Going solar can be an excellent way to save money on energy costs while also reducing your carbon footprint. However, with so many solar panel companies to choose from, it can be tricky deciding which is best for your home. Three of the biggest names in residential solar are Sunrun, SunPower, and Tesla.
But how do you choose between these three industry giants? This comprehensive guide examines the pros, cons, costs, and key differences between Sunrun, SunPower, and Tesla solar panels to help you make the right decision.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Category | Sunrun | SunPower | Tesla |
| Equipment | Various solar panels from partner brands, approx. 18-19% efficiency | Proprietary high-efficiency X-Series panels, 22.5% efficiency | Tesla branded solar panels, 20% efficiency |
| Pricing | $0 down leases, approx. $100-200/month | Premium pricing, approx $3/Watt | Competitive pricing around $2/Watt |
| Warranties | 10 years on workmanship, panel warranties vary | 25 years on panels and equipment | 25 years on solar roof and panels |
| Purchase Options | Leases primarily, loans and cash available | Cash purchase or flexible loans | Cash or loan purchase |
| Batteries | LG Chem (Sunrun BrightBox) | LG Chem & SunPower SunVault | Tesla Powerwall 2 |
| Monitoring | Basic Sunrun monitoring app | SunPower monitoring app | Robust Tesla app |
| Customer Service | Mixed reviews | Generally positive reviews | Limited support channels |
| Aesthetics | Standard solar panels | Standard solar panels | Visually appealing low-profile panels and solar roof |
Overview Of Sunrun, Sunpower, And Tesla
Sunrun is the largest dedicated residential solar company in the United States. Founded in 2007, they pioneered the solar-as-a-service business model, allowing homeowners to go solar with no upfront costs by leasing the panels. Today they have over 600,000 customers in 22 states.
SunPower is one of the oldest and most established solar manufacturers, founded in 1985. Originally starting in the commercial solar space, they now also provide high-efficiency panels optimized for residential use. SunPower has installed systems on over 1 million homes globally.
Tesla entered the solar scene after acquiring SolarCity in 2016. Tesla offers its own sleek solar panels combined with Powerwall battery storage. As a leading electric vehicle company, Tesla is banking on an integrated sustainable energy solution.
Now let’s do a detailed comparison of each company’s products, pricing, warranties, and more.
Sunrun Solar Panels
Equipment: Sunrun doesn’t manufacture their own panels. They install solar panels from reputable brands like REC, Longi, and LG. This allows them to get competitive wholesale pricing which they pass on to consumers. The panels typically have average efficiencies of around 19%.
Pricing: As a solar lease provider, Sunrun offers low upfront costs starting at zero dollars. You then pay a fixed monthly rate for the power produced. The lease terms are typically 20-25 years. Overall, Sunrun claims homeowners save 10-40% on electric bills by switching to their solar lease.
Warranty: Sunrun provides a workmanship warranty on installations for 10 years. The solar panel equipment itself will have a manufacturer’s warranty, usually around 25 years.
Purchase Options: In some markets, Sunrun offers solar loans or cash purchase in addition to the lease. This provides more flexibility for customers who want to own their system.
Battery Storage: Sunrun has partnered with LG Chem to provide the BrightBox solar battery for energy storage. This gives Sunrun customers the option to add battery backup to their system.
Solar Lease Terms: One of the downsides of leasing is dealing with potential fees when selling your home or cancelling the contract. Sunrun’s fees can be quite high, so run the numbers carefully.
Customer Service Reputation: Sunrun has received mixed customer service reviews. While some customers rave about the install process, others have complained about poor communication and subpar work quality.
Ideal Customer: Homeowners who want solar with zero money down and prefer the lease model for its simplicity. Also good for customers who value flexibility in equipment brands.
Sunpower Solar Panels
Equipment: SunPower manufactures its own high-efficiency solar panels. Their X-Series panels have the highest efficiency for residential use at 22.5% compared to 16-19% for standard panels. This means you can get the same output with fewer panels.
Pricing: As a premium product, SunPower solar installations cost more upfront. However, you benefit from high energy production and lower degradation over time. Full purchase prices are around $3.00 per Watt for SunPower compared to $2-2.50 with standard panels.
Warranty: The SunPower X-Series panels come with a superior 25-year product warranty compared to the 10-15 year warranty of cheaper brands. Their AC solar equipment also has a 10-year warranty.
Purchase Options: SunPower offers direct purchase and solar loans. They have a partnership with SunStreet lending which provides attractive solar financing rates.
Battery Storage: SunPower has its own SunVault solar battery solution. The LG Chem battery can also be added to SunPower systems for energy storage and backup power.
Ideal Customer: Homeowners who prioritize panel quality, high performance, and comprehensive warranties. The premium price is justified for maximum energy savings over the system lifetime.
Tesla Solar Roof And Panels
Equipment: The Tesla Solar Roof is a unique product that replaces your entire roof with integrated solar tiles. For more standard setups, Tesla provides their own sleek, low-profile solar panels. Panel efficiency is around 20%.
Pricing: Tesla Solar Roof pricing estimates come in around $30,000 or more for an average home. Their solar panels are competitively priced at around $2 per Watt. Energy storage with the Powerwall battery adds to costs.
Warranty: The Tesla Solar Roof and panels have a 25 year warranty. Powerwalls are also warrantied for 25 years to match the system lifetime.
Purchase Options: Tesla offers direct purchase and financing through third-party partners. Solar loans and cash purchases are available.
Battery Storage: The Tesla Powerwall is a robust lithium-ion battery designed to store solar energy and provide backup power. It integrates seamlessly with the Tesla app for real-time energy monitoring.
Ideal Customer: Homeowners who want a futuristic solar roof or sleek, visually appealing panels. Especially suitable for existing Tesla owners who want an all-Tesla sustainable energy ecosystem.
Now that we’ve covered the basics of each company’s solar offerings, let’s do a side-by-side comparison of some key decision factors.
Also Read: Comparison Between Semper Solaris And Sunrun.
Sunrun Vs. Sunpower Vs. Tesla Comparison
- Cost and Pricing
In terms of upfront costs, Sunrun is the most affordable, followed by Tesla, with SunPower being the premium priced option. However, higher upfront costs with SunPower may pay off in the long run through higher savings. Tesla Solar Roofs are in a price league of their own.
For financing options, Sunrun specializes in $0 down solar leases while Tesla and SunPower offer competitive solar loans if you want to own.
Ongoing costs look very different depending on whether you lease from Sunrun or purchase from SunPower/Tesla. With Sunrun, you’ll pay a fixed monthly lease payment of around $100-200. Purchasing systems require monthly loan payments if financing, but no bills once paid off.
- Panel Efficiency
SunPower clearly wins when it comes to solar panel efficiency, with its X-Series panels achieving 22.5% efficiency versus 16-20% for standard panels. More efficient panels require fewer of them to produce the same output.
For Sunrun systems, you are likely to get panels in the 18-19% efficiency range, on par with Tesla at around 20% efficient. While not top of the market, these are still quality solar modules.
- Equipment Quality and Reliability
With proprietary equipment, SunPower and Tesla solar components are built to their own premium specifications. Between these two, SunPower may have a slight quality edge for the extra price.
For Sunrun, relying on 3rd party solar equipment makes consistency more challenging, but major brands like LG and REC still make reliable products. Overall equipment quality is solid for all three companies.
- Warranties
SunPower stands out for its generous 25-year product warranty on panels, matched only by Tesla which also provides a 25-year comprehensive warranty.
Sunrun warranties are more piecemeal, with 10 years on workmanship but variable panel equipment warranties from each manufacturer.
- Installation Process
Being larger national companies, all three providers use local contractors to facilitate installs. This makes for inconsistent installation experiences.
Sunrun seems to have the most mixed reviews when it comes to contractors. Research the quality of installers in your area. Here is a review video!
SunPower and Tesla generally get good marks for professional installations, but results can still vary. Tesla’s Solar Roof requires added roofing expertise.
- Batteries and Storage
Tesla Powerwall is the gold standard when it comes to integrated solar batteries. Their whole-home battery integrates beautifully with the Tesla solar ecosystem.
Both Sunrun and SunPower partner with LG Chem for solar storage solutions. These batteries get the job done for backup power, but lack the sleek Tesla Powerwall sophistication.
- Monitoring and Maintenance
Tesla wins again on their seamless monitoring app. You can easily view real-time solar production, Powerwall usage, and overall energy consumption on the Tesla app.
Sunrun and SunPower provide apps for basic solar monitoring, but they are not as robust in features and visibility compared to Tesla’s experience.
For maintenance, Sunrun and SunPower will cover repairs as part of leased systems or warrantied equipment. Tesla also has strong service programs, especially for their proprietary products.
- Customer Service
All three solar giants have room for improvement when it comes to customer service and support. Among the three, SunPower receives the best marks for customer satisfaction overall.
Tesla is notoriously difficult to get ahold of, but offers great service for technical issues once connected.
Sunrun has the rockiest customer service track record, subject to the whims of third-party dealers. Do plenty of research before choosing Sunrun.
- Aesthetics
For sleek, integrated systems, the Tesla Solar Roof reigns supreme in aesthetics. Their panels are also quite attractive, with a low-profile edge-to-edge glass design.
Sunrun and SunPower offer standard looking solar panels, not necessarily eyesores, but lack the sophistication of Tesla’s integrated design. For many homeowners, simple and affordable is just fine.
Also Read: Comparison Between Mission Solar And LG Solar Panels.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
For most homeowners, SunPower is the superior choice over Sunrun thanks to their higher efficiency panels, strong 25-year equipment warranty, and positive customer service reputation. However, Sunrun can make sense for buyers who prioritize low upfront costs over other factors.
In certain aspects, Sunrun is better than Tesla. Mainly, Sunrun offers affordable $0 down leases as opposed to Tesla’s cash/loan model. Sunrun’s network of local installers can also be an advantage over Tesla depending on your area. However, Tesla tends to offer a more premium product and seamless customer experience if cost is less of a concern.
No, Sunrun does not use Tesla solar panels. They use panels from other reputable brands like REC, Longi, LG, etc. Tesla uses their own proprietary panels, which are of comparable quality to those installed by Sunrun overall.
No. Sunrun and Tesla are completely separate companies. Sunrun is exclusively a solar provider focused on residential installations, while Tesla is a diversified sustainable energy company that makes electric vehicles, batteries, and solar products. The only similarity is that both companies offer solar panel installation for homes.
Also Read: Is Posigen Better Than Sunrun?
The Verdict
Now that we’ve explored the pros, cons, and key differences between Sunrun Vs. SunPower Vs. Tesla solar, which is the right choice?
Here are a few closing recommendations based on customer priorities:
- For affordability upfront, Sunrun is best with $0 down solar leases and smaller monthly payments. Just be sure to vet your local installers.
- If top-of-the-line quality and efficiency matter most, spring for premium SunPower panels. You’ll pay more but likely maximize long-term energy savings.
- Tesla is ideal for tech-savvy customers wanting solar batteries or a visually seamless Solar Roof. Their integrated ecosystem is second to none.
- For the ownership model, Tesla and SunPower loans/purchases allow you to reap more financial benefits long-term once the system is paid off.
- If you already drive a Tesla and want the convenience of an all-Tesla renewable energy ecosystem, their products are purpose-built to work together seamlessly.
Still undecided? Get quotes from multiple providers. Comparing custom estimates side-by-side for your home is the best way to determine the right solar solution based on your budget and needs.
The most important thing is choosing a reputable company using high-quality equipment that makes sense for your situation. With Sunrun, SunPower or Tesla solar adorning your roof, you can rest easy knowing you’ve gone with one of the industry’s top brands.
The Future Is Solar
Solar power adoption is growing rapidly as homeowners seek to reduce energy costs and environmental impact. With incredible innovations from companies like Sunrun, SunPower, and Tesla, the future of residential solar looks very bright.
Still have questions? Reach out to providers directly to have a solar specialist answer solar FAQs for your unique home and energy needs. The time is now to explore adding solar panels and join the sustainability movement!