SunPower by EmPower Solar
4.5
4.5
Author: Rebecca Graham
SunPower by EmPower delivers superior technology, maximum savings, and exceptional customer service. Since 2003, EmPower Solar has been the preferred solar provider of over 1,800 New Yorkers, earning the company an industry leading customer satisfaction rating. As a SunPower Master Dealer, EmPower Solar has joined forces with SunPower Corporation, one of the world’s most innovative and sustainable energy companies to leverage 30 years of industry experience and record-setting technology.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- Payment Options
- End-to-End Service
- SunPower Partnership
- Additional Features
Payment Options
SunPower by EmPower Solar offers three financing options to solar customers: outright purchase of the system, solar loan, and solar lease. Both the loan and the lease require $0 down, and customers can begin saving immediately while also increasing the value of their home. Customers who choose to finance through the solar loan can set their repayment terms at (meaning they will own their system in) five, 10, or 15 years. Meanwhile, customers who choose the solar lease pay 14¢/kWh (after the tax credit), and save more than $20,000 over 20 years. Solar lease customers can also use the 30% tax credit to pay down their lease. Customers may renew their leases, or easily transfer them to a new owner if they decide to move. If customers interested in SunPower by EmPower Solar are unsure about which of these three options is best, they can easily communicate online with a service representative, or receive a complimentary solar assessment to help them in their decision.
End-to-End Service
One of the distinct advantages of going solar through SunPower by EmPower Solar is the company's end-to-end service. From the initial consultation and design, to the actual installation and maintenance of the system, the company manages every step of the solar transition process completely in-house. This means consistent service across the board, as well as clear communication throughout the installation process.
SunPower Partnership
As the only SunPower Master Dealer on Long Island, Empower Solar provides some of the best equipment and features on the market. SunPower by EmPower Solar employs the most efficient and durable solar panels and inverters in the industry, and all systems are backed by SunPower's 25-year equipment warranty. Panels are designed to hold up against harsh weather conditions, and systems are designed using SunPower Equinox-an integrated system that maximizes your electric output from the software of your system to the solar cells themselves.
Additional Features
SunPower by EmPower Solar provides customers with a number of additional features that are not common among all solar companies. For example, the company has partnered with both Tesla Energy and Con Edison to provide customers with backup energy solutions in the event of a power outage. The company will work directly with customers to determine what their backup battery needs may entail-whether they simply need enough power for a few essential appliances, or whether entire areas of the home need backup power.
The Bad
- Lack of Pricing Information
- No PPA
- Limited Workmanship Warranty
Lack of Pricing Information
Because SunPower by EmPower Solar caters each system's specifications to the unique needs of individual customers, the company has not published any standard pricing information in terms of price per watt; however, even leading companies can provide approximations, if not exact figures. Publicizing even an average rate at which customers could expect to pay for each watt of energy produced would help them have a clearer expectation with regard to the actual cost of powering the system.No PPA
While SunPower by EmPower Solar offers a number of payment options, the company does not give customers the option to finance their system through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The PPA is ideal for customers simply wants to pay less for electricity without owning the system. While the absence of this payment option may not be a make-it-or-break-it factor for some potential solar customers, it may be for others looking to gain save in the short-term.Limited Workmanship Warranty
SunPower by EmPower Solar's industry-leading equipment warranty is backed by the manufacturer, SunPower, for 25 years. Meanwhile, its workmanship warranty (which protects against human error in the design and installation of the system) is good for 10 years. While 10 years is sufficient to cover many of the defects related to faulty workmanship, some leading companies cover workmanship flaws for up to 20, even 25 years.The Bottom Line
For Long Island residents, commercial enterprises, and nonprofits, SunPower by EmPower Solar is a solid and dependable option. Customers will benefit most from the company's end-to-end service and partnership with SunPower, the leading solar panel manufacturer. That said, customers will also need to contact the company directly for a consultation before receiving a price quote. Customers looking exclusively for a provider with a PPA option will need to look elsewhere.
