FAQs

How does shade affect a solar system’s performance?

It’s important to minimize shading because solar panels operate at optimal output when their entire surface is fully exposed to direct sunlight. The system will still produce energy if it is shaded but its output will lessen.

SunPower will evaluate your particular situation and provide solar options for you. Contact Us today to find out if solar is right for you!

Will solar panels make my home less beautiful?

Not particularly, solar panels are on the roof, which isn’t the first thing people look at on a home. Aesthetically speaking, they might not blend in completely, but people won’t noticing them except to compliment your environmentally friendly energy. The benefit and energy they provide outweighs the aesthetic features.

What are the 'hidden costs'?

Any possible 'hidden costs' can be attributed to your utility company, which requires a $10- 20 activation fee. This fee is paid regardless, you pay it currently as well. At the end of a year, if you use more energy than your panels produced, you pay your utility company at the lowest rate for the excess energy used.

How reliable is SunPower?

If anything goes wrong, Sun Power is liable and will fix it for you with a 100% guarantee. If within the first year, your solar panels don’t supply you with the promised energy, Sun Power will supply you.

Is going solar expensive?

Financing home solar doesn’t have to be complicated. SunPower offers three flexible payment options, so you can choose what’s right for you—cash, lease or loan. With $0 down solar financing, you can start saving with little to no upfront costs. Or take advantage of federal tax credits with a cash purchase or our popular loans.

How quickly do I start saving?

Right away. Within the month, you will see a lower electricity bill.

Are SunPower solar panels better?

Despite the generalities you may hear in solar advertising, not all solar systems are created equal! Of all the solar panels on the market, SunPower panels have the highest efficiency and convert the highest amount of sunlight into electricity. This means our solar panels generate more power than conventional panels within the same amount of space, and you’ll need fewer panels to produce the energy you need. You can maximize your available roof space to choose the best, unobstructed location for electricity production. Our world-record panel efficiency means you'll save more money over time by choosing SunPower panels.

How long will a solar system last?

Our systems are designed to have a useful life of 40 years or more. SunPower controls the entire production process to ensure that only the highest-quality products reach your rooftop. For both lease and cash systems, we warranty the system with a 25-year limited Combined Power and Product Warranty. For leased systems, we provide a Performance Guarantee (PEGU) for 20 years (during the term of the lease).

Do I have to get a quote in person?

Nope! We can email you your quote or get it over the phone! If you want a quote right now call us or submit our form online!

What’s the advantage of a single warranty on the whole system all from one manufacturer?

A working solar system is composed of many components that work together to turn sunlight into usable power for your home. When you buy a SunPower® solar system with components that are designed and engineered to work together, you get the confidence of knowing that not only will the system work better together, but also that, should anything go wrong, you have one company, SunPower, backing your entire system -- not just a component. If there is an issue, you have just one phone call to make.

Why should I consider SunPower, when some competitors offer higher wattages?

The “efficiency” of a solar panel determines how much power can be generated in the same amount of space (power density). Some solar panels try to compensate for lower efficiency by creating larger-sized panels to increase wattage, but this does not solve a homeowner’s power needs since the home’s available roof space cannot change. SunPower’s high-efficiency panels produce more power in the same roof space than conventional panels.

How does the production guarantee work?

Per the terms of your lease agreement, SunPower guarantees that your system will produce a range of kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electric energy in each guarantee year. The total kWh produced by the system in a given year is measured by the SunPower Monitoring System installed with your system. Early in year two, you will receive a personalized statement outlining your system’s energy generation for the previous year, including any credits applicable to your account. If the system produces below your estimated range, SunPower will reimburse you after such amount is equal to or greater than $5.00 for the calculated shortfall after accounting for any unused credits remaining from previous years. Your statement will include any energy credits being carried over to future 12-month guarantee periods. (See the Production Guarantee section of your lease agreement for details.)

I saw that another brand offers a warranty that also provides 25 years of coverage. Is this the same as SunPower’s warranty?

Other manufacturers, many of which are new to manufacturing solar, are trying to catch up to SunPower’s 30+ years of dedicated solar experience, and to the exceptional terms of our Complete Confidence warranty. Many of them include hidden charges, such as shipping and labor costs, and don’t cover all of the many parts that go into a working solar system – panels, inverters, racking system, monitoring hardware and software. SunPower is the only company who offers one comprehensive product, power, and labor warranty for all components because we engineered and designed the entire system.

Does my system store energy?

No. Unused energy goes back to your utility provider.

Can I remodel or update my roof during the term of my lease?

Yes. You must provide at least 15 days prior notice to SunPower of intent to repair or improve the premises. We will work with you to determine how we can best protect and secure the system before repairs or improvements. If we need to remove and reinstall the system after the repairs or improvements are complete, the associated costs will be at your expense.

How much will a SunPower solar system for my home cost?

SunPower has a wide variety of financing options, including some that don't require you to pay any upfront costs if you qualify. The cost of your solar system depends on several factors, including your current energy usage, your available amount of unshaded roof space, your local utility’s net metering policy, and other factors.