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Written by Caitlin Ritchie/
Edited by Jamie Cesanek /
Last updated 08/07/2023
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Sunrun is a home solar panel company providing a variety of services to power your home with green energy. The company offers personalized design and financing options to fit your budget and energy needs. Sunrun’s seven-step plan keeps the process simple, with solar experts available for guidance along the way. Sunrun is best for customers who do not qualify for financing but still want to install solar panels.
The reviews on this page are not based on personal or hands-on testing because it isn’t possible for our team to test the purchasing and installation process for every installer on the market. Instead, we base our reviews on thorough research, interviews, and unbiased facts about solar installers. The standardized criteria for these reviews include the installer’s BBB rating, number of serviceable states, years of experience, financing options, and the services provided.
You can significantly lower your energy costs by investing in solar panels. Enter some basic information below and we’ll provide an instant, free estimate of solar cost and savings for your home.
After providing an initial design and quote, Sunrun has a seven-step process to install solar panels on your home.
Sunrun uses monocrystalline photovoltaic (PV) solar panels to collect solar energy. The panels are made of single-crystal silicon with high efficiency and power storage capacity. The black square-shaped panels provide a sleek look to your home and may increase the value of your home in the future.
Sunrun Brightbox is a battery storage system provided by Sunrun. Solar batteries can store excess energy generated from your solar system to use when the sun is less available, such as at night or during the winter. Some solar batteries are also able to provide electricity during power outages and keepappliances running. In addition to the Sunrun Brightbox, Sunrun offers two other battery options: the Tesla Powerwall and LG Chem.
Solar batteries are not required unless you want a completely off-grid system. Grid-connected systems can benefit from an agreement with your utility company called net metering, where you receive energy credits for sending excess generated energy back to the grid. Net metering benefits vary by state and utility. Consumers that don’t earn savings with net metering may want to consider a battery to optimize solar use.
Sunrun’s solar panel warranties last 10 to 25 years, depending on the manufacturer. The panel warranty covers the cost of replacing solar panels with defects or other issues within the specified time frame. The Tesla Powerwall and LG Chem solar batteries have a 10-year manufacturer warranty.
Solar panel energy production declines over time. Sunrun includes a performance warranty guaranteeing the panel production should not decrease by more than 10% to 20% in the first 25 years, or Sunrun will replace all affected panels. Depending on your purchase plan, your solar warranty may include Sunrun’s Protection Plus, a daily monitoring service to ensure your system is working correctly.
| Year founded | 2007 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | San Francisco, CA |
| Service types | Solar panels, batteries, EV chargers, and system monitoring |
| Types of panels sold | Monocrystalline photovoltaic panels |
| Battery options | Sunrun Brightbox, Tesla Powerwall, and LG Chem |
Sunrun offers a free quote to potential customers, giving an accurate price based on your home’s energy needs. Solar panel costs vary by location, panel type, and energy usage. Based on data from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the average cost of a solar system in the U.S. is $31,558. There are many ways to reduce the cost of solar systems through federal and state incentives. For example, the Residential Clean Energy Credit offers solar system buyers a 30% tax credit on systems purchased through 2032.
If you’re interested in learning more about the cost of solar panels, fill out our form on this page for a free and instant solar cost estimate. You can also call the number on your screen to receive details about how SaveOnEnergy can help you go solar.
Sunrun has four financing plans, including a monthly lease, a full lease, a full purchase, and a monthly loan. Solar leases mean you have solar panels on your home, but the solar company owns them; you pay a fixed rate each month for electricity generated by the panels. If you lease your solar panel system, you won’t qualify for the Residential Clean Energy Credit or other solar incentives.
The full purchase option from Sunrun means you pay the solar system’s total cost upfront and own your system. Solar loans mean you own the system with no upfront costs and pay a monthly payment to your loan provider.
If you’re interested in a national installer with over 15 years of experience, Sunrun may be an excellent option for you. The company offers a variety of products and warranties, with a focus on solar leases. By the end of 2022, the company reported owning 61% of the subscription-style market share, about four times more than its competitor.
We recommend doing your research on multiple solar companies by reading customer reviews and receiving price quotes before making a final decision. Customers living outside Sunrun’s service areas must choose a different installer. SunPower and Lumio are other national installers to consider.
Sunrun was founded in 2007 and has been in business for 15 years.
Find Sunrun in Puerto Rico and 22 U.S. states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. If Sunrun does not operate in your area, consider other top solar panel companies.
Yes. Sunrun handles solar permitting and approvals to make sure the process is smooth for customers. Incorrect permitting could result in delays and fines.
Yes, solar panels are worth it if your roof is in good condition and you want to power your home with green energy. Multiple financing options and incentives are available to make solar energy more affordable.
Solar is a renewable energy source, meaning it comes from a natural resource and will be around for billions of years. Solar systems use the sun’s rays, resulting in fewer carbon emissions.