SunPower

SunPower

 4.3/5 (497 reviews)
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Overall Rating4.3 out of 5
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About SunPower

SunPower provides green energy solutions for homeowners. It offers complete solar energy systems and battery storage options, and its comprehensive SunPower home solar warranty includes all components of the system — not just the solar panels — for added peace of mind. The company ensures only SunPower-certified installers handle installation jobs.

    Pros & Cons

    Pros

    • Comprehensive transferable warranty
    • Variety of finance options
    • Broad international dealer network
    • Mobile app monitors each panel

    Cons

    • Dealers may provide different levels of service
    • “Master dealers” aren’t available nationwide
    • May cost more upfront than other brands

    Bottom Line

    SunPower designs and installs all the components you need to switch to solar energy. It has lease and loan options to help make solar more affordable, and its Maxeon panels feature powerful cell technology, making the company popular with homeowners.

    Top SunPower Reviews

    Rated with 5 stars
    Verified

    “The guy that came out from SunPower was great. The installation team got there when they said they would. They did the installation in the timeframe that they said. ... After the...

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    Rated with 5 stars
    Verified

    “I was provided excellent service with all the information I needed! Gie was wonderful and I was very impressed with her professionalism, knowledge and ability to answer all my qu...

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    SunPower solar panels and equipment

    In 2020, SunPower announced a spinoff of its manufacturing department into a separate company named Maxeon Solar Technologies. This company manufactures the equipment SunPower designs and installs, so you’ll need to work with another company if you prefer a different brand.

    SunPower’s solar portfolio includes M-Series, X-Series and U-Series panels. Its Equinox line, manufactured by Maxeon, features highly efficient solar panels (compared with conventional panels). The same is true of its Helix line, which is available for commercial customers.

    SunVault storage system

    SunPower’s SunVault storage system helps you keep your lights on even when the power is out. You can set storage system preferences through the mySunPower app to decrease grid electricity use at peak times or serve as backup during a power outage.

    Depending on your system size and design, SunVault can help keep essential appliances running (like your refrigerator or HVAC) and power things like electric vehicles or clothes washers and dryers during times without power.

    SunPower services

    When you purchase a solar system from SunPower, you connect with a SunPower partner to handle the design and installation. The partner will help you prepare documents for homeowners association review and obtain all the necessary permits.

    After installing the system, the partner arranges for inspections and helps you obtain “Permission to Operate” orders from your utility.

    Once your system is up and running, the SunPower Monitoring System (EnergyLink) gathers data to help you monitor everything and track your estimated bill savings. If you need help with anything, you can contact SunPower customer support Monday through Saturday.

    How much does SunPower cost?

    The cost of a SunPower solar system depends on several different factors, including your:

    • Energy needs
    • Local weather
    • Roof layout
    • Roof shading
    • Size of your system

    Since costs can vary so much, the best way to get an accurate quote is to contact a SunPower dealer. However, after reviewing price quotes from around the country, SunPower found that a 5-kW solar system typically costs between $11,150 and $46,100, which breaks down to $2.23 to $9.22 per watt. This price is before any tax credits or incentives.

    While SunPower may cost a little more than other solar energy companies, its high-efficiency panels and transferable warranty may make it worth the cost.

    With SunPower, you can purchase a residential system outright, pay with a loan or lease a system. The company offers solar financing options with $0 down for eligible homeowners.

    While leasing a system lets you take advantage of solar energy without a long-term commitment, you’ll need to purchase the system to take advantage of any tax credits and other incentives.

    SunPower panel installation

    SunPower partners with dealers and installers nationwide to complete the design and installation process. These partners have all completed training and are SunPower-certified.

    SunPower incorporates a sleek, minimalistic rooftop design by using a low-profile mounting system called InvisiMount. This system uses durable metal wire clips to keep cables out of sight.

    SunPower warranty

    The SunPower Complete Confidence Warranty covers any repairs or replacements to the components on your roof for 25 years. This includes the microinverters, racking and panels.

    All components not on your roof have a 10-year warranty. This includes your storage and monitoring systems. The warranty covers shipping and labor with no additional out-of-pocket costs. However, the smartphone and computer you use to monitor your panel production aren’t covered.

    SunPower also guarantees your panels won’t lose more than 10% of their original power output in that 25-year period, which ensures your solar energy system stays efficient and produces the power your home needs.

    The warranty does have some exclusions, including:

    • Damage from natural forces, such as a tornado or earthquake
    • Defects of the home’s existing electrical components at the installation site
    • Damage caused by animals
    • Damaged caused by third-party products
    • Storage systems kept in temperatures outside the specified range

    These exclusions are fairly standard across the industry.

    SunPower FAQ

    Does SunPower offer energy monitoring?

    Yes, the SunPower Monitoring System (EnergyLink) gathers real-time data to help you track your energy production and usage. The company also offers an optional consumption meter that monitors your energy usage and compares it with the amount you produce.

    Where is SunPower available?

    SunPower’s “master dealers,” an exclusive group of dealers that meet or exceed SunPower's rigorous requirements, are currently available in these states:

    • Arkansas
    • Arizona
    • California
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Florida
    • Hawaii
    • Illinois
    • Louisiana
    • Massachusetts
    • Maryland
    • Michigan
    • North Carolina
    • New Jersey
    • Nevada
    • New York
    • Oregon
    • South Carolina
    • Texas
    • Utah
    • Virginia

    The company’s Elite and Authorized Dealers are available in more locations. You can check for dealers near you by entering your ZIP code on the company website.

    What does the SunPower app do?

    The mySunPower app lets you monitor your system, see your energy savings, contact customer service, pay your bill and adjust settings to meet your energy needs. You can also select from three different storage modes for your SunVault system.

    Does Sunpower provide energy storage?

    Yes, the SunVault Storage System stores any excess energy so you can access it after the sun goes down or during a power outage.

    What happens to my SunPower panels if I sell my home?

    If you own your panels, you can either factor the solar energy system into the home’s asking price to pay to have it moved to your new home.

    With a leased system, you may be able to transfer the system to the new owner for a fee or purchase the leased products outright and then proceed with the home’s sale. If your lease is expired, SunPower can remove the solar system from your roof before you sell.

    Does SunPower offer financing options?

    Yes, you can finance a solar system with SunPower. The company offers solar loans with a low annual percentage rate (APR) for U.S. residential customers. Terms vary based on your financial history, but qualified buyers can access a 0% interest loan for 10 years without penalty for prepayment. Many customers can pay 0% down for their loan.

    Is SunPower legit?

    SunPower offers a comprehensive line of solar products and services, including state-of-the-art solar panels and inverters backed by one of the best warranties in the industry.

    However, authorized dealers aren’t available everywhere, so the level of customer support may vary from one installer to the next. SunPower also sells its own products exclusively, so you’ll have to go elsewhere if you have another brand of panels in mind.

    SunPower video review

    sunpower solar company video review
    Rick: Hi, my name is Rick, and I live in Ponte Vedra, Florida. And what got me into solar power was two things. One was financial. Wanting to not have to pay an electric company for my electric bill. And the other was being a responsible caretaker of the Earth, I suppose. To be green. So we didn't really choose a lot of alternatives. I did my studying on the internet very thoroughly, and quickly came across SunPower. And through peer-reviewed information and studying, I found that they were the best product on the market. That's why we went with them, and, quite frankly we're very happy with the product because it is a wrap-around product. They have everything from the connectors to the electrical. If there's ever an issue with it, I can just go to SunPower. I don't have to rely on a third party contractor for anything as far as a systems concern. So we're very happy with our purchase. So the purchase process for these solar panels is very simple and very easy. The representative came to our house and explained the options we had available to us. We chose to go with a loan to finance the panels over 25 years, and it was very simple, very straightforward and direct. We'll be using the tax credit to pay off a portion of the loan this year, and after that, it's a 25 year loan. And I pay extra on it, and we're very happy with it. No problems, no issues. It was clean and easy. So the people that we used to install the solar panels were very courteous, very attentive, very knowledgeable. They came to the house and explained things to us. They even came when I asked them to come and it wasn't scheduled for them to visit, and they would explain and answer questions for me, point things out, and I felt like I was in very good hands, very knowledgeable, and they were very honest and transparent up front. If there was gonna be an issue, they would call me up ahead of time and let me know that there were a delay, or if something were to happen. So I felt very comfortable in this process, like I was in good hands. Purchasing solar panels for our home and our family was completely worth it for two reasons. One, financially. We don't really have an electric bill anymore. The panels have done so well that I'm net zero, and actually negative. The electric company owes me money at this point. My last bill was negative $17, and that's a great place to be. Also I'm a great steward of our planet, making sure I'm keeping my carbon footprint and my family's carbon footprint as small as possible. So we're very happy and very impressed with the product and our decision.

    SunPower Reviews

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    2 featured reviews
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    Page 1 Reviews 0 - 5
    Rated with 5 stars
    Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
    Original review: March 24, 2023

    When we enrolled with SunPower, it was not high pressure. It was very professional. When it came time to get the specific proposal, I knew exactly what we were getting, where the panels were gonna be located on our roof, what the power output we were expecting and how much the project was gonna cost. The installation went well and they took a look at our roof to make sure that it was in good shape and that we didn't have to reroof or reshingle beforehand. They went into the attic and made sure that all the roof support was in good shape, since these panels had a fair amount of weight to the roof. They were careful about making sure that they weren't just selling us something because that would work for them, but that would work well for us and not cause any problems to the structure of our house.

    The experience with SunPower is very positive. I use the app to check the power generation, how much we're using in the house, how much is going to the grid, or the rare occasions when the grid supply most of the power. So, I'm aware of how well our system is performing. On the couple of occasions where I've had questions, they were answered very promptly. So, the customer service was great, not only during the process, but has been since then though there have been very few occasions when I've needed them because everything has worked very well. I was very pleased with all the people I worked with, from the estimator through the project manager, the folks who were on site, and the customer service.

    SunPower response

    We appreciate you sharing your SunPower experience. Seeing your satisfaction with your transition to solar is such a joy, and we are thrilled to hear that the team provided an excellent professional experience. Please reach out to us if there is anything we can assist you with in the future. Thank you for helping us change the way our world is powered!

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      Rated with 5 stars
      Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
      Original review: Feb. 25, 2023

      The panels that SunPower offered were good enough that I contacted them and came up with a system that would eliminate my electric bill, and it has since 2012. The techs who installed my panels were very professional and clean. I have a metal standing seam roof and they were very careful not to stand on the seams and not to puncture them when they used the clamps to hold the frame down to mount the panels on. They didn't fall off the roof either. For the first eight years or so, it was very easy to track my progress through the app but it was not that informative. Then there was a period when the app was changing, and therefore, I could not ever see any solar collected for that time period. Eventually, they finished the conversion nationally and regionally, and it's back to a new app that now provides more information.

      The sales rep was really great, too. It's a shame that he isn't doing it anymore because I have reached out since then wanting to add batteries. And since my original sales rep isn't available, I get put to whoever is doing it now in our area. But I haven't been able to come to an agreement to add batteries because the last call I made was about my inverters . They are over 12 years old and they don't match with current battery technology which is dissatisfying. I also wish that there were more advertisements for cleaning services to clean the panel, because at my age of 78, I don't want to climb on the roof to hose them down and squeegee them.

      SunPower response

      We appreciate you sharing your SunPower experience. It's exciting to have you as part of the SunPower family, and it's such a joy to see your satisfaction. Please reach out to us if there is anything we can assist you with in the future. Thank you for helping us change the way our world is powered!

      Be the first one to find this review helpful
      Rated with 4 stars
      Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
      Original review: Dec. 10, 2022

      "I had 23 years of previous utility bills that I added up and looked at the kilowatts used versus the increments of using more. I live in California where everything is upside down here. Natural gas was promoted in California 12 years ago. Now our governor is gonna get rid of that and he wants everybody to have solar panels. I was looking at it and mathematically, it's gonna be a return on investment down the road.

      I researched a lot of companies and I realized there are only two American companies and everything else is fine China. SunPower came in at 24% in terms of efficiency. Their rep helped me along. The setup was the summer of last year and then it was six months later because they were booked up. We also had to wait for our electric company to come and disconnect the power from the post. Other than that, the job was done within a week once everything got okay.

      December was when they installed the system. When the electric company came and did the final inspection, I didn't realize that the main panel switch for the electricity to turn on the solar panels was never on. A month later, I got a bill and I realized I was being charged normally. I called SunPower and they told me the system was not on. I thought they were gonna do that. They walked me through how to turn on the system.

      That’s the only gripe that I had. SunPower dropped the ball on that. I'm an over-the-road truck driver. I'm gone two, three weeks at a time. I wasn't even home to even physically look at it to see where the switch says 'Off'. It's right next to the electrical panel outside. It's a small electrical panel and it's just a big switch, on-off. When everything is all said and done, go out there and take a look, because SunPower didn't tell me about that. So far, I've gotten my SunPower bill and it's going to be a doozy. They told me that I'm gonna have to pay it in two installments when they add it all up, which is horrible. If you're averaging $200 a month, times 12. And you're gonna have to pay it all in two shots."

      SunPower response

      Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. Your feedback is essential to us in improving our services. Please reach out to us if there is anything we can assist you with in the future. Thank you for helping us change the way our world is powered!

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      Rated with 4 stars
      Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
      Original review: Nov. 16, 2022

      I was considering solar for more than a year so I started doing my due diligence on the different companies. I wanted to know about the product, durability, and mortality. SunPower seemed to have everything I wanted such as the quality. It is made in the US, they've been around for a while, and they're publicly traded. I felt comfortable. I'm early into this solar thing and it looks like I have a zero electric bill. I'm actually putting power back to the grid. I'm in the black, even this time of the year in the Northeast.

      I had an issue with the panels from day one. I had one panel that kept showing me it was offline on my app. I called my three-month representative and he kept telling me that it was data migration, this, and that. Everything looks good on the SunPower side. I wasn't buying what the representative said and I was insisting that they send somebody out. But he kept saying that was not necessary so I took it upon myself to call the 800 number for the first time. I was on the phone for more than three hours. Customer service told me there were times when the panel was not producing power, which really upset me because it wasn't what my representative was telling me.

      It took another 10 days for SunPower to send a technician out. I said, "I paid for this. It's a $40,000 installation. It's not 100% working. Send him out with every possible part so this gets resolved." But the technician shows up with no parts. I wouldn't let him leave. He somehow he pulled out a microinverter from the back of his van and claimed it was brand new. He replaced that part. Lo and behold, the system's been working fine now for well over a month. On that whole, it was like pulling teeth just getting through customer service, convincing them to send somebody out because everybody wants to do everything remotely, checking the system, and sending an update. I was very frustrated. But I am happy now even though I have two minor issues going on.

      I'm an engineer by trade so I understood the whole solar panel, power, and the apps. But I felt SunPower was dismissing that. It was almost like excuses, where they would check the system and say, "It was fine. We'll send a signal." They led me along for months and I really was upset about that. After giving my representative a 5-star rating, he just disappeared. I was really hoping he would be the guy to go and jump on somebody's desk and say, "Hey, we got to send somebody out there to fix this guy's solar system."

      SunPower response

      Anthony, we appreciate the review and we are so delighted to read your expectations have been met. Congratulations on going solar and thank you for helping us change the way our world is powered!

      4 people found this review helpful
      Rated with 5 stars
      Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
      Original review: Oct. 8, 2022

      I reached out to four different companies and evaluated price and product. SunPower uses micro inverters for each panel rather than a single inverter, so from a technical standpoint, it seemed like they were the one to go with. In the Houston area, there's a SunPower affiliate called Freedom Solar. Everything I dealt with was through Freedom, and the install was no problem. Before they installed the panels, they had a guy come out. Due to the age of my house, I had to change my breaker box. That was part of the overall package, and they spent the better part of the day pulling the old breaker box and installing the new one.

      A week later, they came out and it took them six hours to install 14 panels. We then had a wait till I got the permit to operate from the utility company, and that took a bit longer than they anticipated. There was a problem with some of the paperwork that had been submitted, so the first round, the PTO was denied. They had to go back and redo the paperwork, then it was approved. For the last 12 months, I’ve generated about 85% of my home usage. The only downside I'm seeing at this point is with changes in utility billing.

      When I first signed up, my contract was a net metering so I paid a certain cost of kilowatt-hours used, and the utility company purchased back from me at that same price. If I generated 200 and consumed 200, my net usage was zero, and my bill was essentially zero. My contract ended and I had to renew it. Now, I'm paying 21 cents a kilowatt-hour for usage, and I'm only getting back 10 cents a kilowatt-hour for anything I push back to the grid. There's another $40 a month service fee from the utility company as well. So the incentive isn't quite what it was a year ago. Still, it's a good value.

      SunPower response

      Thank you for sharing your SunPower experience. We strive to give our customers the best-in-class service and products. Please feel free to contact us if there is anything we can assist with in the future. Our team is always ready to help. Thank you for helping us change the way our world is powered!

      Be the first one to find this review helpful
      Resolution In ProgressRated with 1 star
      Verified Reviewer
      Original review: May 18, 2023

      I put 1 star because 0 stars wasn’t an option. We signed our contract 9.5 months ago to go solar. We still don’t have solar power and never have. They take weeks to respond to emails and calls and if they do set an appointment it’s then two weeks from that. We paid 1/3 of the bill when the system was installed and they tried demanding the other 2/3s of the bill despite the system not even working. We have no end in sight and the company truly makes us feel helpless with horrific customer service. Their response is constantly “we are contacting your project manager”, but guess what, that doesn’t amount to anything at all. I would never use this company if I had the option and completely regret signing a contract with them

      SunPower response

      Adam, we apologize for any inconvenience and understand your frustration related to your open case. We appreciate your continued feedback while your PC and Case Manager work to resolve your case and see that you were recently updated. We have added your review to your case for further investigation and look forward to talking to you again soon.

      3 people found this review helpful
      Rated with 5 stars
      Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
      Original review: May 17, 2023

      I got bids from different people. SunPower was a little bit higher but they have their business right here in my town and I like to support local businesses. They were in the ballpark and they had excellent ratings. The installers were here for quite a while. The crew was awesome and they explained everything to me. They would sit on my patio and eat lunch every day. I got to know most of them pretty well. They're very professional. I was amazed at how young they are. They were neat, clean, and orderly. Edison still charges me because of the taxes and things like that that they have to pay. The water well is not connected to the solar to pump it out of the ground. The storage tank is powered by solar because that's on my house meter. SunPower is superb and I would recommend them without reservation to anybody.

      SunPower response

      Judy, we appreciate your feedback and delighted to read your wonderful review. It is great that you have experienced exceptional work and customer service. Congratulations on going solar and thank you for helping us change the way our world is powered!

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      Resolution In ProgressRated with 1 star
      profile pic of the author
      Verified Reviewer
      Original review: May 17, 2023

      Stay away. My system was inoperable for 10 months, but they said if I did not make my monthly lease payment I would be breach of contract. Silly me, I paid - $1000. Because I was without solar, my electric bill was at a higher tier and I spent about $2000 with SCE before they finally repaired the inverter today. My expenses being about $3000 - they offered me $422. Really? All those months of paying for NOTHING? What is worse, you cannot get them on the phone. They give you the runaround, say they will have someone call me back, and they never do. Buyer beware.

      SunPower response

      We apologize for your experience and appreciate the opportunity to restore your confidence in SunPower. Please expect an Executive Support Specialist to reach out to discuss these concerns in detail and provide additional assistance.

      2 people found this review helpful
      Rated with 5 stars
      Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
      Original review: May 17, 2023

      The sales folks and the technicians from SunPower were really informative and they explained the process thoroughly, and we were confident that they could take care of it. We had to get a new roof, so all our previous panels came off. So, they installed theirs and the old ones for us. We had other solar panels and we were able to get a lot more for what seemed to be a pretty reasonable price. The install team was very professional, quick, didn't leave a mess and did a great job.

      Since going with SunPower, we've noticed a big difference in our monthly bill. For instance, this month, we have a credit of 150 bucks, so we didn't have to pay our energy bill this month. It's a good thing. The only thing is SunPower could set people up to understand that sometimes the process takes a little longer than you may anticipate, which means not necessarily the install part, but getting that scheduled, then also the followup, getting the permits and then getting PG&E to turn it on.

      SunPower response

      Katie, we appreciate your feedback and delighted to know that you have had many exceptional experiences. Thank you for helping us change the way our world is powered!

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      Rated with 5 stars
      Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
      Original review: May 17, 2023

      The rep went over everything and he was good. I wish SunPower would have calculated things better though. I bought a lot of extra panels, but I still owed at the end of the year because SDG&E takes a percentage. I don't think we calculated that in. I didn't owe a large amount, but that was a bummer. Other than that, everything went great. I'm really happy with it.

      SunPower response

      Kevin, we are glad to hear you are happy with your system and the recent experience with your rep. Send us a private message if you would like any additional assistance or have any questions and we can gladly get you in touch with a rep or email us at customersuccess@sunpowercorp.com. Thank you for helping us change the way our world is powered!

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      SunPower Company Information

      Social media:
      Company Name:
      SunPower
      Company Type:
      Public
      Ticker Symbol:
      spwr
      Year Founded:
      1985
      Address:
      51 Rio Robles
      City:
      San Jose
      State/Province:
      CA
      Postal Code:
      95134-1859
      Country:
      United States
      Website:
      us.sunpower.com

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