Compare ADT Solar vs. SunPower (2023)

Compare SunPower and ADT Solar using the following chart:

*BBB ratings are accurate as of August 2023.

SunPower installs its own monocrystalline panels, which range from $3 to $4.50 per watt. ADT Solar installs panels from three manufacturers: Qcells, Silfab and Canadian Solar. Depending on the brand, prices range from $2.32 to $3.20 per watt.

SunPower offers four payment options: cash purchases, in-house solar loans, leasing and power purchase agreements (PPA). SunPower also owns Blue Raven Solar, which supplies additional financing options. ADT Solar doesn’t offer leases or PPAs.

Which Company Is More Affordable?

ADT Solar has lower prices on average. It uses solar panels from different manufacturers, giving it a broader product selection than SunPower.

SunPower panels deliver high energy efficiency but also come at a high price.

Which Installer Offers the Better Value?

The best value depends on your energy needs, preferred solar services and budget. SunPower and ADT Solar are ranked among the best solar companies nationwide, with A+ ratings with the BBB.

SunPower has more solar experience and its customer reviews are generally more positive, but you pay higher prices for equipment. However, because SunPower manufactures its panels, it has direct control over product quality.

ADT Solar offers panels at lower prices and gives consumers more panel options. But the company only operates in 23 states and depends on third parties to provide PV modules.

ADT Solar and SunPower are evenly matched in offering standard 25-year warranty terms. But SunPower’s premium product lines come with a much longer warranty of 15 or more years.

ADT Solar Warranties

ADT Solar offers a 25-year product, performance and workmanship warranty. Because it doesn’t make solar panels, ADT Solar doesn’t control the manufacturing process. However, the company works with high-quality brands that offer a 25-year product warranty.

SunPower Warranties

SunPower delivers a 25-year product, performance and workmanship warranty when you buy standard solar panels. If you choose the premium Maxeon series, SunPower extends warranty coverage to 40 years.

ADT Solar and SunPower each offer free quotes and follow a similar installation process. Company representatives handle the paperwork and permits required for a new solar energy system and will schedule the final inspection with your utility company. Unlike ADT Solar, SunPower has a virtual consultation between its initial in-person assessment.

Both companies sell solar batteries, a benefit for customers concerned about power outages. ADT Solar installs Enphase IQ and Tesla Powerwall units, while SunPower installs its SunVault storage system. However, SunPower installations are also compatible with battery backup systems from other manufacturers. ADT also offers roof modifications and repairs through an ADT-owned roofing company, Buildpro.

SunPower has 4.2 out of 5 stars on over 1,000 customer reviews on the BBB website. On the other hand, ADT Solar has a low customer satisfaction score of only 1.6 stars on over 400 reviews.

Among ADT Solar customers who have left negative reviews, a common complaint is the difficulty of getting a customer support representative on the phone.
SunPower reviews:

“Both the lady who I originally spoke with to set up the consult and the technician who came out to assess the location were honest, concise with their answers and genuinely concerned I got the exact system that I wanted. I had no questions unanswered before our communication was complete. Complete professionals from the greeting on the phone to the shake of the hand from the tech.” —Delphin M. via the BBB

“We just began working with SunPower [and] so far it has been wonderful — very prompt and moving the project forward in a very timely fashion. Everyone we have talked with has been polite, helpful and very knowledgeable. I look forward to completing this project and have no doubts [SunPower] will do a great job.” —Tasha H. via the BBB“

My system has not been fully working for a year now. Looking at the charts, an inverter stopped functioning last July. I reported the issue in January as that was the first time I looked at the monitoring. Several trips here throughout the last several months and [SunPower] still tells me the replacement unit is waiting to arrive. The service so far has been absolutely horrible.” —Joshua Q. via the BBB

ADT Solar reviews:

“We have had our system installed for a little over 10 months and have had great luck with it. Our salesman was awesome and super straightforward — didn’t sell us a pipe dream. We have not had an electrical bill over $13 yet. We are waiting on our state incentives and have already received our federal tax credit. Great crew and sales staff.” —Edyra C. via the BBB

“[ADT Solar] was one of the providers I reviewed — it was a bit more expensive than others but I felt comfortable with the 25-year guarantee. Professional and courteous company. All work was done in a professional manner and pretty much on schedule. Communication was very good and the final result met all expectations.” —Richard T. via the BBB

“I have been fighting with [ADT Solar] from the get-go. [My system] was supposed to [have] 64 panels [but] I got 34. I was told the system would run without batteries if the power went out — it won’t. I have called, emailed and sent text messages with no real response. When I do get someone on the phone, no one wants to answer my questions or fix the issues.” —Larry S. via the BBB

ADT Solar and SunPower are both leading U.S. solar companies. SunPower has higher upfront costs and only installs its own panels and products, but you get the most efficient panels on the market. ADT Solar has lower prices and a wider selection of solar panels from Qcells, Silfab and Canadian Solar.

SunPower has above-average prices, while ADT Solar’s prices are around the industry average. However, you can save on your system with solar incentives like the solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which is equivalent to 30% of your project costs. SunPower panel owners may see a higher federal tax credit because of their system price, plus you may qualify for other local rebates and tax incentives calculated as percentages.

ADT Solar and SunPower offer 25-year warranties, so your solar energy systems can reduce your electric bills reliably for a very long time.

Leonardo David is an electromechanical engineer, MBA, energy consultant and technical writer. His energy-efficiency and solar consulting experience covers sectors including banking, textile manufacturing, plastics processing, pharmaceutics, education, food processing, real estate and retail. He has also been writing articles about energy and engineering topics since 2015.

Tori Addison is an editor with over five years of experience in the digital marketing industry. Her includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.