SunPower is the best choice for a solar company if you want the most optimized and high-performance solar panel system possible. SunPower has a close relationship with Maxeon, which used to be SunPower’s sister company but now operates independently. This relationship allows SunPower to provide some of the most efficient solar panels on the market.
However, this results in the company featuring higher average pricing than other top solar companies. SunPower might only be worth the cost if you prioritize getting the best performance out of your solar panel system.
We’re here to help you determine whether SunPower’s high pricing is the best option for your solar journey. We’ve interviewed solar industry experts, analyzed hundreds of customer reviews and dissected SunPower’s product specifications and warranties.
Our thoughts on SunPower
SunPower is expensive, but we find its product selection matches the price. The company earned an impressive 4.6 out of 5 stars using our scoring methodology because of its massive online support network and robust warranty coverage. Its in-house financing also helped it beat other companies, such as Palmetto Solar and Sunrun.
The company is one of the largest solar installation companies in the country, as it services all 50 states in some capacity, but a larger solar provider comes with various perks and downsides. Like other large solar companies, such as Tesla, the customer service experience may vary, but the quality of technology and support is extensive.
What we like
SunPower is known for its exceptional solar panels through Maxeon. It also manufactures and offers its own solar backup battery, SunVault. This lithium-ion battery can store energy from solar panels, providing you with energy resilience and backup power. The in-house manufacturing and integration of these components also made us recognize SunPower as the best solar company for efficiency, which means you can rely on fewer parts and brands to piece together a high-efficiency system.
We love that the company provides a smartphone application to monitor and control your system from anywhere at any time, furthering your ability to make the most out of your system’s performance. Also, SunPower’s expansive network of offices and certified dealers and installers helps make access to any of its products easier, though availability varies by ZIP code.
What we don’t like
As with any service where you deal with a large corporation, there are some downsides to customer service. Our research showed that some SunPower locations feature better customer review scores than others. This means it’s the luck of the draw whether your SunPower location has a better reputation.
We don’t like that the company features some of the highest pricing than other solar installers and that it will only agree to provide installation services for its own products. You can receive similar products and services from other, smaller companies, but SunPower does edge out many solar companies regarding efficient ratings and high-end technology.
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Two of the biggest reasons SunPower outscored other solar installers are its comprehensive warranty options and flexible financing. SunPower is an excellent choice if you want financial security and plan to treat your solar panels as an investment.
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| Provider | Our Rating | Manufacturer’s Warranty | Workmanship Warranty | Get Started |
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SunPower services
SunPower offers custom solar power systems designed for optimal performance by eliminating the need for third-party components. The SunPower Equinox System is a minimalist design that uses fewer panels than standard solar systems. This makes it ideal if your home has limited roof space or if you prefer to use the minimum number of solar panels possible.
According to Will White, solar application specialist at the Fluke Corporation, this option yields better performance results. He shared that “the main situation where module efficiency should be considered is when installation space is limited.” He also mentioned considering the energy generated per year in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Access to direct sunlight, shading, dust, debris and roof orientation all impact how much energy modules can capture and their efficiency in producing electricity.
SunPower’s panels help cut back roof space in general because some of Maxeon’s panels reach as high as 30% efficiency. The company also focuses on installing microinverters, which convert solar energy into usable electricity at each panel. These specifications mean you can use less space and create a more sightly, seamless solar energy system with SunPower rather than a large, unsightly mounting system getting in the way of your home’s style.
SunPower provides solar panel installation and backup battery and electric vehicle (EV) charger installation. The company’s app, mySunPower, allows you to monitor the performance of your system.
Solar battery installation
SunPower provides full-service installation of its SunVault solar batteries, offering you an integrated and worry-free experience. A team of SunPower experts manages the entire installation, including permitting, engineering analysis to optimize system design, certified-electrician installation of batteries, integration with existing solar panels, post-installation testing and inspection.
SunPower handles all logistics and provides you a single point of contact to streamline the process. The company’s focus on safety and quality guarantees your Sunvault system is installed professionally to the highest standard. With SunPower’s installation services, you can rest assured that the SunVault solar battery is set up correctly for seamless operation and long-term reliability.
Overall, the SunVault battery allows you to capitalize even more on your solar investment and streamline any maintenance or required repairs.
EV charger installation
SunPower has partnered with Wallbox to provide a comprehensive EV charger installation service. SunPower provides an expert team to take care of every aspect of the installation process, from permitting and site evaluation to determine the best placement to having certified electricians install and wire the Wallbox.
The installers also integrate your electrical system and any existing solar panels, configure the Wi-Fi connectivity and smartphone app control, and perform post-installation inspection and testing. One thing we like about Wallbox is that it provides a simple, small and clean appearance for an EV charging station, so you don’t have to forfeit a lot of space in your garage or home.
Mobile app active monitoring
The mySunPower app provides real-time data and control for SunPower equipment. It lets you monitor energy usage, battery level, and system production and consumption. You can track savings and environmental impact, manage battery charging and discharging, adjust EV charger settings, receive notifications and more. With its intuitive interface and detailed analytics, the app offers valuable insights into the performance of SunPower systems. The app also includes weather updates and remaining battery charges.
Active monitoring is becoming a standard for solar panel ownership and can also become a quality marker. JD Dillon, chief marketing officer at Tigo Energy, shared how useful active monitoring is for homeowners who want to get the most out of their system and solar company.
Dillon explained, “With remote monitoring, installers receive automated alerts if some part of a solar system is not performing as expected. For example, if your solar output is lower than it should be, installers can catch the issue quickly, analyze and diagnose the situation remotely, and schedule a service call before the homeowner even knows the issue is there.”
He emphasized that software and active monitoring systems are critical to ensuring solar panel installations’ safety, performance and efficiency. Because SunPower provides its own first-party active monitoring app, you can take full advantage of what active monitoring offers.
SunPower’s installation process
SunPower offers both digital and in-home consultations to kick-start your solar journey. We recommend you obtain an in-home estimate as it provides more accurate pricing and a better opportunity to ask questions or express concerns.
After your consultation, SunPower uses various in-house teams to handle your system’s design, manufacturing, financing and permitting. Here’s a breakdown of SunPower’s typical installation process:
- Online preview: With SunPower Design Studio, you can easily design your own solar energy system online to visualize how it would look on your home’s roof. You can use any device, including your phone, tablet or desktop, to input your information and follow the simple prompts to make informed decisions about your solar energy system.
- Consultation: After you contact the company, a SunPower representative will arrange a free virtual or in-person consultation at your home. You can ask any questions and learn about the system’s design. If your home is approved, the company will provide a proposal that covers the design of your system, an estimated price and how it will fulfill your energy goals.
- Permitting and design: After you sign up, the company will create a custom solar panel system for you and handle all necessary paperwork. This includes obtaining permits and approvals required by your local municipality and utility company. Depending on your county’s regulations, this process may take a few weeks.
- Installation: To schedule an installation day for your solar system, you collaborate with SunPower and its network of certified partners who work as Master Dealers to execute installations. These dealers have undergone a highly selective, invite-only process to ensure they’re among the most qualified solar technicians. Typically, SunPower’s installations take less than a day. More intricate systems may take longer.
- Final inspection: Your city and utility company must conduct a final inspection to give you Permission to Operate (PTO) for your solar panel system. SunPower schedules these inspections for you. Once the assessments are complete and everything is cleared, the company will notify you that you can turn your system on.
Warranties
SunPower offers its own Complete Confidence Warranty, a comprehensive warranty covering your entire system for 25 years. The warranty covers defects, workmanship and performance of the system. SunPower guarantees a minimum output of 92% throughout the warranty period, and if the panels’ performance drops below this level, SunPower will work to fix the issue for free.
Additionally, SunPower provides a 10-year warranty for its SunVault battery storage system and monitoring software, which are included in the comprehensive warranty. This warranty applies to any payment method you choose with SunPower.
We like that SunPower doesn’t lock its more comprehensive warranty coverage behind different payment methods, so no matter what approach you take with the company, you’ll receive peace of mind when it comes to fighting any defects from installation or manufacturing.
Pricing and quotes
We surveyed more than 167 SunPower customers in October 2023 and discovered that they paid an average of $11,267 for a SunPower system. We also found that the company featured higher maximum prices than other brands we surveyed, with some homeowners paying well above $30,000 for their system. Compared to recent reports from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory that show the average cost for a 6-kilowatt system as $18,960, SunPower offers decent pricing depending on your project.
If you choose to purchase or take a loan with SunPower, you can benefit from the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC), which can help you save more. The ITC is an incentive the U.S. government’s Department of Energy and IRS provides for solar energy systems. It allows solar system owners to deduct a percentage of the qualified solar expenses from their federal income taxes. The ITC currently covers 26% of the system’s cost for installations.
SunPower provides access to all the major payment methods and has an in-house financing department named SunPower Financial. This benefit means you can get competitive interest rate loans as low as zero percent for 10-year loans with no prepayment penalty. Many eligible customers can receive zero money down options.
Here’s a breakdown of all of SunPower’s financing options:
- Full purchase: The most cost-effective option is to pay the total price of your solar system upfront. An upfront cash payment allows for the quickest possible payback period when your solar panels start paying for themselves. You also receive access to any solar tax incentives. Though you spend a lot initially, a full purchase helps you save more in the long run.
- Solar loan: As mentioned above, SunPower uses its in-house financing department to offer competitive solar loans. This option is still excellent for those wanting the most financial benefit from their solar panel system; you remain the system owner, qualifying you for tax incentives. You can also avoid paying a lot upfront, but you’ll have to pay more over time due to interest rates.
- Solar lease: Leasing is ideal if you’re interested in using solar energy but don’t want to own the system or deal with incentives. With SunPower, you can initiate a lease agreement with a monthly fixed payment and no deposit.
- Power purchase agreement (PPA): A PPA is similar to a solar lease agreement, but rather than a fixed monthly rate, you pay a fixed rate per kWh of energy consumed from the solar panels. This agreement means you only pay for the energy you use.
Customer thoughts
The SunPower headquarter’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile features an A+ rating and accreditation from the site. It also features a high customer review score of 3.98 out of 5 stars. However, as we mentioned earlier, if you visit multiple SunPower locations, some will have lower scores than others, as well as this headquarters page. Positive reviews mention excellent system performance and quality installation builds.
The problems seem to arise with SunPower’s warranty fulfillment and general customer support. Many reviews, such as Anthony C’s on the BBB, mention long wait times on the phone and difficulty reaching anyone in management.
Many of the more recent reviews for SunPower are negative, but the company responds to 90% of the reviews on the site, showcasing a willingness to work with each customer. Compared to other companies we reviewed, this is a high response rate. As with other large companies, automated calls and long wait times are a central issue you might encounter with SunPower.
Final take: SunPower designs some of the most efficient systems, but its customer service is lacking
SunPower boasts panels with up to 30% efficiency, which is the highest residential solar panel efficiency we’ve encountered in our research. The company designs state-of-the-art solar energy systems with high-quality solar batteries and inverters. It then pairs it all with its active monitoring application, allowing you to transform your SunPower system into a fully integrated smart home system.
However, all the company’s tech comes at a steep price point. The company also seems to struggle with fulfilling warranty claims promptly and puts customers through long, automated wait times on the phone. If these issues don’t bother you, SunPower can be an excellent solar installation company to receive a custom, in-house, high-quality solar panel system.
We recommend you get at least three quotes from the solar installation companies you’re considering. This approach lets you compare pricing and product selection for your home.
Our rating methodology for solar companies
We rate and compare solar installers using our in-depth methodology. Installers are scored out of 100, and we then divide the final score by 20 to get the 5-star rating we include in our reviews.
We evaluate solar installers on a variety of key factors, including their customer service, breadth of services, consultation process, website experience, panel quality, payment options, financing availability and warranty coverage.
BBB information is current as of May 2024.
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Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
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