
About Vivint Solar
Vivint is a home technology company that offers a wide array of tech-forward devices, including solar panels for various homes and budgets in partnership with Freedom Forever. Together, the two companies offer a smart energy system equipped with Vivint’s Essentials Kit for comprehensive home security. Its panels include a 25-year production guarantee.
Overall Satisfaction Rating
- 5 stars
- 4 stars
- 3 stars
- 2 stars
- 1 stars
Pros
- Owned by Sunrun
- Three financing options
- Free security system included
Cons
- No direct-to-consumer sales
- No transparent pricing info
Bottom Line
Vivint Solar sells residential solar panels along with smart-home systems through Freedom Forever. The company doesn’t disclose pricing and specs for its panels, but you can call and get a free estimate from one of its representatives.
Top Vivint Solar Reviews
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The customer service reps were great and very informative. They helped me get my answers and what I needed. They were easy-going, very informative, and what they promised was what...
Read full reviewEverything is great with Vivint Solar. ... [The representative] talked in detail and explained to me everything, and I understood. He was very precise and understanding, and a nic...
Read full reviewWhat is Vivint Solar?
Vivint Solar is a division of Vivint, a home technology company that specializes in security and smart-home systems. Its solar panels are available through Freedom Forever, a fast-growing residential solar energy company.
When you purchase a solar energy system from Vivint, you get the combined benefits of two companies. Your purchase includes both the panel system and Vivint’s smart-home Essentials Kit. The Vivint kit includes the following:
- Doorbell Camera Pro
- Smart thermostat
- Smart control panel
- Motion and security sensors
- Three years of security monitoring
Vivint Solar panels
Vivint’s solar panels are made of photovoltaic silicon semiconductor cells. Its panels are Tier 1, which means they adhere to the highest industry standards and offer high efficiency and long-term reliability. Vivint also offers a 25-year production guarantee that ensures your system will produce a specific amount of energy during that time.
The Vivint Home Energy app also tracks your energy production and consumption, which helps you better understand how its working and when your system generates peak energy.
To learn more about Vivint’s panels, you’ll have to contact a representative directly. The company doesn’t share any information about specs, efficiency or ratings online.
Vivint Solar cost
The cost of a solar panel system can vary widely based on a number of factors, including sun availability, the size of your system and home, and the materials you use. The company doesn’t share general cost information, but its representatives can provide a free estimate.
There are a few tax incentives available, such as the federal solar tax credit, to help cover some of the costs of going solar. Your city and state might also offer incentives; a Vivint representative can help you determine if any are available.
You can pay for a Vivint solar energy system with a solar loan, solar lease or cash purchase.
- Solar loan: Vivint offers solar loans starting at $0 down, and some loans have no prepayment penalties.
- Solar PPA/lease: With a solar power purchase agreement (PPA), you pay for the power generated at a fixed rate per kWh. Installation and setup are usually included at little or no cost to you.
- Cash purchase: You can pay in full upfront and own your system outright.
Vivint Solar installation
Vivint offers professional installation. The cost to install your system varies based on several factors, including how much energy it produces. Before installation, a Vivint professional visits your home to review your equipment needs and finalize your system design. From there, its team handles everything from permits to installation.
Vivint Solar warranty
Vivint Solar offers a 25-year production guarantee, which is fairly standard among solar industry leaders. This guarantee promises that the system will produce a specific number of kilowatt-hours of power annually. For more information about the equipment warranty, speak to a Vivint representative.
Vivint Solar FAQ
What is the Vivint Solar app?
The Vivint Solar app allows customers to access their accounts via an iPhone or Android device. The app features billing information, details usage for your home and energy production and shows performance data for your system.
How does going solar with Vivint work?
To start the solar process, you’ll need to speak directly with a Vivint representative. This person will help you navigate your options, design a customized solar energy system and establish a payment plan that works for you.
How does a Vivint Solar PPA work?
Vivint’s solar power purchase agreements (PPA) can help you get the benefits of a solar energy system without paying for one. With a PPA, Vivint takes care of installation and activation at little to no cost to you — you just pay a specified price for the power that is generated. The fixed rate is usually lower than the cost of local utilities.
Where are Vivint Solar panels available?
Freedom Forever, Vivint’s solar partner, is available in 28 states and coming soon to four more, as of publishing. The company sells solar panels in almost all states on both the West Coast and the East Coast.
What is the Vivint Solar app?
The Vivint Solar app gives you the ability to see how much clean energy your system produces. You can also use the app to explore potential savings and see the environmental impacts of your particular system.
Is Vivint Solar worth it?
Vivint Solar doesn’t sell its own solar products; instead, it partners with Freedom Forever to offer solar panels paired with its smart-home technologies. For those who want a smarter, more tech-forward approach to solar energy, purchasing a system through Vivint might be a good option. Each solar energy system is customized to the homeowner’s needs and specs, and includes a free Vivint home security system kit and access to the Vivint Solar app.
Vivint Solar Reviews
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I worked with Josh ** to install solar. He told me when he came to do the illustration that if I signed on that day, I'll not pay electricity for the first 12 months. Now, he is backing out of that. Very unprofessional and not trustworthy. Once the deal was signed and I had follow-up questions, he disappeared and was not responsive. I said I'll delay the process until I heard from him and my questions answered. I was worried that my number of panels will not be enough to provide coverage for my 300 sq ft home. He eventually got back to me after 2 months... saying I'll have to pay for additional panels out of pocket. While I pushed back on that, he disappeared again.
I decided to forge ahead with the 13 panels as originally installed. Now I have to make a payment to Mosaic, my system is not turned on and the free electricity for 12 months cannot be fulfilled. I sent an email 2 weeks ago asking why Vivint isn't honoring the free electricity... After prompting, making calls to Annie with Fasttrac who claimed she'll connect me with Josh's manager... he came out of the woods to respond and say they'll lose money if they gave me that deal. That's not my fault. Don't lie to me just so that you can get a sale when you cannot deliver.
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I had my solar panels installed last year in July 2021. Everything had been going well and my energy bill had averaged $13-$15 a month. Until I received a bill at the end of Sept 2022 in the amount of $429 from NV Energy. I reached out to Solar Edge the monitoring system and they stated that something was wrong with the inverter and they needed to send a new one out. Since June 27, 2022 I had no solar production due to this issue, they stated that they could not help with any compensation as it is not covered under the warranty but they will be sending the new inverter out and another 3rd party company will be installing.
I reached out to Arcadia Solar and they said they are not liable for any compensation as well as it not covered under the warranty. I reached out to Vivint and the shared in email and over the phone that any compensation would come from Arcadia or SolarEdge. I've been given the runaround and because of this issue I will be having a bill upwards of $800+ for over 2 months. I've barely had my panels for over a year and I'm having this issue and need help in resolving.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention, Eunice. We'd be happy to look into this for you and we will be sending you a private message requesting additional account information so that we can assign a Specialist to assist you directly.
Everything went well until we filed our taxes and found out the salesman here in Henderson, NV lied about getting the $10K back from the government. You don't get the rebate in cash like he said, you get a credit. Also said I would have to pay the $10K to the loan company to keep my monthly payment at the same rate or it would go up. Being retired and not paying taxes on it, the credit is sitting at the IRS and I will never get it. My CPA said to either win a bunch of money or get a job to get the credit from IRS. Not amused.
We are sorry to hear this, Don! Please send us a private message with your service address, and we will have a representative reach out to help resolve your concerns. Thank you!
I just had a top notch roof installed when Vivint came to my door. I mentioned that as a concern for having panels installed. The salesman assured me that Vivint would take care of any problems with the roof should any arise. A few years later and right after one of their equipment service calls, I have a leak. Reaching their customer service wasn't easy but I finally got through to them. They said they were sending me an email and to attach pictures of the leak to the reply. I did not get an email. I then sent them an email explaining my problem and still nothing. I definitely do not recommend them. They're playing name games now Sunrun Vivint. They are not an upstanding company. The contract that they have you sign is thicker than phonebooks were in 1980. I was suspicious of them from sight of the contract and the first issue that I had they confirmed my suspicions.
We are sorry to hear this, Rick! Please send us a private message with your service address, and we will have a representative reach out to help resolve your concerns. Thank you!
Was convinced by Tyson ** Vivint solar salesman to go solar in July of 2021. Complete disaster. It’s April 2022. Solar system not online. Nothing has been done in over 6 months. Work I paid thousands extra for not even started. The big $14,000 I was to get back on Taxes (Tyson ** even had some fake paper that had this on it) was only to be $1,000. Every contact that lied to me has now ghosted me. City inspector has been sent to my house 2-3 times for final inspection and of course it does not pass. Recent email explaining to me that a mechanics lien is on my House. Due to loan company not paying for system. Contract clearly states no payment until work is completed. I’ve sent email after email explaining I want nothing to do with this company and they ignore that part. I do not believe there is one ounce of truth or integrity in Vivint and especially Tyson **.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention, Lonzo. We are so sorry to hear about your experience. Please send us a private message so that we can gather more information and look into this. Thank you.
I've had a roof leak causing water damage to my ceiling since Dec. 2021 (over 3 months now). Customer service reps are not able to get the Install team to take ownership and repair the leak. I'm sure mold is starting to form at this point. I've emailed to request tickets with no luck. You'll see a repeating theme across 1 star reviews where the company does not remedy issues/damages. New Mexico's Attorney General sued Vivint for Deceptive Practices and settled in 2021; California probably needs to do the same. ** The Vivint (now SunRun) CEO's email is: **. For California, you can file complaints with the Contractors Board: **.
It looks like you currently have a case open with our Legal team. We have reached out to the individual handling your legal concern(s) and they will be in touch with you or your attorney within the next five business days.
I'm very disappointed and regret I signed up with VIVINT SOLAR part of SUNRUN. The project started in end of August 2021. I'm still waiting for the Net Meter to install. The installation was quick but after that I've been waiting and waiting for months no progress or any update what is happening. I had to called National Grid my utility company and town inspector to inquire what is the hold up. 4 days into 2022 and I just called VIVINT SOLAR and they told me there is no project manager assigned to my address. I'm not surprise but still can't tell me what is the hold up. The salesperson was the worst experienced. Make sure you don't work the salesperson named Alicia **. Every time I called she would not answer. If I sent a text she would give me excuse "I can't talk or either I'm in the Church or I'm in the hospital" but never return my text or phone call.
Installed solar panels April 2021. Quick install is the only thing that went well. End of June I am being told that PG&E is backed up. This is why we have not gone live just yet with the new panels. I reached out to PG knee and they said that at the beginning of June they reached back out via email to the contractor stating that the wrong forms were filed and Vivint has not responded. When we started this project we were 200 projected true-up and by the time we finished and we’re alive we were 900 projected true up. I called emailed requested management to reach back out to me to discuss and have never received any phone calls or email by any manager. Installed and April finally went live during August. 120 days to go live on solar miss the entire summer. And increased my true up almost $800. I requested to have the solar panels pulled off and no one would entertain my conversation or respond to emails.
Oh no, Raymond! We are sorry to hear that the preparation process took a long time. Please send your address and review to online-reviews@sunrun.com so we can look into this. Thank you.
Vivint Solar has responded that I do not have a solar system with through Vivint Solar. The Vivint employee that came to my house said he was from Vivint Solar but it turns out that guy was affiliated with Vivint Smart Home and not Vivint Solar according to some recent communications. I have no idea why the home security wing of Vivint would be getting involved in solar. I find this very confusing and since I’ve been lied to for weeks now by various people, I don’t know what or who to trust. It seems that this was on Vivint Smart Home and not Vivint Solar so I am closing this review and will open one for them instead. I would advise people to contact their utility companies themselves and not trust anyone that comes to your home.
We were excited to go solar and initially we had a pleasant interaction with the sales rep. We were told that the net metering rate would be 1:1 and that the cost for the loan would offset the standard electric bill we were used to paying. However, we later found out when receiving our bill from the utility company that they do not have a 1:1 net metering rate and instead it is around 40%. This is causing us to pay way more now as our electric bill is still 60% of what it was before and we have the loan amount on top of that. We tried calling the rep and he initially answered saying he was unaware of that and that he was going to contact the legal team. We have made several attempts to contact the rep since then and he hasn’t responded to any calls, texts, or emails. He is ghosting us and the customer support is giving us the run around.
We're sorry to hear this, Curt. Savings will vary widely based on your usage, location, etc. but we definitely want to make sure you're getting the most out of your solar system. Please send us a private message with your full service address and primary name on the account so that we can look into this for you. Thanks!
I was a pleased with the system until I had a roof leak close to where the solar panels are installed, a service man from Vivint came to check the system so I showed him the roof leak. And he confirmed that it might be leaking due to installation. He took some pictures of the leak and said he would report it to his supervisor, but no one contacted me so I started to call customer service. They said they would look into the problem. We emailed for about a month then they said it was Sunrun solar problem then they stopped writing back, I have emailed them many times with no response.
Thanks for reaching out, Jeffrey. Customer service is really important to us and we'd love to look further into this for you. Please send us a private message with your full service address so that we can help resolve your concerns. Thank you!
Vivint Solar Company Information
- Company Name:
- Vivint Solar
- Company Type:
- Public
- Ticker Symbol:
- VSLR
- Year Founded:
- 2011
- Address:
- 1800 Ashton Blvd.
- City:
- Lehi
- State/Province:
- UT
- Postal Code:
- 84043
- Country:
- United States
- Fax:
- 801.377.4116
- Website:
- www.vivintsolar.com