Sunrun vs Tesla solar comes down to ownership. Sunrun mainly sells leases and power purchase agreements, where it owns and maintains the system, while Tesla sells panels you buy with cash or a loan and also lists a lease in its direct service territories. Tesla has generally quoted a lower price per watt but draws more service-timeline complaints; Sunrun has scale and a service network but a long record of billing and repair complaints. Neither wins for everyone, so here is a side-by-side based on public sources.
By the Solar Bid Analyzer research team · Updated November 2026
The core difference: owning vs renting your system
Sunrun's annual report says its core offerings are leases and power purchase agreements, with agreements that typically run 20 or 25 years. Under that model the company owns the equipment and is responsible for maintaining it. Tesla sells systems outright, with cash and loan options, and its support site describes a separate 25-year lease where it operates directly.
This affects almost every other comparison. Our guide to solar loan vs lease vs PPA explains the trade-offs, and the end of the 25D credit after 2025 means a purchase no longer carries a 30% federal credit for the buyer.
Sunrun vs Tesla at a glance
| Factor | Sunrun | Tesla |
|---|---|---|
| Main model | Lease or PPA; 20 or 25 year terms typical | Cash or loan purchase; lease in direct service territories |
| Rate or price disclosed | Rate and escalator set in proposal; escalators can be fixed or a predetermined annual percent | Online quote; $2.30 to $3.10 per watt reported by This Old House, $2.81 average in EnergySage quotes |
| Lease escalator (where stated) | One reviewer reported 3% per year; varies by contract | 3% per year, per Tesla support |
| Upfront cost | Often low or none for lease or PPA | Cash, $0-down loan with credit check, or $600 upfront for lease |
| Warranty and maintenance | Company owns system and maintains it during term | 25-year product and power warranty, 10-year workmanship if you buy |
| End of term or exit | Renew (typically 10% below then-prevailing price), buy at fair market value, or remove | Lease: renew five years, buy at fair market value, or remove for a fee; buyout after year five |
| Public ratings snapshot | SolarReviews 2.88 stars (3,660 reviews); BBB A+ with 4,059 complaints filed in 3 years | BBB F as of February 2025 per This Old House |
Ratings are snapshots from different sources and change; Sunrun's BBB letter grade and Tesla's F reflect how each company responds to complaints, not the number of customers served. Check the current profiles yourself.
Pricing: what you can and cannot compare
Tesla's online price per watt is easy to compare with other cash quotes using our cost per watt method. Sunrun's lease and PPA proposals are different: you are comparing a 25-year payment stream, not a purchase price. To compare them, add up all payments, including the escalator, over the full term and divide by expected production. A flat $0.14 per kWh at the start can climb to roughly $0.28 by year 25 at a 3% escalator, which is why the year-by-year table matters more than the starting rate.
Service and complaints
Both companies draw complaints, and they differ in kind. Reviewers on SolarReviews describe Sunrun problems as slow repairs, hard-to-reach support, billing errors and disputes over roof work. EnergySage and This Old House describe Tesla service and installation timelines as the main criticism. In October 2026, Connecticut's Attorney General announced a settlement of a 2024 suit over sales practices in which Sunrun agreed to pay $300,000 and offer remedies to affected customers; defendants did not admit liability. In 2023, KEYT reported that California had taken disciplinary action against Tesla Energy, which Tesla was appealing. Read these as reported matters, not proof about your install.
Equipment and products
Tesla uses its own TSP-415 and TSP-420 panels (about 20.3% to 20.5% efficiency) and pairs them with the Powerwall 3 (13.5 kWh, 10-year warranty). Sunrun reviewers also mention Powerwall 3 installs and third-party inverters, so equipment depends on your market and contract. Whichever you choose, list the exact models in the contract. For storage sizing, see our battery storage guide.
Who each tends to suit
- Sunrun may fit if you want low upfront cost and want the provider to own maintenance, and you are comfortable with a 25-year contract that transfers when you sell.
- Tesla may fit if you want to own the system, like a single ecosystem with a battery, and can tolerate a slower, app-driven service process.
- Neither may be best if a local installer offers a lower price per watt, a longer workmanship warranty and faster service. See the national solar installers overview for other options.
Questions to ask both
- Who is the licensed installing entity and who services the system?
- What are the escalator, the year-25 payment, and the buyout rules?
- What is guaranteed for production or availability?
- What is the timeline from contract to permission to operate, in writing?
Whichever brand you consider, the contract terms decide the outcome. Ready to see how your own quote stacks up? Upload your solar quote for a free grade.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sunrun or Tesla better for solar?
Neither wins for everyone. Sunrun mainly offers leases and PPAs with the company maintaining the system, while Tesla sells systems you own and lists a lease in its direct territories. Compare total 25-year cost, warranty, service history and the contract terms for your address.
Which is cheaper, Sunrun or Tesla?
They are priced differently. Tesla publishes price per watt, reported between $2.30 and $3.10 by This Old House. Sunrun leases and PPAs are monthly or per-kWh payments, so compare total payments over the term including escalators against a purchase price.
Does Sunrun or Tesla have better customer service?
Reported complaints differ. Sunrun reviewers cite slow repairs and billing problems, while reviewers of Tesla cite slow service and installation timelines. Public ratings are snapshots and vary by region, so check current BBB and review pages and ask each company who services your area.
Does Tesla offer a lease like Sunrun?
Tesla's support site describes a 25-year lease in its direct service territories with a 3% annual payment increase, and buyout available after year five. Availability depends on location. Sunrun's core offerings are leases and PPAs, typically 20 or 25 years.
Should I get a third quote?
Yes. With the federal homeowner credit gone for purchases, price differences are a bigger share of your decision. Compare Sunrun and Tesla against at least one local installer using the same system size and equipment, and grade all proposals the same way.