SunPower: Reviews, Services and Costs (2024) – Solar – MarketWatch
How SunPower Scored in Our Methodology
When we analyzed SunPower using our provider review methodology, the company scored 4.8 out of 5 stars. It scored particularly high in areas of industry experience, warranties and equipment quality.
SunPower State Availability
SunPower is one of the few solar companies that services all 50 U.S. states. While SunPower has its own trained and experienced installation crews, it also installs products through a network of certified dealers nationwide. As a result, homeowners can install a SunPower solar system in urban cities and most rural areas across the country.
SunPower Cost and Services Offered
SunPower offers premium solar equipment and services, but with premium components comes slightly higher pricing. Based on our survey of homeowners with solar power, the average cost of a SunPower solar system is between $3 and $4.50 per watt or about $24,000 to $36,000 for an average 8 kilowatt (kW) system. We outline the costs of SunPower’s systems based on common residential sizes in the chart below.
| System Size | Installation Cost |
| 5 kW | $15,000–$22,500 |
| 6 kW | $18,000–$27,000 |
| 7 kW | $21,000–$31,500 |
| 8 kW | $24,000–$36,000 |
Solar Panel Brands Offered
SunPower only installs solar panels manufactured by its subsidiary Maxeon. While this may limit your equipment options when going solar, Maxeon offers excellent solar panels with high efficiencies, aesthetic designs and strong warranties. Here is an overview of the available options:
| Panel Brand | Efficiency Rating | Relative Cost |
| Maxeon | 21.2%–23% | High |
Solar Battery Installation
SunPower only offers one battery option in its system installations – the SunVault storage battery, which it manufactures in-house. Although some customers may find this lack of options limiting, the SunVault is one of the best solar batteries on the market. A significant 30% of respondents in our 2023 survey installed the SunVault solar battery.
In terms of pricing, adding a solar battery to your solar panel system will increase the cost. Homeowners can expect to spend around $12,000 to $22,000 on a SunVault battery plus installation, based on our research. However, your price may vary depending on whether you install the battery with your system or add it retroactively.
| Solar Battery Model | Installation Cost |
| SunVault single unit | $16,000–$20,000 |
| SunVault double unit | $24,000–32,000 |
Additional Services
Although SunPower primarily offers solar panel and battery manufacturing and installation, it also provides a few other services. Here is a total list of the company’s services:
- Solar panel installation
- Solar battery installation
- Electric vehicle (EV) charger installation
- Solar panel and solar battery manufacturing
- System monitoring
- Mobile app
Payment Options
SunPower offers customers four payment options – a cash purchase, solar loan, solar lease or PPA. For solar loans, the installer has a financing program called SunPower Financing, which offers qualifying residential solar customers a 0% annual percentage rate (APR) for up to 25 years.
SunPower Warranties
Solar warranties offer customers protection against flawed system workmanship or products with manufacturing defects. SunPower has one of the strongest warranty structures in the industry, with a 25-year labor or workmanship warranty and panel warranties that extend 25 to 40 years depending on the model.
| Warranty Type | SunPower Length | Industry Average |
| Workmanship or service warranty | 25 years | 18 years |
| Product warranty | 25–40 years | 24 years |
| Performance warranty | 25 years | 24 years |
SunPower Installation Process
SunPower has a six-step installation process. However, customers installing a system through one of its dealers may have a slightly different experience.
- Assessment: Once you sign a purchase contract with SunPower, it will send a technician to survey your property. The visit usually takes two hours, during which the surveyor will take pictures of your roof, electrical panel and other essential elements for the design of your solar system.
- System design: During the initial consultation, SunPower’s design team prepares a digital design based on the site survey, satellite imagery of your property and your electricity bills. After this assessment, the design team reviews the digital design and site survey data and ensures no changes are required. According to SunPower, about 5% of homes need additional work before installing solar panels, such as roofing or electrical upgrades. Homeowners can hire SunPower for the additional work or choose to go with another contractor.
- Permitting: After finalizing your system design, SunPower will work with your local jurisdiction to obtain appropriate permits for the project. It will also apply for system interconnection and available net metering programs.
- Installation: After receiving the permits for your solar panels, SunPower will schedule an installation date at your convenience. The installation may take one to two days, and you will have to disconnect your power for a few hours until the wiring is complete.
- Final inspection: Your city office will conduct a final inspection of your installed system before SunPower can officially turn it on. A SunPower project manager will coordinate with the city office and the customer to schedule an inspection date.
- Commission: After the inspection, SunPower will apply with your utility company for your system’s Permission to Operate (PTO). Once the utility provides PTO, SunPower will switch your system on within the next 48 hours.
What Customers Think of SunPower
Based on our analysis of customer reviews across the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot, SunPower’s strong reputation in the solar industry is evidenced by many positive customer reviews. However, the company has seen a noticeable share of negative reviews in recent years. We reached out to SunPower for comment on the negative customer reviews included below but did not receive a response.
What Customers Like
To determine what customers like most about SunPower, we read dozens of customer reviews and noted themes across positive testimonials. Here are some of the top reasons why customers like SunPower:
- Smooth installation: Numerous SunPower customers point out the installer’s high quality of installation. Customers, including this reviewer, seem particularly satisfied with the company’s knowledgeable technicians and positive interactions.
- Transparent consultation: Several customer reviews, such as this one, mention the professionalism of SunPower’s sales experts, who answer questions and address concerns to help customers make informed decisions.
What Customers Don’t Like
We also analyzed negative reviews to try and determine what SunPower customers dislike about their experiences with the company. Based on our review, here are two common issues:
- Poor customer support: Many of SunPower’s negative reviews describe a slow customer service department. According to customers, it’s hard to reach a support representative when there’s a system issue, and resolution can take several weeks or months.
- Slow installation process: Some customers, including this reviewer, mention an incomplete installation process and having to wait weeks without the company finishing the job.
Compare SunPower to the Competition
To give you an idea of how SunPower compares to competitors, we analyzed the company versus Sunrun and Freedom Solar. Our comparison shows that SunPower has some advantages over its biggest competitors. However, it falls short in some areas, such as affordable pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions About SunPower
SunPower has extensive experience in the solar industry, several awards and a large network of installers nationwide. It also holds an A+ rating and accreditation with the BBB. Based on our analysis, SunPower is a reliable company.
SunPower’s Maxeon solar panels are more expensive than other brands. However, they offer higher efficiencies, high-quality design and stronger warranties than other options on the market. For these reasons, homeowners seeking highly efficient panels may find SunPower’s equipment worth the cost.
SunPower and Sunrun are both popular solar power companies in the U.S. The best company for you will depend on your solar needs and budget. For example, Sunrun offers better leasing and PPA options, while SunPower has more robust warranties on cash-purchased or loaned systems. While SunPower is more expensive than Sunrun, it installs high-quality panels that can help lower your electricity bills even further.
Yes, SunPower solar panels have the highest efficiency ratings on the market today, with an efficiency range of 20.1% to 30%. This means that your SunPower system will require fewer panels and less roof space to meet your energy needs.
Methodology: Our System for Ranking the Best Solar Companies
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