{"id":3283,"date":"2024-05-07T13:59:13","date_gmt":"2024-05-07T13:59:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beupp.com\/?p=3283"},"modified":"2024-05-07T13:59:13","modified_gmt":"2024-05-07T13:59:13","slug":"tesla-solar-vs-sunrun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beupp.com\/solar\/tesla-solar-vs-sunrun\/","title":{"rendered":"Tesla Solar vs Sunrun Review"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Although Tesla is better known for its range of electric sportscars, the leading tech manufacturer is also one of the largest producers of photovoltaic solar equipment in the nation. For many consumers hoping to install high-quality solar panels on their homes, they question how Tesla stacks up against another popular solar company\u2014Sunrun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla and Sunrun both make high-quality solar equipment but Tesla\u2019s panels are generally agreed upon to be more reliable and can produce slightly more electricity than Sunrun panels. That being said, though, the difference in output is marginal, and Sunrun offers a wider variety of products that are easier to install and come with a better warranty.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are considering installing solar panels to reduce your individual carbon footprint, take a moment to read more about Tesla and Sunrun. These two companies produce some of the finest solar panels in the world but, to get the most out of your investment, you\u2019ll want to purchase the better panel for your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tesla vs Sunrun \u2013 Comparing Companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although Tesla was originally founded to produce electric vehicles, it expanded into the solar market in 2016 after acquiring SolarCity\u2014one of the largest solar energy companies at the time. Since then, Tesla has worked to innovate and produce smaller, more efficient, and better-designed solar panels than the standard blue and black panels we\u2019ve become accustomed to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunrun, on the other hand, is an American residential solar, battery storage, and energy services company that was founded in 2007 by Ed Fenster and Lynn Jurich. Fenster and Jurich had previously worked together at the venture capital firm Accel Partners where they helped fund and grow companies like Facebook, Etsy, and Dropcam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like Tesla, Sunrun got its start in the solar industry but has since expanded to offer home battery storage and energy services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The company is best known for its BrightBox home solar battery system which can store solar energy for use at night or during a power outage. Now that we\u2019ve taken a look at the two companies, let\u2019s compare their solar panels in more detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Comparison of Tesla vs Sunrun Solar Panels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the six years since Tesla first got into solar, it\u2019s quickly worked to make major strides in the industry, cutting retrofitting costs, increasing output, and driving up general competition in the market. Yet, let\u2019s take a look at how the company\u2019s solar panels stack up against Sunrun\u2019s offerings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Energy Output<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to solar panels, the average homeowner is interested in one thing\u2014energy output. After all, solar panels are a big investment and you want to be sure that you\u2019re getting the most bang for your buck. In terms of energy output, Tesla\u2019s solar panels are some of the most efficient on the market, with an average output of 19.8% efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunrun\u2019s panels are no slouch in this department, though, as they boast an average efficiency of between 15% to 22%. To be honest, though, this won’t make much of a difference for the average homeowner. Most home solar systems are only about 5 kilowatts, which means that the average Tesla panel will produce about 420 watts of power while the average Sunrun panel will produce about 400 watts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quality of the Hardware<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From a purely technical standpoint, Sunrun and Tesla are offering similar products. Back in 2021, Tesla switched from using Hanhwa tech to its own homegrown panel systems, while Sunrun uses a mix of panel tech from LONGi and Costco. Yet, at the end of the day, both companies are producing and selling monocrystalline panels, which are considered to be the best type of solar panel on the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overall Performance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In terms of energy output, they both sit at the top of the market but, in terms of efficiency, Tesla is certainly more reliable, even if it is slightly less efficient. Although Sunrun can sometimes utilize up to 22% of the solar energy it receives, it\u2019s not as consistent as Tesla.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In terms of quality, they\u2019re both excellent but Tesla has a slight edge as its panels are made from a single crystal, making them more durable. In terms of price, Tesla is slightly cheaper but, when it comes to installation and warranty, Sunrun is the clear winner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Installation Costs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tesla has a reputation for being a luxury brand yet, when it comes to solar panels, the company has worked hard to offer affordable products for the average consumer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to reviews, one customer reported that, after requesting a quote for both Tesla and Sunrun installations, a standard 5.4-kilowatt system from Sunrun would cost around $19,500 compared to an 8.16-kilowatt system from Tesla for just $16,600.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Considering that the Tesla system would produce substantially more energy in a year than the Sunrun system, it\u2019s hard to deny that Tesla is the more affordable option. This begs the question of why, though. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From a purely market standpoint, Tesla doesn\u2019t have to work so hard to reach customers. After all, it\u2019s already a household name and carries with it an air of superior design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Post-Installation Services and Warranty Coverage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sunrun offers a 25-year warranty on all of its solar panels. This means that, if anything goes wrong with your panels during that time, Sunrun will replace them for free. Tesla, on the other hand, only offers a 10-year warranty, which is still pretty good but less than half that of Sunrun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to a longer warranty, Sunrun also offers free maintenance and monitoring for the lifetime of your system. This means that, if there are ever any issues with your solar panels, a Sunrun technician will come out to your home and fix the problem at no cost to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla offers a similar service for an annual fee of $120. When it comes to post-installation services, it\u2019s hard to beat what Sunrun has to offer. The company\u2019s 20-year warranty and free lifetime maintenance are two of the best offers in the industry and give Sunrun a clear edge over Tesla.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final Verdict<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
 <\/strong><\/td>Tesla<\/strong><\/td>Sunrun<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Energy Output<\/strong><\/td>420 watts<\/td>400 watts<\/td><\/tr>
Solar Efficiency<\/strong><\/td>Stable 19.8%<\/td>Variable 15-22%<\/td><\/tr>
Hardware<\/strong><\/td>Monocrystalline panels<\/td>Monocrystalline panels<\/td><\/tr>
Warranty<\/strong><\/td>10 years<\/td>25 years with free maintenance<\/td><\/tr>
Highlights<\/strong><\/td>Reliability and affordability<\/td>Customer service and potential for higher efficiency<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s hard to say who has the better deal\u2014Sunrun or Tesla? While there\u2019s no denying that Tesla offers a more affordable and reliable solar system, Sunrun\u2019s range of products and duration of warranty could save you more money in the long run. However, we can’t deny that Tesla offers a generally better product. And, its shorter warranty speaks to the company’s faith in its own products.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final Winner: Tesla<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Video Review<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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