Sunrun Solar Review 2024

Sunrun, founded in 2007, is a good choice for homeowners looking for a major solar-panel installer with a long track record. The well-established company is the largest residential solar installer in the U.S. by market share, according to a 2023 analysis by research firm Wood Mackenzie^[0]

The company, which relies on in-house installation crews and a network of local contractors, does most of its business in solar leasing and power purchase agreements (PPAs). Over 80% of its 933,000 customers have leased or used PPAs rather than purchasing their systems (via cash or a loan), the company confirms. With a lease, you pay a monthly rate for the use of your system; with a PPA, you pay a monthly rate calculated by units of power generated.

Although leases or PPAs can be an appealing option because of minimal upfront costs and short-term savings, these arrangements cost much more in the long term. Sunrun wouldn’t answer questions about how it calculates the monthly rates.

Deciding factors

How much does Sunrun cost?

Sunrun doesn't provide pricing information for solar panels on its website. Prices for solar panels vary, but the cost of an average-size residential solar system is around $25,000 before any government tax incentives, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.

There are two ways to purchase a Sunrun solar panel installation:

1. Buy it with cash or a loan. Sunrun works with third-party lenders to arrange its solar loans, but it did not disclose the annual percentage rate (APR), loan term or origination fees on its website or when we asked. 

2. Use a lease or PPA. Leases and PPAs are typically 25-year contracts, but the company would not disclose how the payments are calculated. Sunrun increases the monthly payments via an escalator clause in these contracts; typically those escalators are 2.5% per year but range from 0% to 3.5%^[0]

   Sunrun. March 2024 investor presentation. Accessed May 7, 2024.

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» MORE: Check out our free solar loan calculator

How Sunrun works

Most consumers will want to start the solar process by understanding what they need to buy and how much it costs, which is why Sunrun’s online quote process is useful. You’ll need to provide contact information, however, which may mean more phone calls, texts and emails than you’d like.

The company would not disclose which brands of solar panels it installs, other than to say it partners with “several tier-1 solar panel providers.” Sunrun did tell us it installs Tesla, LG and SolarEdge batteries.

Roof types

Sunrun said it recommended these types of roofs for optimal solar panel performance and because typically they can support the weight of the panels and accommodate the installation procedures:

• Asphalt shingle.

• Metal.

• Clay tile.

• Rubber.

• Standing seam.

Sunrun has a 10-year roof-penetration warranty and says it inspects roofs with multiple layers of shingles to ensure they are strong enough to support solar panels before installation.

Installation

Sunrun says the installation process generally follows seven steps:

1. Site survey. A technician measures everything and confirms the plans.

2. Design review. The company updates the original plan based on the site survey.

3. Permitting. The company gets the appropriate permits from the city.

4. Installation. The company says the average installation takes one day and you need to be there during the installation.

5. City inspection. Someone from the city comes by to make sure everything was installed according to code. 

6. Utility connection. The local utility connects the system to the grid and installs a new meter if needed.

7. Power begins. The system begins operating. 

Themes from customer reviews

NerdWallet considered customer reviews from three review websites to get a wider perspective of customer experiences. We’ve highlighted the types of experiences that we’ve found to be most common, keeping in mind that online reviews tend to lean toward negative experiences.

SolarReviews.com 1.93 out of 5.

ConsumerAffairs: 4.3 out of 5.

Better Business Bureau: 3.69 out of 5.

Among negative reviews, customers highlighted systems not turning on as expected, lack of savings on existing electric bills, poor communication with customer service representatives and roof damage from installation. Customers who gave Sunrun high marks commented on timely installation.

Sunrun pros

Sunrun has several notable advantages over its competitors.

• Long track record. Sunrun has operated for 17 years, longer than many solar companies.

• Offers good warranty coverage. The company offers a 10-year workmanship warranty — not the longest available on the market, but still solid.

• Relatively widespread presence in the U.S. Most other competitors offer their services in fewer than 20 states, making Sunrun more likely to be an option for more consumers.

• Wider variety of ways to contact customer service. This ups the chances of getting issues resolved faster. 

Sunrun cons

Sunrun has several notable disadvantages compared to competitors.

• No transparency on loan terms. Without information about APR, loan term and origination fee, it’s hard for consumers to understand the true cost of their solar systems. 

• No transparency on repair time. Sunrun didn’t disclose on its site or to us how long consumers should expect to wait for a technician to arrive if they need repairs done. This can be a significant downside, particularly if the electricity is out or the roof is damaged.

• Mixed customer service scores. Sunrun’s scores ranged from a low of 1.93 out of 5 on SolarReviews.com to a high of 4.3 out of 5 on ConsumerAffairs.com. 

Alternatives to Sunrun