Compare Sunrun vs. Trinity Solar (2023)

The following table summarizes key facts about Sunrun and Trinity Solar.

*BBB ratings are accurate as of September 2023. 

**Pricing data is based on responses to our March 2023 survey of homeowners with installed solar systems. Your exact cost may vary.

Trinity Solar and Sunrun are comparable in terms of cost, with Trinity boasting slightly lower prices. According to our survey of 1,000 homeowners with solar, respondents paid $10,000 to $15,000 or more for a system with Trinity Solar. Homeowners who chose Sunrun paid $15,000 to $20,000.

Trinity Solar and Sunrun each offer high-quality and affordable solar panel options. Trinity Solar installs Qcells panels, while Sunrun installs both Qcells and Canadian Solar. Both manufacturers sell solar panels at lower prices than those of other leading solar brands. Sunrun also offers higher-efficiency modules from REC and Panasonic, which are more expensive overall.

Both companies offer solar financing options. Sunrun has solar loans and two types of leases, while Trinity has traditional leases and solar PPA contracts.

Which Company Is More Affordable?

The average solar system costs $15,000 to $20,000, and both companies fall within that range. Based on our survey results, Trinity Solar is more affordable than Sunrun. However, both companies offer solar panel brands that sit on the lower end of the price scale, including Qcells and Canadian Solar.

Which Installer Offers the Better Value?

Sunrun and Trinity Solar offer a comparable value. Both companies install solar panels from leading manufacturers that extend 25-year warranty coverage. Total solar system costs are also similar, with Trinity Solar boasting a slightly lower price tag.

Ultimately, the best option for you will depend on your budget, chosen equipment and energy needs.

Sunrun and Trinity Solar offer high-quality solar panel brands that should last more than 25 years with proper installation and maintenance. However, there are important differences between solar warranties.

Sunrun Warranties

Sunrun provides a 10-year warranty to cover solar equipment and system workmanship. The company also extends a 25-year power production guarantee to cover solar panel performance. If you choose to lease your system, the company will provide free system monitoring and maintenance.

Trinity Solar Warranties

Trinity Solar’s warranties depend on how you pay for your solar system. If you pay in cash or with a loan, you receive the following warranty terms:

• 25-year solar panel warranty
• 12-year inverter warranty, which you can extend to 25 years for an added cost
• 5-year workmanship warranty

Solar leases and PPAs come with the 25-year Sunnova Protect System Coverage, which includes free maintenance and part replacements. You also get an energy production guarantee and a 10-year roof damage warranty. However, solar leases and PPAs deliver lower long-term savings compared to an upfront cash purchase or loan.

Sunrun and Trinity Solar follow similar installation processes, which generally include the following steps:

1. Virtual consultation: Once you reach out to a company, a representative will contact you to discuss your energy needs and solar panel choices. The representative can also answer any questions you might have about going solar.
2. Site assessment: The company will send technicians to conduct a property assessment to gather important details needed to design and install your solar PV system.
3. Design and permitting: Your solar company will design a home solar system for you based on your energy needs and roof. Local building authorities must approve the design before installation, which your installer will also handle.
4. Solar panel installation: Your solar provider installs your system according to the approved design. This process often takes one day unless your project is large or complex.
5. Final inspection: Sunrun and Trinity Solar schedule a final inspection with local building authorities. Your installer will also request permission to operate (PTO) from your local utility company.
6. Powering on your home solar system: Once the utility approves your solar energy system, you can switch it on and start to generate clean electricity.

As of September 2023, Sunrun holds a 3.7 out of 5-star rating based on over 2,600 customer reviews on the BBB website. Trinity Solar has 2.7 out of 5 stars based on 100 reviews, but the company also services fewer states. To help you compare both companies based on customer support and satisfaction, we included a mix of reviews below.

Sunrun Customer Reviews

Sunrun has positive reviews about its efficient solar installation process and helpful customer service representatives. Negative reviews mention difficulties in seeking customer support when issues arise.

“I’m very happy with the representative who helped throughout the whole process. I really liked being able to get answers quickly if I needed through a text. Also, I like how [Sunrun] broke down the entire program and helped us understand our arrangement plan.” —Dan Y. via the BBB

‘I’m very satisfied with every aspect of my dealings with Sunrun and the solar system [it] designed and installed for me. I would highly recommend [Sunrun] for any solar project.” —Bill N. via the BBB

“I started my solar system journey in March of this year. My system was finally installed in June. My system is still not up and running and my loan payment is due next month. I have had multiple techs come out and tell me different things [are] the problem. When calling customer service, they directed me back to my care coordinator. I sent multiple emails and texts with no responses. If I could, I would cancel the whole system.” —Mason H. via the BBB

“Bought a system back in 2019. Since 2022, I’ve been trying to address a communication issue that prevents me from monitoring my panel’s output. Today marks the one-year anniversary of [Sunrun’s] inability to resolve it. Its resources in [my area] are scarce, but the major issue lies in management’s reluctance to take responsibility. From the start of the problem, [Sunrun has] relied on contractual fine print instead of seeking solutions. The problem-solving skills and cooperation among [its] staff are virtually non-existent. I strongly advise against purchasing solar panels from Sunrun.” —Paul T. via the BBB

Trinity Solar Customer Reviews

Positive reviews for Trinity Solar praise the company’s technical expertise and efficient customer support. Negative reviews mention confusion related to its Sunnova leases, miscommunication and aggressive sales tactics.

“I had a great representative who educated and kept us informed every step of the way. Over a year later, she still checks in to see if we have any questions or concerns. The installation was pretty smooth and I’ve saved a bunch of money in energy. Our system is performing better than expected!” —Marcey C. via the BBB

“I recently had Trinity install solar [panels] on my home and could not be happier. The entire process was fantastic! My original appointment was with [a representative] who was extremely professional and knowledgeable. He was very patient and addressed all my concerns. He was not pushy and gave options without pressuring us. The install crew was great as well. Very professional and neat. My system is working beautifully and I would highly recommend [Trinity Solar].” —Martha B. via the BBB

“One of [the] representatives visited our home unsolicited on a workday, banging loudly on the door multiple times and disrupting our workday. He ignored no trespassing [and] no soliciting signs, claiming he was working at a neighbor’s home and trying to sell us solar panels.” —Tom S. via the BBB

“Trinity installed my solar panels in 2016. They are in need of service [and] not working. I have reached out to [Trinity Solar] and it will not service or even ‘look’ at my panels for an evaluation. Worst decision of our lives was installing panels with Trinity Solar and Sunnova.” —Rob B. via the BBB

Sunrun has a larger service area than Trinity Solar, but both companies offer some of the best solar panels, including more affordable solar products.

Trinity Solar installs mostly Qcells panels, with installed systems averaging around $10,000 to $15,000 or more. Sunrun also uses Qcells, along with Canadian Solar, REC and Panasonic panels. Pricing may be slightly higher at $15,000 to $20,000 for an installed system. Regardless of the installer you choose, you can lower overall system costs by claiming solar incentives like the federal solar tax credit and other rebates available in your area.

The companies offer varying warranties and have a mix of positive and negative customer reviews online. While Trinity Solar may be a better option for homeowners on a budget, Sunrun offers unique financing programs to lower the upfront cost of solar panels. We recommend requesting quotes from both companies before making the switch to renewable energy.

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.