I've been handling solar and battery installation orders for about six years now. I'm the guy who's made—and documented—a lot of expensive mistakes. Like, the kind that make your boss sigh heavily over the phone. This article is basically the list I wish someone had handed me in 2017. It covers the questions I get most often about Sunrun, solar leases, battery storage, and EV chargers. These are the things I've personally messed up, so you don't have to.
Can I buy out my Sunrun solar lease after 5 years?
Yes, but here's the gotcha: the price isn't fixed when you sign. It's calculated based on a formula in your contract (usually something like "Fair Market Value" or a pre-determined amount that decreases over time).
Say you want to buy out the lease in year 5. The cost depends on the system's age, the original price, and the terms you agreed to. I've seen buyout quotes range from $8,000 to over $15,000 for typical residential systems.
What I learned the hard way: I assumed the buyout would be a flat $5,000 at year 5. It wasn't. Actually, the buyout for my client's system was way more than that—closer to $10,500. The lesson? Get the buyout schedule in writing *before* you sign. Ask for a table showing the buyout price at years 3, 5, 10, etc. I had a $350 order for a home sale fall through because the buyer couldn't afford the lease buyout. Seriously annoying.
Is a Sunrun solar lease a good deal compared to buying?
This was accurate as of early 2024. The market changes fast, so verify current rates before budgeting. But here's the honest take from someone who's seen both sides:
It depends on your goals. A lease (or PPA) is basically a zero-down option. You pay a monthly fee for the power the panels produce. Buying the panels outright costs more upfront but gives you the tax credits and long-term savings.
The lease looked smart until we calculated the 20-year cost. Over 20 years, buying typically saves you more money—especially if you have the tax appetite for the 30% federal tax credit. The lease wins if you can't use the tax credit or don't want to manage maintenance. Take it from someone who had to explain to a client why their lease payments went up 2.9% annually: read the escalation clause. Seriously.
Can Sunrun install a Tesla Powerwall in Eaton, Colorado?
Honestly, I'm not sure about every specific city, but generally, Sunrun does install battery storage, including Tesla Powerwalls, in many markets. But here's the issue: it's not always a seamless, one-call process.
I once coordinated a Sunrun solar + battery install in a town near Eaton. The solar part was smooth. The battery part? The wait was way longer than quoted—about 4 months instead of 6 weeks. Why? Permitting and local utility approvals for the powerwall installation in that specific area took forever.
If you're in Eaton, verify directly with Sunrun: "Can you install a Tesla Powerwall in my specific zip code, and what's the current lead time for permits?" Don't assume they handle it in all areas equally. A $1,200 deposit on a battery system got stuck for weeks because of this mismatch.
What about thermal energy storage tanks in Texas?
So, this is a different thing. Sunrun's primary offering is electrical battery storage (like the Powerwall), not thermal energy storage tanks (which store heat or cold in water or ice). I've had clients confuse the two.
Thermal storage is less common for residential and typically part of a whole-home HVAC solution. Sunrun, as far as I know from my Q3 2023 training, doesn't install these. At least, that's been my experience. If someone has a source that says differently, I'd love to hear it.
The point: if you're looking to store energy for nighttime use or backup power, Sunrun's battery options are what they do. If you're looking for a tank to precool your house, you might need a different vendor. The wrong assumption here cost a client a week of research time.
Which EV charging station is fastest? Can Sunrun install it?
The fastest residential chargers are Level 2 chargers that can deliver up to 48 amps (like a Tesla Wall Connector or a ChargePoint Home Flex). The absolute speed depends on your car's onboard charger and the circuit breaker. A 48-amp charger can add about 30-40 miles of range per hour.
Sunrun's website says they install EV chargers, and they do. But I learned never to assume the quoted price includes all the electrical work. On a $1,500 EV charger install quote I handled, the customer assumed everything was included. It wasn't—the quote excluded a new sub-panel, which cost an extra $800. The base price was competitive, but the upgrades added up fast.
Here's what you need to know: get a line-item quote. Ask: "Does this include the charger, the installation, the conduit, the permits, and any panel upgrades?" If not, budget for the extras.
Should I add a battery now or later?
This is the biggest debate I've seen. Adding a battery later can be more expensive because you often need additional hardware (like an AC-coupled inverter) and might require a new permit. Adding it at the same time as the solar is usually cheaper and easier.
I once ordered a solar-only system, assuming I'd add a battery in 18 months. The re-installation cost was almost $3,000 more than if we'd done it upfront. The $50 per month saving on the initial lease wasn't worth the headache. Now I tell clients: if you think you'll want a battery within 3 years, do it at the start. It's like ordering a car without the towing package, then paying a ton to add it later.
Does going solar and battery actually increase my home's value?
Per various real estate studies, yes, owned solar panels increase home value. But leased panels? That's where it gets tricky. Some buyers don't want to take over a lease. That's why the buyout question (above) is so critical.
I've had three home sales nearly fall through because of the solar lease transfer. The buyer's agent didn't trust the terms. The seller had to pay off the lease to close the deal. The lesson: if you own your home and are thinking of selling in 5-10 years, owning the panels is way cleaner for a transaction than leasing. The brand perception of "owned" vs. "leased" matters for resale value.
