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 methods, 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 supplies green-tech vitality options to shoppers by promoting, putting in, and financing solar energy merchandise akin to panels, batteries, monitoring software program, and mounting {hardware}.
Some extent of satisfaction for this photo voltaic large is the truth that they’re the one U.S.-based firm that’s been round longer than its 25-year guarantee.
Break up
In August 2020, SunPower Company made the choice to separate into two separate public firms:
- SunPower: Chargeable for supplying all solar-related companies to clients.
- Maxeon Photo voltaic: Chargeable for producing SunPower’s high-efficiency photo voltaic panels.
Maxeon Photo voltaic is predicated 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 site change has decreased manufacturing prices, the standard stays unchanged.
Because the cut up, Maxeon has supplied 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 elements has paid off for each the corporate and its shoppers.
Are you struggling to measurement 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 vitality methods 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 major 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 in search of to decrease their vitality 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 akin to your self to buy certainly one of its photo voltaic methods, 80% to 90% of its enterprise comes from “photo voltaic as a service.”
Primarily, 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 supplies day by day system monitoring, free upkeep, repairs, and complete insurance coverage all through this era. In change, it receives a gentle money circulate from a high-quality buyer with good credit score. Finally, this enables the corporate to qualify for tax (and different) advantages.
In the event you’re fascinated about Sunrun’s leasing choices, click on right here.
What’s in it for the house owner?
By getting into right into a lease settlement with Sunrun, you may purchase a photo voltaic system for little to no cash upfront. As a substitute, you pay a month-to-month charge. You lower your expenses when this charge is lower than the native utility’s electrical energy charges.
However bear in mind, Sunrun nonetheless sells photo voltaic methods. As such, you may 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 better 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 25-12 months Mark | 86% | 92% | 92% |
High quality-wise, SunPower stands confidently behind its merchandise. The corporate affords a complete 25-year guarantee overlaying its Efficiency Sequence 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 large has since determined to cease manufacturing photo voltaic merchandise. As a substitute, the corporate makes use of a number of gear suppliers.
Right here’s the problem — 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 offer 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. Nevertheless, the corporate supplies a 10-year workmanship guarantee towards harm to your roof or set up issues.
Which firm has superior vitality storage?
SunPower
SunPower affords its SunVault storage. This vitality storage resolution (ESS) is a seamless backup energy possibility throughout energy outages. Nevertheless, it’s additionally appropriate for normal use.
You’ll be able to simply combine these models into current SunPower photo voltaic methods. On the draw back, SunVault methods are incompatible with third-party photo voltaic gear.
Sunrun
Sunrun doesn’t manufacture its personal ESS resolution. As a substitute, it affords the Tesla Powerwall.
The Tesla Powerwall is a house battery system that shops vitality generated from photo voltaic panels or the grid. Furthermore, it might 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 may set up a number of models collectively to extend your complete storage capability.
However right here’s the perfect half — you may 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 vitality 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.
Taking a look at vitality storage, the winner isn’t 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 isn’t as excessive.
Nevertheless, the SunVault isn’t appropriate with third-party photo voltaic methods. 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?
Value of residential photo voltaic within the U.S.
To get a greater sense of the place every firm stands price-wise, it’s essential to know the value of residential photo voltaic.
As per the above graph from the NREL’s newest photo voltaic {industry} replace, the median gross value of residential photo voltaic in H1 2022 is $2.77 per watt.
SunPower
In response to 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 dearer $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
Word to our readers: the above values don’t contemplate system effectivity. Whereas we’d prefer to account for effectivity to offer you extra correct estimates, it merely isn’t potential 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 effectively 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 right down to your wants.
If you wish to buy a photo voltaic system outright, then SunPower is the go-to possibility. There’s a motive the corporate has develop into a juggernaut within the photo voltaic {industry} — its service and merchandise are effectively famend and of top of the range.
Nevertheless, when you don’t need to commit to buying a system and would like to lease one, Sunrun is a stable guess.
Sure, we all know that SunPower leases out their methods 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 motive. Positive, inherent bias does play a job, but it surely’d be foolish to disregard the worth of critiques solely.
With the above in thoughts, listed below 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 assist?
Whereas the article doesn’t particularly point out the customer support particulars of SunPower and Sunrun, typically, respected photo voltaic firms prioritize buyer assist, providing varied channels like telephone, e mail, and chat assist 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 supplied.
Can I combine Sunrun photo voltaic methods with third-party vitality storage options?
The article doesn’t specify, however sometimes, photo voltaic firms like Sunrun may enable integration with varied third-party vitality storage options, on condition that compatibility and technical specs are met.
It could be greatest to contact Sunrun straight for exact info on integrations.
How environmentally pleasant are the manufacturing processes of SunPower and Sunrun?
The article doesn’t present particular particulars on the environmental affect of the manufacturing processes of SunPower and Sunrun.
For correct and detailed info on the sustainability and environmental practices of each firms, it could be greatest to discuss with official studies or attain out to the businesses straight.
How do the set up processes of SunPower and Sunrun examine?
Specifics on the set up processes of SunPower and Sunrun usually are not lined within the article. Sometimes, the set up course of includes an preliminary evaluation, system design, allowing, set up, and remaining inspections.
Potential clients ought to contact every firm straight to grasp their respective set up processes, timelines, and any further companies supplied.
What financing choices can be found for SunPower photo voltaic methods moreover buying outright?
The article primarily discusses buying choices however doesn’t delve into particular particulars relating to SunPower’s different financing choices.
Typically, photo voltaic suppliers provide 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 supplied by Sunrun given the variability in photo voltaic panel producers?
The article doesn’t present particular particulars about efficiency ensures by Sunrun. Often, firms provide efficiency ensures to make sure that the photo voltaic methods function at a sure effectivity degree.
Potential clients ought to inquire straight with Sunrun to acquire exact info relating to efficiency ensures, particularly contemplating the variability in photo voltaic panel producers.
Last ideas
By now, we’re assured that you’ve a significantly better concept of every firm and what they entail. However bear in mind, further analysis can solely profit you. So earlier than you decide to something, you should definitely examine as a lot as potential.
In closing, we hope you’ve discovered this useful resource to be of use. Ought to you may have any additional questions or insights into this (or some other subject), we encourage you to observe us on Twitter or attain out to us within the feedback part beneath.
