SunPower vs. Sunrun —two giants on the forefront of the U.S. photo voltaic {industry}.
Each are recognized for his or her high quality photo voltaic panels, battery techniques, and different solar-related choices. However who’re they? Which firm has superior merchandise? And above all, which of those photo voltaic suppliers is best for you?
This text will assist familiarize you with every of the above firms by answering these questions and extra.
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SunPower Vs. Sunrun: Breakdown
SunPower vs. SunRun: SunPower overview
SunPower was first established in 1985 by Richard Swanson, {an electrical} engineering professor from Stanford, and has been headquartered in Silicon Valley ever since.
The corporate offers green-tech power options to shoppers by promoting, putting in, and financing solar energy merchandise resembling panels, batteries, monitoring software program, and mounting {hardware}.
A degree of delight for this photo voltaic big is the truth that they’re the one U.S.-based firm that’s been round longer than its 25-year guarantee.
Cut up
In August 2020, SunPower Company made the choice to separate into two separate public firms:
- SunPower: Accountable for supplying all solar-related companies to clients.
- Maxeon Photo voltaic: Accountable for producing SunPower’s high-efficiency photo voltaic panels.
Maxeon Photo voltaic relies in Singapore, with factories in France, Malaysia, Mexico, and the Philippines. The corporate strategically selected these places to assist them make the most of low-cost manufacturing processes all through Asia.
Now don’t let the thought of “low-cost manufacturing” put you off. Whereas the cut up and placement change has decreased manufacturing prices, the standard stays unchanged.
For the reason that cut up, Maxeon has offered SunPower with high quality merchandise such because the Maxeon 6 AC Photo voltaic Panel, which boasts an effectivity score of twenty-two.8%.
Briefly, the strategic resolution to divide the corporate into two components has paid off for each the corporate and its shoppers.
Are you struggling to dimension your photo voltaic system? Our in-house specialists have created a photo voltaic calculator to assist make issues simpler for you!
SunPower vs. Sunrun: Sunrun overview
Sunrun was first established in 2007 by founders Lynn Jurich, Nat Kreamer, and Ed Fenster.
The corporate engages within the design, improvement, set up, sale, possession, and upkeep of residential photo voltaic power techniques all through the U.S.
Sunrun affords these photo voltaic companies each on to its clients and thru its companions, together with set up, gross sales, and strategic companions (retail companions included).
Photo voltaic service pioneers
A big distinction between Sunrun and different photo voltaic firms (SunPower included) is its photo voltaic service mannequin. Proper from its inception, Sunrun pioneered this mannequin to create a low-cost resolution for patrons looking for to decrease their power payments.
“So, what is that this photo voltaic service mannequin?“
The core service providing comes within the type of Sunrun’s lease and energy buy agreements — the corporate refers to those agreements as “Buyer Agreements.”
How It Works
Whereas SunRun permits clients resembling your self to buy certainly one of its photo voltaic techniques, 80% to 90% of its enterprise comes from “photo voltaic as a service.”
Basically, you’ll enter into an settlement with Sunrun, which permits the corporate to lease out and set up a photo voltaic system on your house — sometimes over a 20 to 25-year interval.
Sunrun offers every day system monitoring, free upkeep, repairs, and complete insurance coverage all through this era. In alternate, it receives a gradual money stream from a high-quality buyer with good credit score. Finally, this permits the corporate to qualify for tax (and different) advantages.
For those who’re keen on Sunrun’s leasing choices, click on right here.
What’s in it for the house owner?
By coming into right into a lease settlement with Sunrun, you’ll be able to purchase a photo voltaic system for little to no cash upfront. As an alternative, you pay a month-to-month price. You lower your expenses when this price is lower than the native utility’s electrical energy charges.
However keep in mind, Sunrun nonetheless sells photo voltaic techniques. As such, you’ll be able to select from a number of versatile photo voltaic financing choices or pay outright.
Furthermore, you should buy a leased photo voltaic system after the contract interval is up.
SunPower vs. Sunrun: Which firm produces higher high quality?
As a potential photo voltaic panel proprietor, it’s solely pure so that you can gravitate towards an organization with superior photo voltaic panels. Let’s take a more in-depth have a look at what every firm has to supply.
Which firm has superior photo voltaic panels?
SunPower
Proper off the bat, SunPower has the benefit. You already know who produces its photo voltaic panels (Maxeon) and the place they’re manufactured.
Listed here are some examples of what SunPower has to supply:
| Specs | SPR-P6-395-BLK | SPR-P6-400-BLK | SPR-MAX3-410-BLK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wattage | 395W | 400W | 410W |
| Effectivity | 20.1% | 22.6% | 21.6% |
| Product and Energy Guarantee | 25 years | 40 years | 40 years |
| Assured Output % At 25-Yr Mark | 86% | 92% | 92% |
High quality-wise, SunPower stands confidently behind its merchandise. The corporate affords a complete 25-year guarantee protecting its Efficiency Collection choices. Moreover, it affords an industry-leading 40-year guarantee on its Maxeon panels.
Sunrun
Sunrun doesn’t manufacture its personal merchandise. Whereas the corporate did have a partnership with LG, the South Korean tech big has since determined to cease manufacturing photo voltaic merchandise. As an alternative, the corporate makes use of a number of tools suppliers.
Right here’s the difficulty — you gained’t know which panels you’ll be supplied with till you enter into the buying course of. With this in thoughts, it’s troublesome for us to give you a concrete reply as to the general high quality of its panels.
Lastly, as a result of Sunrun doesn’t manufacture its photo voltaic panels, those that buy its photo voltaic arrays should depend on producer warranties. Nonetheless, the corporate offers a 10-year workmanship guarantee in opposition to harm to your roof or set up issues.
Which firm has superior power storage?
SunPower
SunPower affords its SunVault storage. This power storage resolution (ESS) is a seamless backup energy choice throughout energy outages. Nonetheless, it’s additionally appropriate for normal use.
You possibly can simply combine these items into current SunPower photo voltaic techniques. On the draw back, SunVault techniques are incompatible with third-party photo voltaic tools.
Sunrun
Sunrun doesn’t manufacture its personal ESS resolution. As an alternative, it affords the Tesla Powerwall.
The Tesla Powerwall is a house battery system that shops power generated from photo voltaic panels or the grid. Furthermore, it may possibly present backup energy throughout energy outages.
The Powerwall is designed to be easy and simple to put in, whether or not on the bottom or wall-mounted. What’s extra, it’s scalable, so you’ll be able to set up a number of items collectively to extend your complete storage capability.
However right here’s the most effective half — you’ll be able to combine it into an current photo voltaic system or use it as a standalone backup energy supply.
Now let’s check out these firms’ respective power storage choices:
| Specs | Powerwall+ | SunVault |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capability | 13.5 kWh | 13 to 26 kWh |
| Steady energy score | 5.0 kW | 6.8 kW |
| Depth of Discharge (DoD) | 100% | 100% |
| Spherical-trip effectivity | 90% | 85% |
| Guarantee | 10 years (limitless cycles) | 10 years (limitless cycles) |
| Finish of guarantee capability | 70% | 70% |
What’s the decision?
Photo voltaic panel-wise, SunPower takes the cake. The corporate’s complete 25 and 40-year warranties and the truth that its panels are recognized entities make it an absolute no-brainer.
power storage, the winner is just not so clear. Sunrun affords the Tesla Powerwall, which edges out SunPower’s SunVault when it comes to round-trip effectivity, though its steady energy score is just not as excessive.
Nonetheless, the SunVault is just not suitable with third-party photo voltaic techniques. Subsequently, we give the benefit to Sunrun.
In want of some photo voltaic blueprints? Click on right here.
SunPower Vs. Sunrun: Which firm is cheaper?
Worth of residential photo voltaic within the U.S.
To get a greater sense of the place every firm stands price-wise, it’s necessary to know the worth of residential photo voltaic.
As per the above graph from the NREL’s newest photo voltaic {industry} replace, the median gross worth of residential photo voltaic in H1 2022 is $2.77 per watt.
SunPower
In accordance with the NREL, SunPower’s residential photo voltaic panels price round $3.92 per watt. Taking this determine into consideration, a 5kW photo voltaic panel system in the USA will price you round:
$3.92 per watt x 5,000 = $19,600
Supply: 2022 NREL white paper
Sunrun
Sunrun’s photo voltaic panels have a tendency to return in at a costlier $5.39 per watt. Subsequently, a 5kW photo voltaic panel system in the USA will price you round:
$5.39 per watt x 5,000 = $26,950
Be aware to our readers: the above values don’t take into account system effectivity. Whereas we’d wish to account for effectivity to offer you extra correct estimates, it merely isn’t doable resulting from Sunrun sourcing its merchandise from a number of third-party suppliers.
What’s the decision?
Each SunPower’s ($3.92) and Sunrun’s ($5.39) prices per watt are nicely over the $2.77 common.
However once more, it’s clear that the second spherical of the SunPower vs. Sunrun duel goes to SunPower, with the previous having a considerably cheaper cost-per-watt common.
Which Firm is Proper For You?
This a part of the SunPower vs. Sunrun debate comes all the way down to your wants.
If you wish to buy a photo voltaic system outright, then SunPower is the go-to choice. There’s a purpose the corporate has develop into a juggernaut within the photo voltaic {industry} — its service and merchandise are nicely famend and of top quality.
Nonetheless, in the event you don’t wish to commit to buying a system and would like to lease one, Sunrun is a stable wager.
Sure, we all know that SunPower leases out their techniques too, however Sunrun has been on the forefront of photo voltaic leasing agreements for a very long time. In any case, they did pioneer the mannequin.
Evaluations
Evaluations exist for a purpose. Positive, inherent bias does play a task, however it’d be foolish to disregard the worth of critiques completely.
With the above in thoughts, listed here are some hyperlinks to every firm’s critiques on Client Affairs and Finest Firm.
SunPower
Sunrun
Associated Studying: SunPower vs. Tesla (Which model do you have to select?)
FAQs
How do SunPower and Sunrun strategy customer support and help?
Whereas the article doesn’t particularly point out the customer support particulars of SunPower and Sunrun, usually, respected photo voltaic firms prioritize buyer help, providing varied channels like cellphone, e mail, and chat help to help with inquiries, points, or considerations.
Potential clients are suggested to learn critiques and maybe contact every firm on to gauge the extent of customer support offered.
Can I combine Sunrun photo voltaic techniques with third-party power storage options?
The article doesn’t specify, however sometimes, photo voltaic firms like Sunrun may enable integration with varied third-party power storage options, provided that compatibility and technical specs are met.
It could be greatest to contact Sunrun straight for exact data on integrations.
How environmentally pleasant are the manufacturing processes of SunPower and Sunrun?
The article doesn’t present particular particulars on the environmental influence of the manufacturing processes of SunPower and Sunrun.
For correct and detailed data on the sustainability and environmental practices of each firms, it might be greatest to consult with official stories or attain out to the businesses straight.
How do the set up processes of SunPower and Sunrun evaluate?
Specifics on the set up processes of SunPower and Sunrun aren’t lined within the article. Usually, the set up course of includes an preliminary evaluation, system design, allowing, set up, and ultimate inspections.
Potential clients ought to contact every firm straight to know their respective set up processes, timelines, and any further companies supplied.
What financing choices can be found for SunPower photo voltaic techniques apart from buying outright?
The article primarily discusses buying choices however doesn’t delve into particular particulars concerning SunPower’s different financing choices.
Typically, photo voltaic suppliers supply varied financing options together with leases, loans, and Energy Buy Agreements (PPAs). For detailed and customised financing choices, it is strongly recommended to seek the advice of with SunPower straight.
Are there any efficiency ensures offered by Sunrun given the variability in photo voltaic panel producers?
The article doesn’t present particular particulars about efficiency ensures by Sunrun. Normally, firms supply efficiency ensures to make sure that the photo voltaic techniques function at a sure effectivity stage.
Potential clients ought to inquire straight with Sunrun to acquire exact data concerning efficiency ensures, particularly contemplating the variability in photo voltaic panel producers.
Closing ideas
By now, we’re assured that you’ve a a lot better thought of every firm and what they entail. However keep in mind, further analysis can solely profit you. So earlier than you decide to something, remember to examine as a lot as doable.
In closing, we hope you’ve discovered this useful resource to be of use. Ought to you will have any additional questions or insights into this (or some other matter), we encourage you to comply with us on Twitter or attain out to us within the feedback part under.
