SolarCity vs Sungevity

Rebecca Graham
Rebecca Graham | Contributor
SolarCity and Sungevity are both major players in the solar industry, and each has more than a decade of experience. SolarCity is perhaps best known for its ties to Elon Musk and Tesla, while Sungevity is credited for designing a proprietary remote solar design tool that allows the company to provide quotes and system design options without physically visiting the home.

Read on to discover the similarities and differences between SolarCity and Sungevity and determine which company is a better option for you.
SolarCity logo
#89 SolarCity
4.4 Overall Score
2.6
star star star_half star_border star_border
(704)
Sungevity logo
#7 Sungevity
6.8 Overall Score
4.2
star star star star star_border
(1,992)

Overview

SolarCity

Panels from

SolarCity

Inverters from

SolarCity

Batteries from

N/A

Workmanship Warranty

10 Years

Equipment Warranty

20 Years

NABCEP Certified

N/A

Purchasing Options Offered

N/A

Time in Business

Undisclosed

Sungevity

LG

SolarEdge

N/A

20 Years

20 Years

N/A

N/A

Undisclosed

Ratings

SolarCity

Overall Score
4.4 of 10
Review Score
2.6
star star star_half star_border star_border
Value for Money
2.3
star star star_half star_border star_border
Quality of Product or Service
2.2
star star star_border star_border star_border
Company Trustworthiness
2.0
star star star_border star_border star_border
Likely to Recommend
2.4 of 10

Sungevity

6.8 of 10
4.2
star star star star star_border
3.9
star star star star star_border
4.0
star star star star star_border
3.9
star star star star star_border
7.1 of 10

Reviews

SolarCity

Number of Reviews
704
Review Breakdown
2.6
star star star_half star_border star_border
1 star
50%
2 star
8%
3 star
3%
4 star
10%
5 star
30%

Sungevity

1,992
4.2
star star star star star_border
1 star
13%
2 star
3%
3 star
4%
4 star
16%
5 star
64%

Reviews for SolarCity

Helpful Favorable Review

star star star star star_border

Sawyer D

April 26th, 2019

DETAILS

Thanks for allowing a system size under 3 KW. I was told you wouldn't for a loan, but for cash, you did. Haven't had any technical issues. I'm afraid if I did, I'd be on my own or face long long hold times. Also, your offer of move the panels for $2000 is too good to be true. They should have insisted on attic run for conduit. Very nice crew, they did offer some special install services, but attic run should have been seriously impressed on me.

Helpful Critical Review

star star_border star_border star_border star_border

Brad

November 21st, 2021

DETAILS

Solar city installed solar panels. now Tesla bought them out. Have been trying to get in touch with Tesla for about a year but have had no success. Solar city monitored the system but Tesla will not. The monitor has not worked for a year

Reviews for Sungevity

Helpful Favorable Review

star star star star star

Carlton

November 13th, 2019

Matthew V. was very helpful in sorting out the questions and issues to be addressed in making a decision about solar panel installation. I especially liked his non-aggressive style and careful listening to address my questions. Our information was such that we were not qualified for a financial arrangement to lease with purchase of electricity at a low tier rate. Still he gave me helpful information about our particular situation and pointed me forward in my search.

Helpful Critical Review

star star_border star_border star_border star_border

Bill Keyes

October 5th, 2021

DETAILS

Sungevity/ Horizon/ Solar Spectrum CLOSED for BUSINESS, just 1 month after billing and accepting my Final payments. They didn't pay the Supplier, CED, which immediately filed a LIEN on my house, for ALL the material costs. So I can forget about system, and battery monitoring and warranty for 20yrs. It is now ALL my expense. Sungevity changes names and REOPEN and start again. Now its PINEAPPLE ENERGY company. STAY AWAY. In addition, the CSLB doesn't hold any of these businesses accountable.

The Final Word

Availability
Both SolarCity and Sungevity operate in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Washington D.C.

In addition to the states listed above, SolarCity offers solar services in Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Washington, while Sungevity does not.

However, Sungevity’s services are also available in Kansas and Missouri, while SolarCity’s are not.

Payment Options
SolarCity and Sungevity both offer a variety of ways to pay for a solar energy system, including outright purchases, loans, leases, and power purchase agreements (PPAs).

Equipment
SolarCity manufactures its own solar equipment, while Sungevity does not. Instead, Sungevity utilizes high quality materials, including black-on-black solar panels and low impact mounting hardware, from well-respected manufacturers such as LG and SolarEdge.

Installations
Neither SolarCity nor Sungevity outsources installations to third parties. Both companies have teams of professionals in house to install solar energy systems.

Warranties
SolarCity provides its customers with a 20-year equipment warranty, a 10-year workmanship warranty, and a 25-year performance warranty.

Sungevity matches SolarCity with a 20-year equipment warranty and a 25-year performance warranty, but Sungevity’s workmanship warranty is double that of SolarCity at 20 years.

Battery Storage
SolarCity’s solar systems are designed to work with Tesla Powerwall batteries, which are compact, stackable, and have a built-in inverter.

Sungevity’s solar systems have the ability to accommodate multiple battery storage options, including sonnenBatterie, as well as other functionalities such as EV chargers.

Referral Program
SolarCity pays customers $250 for each friend or family member they refer who chooses to install a solar energy system.

Sungevity offers up to $2,000 for every referred homeowner who makes the switch to solar.

Recommendation
SolarCity and Sungevity are on par in terms of payment options and installations. While SolarCity’s service area is larger, Sungevity offers a much longer workmanship warranty on its labor, as well as a larger referral bonus. Additionally, Sungevity’s proprietary remote solar design tool may make the solar process quicker and simpler for customers. 

For those who live within its areas of operation, Sungevity is recommended over SolarCity.

Top Choice

Sungevity Logo
Sungevity

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