Sunrun Solar Reviews, Panels, and Installation (2024)
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Sunrun has been a popular solar provider for more than 15 years. The company has several benefits, including multiple financing options and a large selection of solar panels and other solar products. We analyzed the company’s product selection and services, warranties, costs, customer reviews, and other key factors to help you determine if it’s the right choice for your solar project.
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| Star Rating | Location Presence | BBB Rating | Link | ||
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| Sunrun |  | 19 States | A+ | Get Quote | |
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| Blue Raven Solar | |
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| Location Presence | 19 States |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Palmetto Solar | |
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| Location Presence | 19 States |
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| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Tesla Solar | |
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| Star Rating | |
| Location Presence | 50 States |
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Fast Facts About Sunrun
- State availability: 20*
- Warranty options: 10-year workmanship warranty, 25-year equipment warranty
- Panel options: Monocrystalline
- Payment options: Full purchase, solar loan, solar lease, power purchase agreement (PPA)
- BBB rating**: A+
*Available in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin as well as Puerto Rico.
**BBB rating is accurate as of May 2024.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Sunrun
| Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
|
➕Has a wide selection of solar panels, batteries, and EV chargers |
➖Many third-party customer reviews cite poor customer service |
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➕Is more cost-effective than many other solar companies |
➖Doesn’t provide 24/7 customer support or any service on Sundays |
|
➕Offers protection from panel damage and theft with BrightSave insurance policy |
➖Emphasizes solar leases, which isn’t our recommended financing option |
Sunrun Solar Reviews
Sunrun has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). We read more than 100 of the latest customer reviews to see what individual homeowners had to say about working with the company. Reviews were mixed overall, with some citing a great end result and positive customer service and others expressing the opposite opinion.
Vivint Solar, which Sunrun acquired in 2020, was previously involved in a lawsuit regarding allegedly misleading sales tactics in connection to solar leases and PPAs. The lawsuit was settled before Sunrun acquired the company. Sunrun was also flagged by the BBB in 2021 for a pattern of complaints regarding delayed response times from its customer service team. The CEO provided a statement outlining actionable steps the company was taking to address these issues, including increasing team capacity and working with additional vendors to increase product stock.
Read a sample of what Sunrun customers have to say below.
“I’m very satisfied with every aspect of my dealings with Sunrun and the solar system they designed and installed for me. I would highly recommend them for any solar project.” —William N. via BBB
“Sunrun has the worst customer service I have ever experienced. I have called several times, sent emails after emails, and do not get the support I need. I installed solar in the hopes of saving money and instead I am spending a lot more.” —Anthony M. via BBB
“Very responsive to your needs. Works as promised. Wouldn’t be without it.” —Ken S. via BBB
“My experience with this company has been horrible. I have had panels on my roof since December, and they are still not on [properly]. Sunrun installed the panels and when my husband went on the roof to check them out he noticed we were short panels. He then called the company, and they stated they changed the type of panels to a different panel that would require less panels but same usage. We did the math and realized they were shorting us power.” —Julie C. via BBB
Overview
Sunrun is one of the largest solar panel installation companies in the United States, serving 20 states plus Puerto Rico. The company has provided solar panels, batteries, and solar accessories from its headquarters in San Francisco since 2008. Its website highlights its national partnerships, best-in-class equipment, and industry-leading financing options.
During our research, we noticed that Sunrun heavily promotes solar lease options to customers. Though this payment plan can help you save money on installation, it disqualifies you from cost-saving solar incentives and negatively impacts your return on investment (ROI). We suggest choosing a different financing option if you want to save more in the long run. However, we still recommend Sunrun overall due to its industry reputation, competitive pricing, and large variety of quality solar power products.
Sunrun Cost and Payment Options
You’ll have to request a quote for your specific project cost, but Sunrun’s website states that a typical home installation costs between $16,200 and $21,400. This is far less than the average solar installation cost of $25,000. When we surveyed 1,000 homeowners about their solar experiences, only 18.5% said they were quoted less than $15,000, so Sunrun’s cost range is competitive.
Sunrun accepts all traditional payment options, including cash payments, solar loans, solar leases, and power purchase agreements (PPAs). Though a cash purchase requires a significant up-front investment, it’s the best option because you have full system ownership, a shorter payback period, the highest long-term savings, and access to the federal solar tax credit and other cost-saving solar incentives.
Solar loans, leases, and PPAs require little to no money up-front. Instead, you pay in monthly installments. We recommend a loan over a lease or PPA since you’ll still own your solar energy system and qualify for solar incentives.
Solar leases involve paying a monthly rate to rent your panels, whereas PPAs require you to pay only for the energy you use and may fluctuate from month to month. The contract term for a solar loan is often five to 10 years shorter than that of a solar lease, resulting in a higher monthly payment, but solar lease payments sometimes increase over the term. The main cons of solar leases and PPAs are that you won’t own your solar panel system and don’t qualify for incentives that would otherwise save you money.
Our Recommendation
Sunrun offers a great selection of solar products, two warranties, and multiple financing options. It also has a large service area compared to many solar companies. The company has received mixed customer reviews regarding service. However, we still recommend Sunrun solar panels due to the company’s overall industry reputation, competitive pricing, and BBB rating. We encourage customers to speak to the company directly to decide if it’s the right choice.
If you feel Sunrun isn’t the right company for you, there are many other providers to choose from. Carefully read each company’s site, including the fine print. Get a quote online, and speak with multiple company representatives to get a feel for customer service before making a decision.
Sunrun FAQ
Is Sunrun a legitimate company?
Yes, Sunrun is a legitimate solar energy company. It has more than 15 years of experience providing solar services and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. However, it has received negative customer reviews related to poor customer service, so you may want to speak with the company directly about its policies before committing.
Is there a lawsuit against Sunrun?
In 2013, Shawn Reed filed a class action lawsuit against Sunrun citing deceptive marketing claims. The lawsuit has since been resolved, with Sunrun required to be more transparent about its claims.
How do I break my Sunrun contract?
You can cancel your Sunrun contract by emailing, mailing, faxing or delivering a written notice by midnight of the third business day after you received a signed, dated copy of the contract.
How We Chose the Top Solar Companies
We researched and analyzed dozens of solar panels and solar installation companies. We then formulated a rating system based on each solar installer or manufacturer’s services and products. We weighed several significant factors, including the quality and type of solar panels offered, the customer support network, warranty lengths and limitations, and additional benefits such as mobile apps for monitoring and customer service.
Speaking directly to representatives, we determined how each solar company personalizes its solar panel installation for each home. We also analyzed each company’s warranty options to ensure their product and performance guarantees match or exceed industry standards.
We evaluated each provider based on their rating and history with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to determine reputation. In addition, we analyzed the 100 most recent Google Reviews for each provider across various locations and branches.
Read more: Our Methodology