Updated 3 months ago
Expert SunPower review 2024: Costs, panels, and reviews
Written by
Jamie Smith
Find out what solar panels cost in your area
August 5, 2024: SunPower has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. SunPower assets including Blue Raven Solar, its New Homes business, and its non-installing Dealer Network are set to be purchased by Complete Solaria.
For existing SunPower customers, read our guide for more information about what SunPower customers should know about the bankruptcy.
SunPower is one of the leading solar energy providers in the U.S., founded in 1985 in Silicon Valley, California. With over 40 years of solar expertise, SunPower manages an extensive Dealer Network of solar installers, providing exclusive financing, warranty, and product options.
SunPower does not offer direct home solar installations. However, homeowners can get SunPower products and services through one of the company's partners.
Here are some of the pros and cons of going solar with SunPower:
Pros
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Installs high-performance panels
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Extensive local dealer network
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Great warranty coverage
Cons
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Expensive
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Poor customer service reviews
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Financial issues
Key takeaways
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SunPower is a premium solar solutions company with a line of high-end residential solar panels manufactured by Maxeon Solar.
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SunPower does not offer direct solar installations but does manage an extensive dealer network and the installation company Blue Raven Solar.
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SunPower’s Maxeon-made panels have some of the highest efficiency and power ratings on the market.
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You can expect to pay a minimum of $3.30 per watt for a SunPower solar system, which comes out to about $19,800 before incentives for the average 6 kW system.
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SunPower's recent financial performance puts its longevity in question, and may make some consumers warry of relying on the brand.
How much does a SunPower installation cost?
SunPower solar installations have historically cost about $3.30 per watt of solar installed, which is higher than the average solar installation price. The higher price is attributed to SunPower's premium equipment and comprehensive warranty coverage.
It’s hard to determine an exact price for a solar installation – everyone’s situation is unique! The total price of a solar installation can vary with how many solar panels you need, where you live, and even how you pay for the system!
To give a better idea of how much you can expect to pay, the chart below breaks down the price of a SunPower installation based on different system sizes:
System size | Avg. SunPower price* |
|---|---|
4 kW | $13,200 |
6 kW | $19,800 |
8 kW | $26,400 |
10 kW | $33,000 |
*before incentives
SunPower no longer offers direct solar panel installations. In April 2024, SunPower ceased its home solar panel installation operations, so you cannot get solar panels installed directly by SunPower. However, the company is still managing its Dealer Network, meaning you can access SunPower financing plans and warranties through certified partners.
Does SunPower offer payment options?
If you don’t have the funds to pay for your system upfront, you can finance your solar system using SunPower Financial. SunPower offers a few financing options to homeowners:
SunPower’s solar loan offers up to $150,000 for well-qualified customers with interest rates generally between 4.99% and 9.00%. You must have a minimum credit score of 600.
SunPower’s solar lease and power purchase agreement (PPA) options allow you to install solar and batteries with no upfront cost. Plus, SunPower has a production guarantee, so you are promised a certain amount of savings. However, using a lease or a PPA means you won’t own your system and can’t take advantage of incentives like the federal solar tax credit.
If you want to maximize your savings, the best payment option is purchasing your system upfront.
Look out for hidden fees. When financing, lower interest rates typically mean higher dealer fees. Be sure to ask for a cash and a financing quote from your SunPower installer to check for fees and compare prices.
Where is SunPower available?
SunPower installation services are provided in all 50 states. There is access to battery installation in all 50 states as well.
SunPower has an extensive dealer network, which has allowed it to expand quickly. SunPower dealers can be smaller, local installations certified to install SunPower systems, and offer other SunPower financing and warranties. The dealer network lets you have all the perks of a local installer with the backing of a large corporation.
What is SunPower’s warranty?
Having a good warranty is important for a 25-year investment like a solar installation. Warranties help ensure your system is in good working condition and holds its value over its lifespan.
SunPower has some of the best solar warranty terms in the industry. SunPower’s Complete Confidence warranty provides coverage for all solar equipment, not just the panels! SunPower’s warranty includes:
Product warranty: 25-year warranty that covers labor, shipping, and all parts of your solar system.
Performance warranty: 25-year warranty that promises your system will operate at no less than 92% of its total power output rating by the end of the warranty period.
10-year warranty for battery storage and monitoring equipment.
While the company does provide comprehensive coverage, SunPower has had a rocky year financially, which does put into question if it will be around to honor the warranty should anything happen.
SunPower’s financial performance
One of the most important things to remember when searching for a solar installer is company longevity. Our experts at SolarReviews value financial performance and years in the industry, and we strongly suggest taking this aspect into account when doing any research on solar companies or manufacturers. It’s better to feel confident that the company you do business with will be around for the lifespan of your system for any issues along the way.
In April 2024, SunPower announced it was laying off over 20% of its workforce and ceasing its direct home solar panel installations due to slow market recovery. The company also identified misstatements in its 2022 financial results, which will result in millions of dollars in adjustments. This all comes after the company's stock plummeted at the end of 2023 from a substantial amount of debt, and the company failed to make payments to Maxeon.
Keep in mind that the performance of SunPower does not necessarily reflect that of installers within its dealer network. SunPower dealers should be evaluated on an individual basis, reviewing how long they've been in business, their customer reviews, and the certifications they hold.
What do customers think of SunPower?
After sifting through customer reviews of SunPower here on SolarReviews, the overall opinion of SunPower is pretty mixed. Many homeowners say they had an excellent experience working with the company, while many other reviews state that working with SunPower was a nightmare! SunPower has 4.53 out of 5 stars on SolarReviews, which is excellent for a large company.
We pulled a few verified consumer reviews from SolarReviews so you can get an idea of what customers have to say about going solar with SunPower:
SunPower also has an A+ Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating and a 3.8 out of 5 stars based on customer reviews. Most of the negative reviews suggest that SunPower could improve on customer service support when it comes to system issues.
Keep in mind that SunPower is a nationwide company, and the reviews of the individual SunPower dealers in your area are the most important ones to look at. Many reviews you see for SunPower could be from when SunPower operated as a direct installer.
What brand are SunPower’s solar panels?
After 2020, SunPower no longer manufactured its own solar panels. Instead, the company and its manufacturing arm, Maxeon, had an exclusive agreement for Maxeon's M-Series panels. In March 2024, the M-Series exclusivity agreement ended as SunPower fell behind on payments.
SunPower dealers now have access to a wide variety of panel brands, and installers outside of SunPower's network will offer M-Series panels. The exact panels you will be offered depend on the SunPower dealer you work with.
SunPower’s solar battery storage solution
SunPower also offers an energy storage solution as a part of its line of solar products. The battery storage system, named the SunVault, can be added to your new or existing solar energy system.
Here are a few key features of the SunPower SunVault:
Key Feature | SunVault specification |
|---|---|
Power rating | 6.8 kW |
capacity | 13 kWh |
Cost | $12,000 - $25,000 |
Warranty | 10-year limited warranty |
The SunPower SunVault battery can be great for customers who live in areas that experience frequent blackouts or don’t have access to net metering. For instance, customers in California under NEM 3.0 can benefit from having battery storage to help bring down their electric bills.
Read more: Full review of the SunVault battery
Bottom line: Is SunPower the right choice for you?
Overall, SunPower Dealers are worth considering for your solar installation. SunPower provides financing and comprehensive warranty terms that can make going solar with a SunPower dealer an attractive choice.
However, SunPower's recent financial struggles are a concern and lessen the value of its comprehensive warranty coverage. Also, since the company's exclusivity agreement with Maxeon has ended, SunPower is no longer the only place to get the premium M-series panels.
The publicity of SunPower's financial troubles may have a negative impact on the brands image as a whole, and considering it is no longer the only place to go for Maxeon's best panels, what is really drawing homeowners to SunPower now?
At SolarReviews, we recommend contacting at least three installation companies and comparing each quote. Comparing multiple solar quotes not only gets you the best installation possible but also the best price.
SunPower frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Still unsure about SunPower? Here are some frequently asked questions about SunPower’s services:
Jamie is a Content Writer and researcher at SolarReviews. A recent graduate of La Salle University in Philadelphia, Jamie earned her B.S. in communications with a concentration in journalism, mass media, and public relations. Jamie has previously worked at a marketing company where she had the opportunity to highlight and promote small business owners through long-form stories and interviews. With a deep-rooted passion for creativity, Jamie stri...
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