Sunnova Reviews, Services and Costs (2023)

Sunnova has certified contractors in 37 states and Washington, D.C. It is also available in the U.S. territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, Saipan and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Sunnova is constantly expanding its service areas and bolstering its provider network, and it just started operating in the U.S. Virgin Islands in June 2023.

According to Sunnova’s website, the complete solar installation process can take anywhere between one to 12 months from start to finish. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Site survey: After an initial phone call with a Sunnova salesperson, a Sunnova dealer will visit your home to complete a site survey. The survey helps your installer understand your roof conditions and energy consumption to create your personalized solar system design. Your dealer will also complete a credit check.
2. System design: After the site survey, your installer will start designing your solar system. Your installer will determine the best placement for your panels and other equipment like solar batteries, inverters and electric meters.
3. Permitting: Your solar dealer will secure the necessary permits from your local government and utility to install your solar system.
4. Installation: A team of electricians will come to your home to complete the solar system installation. This is generally the fastest part of the installation process, taking from one to three days.
5. Power company inspection: Your installer will submit an interconnection request to your electric company on your behalf. This allows your system to connect with the utility grid so you can benefit from net metering programs and measure your energy usage and generation.
6. System approval: Once your interconnection request is approved, you can turn on your solar panel system and start generating clean energy.

To learn more about the installation process with Sunnova, visit the company’s website.

Sunnova offers the following solar services and products:

• Solar panel installation
• Solar battery installation
• EV charger installation
• System monitoring
• Backup generators
• Mobile app
• Grid services

Sunnova Panel Options

Sunnova installs high-quality, monocrystalline solar panels covered by a 25-year warranty. On its website, Sunnova says it installs solar products from Tesla, Generac, SolarEdge and Enphase. These solar equipment brands are well-established and reputable, so you can feel confident that your Sunnova solar power system will perform adequately.

Sunnova covers its solar and battery storage systems with Sunnova Protect, a 25-year comprehensive warranty. This warranty includes a production guarantee, system maintenance, equipment replacements or repairs, and labor costs. The company also offers a 10-year roof penetration warranty.

If you purchase an add-on solar battery through Sunnova for an existing solar panel system, it will include a manufacturer’s warranty of either 10 or 15 years.

You can learn more about Sunnova’s warranty on its website.

According to some online users, Sunnova offered quotes from $3 per watt to $3.50 per watt for a solar panel system paid in cash. These quotes are in line with the average all-in cost of a solar panel system.

However, some users reported receiving higher quotes, from $4.50 to $7 per watt. These inconsistencies may be because Sunnova uses third-party contractors to complete its solar installations. That’s why it’s important to gather several quotes from solar panel companies in your area before committing to an installer.

Sunnova has solar loan financing with 10-, 15- and 25-year loan terms and $0 options, offering flexibility if you want to own your system but cannot afford a cash purchase. The company also has solar leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs).

You can learn more about Sunnova’s financing options on its website.

Sunnova has mixed customer reviews with 2.73 stars on the BBB website and 3.6 stars on Trustpilot. The BBB has flagged the company for having an unusually high number of customer complaints, with 904 complaints closed on the website in the last three years.

Positive reviews reported the solar panels installed by Sunnova are helping customers save significantly on electric bills and gain energy independence.

“I am happy with our system. I am getting our [electricity] bills and it is working. My electric bill is so small and even with our monthly solar bill, we are able to use our AC without worrying about the [energy] bill being high. Love it so far.” —Karen N via the BBB

“Installation was great, and any issues with code were covered by the company without me being burdened with ‘unexpected expenses.’ The installation works wonderfully. [Sunnova] also constantly monitors performance and based on that, exchanged a panel for free. Financing was easy. No down payment, just a monthly payment that results in me paying considerably less for electricity than I did before the solar installation.” —Albrecht M via the BBB

Unhappy Sunnova customers noted the company’s customer service is slow to respond or unresponsive entirely.

“Beyond awful customer service. Cost me thousands of dollars in delaying the transfer of ownership during escrow when buying a house. I’ve followed up 10 times in the past three weeks after paying $4,500 to remove my solar panels in order for me to get a new roof, and now [Sunnova] delayed that process by at least three months with no sign of progress and zero ability to speak with anyone whatsoever who can help. Worst experience with any company I’ve ever encountered in my life.” —Ryan S via the BBB

“We are very dissatisfied with Sunnova’s customer service. We have a solar panel that has not been operational since 2017 and Sunnova has been unresponsive to our requests for a repair or replacement. We pay the company a monthly rental fee and, in return, Sunnova is required to provide repairs and maintenance. When I contacted the company again today, I was told they have no appointments open. I asked it to remove the panels and was told it cannot and the contract cannot be broken. I would never recommend Sunnova to anyone.” —Diana C via the BBB

Sunnova offers a variety of high-quality solar products backed by a 25-year comprehensive warranty. It also offers customers multiple payment options, including $0 down financing and flexible loan terms.

However, Sunnova does have mixed online customer reviews, and some Sunnova locations have alerts on the BBB website. Additionally, Sunnova uses third-party contractors to complete its solar installations, meaning your experience can vary depending on where you live.

Before you go solar, we strongly suggest gathering several quotes from reputable companies in your area.

You can speak with a Sunnova sales rep by clicking below. Or, you can choose one of our other top-rated solar providers to learn more.

Methodology: Our Rating System for Solar Companies

Faith Wakefield is a writer based in North Carolina. She holds economics and English degrees from UNC Chapel Hill, and her work has been featured on EcoWatch, The World Economic Forum and Today’s Homeowner. In her free time, she loves to binge-watch personal finance videos on YouTube, collect books and spend time in nature.

Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience 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.