For some homeowners, choosing a solar energy company can seem like a daunting task. There is no shortage of solar panel installation companies, and each of them offers the same services (installation of panels on the roof and on the ground, as well as connection to the house's electrical panel). However, owners need to find a company they can trust, and two of the best companies in the industry are Sunrun and Tesla. When looking at Sunrun and Tesla, owners want to compare the two companies to decide which solar company best meets their needs.
How do Sunrun and Tesla compare?
Photo: istockphoto.com
Service Area: Perhaps the most important factor is whether a customer's chosen solar company offers service in their area. We compared several cities and states in which each company operates.
Panel Efficiency and Performance: We compared the efficiency of solar panels not only at the beginning of their life, but also at the end, when the panels are most efficient.
Additional products and services. It is important that customers can customize or add services and products. We compared the additional options offered by the two solar companies.
Costs and Financing Options: The cost of solar panels is an important consideration for homeowners. We looked at options for purchasing or leasing solar panel systems from both companies to see which one offers the most options.
Warranties – Solar panel systems are a significant investment, and it's important to know what customers are responsible for and what the company will cover if something stops working. Longer, more general warranties are more effective, but ultimately the language and clarity of the original warranty is just as important.
Customer Reviews : We rely on customer reviews to help homeowners understand what it's like to work with each solar provider. We consulted the Better Business Bureau, TrustPilot, Consumer Affairs and other sources to determine which company is best.
Sunny | You're here | |
Service area | 18 states; Washington DC; and Puerto Rico | 50 states and Washington, DC |
Panel efficiency | Not mentioned | Not mentioned |
Additional products and services | Solar cells, electric vehicle chargers, system control | Solar roof, solar panels, electric vehicle charger, system monitoring. |
Financial options | Energy purchase and sale, loans, leases, purchase and sale contracts (depending on state) | Buy, borrow |
Guarantees | Performance and 25-year product warranty; 10 year warranty on roof drains. | 25-year performance guarantee; Full 10 year warranty. |
Modernization of the company's offices | A+ | A+ |
Sanran against Tesla : Service area
Choosing a solar contractor often depends on homeowners' ability to find one in their area. Some contractors only install solar panels in certain states, while others may provide services nationwide. Finding a company that includes a specific address in its service area is often the first step homeowners take in finding an installer.
The Sunrun service area is a little confusing. The company's website says it serves 175 cities in 22 states, but only 18 are named.
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Hawaii
Illinois
Maryland
Massachusetts
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
new York
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Caroline from the south
Texas
Vermont
Sunrun Puerto Rico and Washington, DC. He said he would serve. He may be eligible for states not listed on the company's website, but customers should check and this contractor is not ideal for homeowners looking for him.
Tesla's website, on the other hand, says it serves all 50 states plus Washington, DC. The service can be performed by Tesla itself or by certain subcontractors, but the overall range of services makes Tesla the obvious choice when it comes to service. If homeowners talk to Tesla about the price of solar panels, no matter where they live, they know the company can answer their questions.
Verdict: Sunrun offers solar panel installation in at least 18 states; Porto Rico; and Washington, DC, but Sunrun's website contains conflicting information about its exact service area. On the other hand , Tesla solar panels can be installed in all 50 states and Washington DC, so many customers can choose Tesla solar.
Winner: Tesla
Photo: istockphoto.com
Sanran versus Tesla : Panel efficiency and performance
One of the main advantages of solar energy is that it allows consumers to ditch fossil fuels, but if the panels do not produce enough energy, the homeowner must still obtain some of that energy from traditional sources. Therefore, panel efficiency is a key factor for homeowners when installing a solar panel system (panel efficiency can determine the number of solar panels needed for a home). This is a labor-intensive process, and because the cost can be a significant investment, homeowners want to be sure that the panels they install will be effective and durable. They also want to find the best solar panel performance they can afford and decide if it's right for their home.
Neither Sunrun nor Tesla provide specifications or efficiency statistics for solar panels. However, some third-party testers have found that each company's test panels perform at 20 to 21 percent efficiency, which is comparable to other solar companies.
However, in the long term, the efficiency of Tesla's solar panels could be affected by Sunrun. Tesla offers a 25-year energy production guarantee, meaning that after 25 years, Tesla's solar panels will still be operating at 80% or more, providing peace of mind to owners.
Surun panels do not have an energy efficiency guarantee, so customers may not be satisfied with their long-term efficiency. However, Sunrun says it offers an active solar system monitoring service that monitors your system to ensure it is operating at peak performance. However, the monitoring system does not show what happens when a problem occurs. That may be enough for some owners, but Tesla's warranty provides a more quantifiable measure by giving the solar company a much bigger deal.
Homeowners want to know that cleaning solar panels twice a year can help improve their long-term performance. For homeowners who don't feel comfortable cleaning their solar panels, one of the best solar panel cleaning services can do the job for them.
Verdict: Neither Sunrun nor Tesla advertise the efficiency of their solar panels, although third-party sources estimate it to be between 20 and 21 percent. In terms of performance, Tesla offers its customers a 25-year electricity production guarantee, which guarantees that the solar panels will operate at least 80% longer. Sunrun does not guarantee electricity production, but by monitoring the solar system, the system will have high efficiency at all times.
Winner: Tesla
Sanran versus Tesla : More products and services
While some solar installation companies can be one-trick ponies, Sunrun and Tesla offer other services that are attractive to homeowners. Depending on how these services are integrated, they can be cost-effective upgrades that help homeowners get the most out of their new solar energy system and get the most bang for their buck.
Sunrun and Tesla offer additional entry-level services. These include the installation of electric vehicle charging stations, solar panels that store excess energy and can be used during power outages or at night, and energy control software and applications. solar system.
However, Tesla takes these additional products and services to another level. This gives customers the choice between standard roof panels, which are already beautiful and modern, or solar panels, which integrate with the house's roof system and have a discreet appearance. Solar panels are more expensive than solar panels, but they offer many benefits, including good looks and durability. Tesla's solar roof can cost $150,000, which is expensive, but it may be a better option for homeowners who can afford it. Additionally, owners with a Tesla electric vehicle can pay for it with solar power generated by their system, but Sunrun does not sell electric vehicles.
Based on these comparisons, Tesla beat Sunrun again. For homeowners who choose Tesla, there are more conveniences, a wider range of products and more ways to integrate renewable energy into their daily lives. Sunrun doesn't offer the same product line and Tesla Solar Systems gives customers a better overall experience depending on how they configure their solar system.
Verdict: Sunrun and Tesla offer similar products and services, including solar cells, electric vehicle chargers, and solar system monitoring. Tesla has an advantage over Surun by offering a choice between traditional solar panels and solar panels, and customers who choose Tesla can use one of the company's electric vehicles with a solar system.
Winner: Tesla
Sunrun vs. Tesla : Costs and Financing Options
While the range, additional services, and efficiency of the panels are important, homeowners also want to consider the financial cost and importance of these systems. If the system itself isn't cost effective, it doesn't matter how many extras or panels can efficiently harness solar energy.
Unfortunately, none of the companies provide pricing or installation costs for solar panels on their website, so customers must request a quote. One of the best things about Tesla is that it offers a price match guarantee, which allows owners to get a fair price for their high-end system. Although the initial cost of a Tesla solar panel system can be high, Tesla's price match guarantee means that a homeowner can pay significantly less for Tesla solar panels if they get a lower price from a competitor.
Sunrun stands out when it comes to financing options. Tesla's financing options are limited: The company offers homeowners only two options for purchasing a solar system: paying for the entire system or taking out a loan for the solar panels. On the other hand, Sunrun offers a few additional options. Customers can purchase or borrow Sunrun solar panels or lease their systems from Sunrun. Sunrun also offers power purchase agreements that allow homeowners to pay a lower price for energy produced by the solar grid instead of a solar panel system.
Verdict: Neither company announces the price of its solar panel systems, but Tesla offers a price match guarantee that guarantees homeowners a good deal on a solar system. However, while Tesla only offers two financing options (paying in full or getting a solar panel loan), Sunrun offers power leases and purchase agreements.
Winner: Sanran
Photo: istockphoto.com
Sunrun vs. Tesla : Guarantees
It is important that the operation of the solar panel has a practical lifespan. These systems and their components are expensive, so homeowners want to make sure their investment is protected. Both Sunrun and Tesla guarantee some customer protection, and it's hard to beat them in this category.
Sunrun's warranties are generous, but don't necessarily cover everything. Sunrun offers a 25-year warranty on leased systems and components. However, warranty information is not available for purchased products, so customers should contact Sunrun to find out what the warranty covers, how long it lasts, and the replacement or refund process.
Sunrun also offers comprehensive insurance for the systems. However, this insurance is only mentioned as part of the rental plan, and it is not clear what exactly the insurance covers or whether customers who purchase their systems will be able to pay for this coverage.
Since the company does not rent systems, Tesla warranties only apply to purchased products. However, these warranties cover purchased panels for up to 25 years (and come with an energy efficiency guarantee) and also offer a comprehensive 10-year warranty for batteries, solar inverters and roof systems.
Finally, here the two opponents are tied. Sunrun's warranty covers the entire system for 25 years, and while Tesla's power supply warranty is additional, it only covers selected components for 10 years. Customers need to decide which insurance will give them the peace of mind they need for their money, and every case will be different.
Verdict: the guarantees offered by Sunrun and Tesla are relatively comparable; Sunrun offers a full 25-year warranty on leased systems, although its website does not list warranty information on purchased systems. Tesla offers a comprehensive 25-year warranty on the panels you buy, which covers the batteries, solar inverters and roof for 10 years.
Winner: random draw
Sanran against Tesla : customer reviews
To decide which company is most suitable, sometimes it does not make sense to rely on the common opinion of existing customers. This is another area where the two solar companies go hand in hand, and choosing between them can be difficult. Owners can check Better Business Bureau ratings, Trustpilot, consumer relations reports, and other sources to find complaints and other reviews that favor one business over another.
Reviews of Tesla and Sunrun are very mixed, although this is not unusual when considering other competitors to Tesla or Sunrun. There are people who love the services of these companies, while others have real complaints. Tesla has higher reviews on the Better Business Bureau than Sunrun. However, when it comes to consumer relations, Sunrun ranks first in Tesla's consumer business rankings. Neither company does a good job on Trustpilot, making it difficult to choose hosts over just one.
However, homeowners may want to get the official Better Business Bureau warning about Sunrun now. This notice states that Sunrun has received persistent customer complaints that may pose a potential threat to potential customers. There are also many complaints about Sunrun customer support on Trustpilot.
Some customers might be interested to know that Sunrun has more user reviews than Tesla. Sunrun has five times more reviews on search platforms than Tesla. This does not indicate which company is better, only that one has been systematically audited more than the other.
Verdict: Customer reviews of Sunrun and Tesla are mixed, with Tesla receiving a slightly higher rating from the Better Business Bureau and Sunrun receiving a higher rating in consumer protection. However, the BBB has a current advisory for Sunrun that highlights several potential customer complaints.
Winner: Tesla
Verdict: Tesla is a good choice for homeowners who want to choose between traditional solar panels and solar shingles and want to ensure they are getting the best value for their system. However, Sunrun's excellent solar panel leasing capabilities make it a better choice for customers who don't want to purchase or finance solar panels.
Finally, those looking to get the best value for a high-quality solar panel system will want to consider Tesla. With the warranties available, the variety of additional products and services, and the types of solar energy available, it can be difficult to choose. However, in terms of overall convenience, Sunrun deserves some consideration, as many homeowners don't want to overlook the option of renting a system. Customers can also consider Sunrun and SunPower when looking for a high-quality solar battery installer.
Between these two companies, there is something for almost every potential solar energy user. No matter which company you choose, both companies can help homeowners transition to clean energy for their homes.
