Sunrun Solar has been helping homeowners install solar panel systems on their roofs for 16 years. The company offers a wide range of payment options and types and generally uses quality products. This makes Sunrun a solid choice for homeowners who need a quality system but can’t afford to shell out all the cash at once.
But should you trust Sunrun Solar Company with your solar installation? We performed extensive research to determine just that, including detailing how the panels work and what Sunrun customers think of the service overall. We also checked on Sunrun’s reviews and rankings. It scored a 3.8 with us and holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). In this Sunrun Solar review, we’ll take a look at this company to help you decide if it’s a good fit.
Pros
- Uses Tier 1 solar panels, which are generally high-quality
- Plenty of leasing and financing options for customers to choose from
- Additional services include batteries, EV chargers and system monitoring
Cons
- Only available in 20 states
- Customer reviews on some consumer trust sites are relatively low
Table of Contents
- Sunrun at a Glance
- What Can You Expect From Sunrun?
- Where Is Sunrun Available?
- Sunrun Warranties
- How Much Do Sunrun Solar Panels Cost?
- Financing Options
- Sunrun Installation Process
- Getting a Solar Panel Installation Quote: We Put Sunrun to the Test
- What We Like About Sunrun
- What We Didn’t Like About Sunrun
- What People Are Saying About Sunrun
- How Sunrun Stacks Up
- Bottom Line: Is Sunrun the Right Solar Installer for You?
- Methodology: How We Rated Solar Companies
Sunrun at a Glance
Sunrun Solar has been in business since 2007, helping customers install solar panel systems on their homes to supplement their electricity needs. The company’s headquarters are in San Francisco, and it has served over 900,000 customers.
The Sunrun company offers a wide range of services. Customers can choose solar panel systems, battery storage, Tesla Powerwall backup systems, self-branded backup systems, F-150 Lightning integration, EV charging and battery backup management systems.
A few different purchasing options are also available. If they prefer, customers can lease their system from Sunrun with as little as zero down, take out a loan through a third-party provider or purchase their system outright. Each option has benefits, allowing customers to choose the best fit for their needs.
Overall, Sunrun’s BBB ratings are decent. It holds an A+ rating with the consumer trust site and an accreditation. It also holds a 4.1-star rating with Consumer Affairs. However, things get a little rockier with Trustpilot and SolarReviews. The company holds a 1.5-star and 1.75-star rating, respectively. All ratings are accurate as of this publication.
Featured Partners
1
Palmetto Solar
BBB Grade
A+
Financing Options
Purchase, loan, PPA
Number of States Covered
27
2
Blue Raven Solar
BBB
A+
Financing Options
$0 upfront for 18 months
Number of States Covered
21
3
Momentum Solar
BBB Grade
A+
Financing Options
Purchase, loan
Number of States Covered
10
What Can You Expect From Sunrun?
It’s important to know how Sunrun operates before researching further. In these sections, we’ll break down some of the most important points to consider.
Sunrun Services
Sunrun’s primary service includes installing solar panel systems to help homeowners supplement or replace their dependency on the electrical grid. These systems use premium grade, Tier 1 solar panels, though Sunrun isn’t upfront about the panels or manufacturers it uses.
Sunrun Solar can handle the entire process in-house, including the design, permit process and installation. However, Sunrun also subcontracts with local third-party provider partners. The company certifies these pros to ensure they know what they’re doing.
Other services include battery backup systems, including the Powerwall from Tesla and Sunrun’s Shift system. Users can also take advantage of Sunrun’s Span Smart Electrical Panel, which monitors the electrical system and backup system.
Sunrun can also integrate the new Ford F-150 Lightning system into a home, allowing users to charge their trucks and power their homes with them in a power outage. The company can also install EV chargers for other vehicles as well.
One other point to consider is that Sunrun does offer a mobile app, mySunrun, that allows users to monitor their energy consumption and production throughout the day and review important documents.
Sunrun Solar Panel Options
Sunrun Solar’s panel options are relatively limited. Sunrun uses Tier 1, quality panels, but there isn’t much additional information available for customers to review. Sunrun does offer an equipment performance warranty that states the panels should not lose more than 10% to 20% efficiency over the first 25 years.
Where Is Sunrun Available?
Sunrun Solar is available in 20 states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Vermont. It’s also available in Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.
Sunrun Warranties
Sunrun offers two types of warranties: a product or equipment warranty and a performance guarantee. The product or equipment warranty covers any manufacturing defects, durability issues or equipment failures and covers the cost of replacing the product. Most warranties are for 10 to 15 years, but some may be as long as 25 years. Customers should ask about their warranty explicitly and get the agreement in writing.
The performance guarantee refers to how well the panels will perform over time. Sunrun guarantees that its products won’t lose more than 10 to 20% efficiency over the first 25 years.
How Much Do Sunrun Solar Panels Cost?
Sunrun Solar keeps its pricing information pretty close to the chest. Customers can fill out a form to receive a phone call from a customer rep to discuss pricing. The form just requires a name, email address and phone number. But, on average Sunrun’s pricing is between $15,000 to $19,000 for a 6 kW system.
Financing Options
Sunrun offers four options for purchasing a solar system, and each has its pros and cons.
- Monthly Lease: Through the monthly lease program, customers can pay Sunrun for their system every month. Sunrun owns and maintains the system. This option has a low upfront cost, but you can’t take advantage of the federal solar tax credit.
- Prepaid Lease: The customer pays for the entire lease upfront in this option. It allows the customer to avoid maintaining the system, though Sunrun still owns it.
- Purchase Loan: Sunrun can help homeowners secure a loan with a third-party loan provider. In this case, the customer is responsible for maintenance but they own the system.
- Purchase Outright: Customer purchases the system directly from Sunrun. The customer owns the system and has to maintain it.
Sunrun Installation Process
The process of having solar installed through Sunrun is straightforward. The customer simply fills out a form to have a rep contact them. Sunrun then asks questions about the homeowner’s current electrical usage, credit score and system savings goals. Next, a company rep will make sure the home is compatible and that the roof is in good enough condition for panels.
Once the homeowner receives a quote and secures financing, the installation process can continue. Sunrun will secure the necessary quotes and set up an installation date. Depending on the system, most installations can be completed within a day.
Getting a Solar Panel Installation Quote: We Put Sunrun to the Test
We wanted to walk through the entire quote process to provide as much information as possible in this Sunrun review. However, getting a quote isn’t as easy as we’d like. The website is easy to navigate, though. After entering your information, you’ll have to speak with a customer rep to get a quote. There aren’t any instant quotes, ranges or estimates available.
What We Like About Sunrun
We liked that Sunrun provides a wide range of financing options. Customers can choose between a low down payment lease, a prepaid lease or a third-party loan. They can also elect to purchase their system outright. Most homeowners should be able to find a financing option that works for their needs.
We also appreciate that Sunrun Solar guarantees its systems and provides a performance guarantee. Solar panel systems are long-term investments and customers can rest assured that their system will work for the length of their agreement.
Another pro is that there are quite a few additional options for customers to choose from, including F-150 Lightning integration. Homeowners who want the best in backup, monitoring and EV integration may find Sunrun to be a good fit.
What We Didn’t Like About Sunrun
The fact that Sunrun doesn’t provide much information about its solar panels makes it hard to get excited about its systems. We’d prefer to know the brand, model and efficiency levels of the panels each manufacturer offers before getting on the phone with a sales rep.
Also, Sunrun Solar reviews aren’t all stellar. It holds low ratings with Trustpilot and SolarReviews. Most unhappy customers state they didn’t save as much as promised on their electricity bill. Others complain that the company is too expensive and that installation didn’t go as well as the customer hoped.
What People Are Saying About Sunrun
Like many other solar companies, Sunrun gets a general mix of positive, negative and relatively neutral feedback from customers on major consumer trust sites.
Customer reviews praise Sunrun for its solar lease service and customer service before and during installation. However, some customers have complained of reduced support post-installation and delays in sending a technician to address issues. Negative reviews also centered around difficulty with the service transfer when moving and slow response time when addressing billing issues. Sunrun currently holds an A+ rating from the BBB.
How Sunrun Stacks Up
Sunrun vs. Momentum Solar
Sunrun and Momentum have a lot in common. The companies have been around for nearly the same amount of time and offer similar financing options. While we like that Momentum is a bit more straightforward about the panels it offers, it’s available in 12 states versus Sunrun’s 20, which can be a drawback.
Learn more: Momentum Solar review
Sunrun Vs. Blue Raven
Blue Raven may be a better option than Sunrun for some homeowners. Blue Raven doesn’t offer a mobile app, but it’s available in nearly as many states and carries much higher review ratings with the top consumer trust sites. It also offers financing, but Sunrun has more financing options.
Learn More: Blue Raven review
Bottom Line: Is Sunrun the Right Solar Installer for You?
Sunrun isn’t perfect. However, it seems committed to using quality products and making the purchasing process simple and straightforward. Homeowners who want solar but can’t afford to pay for a system outright might find that Sunrun is a great option.
Best Solar Companies By State
Methodology: How We Rated Solar Companies
To determine the best solar company ranking, the Forbes Home editorial team analyzed 26 major companies, with each company’s star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including years in business, equipment options, app and customer reviews and support, nationwide availability, price and warranty, product specifications and features.
You can find out more about how Forbes Home rates solar companies in our detailed methodology page.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does Sunrun cost on average?
Sunrun’s costs are somewhat of a secret. The only way to get a quote is to submit a request and speak to a representative. However, the average cost of solar panel systems in the U.S. is about $16,000, or between $4,500 and $36,000.
How efficient are Sunrun solar panels?
This is another secret that Sunrun doesn’t share with prospective customers. Sunrun doesn’t share the models or manufacturers it uses. However, according to the Sunrun website, modern solar panels are between 15 and 22% efficient.
How long do Sunrun solar panels last for?
Sunrun warranties some of its solar panels for up to 25 years. However, it does provide a performance guarantee that states panels will not drop more than 10 to 20% efficiency in the first 25 years.
How does Sunrun compare to other solar companies?
Sunrun compares well in terms of financing options, but its customer ratings are fairly low. Also, Sunrun doesn’t openly state which solar panels it uses, making it difficult to compare it to companies that do.
Is Sunrun worth it?
Sunrun might be worth it for some homeowners. Those who would prefer flexible financing options will likely find Sunrun to be a good fit.
