Sunrun Solar Review: Installation and Financing (2023)

Sunrun offers solar services to customers looking for sustainable energy solutions without the pressure of panel ownership. The company promotes its solar leasing options with long-term system protections, maintenance, and added benefits targeting customers who prefer renting their solar systems. In this Sunrun Review, we explore the company’s services, customer reviews, and warranties, plus compare it to other leading solar providers in the United States.

Sunrun makes a solid choice for homeowners interested in leasing a solar system. The company offers a 25-year comprehensive warranty for leased customers, including additional insurance coverage for theft and damages. Additional benefits include ongoing maintenance and system monitoring services throughout your contract term.

However, coverage falls to only 10 years for purchase or loan customers, requiring added service plan coverage for a longer warranty. The company doesn’t disclose details on its panel options or service plan. In addition, Sunrun offers vague details about leasing customers’ solar incentive disqualification.

Our team evaluated 100 U.S. solar companies to find the top solar installers in the nation:

• Sunrun: Best Solar Panel Leasing
• SunPower: Best High-Efficiency System
• ADT Solar: Best Solar Warranty
• Blue Raven Solar: Most Reputable
• Green Home Systems: Best Solar Roofs
• Elevation: Best Energy-Efficient Upgrades
• Palmetto Solar: Best Customer Support
• Tesla: Best Solar Tech

Sunrun offers various services, such as solar panel installation, battery storage, and electric vehicle (EV) chargers. Sunrun installs monocrystalline solar panels from various manufacturers. This panel type is the most efficient option on the market, with an average efficiency rate of 15%–22%. The solar panel brand you receive will depend on your location. Sunrun uses third-party contractors to complete its solar energy system installations, using different installers in each state.

Solar Batteries

Available to new Sunrun customers, its Brightbox Home Battery allows customers to store solar energy for later use. Installed in your garage or outside of your home, Brightbox offers battery storage in various sizes, adapting to your home’s energy needs. Homeowners can choose between the LG Chem or Tesla Powerwall solar battery for installations.

Additional Services

Additional services include the Ford F-150 Lightning EV charger. Although made for the Ford F-150 Lightning truck, this charge works with any EV charger that is compatible with the SAE J1772 connector. The Ford Connected Charge Station and Ford Charge Station Pro Connector also provide backup power to your EV during blackouts.

mySunrun Monitoring App

The company offers proactive system monitoring through its dedicated mySunrun mobile app. You can track energy use, panel performance, and historical panel data. The app is available on Android, iOS, and through its own website.

Sunrun handles the installation process, so you don’t have to worry about permits or utility companies. 

Here’s what you can expect during a typical solar system installation with Sunrun:

1. Site assessment: For your solar panels to harness energy properly, they must be facing the right direction. During the site assessment, Sunrun professionals will determine if your home can support solar energy, as some homes receive too much shade to produce solar energy.
2. Design approval: After the site assessment, Sunrun designs your system to support your home’s exact needs.
3. Permitting: Before installation, the company will take care of city permitting for you.
4. City/county inspection: The city must approve the installation before it’s connected to the electrical grid.
5. Solar installation: Sunrun will install your solar panels within five days of receiving a permit and confirmation from your city or county.
6. Utility interconnection: Sunrun will speak directly with the utility company to establish net-metering and connect your system to the grid.
7. Power up: Once the utility company approves the operation, you can start using your system.

Sunrun provides proactive monitoring for BrightSave and Protection Plus products, checking your system’s efficiency and ensuring all parts are in good working order.

Sunrun is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and holds an A+ rating. The company has received mixed reviews, with some customers citing positive experiences with sales representatives. Others have left reviews commenting on poor customer support, delayed responses, unreturned phone calls, and repeated appointment cancellations.

Here are a few Sunrun reviews from BBB users:

“I installed Sunrun Solar two years ago. I was pleased with the services of the Sunrun salesperson as well as the installation techs. Also, [I] have online access to power produced. I chose a Power Purchase agreement, so I know what my monthly electric costs are. I have the option to purchase the system at a later date.” — Cheryl D., Dec. 21, 2022, on BBB

“Sunrun was great to work with. Their process (from the pre-sales consultation through post-installation support) is clearly defined and updated along the way. Transfers between internal teams are seamless too. After talking with friends and reading reviews about other providers, I’m really glad we chose Sunrun!” — Dave J., Jan. 13, 2023, on BBB

“I’m very happy with my rep that helped [me] along throughout the whole process. I really liked being able to get answers quickly if I needed them through a text. Also, I like how they broke down the entire program and helped us understand our arrangement plan. Thank you guys, I really appreciate it.” — Dan Y., Jan. 24, 2023, on BBB

“Sunrun employees were attentive and extremely helpful up until after the sale was made. Callbacks and responses to emails now regarding concerns or issues, are very far, few, and in between. I have been looking for answers and have needed assistance with having my solar panels turned on for almost 1 year and a half. Yes, today is 2/2/23, they were installed on 8/1/2021, and they are still nonfunctioning. Frustrated, to say the least….. searching for attorneys at this point.” — Heide R., Feb. 3, 2023, on BBB

“Sunrun Solar is extremely slow to fix problems and reimburse you for outages. When I did receive a reimbursement check it was for hundreds of dollars less than it should have been, and the meager check for $32.79 bounced. It is now almost May, and my problem started last October.” — Stuart T., April 17, 2023, on BBB

“As so many people have already said, this company could care less if your system is working or if you complain about not having service. They take months to respond to problems and, in my case, then canceled the appointment I had been waiting 3 months for. I called, was put on hold for 5 minutes, and had to hang up. I emailed, and the email bounced back. I don’t know how this company stays in business. We just keep paying for electricity and not helping the environment at all.” — Gretchen K., May 8, 2023, on BBB

When we reached out to Sunrun regarding negative customer reviews, the company declined to comment.

*BBB ratings are accurate as of July 2023.

Sunrun offers four solar financing options: a full purchase, a monthly loan, a monthly lease, and a full lease. We found that Sunrun heavily emphasizes its leasing options and highlights them as a customer favorite. Though Sunrun doesn’t detail each plan in full online, it offers an outline of included features and benefits.

Cash and loan options offer the best financial benefits, such as boosted home value, better return on investments, and additional solar incentive savings qualification. Leasing or PPAs offer few financial benefits and only work for customers uninterested in panel ownership. 

Plans

Here’s an overview of Sunrun’s available payment plans:

All Sunrun customers receive a 10-year warranty for product and workmanship, covering any issues caused by a poor installation, such as roof leaks. This coverage length falls in line with industry standards, and the added roof leak coverage is a rare protection. However, Sunrun varies the rest of its warranty coverage based on your chosen financing plan.

Leasing customers receive a 25-year system warranty, including free replacement, repairs, and 24/7 monitoring. This warranty also includes added insurance covering panel theft and damage. These benefits fall under its Protection Plus coverage, an included feature for leasing customers. However, purchase customers must add this service package to get the same coverage. Sunrun states that the service package can be purchased in select markets but does not disclose the associated costs on its website.

We’ve seen better protection plans for cash and loan customers with other providers that don’t require additional costs.  Keep this in mind when considering purchasing a system with Sunrun.

Sunrun offers service in 20 states, including Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. The solar energy company services 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.

Find additional solar installers in your area using the tool below.

Here’s how Sunrun stacks up against other leading solar panel installers.

Several factors, such as system cost, energy usage, and incentive availability, affect whether solar is worth it for your home. Here’s what to consider when investing in a solar panel system. 

• Available solar incentives: Some states offer solar incentives and programs to help offer installation costs. The more incentives available, the better the savings. Incentives vary between states, with some areas offering their residents little to no financial savings. 
• Cost: Investing in clean energy requires a significant investment. You must consider up-front costs, financing options, and estimated solar payback period. This period represents the time it takes for your system to pay for itself, typically six to 10 years. Your payback could change based on your panel quality, system costs, and payment option. 
• Location: Areas with ample sunlight and cloudless days benefit most from solar panels. If you experience year-round inclement weather or cloudy condition, your panel efficiency drops, leading to less energy production and savings. . 
• Electricity use and rates: You’ll benefit most from solar in an area with high electricity rates or homes with higher energy needs. States with lower electricity rates or energy use receive limited benefits from solar conversion.  
• Roof design: Depending on your solar panel choice, you’ll need ample room for your panels. High-quality residential panels take up less space but cost more. Cheaper panels are less efficient, requiring more panels in your installation. A complicated design could impact your roof pitch and angle, especially your solar system. 

Solar Incentives and Rebates

Solar incentives, credits, and rebates help lower installation costs, making solar conversion more affordable. For example, with the federal solar tax credit, homeowners receive 30% off installation costs for rooftop panels, solar roofing, or standalone solar batteries. This credit applies to your owed federal taxes and could eliminate your tax liability. Homeowners that purchase their solar system qualify for this incentive.

Additional state-level credits and rebates help residents with system costs. Some areas offer sales and property tax credits to remove added taxation from your purchase. Net-metering programs offer bill credits for excess energy returned to the power grid. Local cities, municipalities, and utility companies offer supplementary incentives to promote solar energy conversion.

Use our state solar incentives guides below to find additional savings in your area.

Despite concerns over customer care and a lack of transparency on its website regarding payment options, Sunrun offers good options for homeowners uninterested in panel ownership. Its 25-year warranty offers long-term protection and maintenance for your solar system, ensuring years of excellent performance. However, the company falls short on protection for cash and loan customers.

We recommend comparing quotes from at least three solar providers for making a final decision. 

The This Old House Reviews Team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. After over a thousand hours of research on solar companies, interviews with experts, and common customer needs, we’ve created a detailed rating system for solar providers based on six factors:

• Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
• Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
• Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
• Financing options (15%)
• Experience (10%)
• Availability (10%)

Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.