Sunrun Inc. is a residential solar energy company established in 2007 that pioneered power purchase agreements and lease models, eliminating upfront installation costs for homeowners. The company operates as America’s largest residential solar and battery storage provider, serving over 1 million customers across 22 states with 5.7 gigawatts of installed capacity. Strategic partnerships with Costco and Lowe’s amplify market reach while BrightPath satellite technology optimizes system design for individual properties.
Sunrun customer satisfaction varies significantly, with ratings ranging from 2.0 to 4.2 out of 5 stars across major review platforms. Sales teams earn praise for professionalism and communication, while installation processes complete in single days with comprehensive logistics management. Common complaints include promised savings failing to materialize, high-pressure sales tactics, installation quality issues, and poor post-installation support. The company holds BBB A+ accreditation despite mixed trust levels and a historical 40 percent contract cancellation rate that drew SEC scrutiny in 2017.
Sunrun offers distinct solar plans including monthly subscription leases, power purchase agreements with per-kilowatt pricing, and ownership options through BrightBuy purchases or BrightAdvantage financing. Battery storage integration through Tesla Powerwall 3 provides whole-home backup power and virtual power plant participation. Moving with a Sunrun system complicates home sales because buyers must qualify for 20-25 year lease contracts, while early termination involves substantial fees. This review examines whether Sunrun’s zero-down financing justifies long-term costs compared to outright solar panel ownership.
What Is Sunrun?
Sunrun Inc. is a residential solar energy company established in 2007 by Lynn Jurich, Ed Fenster, and Nat Kreamer that pioneered innovative financing models for homeowners. The company revolutionized solar adoption through power purchase agreements (PPA) and lease models. Under these structures, homeowners pay for electricity generated by solar panels rather than purchasing the panels outright. This approach eliminates upfront installation costs, making solar accessible to broader demographics.
Sunrun operates as America’s largest residential solar and battery storage provider, serving over 1 million customers across 22 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. The company achieved 5.7 gigawatts of total installed capacity by 2023. This market dominance reflects the company’s successful scaling of distributed solar energy infrastructure across North America.
Strategic partnerships expand Sunrun’s distribution reach and market visibility significantly. The company markets its services through in-store partnerships with Costco and Lowe’s. Sunrun functions as a fully-integrated provider, handling system design, installation, maintenance, and ongoing monitoring for its customers.
Sunrun sources solar panels and equipment from various manufacturers rather than manufacturing components in-house. The company leverages proprietary BrightPath satellite imaging software to customize system designs for individual properties. This technology optimizes energy production based on roof orientation, shading patterns, and local solar resource availability.
How Does Sunrun Work?
Sunrun uses BrightPath satellite technology to map your roof, analyze sunlight exposure, and create a customized solar system design tailored to your home. The assessment evaluates roof angle, shading patterns, home age, and orientation to determine solar suitability. This comprehensive analysis ensures optimal energy production for your specific property.
Sunrun handles all administrative requirements on your behalf, managing city permits, utility interconnection agreements, and state documentation. Customers experience smooth coordination throughout the process. Most installations complete in a single day, minimizing disruption to your home.
The Sunrun Power Purchase Agreement model installs and maintains your solar system while selling you the electricity produced at an agreed rate over a 20 to 25 year contract term. You pay only for the power your system generates. Homeowners do not own the panels and cannot claim federal tax credits.
Sunrun maintains complete responsibility for installation, maintenance, monitoring, and repairs throughout your entire contract period. The mySunrun app allows customers to track real-time energy production and system performance metrics. This comprehensive service model ensures optimal system functionality and customer peace of mind.
What Solar Plans Does Sunrun Offer?
Sunrun Subscription Plan is a solar lease with a fixed monthly rate between $60-200 per month, independent of actual system production. This subscription includes best-in-class solar panels, battery storage options, and an industry-leading equipment guarantee. Locked-in rates provide payment predictability throughout the lease term.
Sunrun Flex Plan operates as a power purchase agreement where customers pay a fixed rate per kilowatt-hour produced, typically around $0.15/kWh. The total cost fluctuates based on actual system production, reflecting real-world energy generation. This plan includes a 2% annual escalation rate built into pricing.
BrightBuy enables customers to purchase solar systems outright with upfront capital investment. BrightAdvantage offers solar loan financing that maintains federal tax credit eligibility for qualified homeowners. Ownership models deliver superior long-term returns compared to lease options.
BrightBox battery storage has been available since 2015 in Hawaii and 2016 in California. Tesla Powerwall 3 integration delivers whole-home backup power during grid outages. Battery storage solutions now extend to existing customers in select markets nationwide.
What Do Real Sunrun Reviews Say?
Sunrun customer satisfaction varies significantly across review platforms, with ratings ranging from 2.0 to 4.2 out of 5 stars. EnergySage reports 2.0/5 across 42 reviews, while BBB shows 3.32/5 from 1,867 customers. Yelp users rate the company 2.3/5 (376 reviews), Consumer Affairs gives 4.2/5 (3,147 reviews), Trustpilot averages 3.5/5 (323 reviews), and SolarReviews lists 2.95/5 across 3,408 reviews.
Sunrun customer experiences divide into contrasting categories. Some homeowners report smooth installation processes and attentive sales representatives. Other customers describe misleading pricing statements and inadequate post-installation support. The company’s service quality appears inconsistent across different service regions and customer segments.
Sunrun’s market reputation contains conflicting assessments. The company holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and is recognized as an established solar industry leader. However, former employees and customers on online forums characterize the company as having the worst reputation among solar providers. These perspectives suggest significant trust concerns despite formal accreditation.
What Do Customers Praise About Sunrun?
Sunrun’s sales and installation teams earn consistent praise for being knowledgeable, kind, and passionate professionals. Customers report excellent communication throughout the entire process, with helpful representatives coordinating smooth installations. The company maintains proactive updates at each step, ensuring customers remain informed and confident in their solar investment.
Sunrun simplifies the installation process by managing all logistics from design through permitting to final installation. Customers describe their projects as well-executed, with most installations completed in a single day. The company addresses all concerns promptly, eliminating the burden of complex coordination from homeowners.
The company provides automatic status updates throughout the state approval process, keeping customers informed via text and reminder notifications. Sunrun representatives answer all questions thoroughly and assist with paperwork completion. This proactive communication approach builds trust and reduces customer anxiety during the transition period.
Sunrun’s 17+ years in business since 2007 and position as the largest dedicated residential solar company with over 100,000 customers demonstrate extensive industry expertise. The company maintains A+ ratings from the Better Business Bureau and Angie’s List, validating its reputation. These credentials provide customers confidence in choosing an established, trusted solar provider.
What Are the Most Common Complaints About Sunrun?
Sunrun customers frequently report that promised solar lease savings fail to materialize after installation. Many homeowners claim they were told their electric bills would decrease by 20 percent or more, only to discover monthly costs increased instead. Customers report paying both Sunrun and their utility companies simultaneously, contradicting the advertised savings guarantees.
Sunrun’s sales approach has generated significant complaints regarding contract transparency and disclosure. Customers report high-pressure door-to-door sales tactics where contract terms do not match verbal promises made by representatives. A 2017 SEC investigation identified a 40 percent contract cancellation rate, revealing widespread disclosure concerns that prompted regulatory scrutiny.
Installation quality issues represent another major complaint category among Sunrun customers. Homeowners report roof damage, leaks, and installations that violate electrical codes. Some customers discovered that Sunrun removed fuse boxes during installation, creating electrical hazards that required attorney involvement to resolve.
Post-installation support deficiencies compound customer dissatisfaction with Sunrun’s service. Reviews consistently cite poor responsiveness from the company’s service department and warranties that remain unenforced for faulty installations. Customers report receiving conflicting information from different representatives and facing resistance when attempting to obtain compensation for roof damage or other installation failures.
Is Sunrun Customer Service Reliable?
Sunrun customer service demonstrates strong responsiveness and accessibility during initial contact phases. The Better Business Bureau profile confirms the company replied to 100% of negative reviews and typically responds within 1 week. Customers praise representatives as readily available by email or phone and professional in their manner toward inquiries.
Service quality deteriorates significantly after the installation phase completes. Customers report excellent communication during the sales process but describe support as “worst to deal with” once equipment is operational. One account holder noted that an attorney stopped answering inquiries about a year after service activation.
Issue resolution effectiveness varies considerably among Sunrun customers. Positive cases show dedicated support—Alexandra coordinated a tech visit when a Tesla Powerwall fan ran constantly. Conversely, negative experiences reveal warranty non-compliance and customers “fighting every step” to obtain compensation for failures.
Should You Lease or Buy Solar Panels With Sunrun?
Purchasing solar panels outright offers the best long-term return on investment compared to leasing options. Buying enables homeowners to claim federal tax credits and build equity over time. Leasing provides little to no upfront cost but excludes customers from tax benefits. A solar loan presents a strong alternative, combining ownership advantages with affordable monthly payments instead of requiring full cash payment upfront.
Sunrun’s lease model eliminates upfront costs and delivers a hands-off experience with maintenance covered for life. However, customers forfeit tax credits and encounter difficulty removing panels if relocation becomes necessary. Lease agreements also impact home resale value and create transfer complications when selling the property.
Maximizing savings through solar ownership requires purchasing the system outright to capture the federal tax credit and avoid the 25-year payment escalation embedded in lease structures. Ownership builds long-term equity while reducing total energy expenditures. This financial advantage compounds annually as utility costs increase.
What’s the Difference Between BrightSave Monthly and BrightSave Prepaid?
BrightSave Monthly is a solar lease with fixed monthly payments of approximately $60 per month, featuring a 2% annual escalation over the 25-year contract term. Rebates and tax credits reduce the monthly cost rather than arriving as separate payments. Sunrun manages all paperwork and installation at zero upfront expense, making this option accessible to homeowners without substantial capital reserves.
BrightSave Prepaid requires customers to pay the entire service cost upfront before solar generation begins. This model eliminates monthly payment obligations across the contract duration. The significant upfront capital requirement differentiates this option from the monthly plan, though customers lose federal tax credit eligibility when choosing prepayment.
Both BrightSave plans operate as lease models where Sunrun retains system ownership throughout the contract lifetime. Sunrun assumes responsibility for installation, maintenance, monitoring, and repairs at no additional charge to the customer. Production guarantees with refund protection ensure that customers receive compensation if the solar panels underperform their projected energy output.
Is BrightBuy or BrightAdvantage Better for Purchasing?
BrightBuy requires customers to pay the full system cost upfront and receive immediate ownership with complete federal tax credit eligibility. This purchase model eliminates ongoing payments to Sunrun. Customers assume responsibility for maintenance. The long-term savings potential reaches $60,000 (USD) over 25 years, making BrightBuy ideal for those with available capital seeking maximum financial returns.
BrightAdvantage offers a solar loan option that spreads costs across monthly payments. Customers own the system and claim federal tax credits despite the financed structure. This plan functions as a strong alternative that combines ownership benefits with payment flexibility. BrightAdvantage delivers superior long-term value compared to leasing arrangements.
BrightBuy suits buyers with available capital who prioritize maximum savings. BrightAdvantage serves those lacking upfront funds but wanting ownership benefits. Both plans outperform leasing for long-term cost-effectiveness. The choice depends on immediate financial capacity and ownership preferences.
How Much Does Sunrun Cost?
Sunrun subscription plans charge fixed monthly rates between $60 and $200 per month, depending on system size, with a 2% annual escalation over the 25-year contract term. This pricing structure means total payments accumulate substantially across the contract lifetime. The monthly cost directly reflects the solar system capacity installed at your home.
Sunrun offers two primary ownership pathways with distinct upfront costs. Lease and power purchase agreement options require zero down payment, making solar accessible without initial capital investment. BrightBuy ownership financing through BrightAdvantage eliminates upfront costs through monthly loan payments spread across the agreement period.
Sunrun’s zero-down subscription includes comprehensive services and protections. Installation, maintenance, repairs, monitoring, and roof warranty coverage span the entire agreement. Production guarantees refund customers if solar panels underperform energy projections, ensuring performance accountability throughout the contract term.
Does Sunrun Actually Save You 20% on Energy Bills?
Sunrun advertises a 20% savings guarantee on power bills through locked-in monthly rates based on inflation calculations. The company’s marketing materials promise $60,000 in savings over 25 years and highlight BrightPath technology designed to help customers achieve 20 percent reductions on power bills. These guarantees form the foundation of Sunrun’s value proposition to consumers.
Many Sunrun customers report that their bills have increased rather than decreased following installation. Customers frequently complain about paying both Sunrun and their utility company simultaneously, resulting in higher costs than before. Some customers state they now pay double what they paid when relying solely on traditional utility providers.
A significant gap exists between Sunrun’s advertised savings promises and actual customer outcomes. Sales representatives have told customers that solar leases would slash electric bills, only for those customers to experience monthly cost increases instead. Actual savings depend heavily on whether energy production meets the projections used during the sales process.
What Hidden Costs Should You Know About?
Sunrun’s dual billing structure means customers pay both Sunrun and their utility company simultaneously. Solar systems typically do not generate 100% of household electricity needs. Customers continue purchasing power from their utility provider while paying Sunrun monthly fees. This dual payment arrangement can exceed pre-solar energy costs despite initial savings promises.
Sunrun contracts include a 2% annual escalation rate compounded over the 25-year term. Monthly payments start at approximately $60 but increase every year automatically. The “predictable” monthly payment structure masks the reality that total costs grow substantially in later contract years. By year 25, monthly obligations significantly exceed initial figures.
Removing or relocating Sunrun panels incurs substantial fees that impact home flexibility. Customers face $500 removal charges and encounter difficulty canceling systems before contract expiration. Transferring leases when selling homes creates additional complications and may deter potential buyers. These relocation barriers can meaningfully affect property resale value and marketability.
Sunrun’s 10-year roof warranty does not protect customers from installation damage liability. Customers report roof damage and leak complaints despite warranty coverage existing on paper. Faulty installation practices have resulted in water intrusion problems requiring attorney intervention. Homeowners bear financial responsibility for repairs when Sunrun declines warranty claims for installation defects.
Sunrun vs Freedom Forever: Which Is Better?
Sunrun and Freedom Forever serve different customer preferences through contrasting business models: Sunrun emphasizes lease and power purchase agreements with zero upfront costs, while Freedom Forever prioritizes ownership through financing options. Your choice depends on whether you value immediate affordability without investment or long-term savings through system ownership and equity building over time.
Service and support quality differentiate these companies significantly. Both are established solar providers, but they vary in customer service responsiveness, equipment brands and warranties, and system maintenance coverage. Evaluating reviews, warranty terms, and support accessibility helps determine which provider aligns with your service expectations and protection needs.
Sunrun holds competitive advantages as the largest residential solar installer with over one million customers and extensive financing expertise. Strategic partnerships with Costco and Lowe’s expand distribution reach and customer access. The company’s proprietary BrightPath technology optimizes system design while recurring revenue models generate high incremental returns for the business structure.
How Does Sunrun Compare to Tesla Solar?
Sunrun and Tesla Solar operate through fundamentally different installation and service models that reflect their distinct market positions. Sunrun partners with third-party installers and integrates Tesla Powerwall 3 batteries into its offerings, while Tesla manufactures its own panels and manages direct installation. This partnership approach demonstrates a complementary rather than purely competitive relationship between the two companies.
Sunrun specializes in lease and power purchase agreements that require zero upfront costs from customers. Tesla focuses on direct purchase or loan models with lower initial capital requirements but still demand customer investment. Sunrun’s partnership strategy with Tesla for battery integration shows the companies collaborate rather than compete directly on all fronts.
Equipment sourcing differs significantly between the two providers. Sunrun sources solar panels from various manufacturers and uses BrightPath design software for system planning. Tesla produces its own panels in-house. Both companies offer battery storage solutions, with Sunrun explicitly incorporating Tesla Powerwall 3 into its comprehensive solar packages.
What Happens If You Move With a Sunrun System?
Moving with a Sunrun system complicates home sales because potential buyers must qualify for and assume a 20-25 year lease contract. The system remains tied to the property, and transferring the lease to a new owner presents significant obstacles. Many homeowners report that the lease obligation reduces home resale value and marketability, creating challenges during the selling process.
Sunrun system removal involves substantial costs and contractual barriers that homeowners may not anticipate. Customer reports indicate removal fees of approximately $500 (USD), though the actual process often proves difficult in practice. Early termination fees and contract buyout requirements typically apply, resulting in total costs that can reach thousands of dollars depending on remaining contract balance.
The 20-25 year contract obligation transfers with the property unless the homeowner pays the remaining balance upfront. Prospective buyers must meet Sunrun’s qualification criteria to assume the existing lease or power purchase agreement. Alternatively, the selling homeowner must cover the full remaining contract cost to remove the system before sale, placing substantial financial burden on the transaction.
Does Sunrun Offer Battery Storage Options?
Sunrun offers battery storage through its proprietary BrightBox system, launched in Hawaii in 2015 and California in 2016. BrightBox provides backup power during outages and integrates seamlessly with solar panel systems. The company now makes this technology available to existing customers in select markets as part of its broader energy management solution.
Sunrun battery storage delivers multiple benefits for residential customers. The system provides backup power during grid outages, ensuring home electricity access when needed. Battery storage also manages time-of-use rates to optimize electricity savings and enables participation in virtual power plant programs that reward customer participation.
Sunrun operates the nation’s largest distributed power plant as of February 2025, growing more than fivefold that year. The virtual power plant system draws electricity from solar energy collected from residential solar panels across its customer network. This technology provides on-demand dispatchable power that helps prevent blackouts and stabilizes the electrical grid.
How Does the Tesla Powerwall 3 Integration Work?
Sunrun offers Tesla Powerwall 3 as an add-on option for an additional fee, delivering whole-home backup power during grid outages. The integration provides customers with energy storage capabilities that extend beyond standard solar installations. Sunrun’s support team actively coordinates technical visits to optimize system performance, as demonstrated by customer experiences with device maintenance and troubleshooting assistance.
Sunrun partners directly with Tesla for battery storage technology, leveraging Tesla’s innovation rather than developing competing solutions. The collaboration makes Tesla Powerwall integration options available to Sunrun customers nationwide. Sunrun coordinates customized rate plans and precise battery settings with partners to maximize system efficiency and energy savings.
The Tesla Powerwall 3 integrates seamlessly with solar production systems to store excess energy for later use. Battery storage enables time-of-use optimization, allowing customers to maximize savings during peak pricing periods. The system participates in virtual power plant networks, generating additional revenue through grid services while supporting grid stability.
Is Sunrun BBB Accredited and Trustworthy?
Sunrun holds a BBB A+ accreditation, though customer satisfaction ratings reveal mixed trust levels. The company’s average rating is 3.32 out of 5 stars from 1,867 reviews. Sunrun demonstrates engagement by replying to 100% of negative reviews within approximately one week, indicating responsiveness to customer concerns and active reputation management.
A 2017 SEC investigation examined whether Sunrun and SolarCity adequately disclosed canceled contracts to investors. The Wall Street Journal reported a 40% contract cancellation rate in 2017, a metric crucial for assessing company performance. This regulatory scrutiny raised questions about financial transparency and investor disclosure practices during the critical period of Sunrun’s corporate expansion.
Customer and industry perceptions of Sunrun span a wide spectrum of trust levels. Some sources identify Sunrun as “the most respected and established home solar company,” while others classify it as a “scam” with the “worst reputation in solar.” Former employees and dissatisfied customers echo negative assessments, creating substantial polarization in marketplace credibility.
Sunrun demonstrates substantial trust indicators through its market position and longevity. The company has served over 1 million customers nationwide and operates as the largest residential solar installer in the United States. Operating continuously since 2007 (17+ years), Sunrun maintains partnerships with major retailers Costco and Lowe’s and holds publicly traded status on Nasdaq (RUN) with a $4.4 billion market capitalization.
Where Is Sunrun Available?
Sunrun operates in 22 states plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico, providing extensive solar energy coverage across the nation. Service areas include California, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Maryland, and additional states. This geographic footprint demonstrates Sunrun’s commitment to making solar accessible in diverse climate zones and markets.
The company has installed solar systems for nearly 800,000 customers as of 2023, with a combined installed capacity of 5.7 gigawatts (5,700 megawatts). Sunrun added 990 megawatts of new installations during 2023 alone. The company serves both residential homeowners and commercial multi-family developments across its service territories.
Sunrun maintains headquarters in San Francisco, California, with a significant secondary office in Lehi, Utah, located at 1800 Ashton Boulevard. The organization operates 85 total locations nationwide, including additional offices in Dublin, Vista, and Fresno, California, plus Somerset, New Jersey, and other states. This distributed office network supports local operations and customer service delivery.
Is Sunrun Worth It for Your Home?
Sunrun delivers value for homeowners seeking zero upfront costs and minimal maintenance responsibility. The service suits customers in high-sunshine areas with roof orientations facing optimal directions. Sunrun proves most advantageous when predictable monthly payments matter more than maximizing long-term savings over decades.
Purchasing solar panels outright offers the best long-term financial return, making Sunrun’s lease model suboptimal for savings maximization. Moving homes within the contract term creates transfer challenges that complicate account management. Customer complaints reveal bills increasing instead of decreasing, which undermines the primary benefit of solar adoption.
Roof orientation and sunlight exposure determine whether solar makes sense for your property. BrightPath advisors may recommend against solar installation if your roof lacks ideal conditions. Sunrun maintains a 2.0 to 3.5 star average across review platforms, so comparing the 25-year lease total against outright purchase costs becomes essential before committing.
Proceed only if BrightPath confirms your home qualifies as a good solar candidate. The zero down payment structure appeals to budget-conscious homeowners, though it forfeits available tax credits. Historical data shows a 40 percent cancellation rate, signaling mixed customer satisfaction. Verify that all contract terms exactly match the verbal promises made during the sales process before signing any agreement.