SunPower: Reviews, Services and Costs (2023)

SunPower has been around since 1985 and began offering solar panel installation for homeowners in the early 2000s, making it one of the longest-running providers in the solar industry. In addition, this premium solar solutions company has its own line of high-end home solar panels. But is it the right solar provider for you?

We have researched and ranked the best solar companies in the U.S. to help you answer that question. Our research includes secret shopping to understand each provider's customer service, installation process, panel options and other insights. This SunPower review will provide all this information in one easy-to-understand resource.

*BBB rating accurate as of April 2023

SunPower Corporation was founded in 1985 in San Jose, California and has since expanded its operations to all 50 states. SunPower has office locations and a vast network of certified SunPower dealers and installers across the country.

SunPower provides a thorough yet straightforward installation process. Partners within SunPower's network of certified solar contractors conduct many of the steps. Once you request a free quote from SunPower, you can expect the following process:

SunPower offers solar, backup battery and EV charger installations. Additionally, SunPower customers have access to system monitoring and the company's app, MySunPower.

During the solar installation process, SunPower will consult with you to design your custom solar system, help you obtain any necessary permits, install the panels and conduct the final inspection before turning your system on. A SunPower representative should also follow up with you after the installation to make sure that your panels are working properly.

SunPower offers high-quality monocrystalline solar panels. SunPower's panels last from 25 to 40 years and feature an efficiency range of 20.1%–30%. This rate is higher than the average rate of 15%–20%. SunPower has four solar panel lines:

SunPower also offers its own solar battery, SunVault Storage. This energy storage device works with SunPower's solar panels to provide electricity to your home during low-sunlight hours and power outages. Paired with SunPower's mobile app, this solar battery offers 24/7 active monitoring.

Although SunPower will only install its own products, the panels will also work with third-party solar storage options, including the Tesla Powerwall.

Get your quote from SunPower today.

SunPower offers a 25-year warranty covering labor, equipment and power output. This comprehensive warranty covers the system for 92% output and offers free repair or replacement for malfunctions and any issues with panel performance or quality of installation.

According to our 2023 poll of 1,000 homeowners with solar, respondents who were SunPower customers reported paying $15,000 to $20,000 or more for their solar energy system. Keep in mind that incentives like the federal solar tax credit can also significantly decrease the final cost of your solar panels.

SunPower offers three financing options: full purchase, solar loan or solar lease. We recommend requesting a free, virtual consultation with a SunPower representative to discuss your cost and which financing option best fits your needs.

SunPower has maintained a positive reputation over its more than 30 years in the industry. The company holds an A+ rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and has earned 4.26 out of 5 stars on over 1,000 customer reviews on the site.

Positive reviews mention the responsiveness and knowledge of SunPower's customer support representatives and the savings generated from the company's solar panels. More critical reviews point out scheduling difficulties or issues with the long-term maintenance of Maxeon's equipment.

Read over what some SunPower customers had to say about their experiences below.

"Before I got this company, I did a lot of research on other companies and found SunPower to be straightforward and professional. They gave a timeline of when to expect things. The installation was done in a couple of days. They left my house clean when done and still, they followed up to make sure things were working well. This company has been around for over 30 years and is very reputable. No regrets about making SunPower my solar company." –Margaret L. via BBB

"The whole solar experience was great with SunPower. My initial contact made me feel confident he knew what he was doing and had a solar installation himself so he could help me understand how it worked better than some other companies I contacted. The local installer visited for a survey, and later the installation crew did a great one-day install. A local SunPower rep was at my home for the county inspections and answered more questions. Overall it was a great experience and I am making power as I write this." –Norman B. via BBB

"Absolutely very poor service. I have been waiting for 2 months now for a job that needs to be corrected. I have emailed and called multiple times but all I am getting is that they are trying to schedule it. I had my solar installed last 1/16/23 and now mid-March no one had attempted to call to set up an appointment. It is very frustrating." –Mary Jane E. via BBB

"Long story short, great experience getting everything set up. However, since the solar panels have been up and running, we have had multiple issues with the battery dying and not recharging. We have been without back-up power for approx. 3 out of the last 5 months (on and off) with no idea of when this issue will be resolved and without (it seems) any real sense of urgency from SP. ([By the way], we’ve had the same technician come out several times and he has been great, but it seems like he can only do so much on his end.) We have become very frustrated with the situation and have wasted a lot of time and effort trying to get this resolved. I’m just glad we have not had a power outage. I’m paying a lot of money for a system that doesn't fully work and still have to pay higher than expected utility bills." –Daniel V. via BBB

When it comes to solar panel installation, experience is key. Having a solar company that knows the ins and outs of what makes an effective solar power system helps you reach your financial and energy-saving goals. SunPower provides 30-plus years of professional residential solar installation experience with in-house manufactured solar technologies.

Although customers report that the company's panels experience some long-term maintenance problems, proper maintenance and SunPower's 25-year warranties help most homeowners avoid any complications that arise from these problems.

SunPower operates its own solar manufacturing company, Maxeon Solar. These high-quality, monocrystalline solar modules are the most efficient solar panels on the market today and also have industry-leading durability scores and degradation rates. SunPower exclusively installs its own Maxeon panels.

SunPower offers four solar panel lines, including its premier line, the M Series, that feature built-in microinverters and its highly efficient X series. The E Series panels offer mid-range wattage and efficiency, while the A Series is capable of generating a power output of up to 420 watts.

Yes, SunPower installs solar batteries. SunPower manufactures and installs several energy storage solutions to complement your solar panel system, including its Sunvault storage system and Wallbox EV Charger.

Yes, SunPower solar panels have the highest efficiency ratings on the market today, with an efficiency range of 20.1% to 30%. This means that your SunPower system will require fewer panels and less roof space to meet your energy needs.

We closely evaluated seven crucial factors according to our solar panel installation company methodology to rank the best providers in the industry. Based on a 100-point scale, we came up with each provider's score out of five stars. Here's how we assessed each company:

Alex Hawkins is an avid writer and researcher specializing in solar, pet insurance and home improvement. When he isn't surveying homeowners to understand their pain points or speaking with professionals in the industries he covers, Alex can often be found creating videos for his YouTube channel, Analysis with Alex, or attending a heavy metal show.

Roxanne Downer has more than 15 years as a news, finance and lifestyle writer and editor. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, she has previously worked at Deutsche Bank, BNY Mellon, Financial Week and MSN Money.

Karsten Neumeister is an experienced energy professional with subject-matter expertise in energy policy and the solar and retail energy industries. He is currently the Communications Manager for the Retail Energy Advancement League and has prior experience writing and editing content for EcoWatch. Before EcoWatch, Karsten worked for Solar Alternatives, curating content, advocating for local renewable energy policy and assisting the solar engineering and installation teams. Throughout his career, his work has been featured on various outlets including NPR, SEIA, Bankrate, PV Mag and the World Economic Forum.