Sunrun vs. SunPower: Which Major Solar Company Is Best?
Two of the biggest names in residential solar have specific strengths. Should one of them be your solar installer?
Does it make a difference which solar company installs your panels?
SunPower and Sunrun are two of the biggest residential solar installers in the US, but each has made its name in different ways.
SunPower sells and leases an all-in-one electron harvesting combo it calls Equinox that can include industry-leading solar panels with top efficiency and some of the strongest warranties around. Sunrun offers comparable production guarantees but in the form of leases it markets as "solar-as-a-service." You can also purchase systems from Sunrun, but you'll be relying on the equipment manufacturers' warranties in most instances.
When deciding which solar installer is best for you, you shouldn't stop at reading reviews. It's best to get multiple quotes specific to your home before moving ahead with one. Not every company will operate in your location, either. (SunPower installs in 50 states, while Sunrun is in 18 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.) If Sunrun and SunPower are in your search, here's what you need to know.
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SunPower overview
For the moment, SunPower's panels are the gold standard for residential solar installations in the US, at least in terms of efficiency. The company, which is one of the largest solar outfits in the country, also stands by its panels to maintain at least 92% of that efficiency for a quarter century. This, along with SunPower's strong warranties on batteries and workmanship, earned it a spot in CNET's top solar companies.
For years SunPower offered only Maxeon solar panels with efficiency ratings up to 22.8%, the best available on the residential market. This year the company has also begun to offer domestically produced panels sourced from Qcells' facility in Georgia. The solar panels are paired with microinverters from Enphase and an optional in-house battery brand called SunVault that comes in a handful of sizes.
SunPower operates in all 50 states.
SunPower operates in all 50 states with a track record that goes back an almost unheard-of four decades. Reviews of its service are generally favorable but not flawless, like many other companies. One potential criticism of SunPower's offerings is its general lack of options, but that seems to be changing a bit with its new partnership with Qcells.
SunPower also offers leases and power purchase agreements, which are a growing part of its business, the company said in a 2023 earnings press release. The same release indicates it will be a growing part of SunPower's business moving forward.
Sunrun overview
In 2022, about one in eight residential solar energy installations were done by Sunrun, making it the largest installer in the US. This comes thanks in large part to the company's 2020 acquisition of competitor Vivint, and despite that it only operates in 18 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
Sunrun focuses on solar leases and power purchase agreements, although it also sells solar systems. The company offers multiple brands of solar panels and batteries from the likes of Tesla and LG.
Sunrun offers solar installations in 21 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.
What stands out most about Sunrun is its emphasis on offering solar power as a service, essentially renting homeowners a system that will eventually pay for itself through reduced or eliminated energy bills. While not as seasoned a veteran as SunPower, the company has maintained a solid track record since starting in 2007.
Sunrun vs. SunPower at a glance
A side-by-side comparison of the two companies finds both offering competitive warranties for their target customers but no price match. Both also promise top-tier panels and batteries that made our top-five list as of this writing. Here's what each offers in brief:
Sunrun vs. SunPower
| SunPower | Sunrun | |
| Price match | No | No |
| Preferred panels | Maxeon, Qcells | TBD |
| Batteries offered | SunVault | LG, Tesla |
| Panel max. efficiency | 22.8% | TBD |
| Warranties | 25-year production guarantee; 10 years for batteries; 12 years for rooftop penetrations | Comprehensive for leases; Relies on manufacturers' warranties for purchases; 10 years for workmanship |
| Coverage area | 50 states | 18 states, DC, Puerto Rico |
Cost
Most companies don't openly share cost data for solar installations, and the price you're quoted depends on a number of factors, from your location to the complexity of your roof. You should always get multiple quotes.
Because SunPower installed only the highest-performing panels until adding Qcells panels to its portfolio, its prices may have been a bit higher historically. Qcells are a reliable panel used in nearly one-third of every residential installation.
Recent pricing data from Sunrun isn't readily available either. If, like most Sunrun customers, you got solar panels through a lease or power purchase agreement, you would have very low upfront costs, but likely less savings over time, in part because the federal tax credit goes to the owner of the system; in this case, Sunrun.
Panel efficiency
SunPower installs Maxeon solar panels, which match the highest efficiency for residential solar panels. While Sunrun hasn't identified a preferred panel (most companies install multiple brands), its efficiency is likely to be over 20%, since over half of panels installed in 2021 had efficiency ratings that high and nearly all had efficiency ratings higher than 19%.
Having the most efficient panel isn't the most important thing in most cases, experts say. Your goal should be getting a well-designed system that meets your needs.
Energy storage
Both companies offer battery storage. SunPower has an in-house option called SunVault, while Sunrun offers Tesla and LG batteries. All three options come with 10-year warranties that guarantee 70% of the capacity at that time. Solar batteries can provide power in a blackout or help you game time-of-use rates.
State availability
SunPower operates in all 50 states.
Sunrun operates in 18 states along with Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas and Vermont.
Warranties
SunPower's solar panels from Maxeon come with 25-year warranties that guarantee they'll produce at 92% of their capacity at that point. Qcells panels come with warranties that guarantee 85% of their capacity after 25 years. SunPower also extends a 25-year workmanship warranty and a 12-year warranty against your roof leaking because of the bolts securing the panels to your roof.
Can you tell if this was installed by Sunrun or SunPower? You're likely to get quality solar panels from both.
Customers who enter a power purchase agreement or lease receive complete coverage of their system from Sunrun. Sunrun customers also receive a 10-year workmanship warranty. Sunrun hasn't shared information with CNET about its weatherization warranty.
Customer reviews
Online customer reviews can be an unreliable metric for actual satisfaction: People tend to rush online to write a review when they have a bad experience, while satisfied customers don't bother.
Both companies have A+ ratings from the Better Business Bureau, which factors in how the company responds to customer complaints. In terms of customer reviews, the two companies are close, although SunPower has the edge at 3.94 out of 5 compared to Sunrun's 3.7.
The bottom line
Broadly speaking, these two companies are courting different types of customers. If you're going to be in your home for the long term and want to invest in solar energy that will give you the best return and maximum production for years no matter where you are in the US, then you can scarcely do better than SunPower.
That said, Sunrun installs the most leases or power purchase agreements in the US. The company's focus on these types of installations is ideal for anyone who is solar curious but can't afford to pay for panels with cash or a loan, though Sunrun does offer purchase options. While Sunrun is the leader in third-party ownership, SunPower is increasing its lease and power purchase agreement installation and plans to continue doing so in the near future. If you're most interested in a lease or a power purchase agreement, you can check in with both companies.
Read more: See our picks for the best portable solar panels and solar generators.
How we evaluate solar companies
This comparison is based on CNET's in-depth reviews of SunPower and Sunrun. Our reviews and the scores we give to major solar companies are based on a detailed methodology that includes factors like warranties, customer service and equipment specs.
CNET does not go through the full installation process with a solar company or test the equipment directly. We rely instead on our thorough coverage of the industry, deep research and detailed conversations with people at each company we review.
One thing we don't consider in our company reviews is pricing because each installation can vary widely from any other. We strive to provide as much information as we can about a company's offerings, track record and reputation, but it is imperative that each consumer do their own due diligence as well and get multiple quotes from installers working in your market. SunPower and Sunrun are two of the biggest residential solar installers in the US, but each has created packages to appeal to very different types of customers.
Sunrun vs. SunPower FAQs
Is SunPower part of Sunrun?
No, these are two separate companies.
Is SunPower more expensive than Sunrun?
Comparing the cost of solar installations is tricky, because so many different factors are at play and because solar companies generally don't advertise their prices publicly. It's especially tricky with these two companies because they market their solar systems in wildly different ways. SunPower offers high-quality equipment, usually for purchase, meaning you'll generally have a higher upfront cost but more savings over time. Sunrun tends to offer leases and power purchase agreements, meaning you'll pay less up-front but likely save less over the lifespan of the system. But it's hard to say.
How do I choose the right solar company?
The best way to find the right solar company is talk to a few who operate in your location and get quotes from them. Getting multiple quotes is the best way to weed out the overly expensive ones avoid getting a bad deal.
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- Finalist for the Nesta Tipping Point prize and a degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
