Sunpower Solar is a solar energy contractor with more than 30 years in the industry. Before some of the more commonly recognized solar power companies even knew about solar power, Sunpower was getting a head start in the solar industry. Sunpower acquired Blue Raven Solar, and they are all owned under the ADT branch. Therefore homeowners investing in Sunpower Solar get some really impressive benefits.
Sunpower Solar is headquartered in San Jose, California, and it has thousands of employees across the United States. The Sunpower system is a bit different than others on the market as it focuses more on high-quality efficiency ratings than simply producing energy.
Our Sunpower Solar review will show you what makes this company stand out from others on the market, why you should consider Sunpower solar panels, and how much you can expect to pay.
4.4
Installs high-quality Maxeon panels
Outstanding customer support
Best-in-class warranty lasts 40 years
3.7
Affordable prices
Excellent selection of panels and services
Locations in 22 states
4.3
No payments needed for 18 months
Provides in-house financing
Offers top brands like LG and Trina
3.9
Highly rated customer service
Provides 24/7 panel monitoring
Solid A+ rating with the BBB
The Best Solar Companies of 2024
Sunpower is our top pick for solar panel installations, but it’s just one of many popular companies in the solar industry. The list below shows other industry leaders and their unique superlatives:
How Does Blue Raven Compare to Other Solar Installers?
| Company | Logo | Star Rating | Best For | Service Area | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Highest Quality Panels |
All 50 states |
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Best Damage Protection |
20 states |
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Best Solar Financing |
22 states |
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Best Customer Service |
9 states |
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 |
Best Customization Options |
9 states |
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 |
Fastest-Growing Solar Provider |
7 states |
| Company | Star Rating | Best For | Service Area | BBB Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Highest Quality Panels |
All 50 states |
A+ |
||
Best Damage Protection |
20 states |
A+ |
||
Best Solar Financing |
22 states |
A+ |
||
Best Customer Service |
9 states |
A+ |
||
Best Customization Options |
9 states |
A+ |
||
Fastest-Growing Solar Provider |
7 states |
F |
Our Sunpower Solar Review
Sunpower Solar got a 4.4/5 rating when we did our evaluation of the best solar technologies on the market. One of the things that helped Sunpower stand out from other options is the fact that it is available in all 50 states. Average solar system providers have availability in about 20 or 30 states. However, from California to New York and everywhere in between, you can invest in Sunpower solar systems.
Another great benefit here is that you will have a choice as to which of the monocrystalline panels is going to be the best choice for your home. Not all high-efficiency solar panels are created the same, and the power output can change from one to the next.
Homeowners will also have the opportunity to preview what the Sunpower solar panels will look like on the roof, and this can help make HOA approval as well as system design considerably easier. With a strong 25-year warranty and a long history in the industry, this is a solar panel that you will be satisfied with, even if it does have a higher upfront cost.
Sunpower Solar Pros & Cons
The tabs below provide a high-level overview of Sunpower’s benefits and drawbacks. Keep these points in mind as you navigate the rest of the review.
What Is Sunpower’s Nationwide Availability?
There are currently fifty states with Sunpower Solar locations. This is a tremendous advantage over other solar companies as most are only offered in about ten to twenty states. For those areas of the country that have had a hard time finding access to solar, Sunpower is a solution.
How Does Sunpower Compare To Its Competitors?
Comparing a company to other popular industry figures can help you determine whether it’s your best option. The table below shows how Sunpower stacks up to some of the best solar companies in the nation:
Company | Our Rating | Superlative | Availability | Panels |
 | Highest Quality Panels | All 50 states | SunPower Panels, made with Maxeon Solar Cells. | |
 | Best Financing Options | 22 states | Numerous brands, including Trina and Canadian Solar | |
 | Best Customer Service | 11 states | Numerous tier-one brands, monocrystalline only | |
 | Most Widely Available | All 50 states | Qcells | |
 | Best Customization Options | 9 states | Qcells | |
 | Best Protection Against Damage | 19 states | LG and LONGi | |
 | Best Product Selection | 10 states | Numerous brands including Panasonic, LONGi, &LG. |
Solar Services & Cost
The exact costs of your solar system will need to be determined by a project manager from Sunpower Solar. The company does a great job in the sales process as they will allow you to see the best solar panels for your home and energy needs while also letting you preview what that will look like.
Sunpower Solar is known as one of the more expensive solar systems on the market. This is partly because their efficient solar panels and modules are known to create a large amount of power. Sunpower customers can choose which types of solar panel they want, and it will impact the cost considerably.
The options include:
- M Series: The M Series is the highest in efficiency and price, and it is available in the 440 -420 watt range.
- A Series: The A Series is a very popular choice that produces up to 415 watts and is used in the residential setting.
- X Series: The X Series does not require quite as many panels but can still deliver the output you need from its efficient solar cells.
- E Series: The E Series is more of a value based solar panel that works well for those on a budget.
- U Series: The U Series was created for use with the SunPower Equinox® systems; this is also combined with a solar storage system to keep you prepared during a power outage.
In addition to the main solar services and costs, the Sunpower solar power system can also include the SunVault Storage for extra energy storage as well as a charger for an electric vehicle. Sunpower works with its own products and will have product options similar to the Tesla Powerwall battery but not from any other brands.
How Much Does Sunpower Solar Cost?
Sunpower Solar will typically cost between $15,000 and $40,000; the pricing for the system largely depends on where you are located, how much electricity your system needs to produce, and what type of solar panel you choose.
One of the things that can help with the total costs of your Sunpower system is the types of solar panels you choose and the roof space you have. Sometimes conventional panels are a bit finicky about where they can be placed and how they will function. The great thing about Sunpower is that they can be installed in a smaller space than conventional panels, and they still have a strong performance warranty in place.
Sunpower will help you with your incentive, loan, and savings options to help you keep the total costs of your solar energy system down. Still, they are certainly not the most inexpensive solar panel provider on the market.
Related: SunPower vs Tesla Solar Review
What Is Sunpower’s Solar Panel Warranty?
SunPower solar tries to offer fewer panels with the highest efficiency. From a product warranty standpoint, this is a positive. Sunpower offers their complete confidence warranty that ensures your solar panels are functioning for 25 years. The way to check on the functionality of these solar panels will be to use the mobile app with the monitoring system.
If you notice that the solar battery starts to fail or there is a problem with producing the wattage you need, the company will see what they can do from a warranty standpoint. Keep in mind, as we were reading these Sunpower reviews, that there were very few complaints about the ability of the panels to produce electricity.
One of the negatives of the renewable energy movement is that it is still a bit expensive for homeowners. Taking advantage of Sunpower’s warranty can help you feel more confident about the purchase you are making.
Does Sunpower Offer Financing Plans?
When paying for a home solar system, you can either pay in full or finance the solar panel systems and the installation costs. There are three options with Sunpower when it comes to financing and affordability of their panels. Remember that aside from being solar panel manufacturer, SunPower also is an installation company.
The full purchase typically allows you to pay for your entire solar panel purchase upfront, and then you will get the full benefits of the savings involved with moving to solar energy. The full purchase requires a large out-of-pocket investment, but it does help that the current Federal tax rebate is still in place, offering a 26% savings.
The loan or financing option is the most popular option among most solar installers. With this plan, you will be able to put down a portion of the total cost of the solar system and then finance the rest. The great thing about this option is that you will likely have the extra money in your pocket due to lower energy costs, and the money can be used to pay down the loan.
The solar lease is when you don’t own the solar panels, and they are actually owned by Sunpower. With the solar lease, you will pay Sunpower for your electricity which will be purchased at a much lower rate than you are currently paying. The only downside here is that you don’t own the panels. Check out our analysis of leasing versus purchasing solar panels.
What are Sunpower’s Specials and Incentives?
Although there are no specific specials or incentives being offered at the moment, here are a few of the things that Sunpower advertises as being a reason to go with their panels when you make your decision.
If your credit score is good and you have a strong history of paying bills, you may qualify for a solar panel system with $0 down. In addition, Sunpower will work out a rate for you on a monthly loan within a range you can afford. This will all depend on availability in your area as well as your financial history.
Having the solar lease option and several different solar panels to choose from will help you fine-tune this system to be something you can afford. Sustainability and moving off the grid are all important, but you must also be able to afford the lifestyle.
Sunpower will help you with understand which credits and incentives are best for your home. The federal tax credit is known as the best overall option for homeowners as there is a 26% savings right now on the total amount of money that you will owe on your system. The 26% will come back to you as a tax rebate, but this program is set to end in 2024.
In addition to the federal solar incentives, there are also local options for saving money. The fact that Sunpower is offered in 50 states can be very beneficial to those that are in solar-friendly states (see states ranking based on solar friendliness). If your area is known for making a push towards green energy production, you can see additional state or local-level incentives.
Does Sunpower Provider In-House or Contracted Installations?
Currently, Sunpower Solar has access to install solar panel systems in 50 states. When you contact Sunpower, they will give you a free quote and explain the way that their system works. The process will allow for the designing of your system, permitting, and finally, Sunpower installation. Sunpower works with homeowners throughout the entire process and ensures that there are no issues between the sales cycle and the installation process.
What Solar Panels Does Sunpower Solar Use?
Sunpower Solar has now started producing its own solar panels. This is a positive for many homeowners that are worried about keeping the entire process with one company. Sunpower used Maxeon solar technology to make much more efficient solar panels and offer better value for homeowners long term.
One of the reasons that Sunpower is a bit more expensive than other manufacturers is that they choose a solar panel that is very high-end and expect it to do all of the work for you.
Partnerships
Sunpower Solar can manage most of its business and solar solutions without the help of other companies. As we mentioned, this is a very large company. However, they do partner with AAA. Some areas of the country will allow for an additional AAA discount that can help you earn a $1000 Visa rewards credit when you go with a full solar panel system from Sunpower.
Sunpower Solar Reviews From Actual Customers
Reading reviews from actual customers will help you get a better feel for what Sunpower has to offer and whether or not it is a good company for you to invest in. The reviews from Sunpower solar are overwhelmingly positive, and that can certainly help with the fact that the pricing from the company is a little higher than others on the market. Here are a few of the more helpful reviews on the Sunpower solar system.
Bottom Line: Is Sunpower Solar a Good Company?
Sunpower Solar may be one of the most effective solar power companies in the industry. Homeowners enjoy seeing what their solar panel system will look like and how it will impact their electric bill. With Sunpower Solar, all of this is possible before you even invest in the system. Sunpower is also one of the only providers to offer service across the entire United States. The quality of these solar panels, combined with the history in the industry, makes Sunpower Solar a smart choice for many homeowners looking to go green this year.
If you would like to learn more about solar panel pricing, check out our solar panels cost analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sunpower Solar
How long has Sunpower Solar been in business?
Sunpower Solar has been in business since 1992. The business has changed several times since then, and there are new owners, but the BBB rating is still sitting at an A+, showing the power that this company has.
Where is the Sunpower Solar headquarters?
Sunpower Solar is located in San Jose, CA, but they offer their services in all 50 states.
What inverter does Sunpower Solar use?
Sunpower Solar use microinverters; this is what helps to make their new systems so efficient.
Who owns Sunpower Solar?
Sunpower Solar is a division of ADT; they also own Blue Raven Solar. This is a very large solar power company with an extensive reach across the United States.
Is Sunpower Solar Worth It?
Sunpower Solar is worth it because of its fair pricing, impressive customer service, and really high-quality solar panels. Some homeowners forget the importance of solar panel efficiency, but it is an important factor, and Sunpower Solar does it well. Customers were very happy with the service, workmanship, and professionalism of the Sunpower Solar employees. In addition, energy independence and a decrease in total energy bills have left people pleased they chose Sunpower.
Will Sunpower Solar design my solar panel system?
Sunpower Solar is a full-service energy efficiency company that will help you design a plan for your solar panel installation and even produce the panels you need to get the system to work. One thing about the Sunpower Solar grids is that they try to use fewer panels that are more efficient to give your home a more streamlined look.
Today's Homeowner’s Solar Ranking and Review Methodology
At Today's Homeowner, transparency and trust are our most important values for the reader. That’s why we took the time to create an objective rating system and score each solar energy company/service according to our methodology.
Our research team dug deep into the fine print of contracts, combed through more than one hundred customer reviews, and thoroughly investigated all of each solar energy company’s services, costs, and products. We’ve done the homework for you by researching nearly all of the solar energy companies on the market so you can have the information you need to make the best choice for your home.
We developed a formula to objectively determine the most favorable solar energy companies and give each a score out of 100 based on the following criteria:
- Plan Options (30): Do they provide a variety of plan options? We looked at the number of plans each solar energy company offered and the flexibility of adjusting the plan.
- Services offered (20): How many services are offered in each plan? We looked at whether the company manufactures its own solar panels, whether it contracts out installation, and what additional products each company offers.
- Trust (10): What do customers say after their solar panels are installed? Does this company offer a guarantee? We considered how satisfied customers are post-service if the company does what it says it will, BBB accreditation, and service guarantees.
- Prices (10): How reasonable are the costs of the plan or service in comparison to the industry average? We compared the costs of each company to competitors that offer the same solar energy services.
- Unique perks (10): Does the company offer discounts or special services such as financial incentives, rebates, or a useful mobile app? We looked for extras each company offers that set them apart from the competition.
- Customer Service (10): How is the customer experience when contacting the company? We considered the speed of response, weekend/holiday availability, and ease of communication through phone calls, email, and online chat functions.
- Nationwide availability (10): How many states does the company offer its services? Companies that operate nationally and in all zip codes are favored over those with limited availability.
