Solar Warranties
Solar warranties are an important aspect of any solar power system that protects the customer from faulty equipment or flawed workmanship. As a general rule, longer warranties with minimum conditions are the best.
Sunrun offers a 25-year product warranty on its solar panels, providing peace of mind to customers if equipment issues arise. It also includes a 10-year workmanship warranty, which is the industry standard length. However, some competitors like SunPower offer workmanship warranties of 25 years or more.
Customers who lease a system do not have to worry about warranties since system ownership remains with Sunrun, and the company handles repair and maintenance throughout the duration of the contract.
| Warranty Type | Sunrun Length | Industry Average |
|---|---|---|
| Workmanship or service warranty | 10 years | 10 years |
| Product warranty | 25 years | 25 years |
| Performance warranty | 25 years | 25 years |
Sunrun Installation Process
Sunrun has a straightforward, seven-step installation process similar to that of most other solar companies. The total time required from initial inquiry to installation with Sunrun is also similar to the time taken by other major installers. Here is an overview of the process:
- Site survey: Once you have had an initial discussion with Sunrun and decided to move forward, a site technician will visit your property for measurements and notes. The company will check things like your roof for shading and your electrical panel placement and condition.
- System design: Based on data obtained during the site survey and your energy bills, a Sunrun design engineer will create your custom solar panel system.
- Permitting: Before your installation, Sunrun will work with your city office and any other local authorities to receive permits for your solar panels. Sunrun customers report this step can take anywhere between a few weeks and a few months.
- System installation: Once Sunrun has received the proper permits, it will install the solar equipment on your house. On average, according to Sunrun, this takes only one day but can take longer based on the system size and complexity of the installation.
- Inspections: After the installation is complete, your city office and utility company may send someone to inspect the system to confirm it meets necessary requirements.
- Utility hookup: After your system receives approvals from the inspections, your utility company will send someone to connect the system to the grid. If you have access to a local net metering program, your utility can also install a bidirectional meter on your home.
- Turn on the power: Once your system is interconnected with the grid, you can flip the switch and start using energy generated by your solar panels.
What Customers Think of Sunrun
To better understand the customer experience, we read dozens of Sunrun reviews across the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot. At the time of this writing, the company had an A+ rating and accreditation with the BBB.
While the company has many positive reviews, customers have filed a number of complaints in recent years that highlight poor customer support. We reached out to Sunrun for comment on its negative customer reviews, but the company declined to respond.
What Customers Like
We spent time analyzing positive customer reviews to determine general themes across the customer experience. For Sunrun, we noticed customers tend to praise the company’s installation process and solar leasing benefits.
- Installation quality: Certain customers liked how Sunrun’s representatives were knowledgeable and able to answer any questions they had about the solar process. Others, such as this reviewer, mentioned a notable reduction in their electricity bills after installing Sunrun solar panels.
- Included maintenance: Sunrun customers who opted for a solar lease, including this reviewer, enjoy the benefits included with the included system maintenance.
What Customers Don’t Like
Our review of negative customer experiences pointed to a few common trends, including mentions of slow customer support and communication.
- Slow customer support: Customers, including this reviewer, suggest Sunrun is slow to address issues when they arise. Some reviewers also reported having trouble in trying to speak with a manager to escalate an issue.
- Poor communication: Negative reviews such as this one suggest communication with Sunrun’s employees is not always smooth. In some cases, customers did not hear back from Sunrun with updates, even though the company said it would call within 24 hours.
Sunrun vs. the Market
Sunrun fares quite well in direct comparison with its biggest competitors, such as SunPower and Freedom Solar. Here is a table that shows how Sunrun compares to the above-mentioned installers.
| Star Rating | 4.3 | 4.8 | 4.2 |
| System Cost | $20,000–$25,000 | $24,000–$36,000 | $25,000–$30,000 |
| Warranty Lengths | 25-year product warranty, 10-year workmanship warranty | 25 years | 25-year product, workmanship and performance |
| Panel Brands | Tier 1 brands | Maxeon | Maxeon |
| Financing Options | Cash purchase, solar loan, solar lease or PPA | Full Purchase, Solar Loan, Solar Lease | Cash purchase or loan |
| Services Offered | Solar panel installation, solar batteries, EV charger installation, system monitoring, optional service package and a mobile app | Solar Installation, Battery Installation, EV Charger Installation, System Monitoring | Solar panel installation, solar batteries and backup generators |
| Star Rating | 4.3 | 4.8 | 4.2 |
| System Cost | $20,000–$25,000 | $24,000–$36,000 | $25,000–$30,000 |
| Warranty Lengths | 25-year product warranty, 10-year workmanship warranty | 25 years | 25-year product, workmanship and performance |
| Panel Brands | Tier 1 brands | Maxeon | Maxeon |
| Financing Options | Cash purchase, solar loan, solar lease or PPA | Full Purchase, Solar Loan, Solar Lease | Cash purchase or loan |
| Services Offered | Solar panel installation, solar batteries, EV charger installation, system monitoring, optional service package and a mobile app | Solar Installation, Battery Installation, EV Charger Installation, System Monitoring | Solar panel installation, solar batteries and backup generators |
As you can see, Sunrun is slightly cheaper than SunPower and Freedom and has more payment options. Sunrun and SunPower are equally popular national solar companies, but Sunrun offers a wider variety of services.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sunrun
A major downside of Sunrun is the poor quality of its customer support. A large number of complaints on its BBB profile suggest disappointing post-installation service in recent years.
While it has some notable flaws, Sunrun is a reliable company. It has strong finances and a robust nationwide network of experienced engineers and technicians. Sunrun also has robust industry experience having installed hundreds of thousands of systems over its 16 years of operation.
A few years ago, a California homeowner filed a lawsuit against Sunrun, alleging the company made deceptive claims about the rise in electricity pricing and resulting savings. Recently, another class action lawsuit took Sunrun to court for wrongly promising electricity bill savings of 20%.
Sunrun is not owned by Costco. It is a publicly listed company and sells some of its services through retail partners such as Costco.
Yes. Sunrun acquired Vivint in 2020.
Methodology: Our System for Ranking the Best Solar Companies
We closely evaluate solar installation companies with a focus on the factors most important to homeowners like you. We based our solar company methodology on input from multiple homeowner surveys, discussions with industry experts and research into the renewable energy market. Our review process involves assessing each company on the following criteria, which we then use to calculate a rating out of 5 stars.
- Cost and payment options (20 points): Cost is one of the most important factors when installing a solar energy system. Solar providers that offer cash purchases and in-house loan financing earn full points in this category. Companies also receive bonus points for offering solar panel leasing or power purchase agreements (PPAs).
- Services (20 points): In addition to solar installations, companies offering backup battery and electric vehicle charger installations, energy efficiency audits and system monitoring earn the most points in this category. Companies can also receive points for completing installations in-house, as opposed to using third-party contractors.
- Reputation (20 points): To assess the reputation of each company, we consider Google star ratings, Better Business Bureau (BBB) scores and reviews, and NABCEP certification status. We also look at customer complaint rates on sites like the BBB and weigh how the company responds.
- Warranty (15 points): We verify that each company offers workmanship, product and performance warranties on all of its solar installs. A provider earns more points for extending warranties that meet or exceed industry standards, including 10 years for system workmanship and products and 25 years for panel performance.
- Customer Support (10 points): Solar companies that offer virtual consultations, a mobile app, 24/7 customer support and high customer satisfaction with backend support earn the most points in this category.
- Industry Experience (10 points): Providers with 10 or more years of experience in the solar installation industry earn a perfect score in this category.
- Sustainability (5 points):To measure sustainability, we assess each company based on whether it shares a detailed sustainability statement or ESG disclosures on its website. We also conduct research to see if companies offer end-of-life panel disposal programs or have eco-friendly community partnerships.
Aniket BhorAuthor
Aniket Bhor is a solar engineer who has spent nearly a decade studying and working in the solar power sector in the European, Asian and North American markets. He is a climate enthusiast and avid cyclist, and he also loves to lose himself in books and cooking.
Tori AddisonEditor
Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.
