SunPower Vs. Tesla Solar: Which Company Is Better?
By Dan Simms /
Here’s what we’ll cover in this solar provider comparison:
Each product and or company featured here has been independently selected by the writer. You can learn more about our review methodology here. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
When you’ve decided to go solar, choosing a solar panel installation company is often a stressful decision. Not only are there countless companies to choose from, but you also usually have only limited information about each provider to base your decision on.
Aspiring solar customers who have already started looking into potential providers will likely have come across Sunpro — now ADT Solar — and Momentum Solar. Along with companies like Blue Raven Solar and Palmetto Solar, these are two of the larger solar panel companies in the country, and both have large service areas spanning multiple states.
In this guide, we’ll be comparing ADT Solar and Momentum Solar based on some important criteria, including cost, warranty options, customer support, and more. We’ll also explain how to choose the best one for your solar power system.
We think it’s important to compare these two solar installers because of their popularity and their large service areas. Both companies will appeal to countless customers, so a company comparison and side-by-side reviews should help many homeowners get the best value for their money.
Company | Brand Is Best For | Price | Warranty Coverage | States Served | BBB Rating | Payment Options | Solar Services Offered |
ADT Solar (formerly Sunpro) | Warranty Coverage | $$$ | 25 years for equipment, production, and workmanship | 23 states (expanding to 5 more) | B+ | Cash, loan | Solar panels, solar energy storage systems, EV chargers, solar monitoring |
Momentum Solar | Positive customer experience | $$$ | 25 years for equipment and workmanship, plus the manufacturer’s warranty | 10 states | A+ | Cash, loan, lease, PPA | Solar panels, solar energy storage |
Sunpro Solar started serving the solar industry in 2008, and it quickly grew to be a regional installer with countless conversions under its belt. In 2021, ADT, the home security company, purchased Sunpro to the tune of $800 million.
Since ADT took over, the company has rebranded from Sunpro to ADT Solar and has continued to expand its service area.
Sunpro/ADT Solar is now known for its affordability as well as for providing some of the most comprehensive warranty coverage for solar equipment in the business.
Momentum Solar is also quite large, although it serves a smaller area and is considered a regional company rather than a national one. It’s been serving customers since 2009 and is considered one of the best solar companies for a personalized experience.
Momentum has a reputation for positive customer service experiences, which it owes to its concierge service. It promises a single point of contact throughout the entire installation process, which helps reduce confusion and poor communication.
Momentum Solar also has locally trained installers who are knowledgeable about available solar incentives and tax credits. They can often help you take advantage of these to save money.
Pros
Cons
It’s always important to consider what your rooftop solar system will cost with each installer you’re thinking of hiring. Below, we’ll explain why system totals can vary among installers and where ADT Solar and Momentum fall on the spectrum.
There are numerous solar panel manufacturers to choose from, and the price of the equipment from each varies. This is usually in line with the equipment’s energy efficiency, durability, and warranty coverage. Installers who provide high-quality and high-efficiency solar equipment will usually cost more but provide greater value.
Each solar installer can also choose to accept any combination of the four standard financing options for solar energy systems. These can affect your present and total system costs as follows:
ADT Solar installs tier-one monocrystalline panels from LG and Panasonic, which deliver outstanding quality. Momentum Solar doesn’t limit itself to just a few brands and can instead customize your system based on your energy needs and expectations.
Both companies install top-of-the-line equipment, so they’re about equal in equipment price.
One thing to consider is that ADT Solar only accepts cash purchases and solar loans, while Momentum accepts these options as well as leases and PPAs. Both companies are about equal in price, but if you’re looking for the best affordability and accessibility up front, ADT Solar is the better option for you.
ADT Solar and Momentum Solar both have prices that hover around the national average, and the quality delivered is about equal as well.
ADT Solar is a bit more accessible through leases and PPAs, so we’ll have to go with ADT Solar for overall affordability, even though we don’t recommend these payment options. Both companies offer free consultations and free quotes.
As a solar customer, you’ll want to make sure your investment in clean energy is protected for years to come. Ensuring that you get comprehensive solar warranty coverage is the best way to do this.
ADT Solar provides among the best warranties in the renewable energy industry — one of the only ones that rival SunPower and its top-of-the-line Maxeon panels. ADT Solar’s warranty covers equipment, power production, and installation for 25 years, providing peace of mind that your system and your home will be protected.
Momentum Solar also provides a 25-year warranty, but it only covers the equipment and workmanship. There is no guarantee for panel performance.
Since ADT Solar’s warranty matches Momentum’s but also includes a solar product warranty for power generation, ADT Solar is the clear winner in terms of home energy system protection.
One of the first things worth looking at when deciding on a solar installation company is its service area. Companies differ wildly in the areas they serve, and you can save yourself some time and research by avoiding looking into installers that don’t operate in your area.
It should go without saying that solar companies that serve larger areas will appeal to more customers. While this isn’t always exclusively better — because larger companies tend to have less appealing customer service — it does make the company more accessible.
SunPro — ADT Solar — serves 23 states, including:
It’s also actively expanding to five additional states including Indiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and West Virginia.
Momentum Solar’s less-impressive service area covers 10 states, including:
ADT Solar is the clear winner in terms of the service area. It covers more than double the states that Momentum does, though neither state covers Utah, which is a top state for going solar.
The quality and efficiency rating of the photovoltaic panels you install will dictate your total system installation cost.
More importantly, it will affect your energy production, energy savings, and how long it takes for your solar panels to pay for themselves (depending on whether you have access to net metering from your utility company), so it’s an important metric to consider.
ADT Solar installs equipment from LG, Mission Solar Energy, Enphase, Tesla Solar (Tesla Powerwall only — not panels or solar roof shingles), and Outback Power Systems. Momentum installs a variety of low-profile and high-performance solar equipment brands that are all about the same in terms of quality and performance.
ADT Solar and Momentum Solar both provide access to some of the best solar panels in the industry, as well as high-quality inverters, microinverters, and solar battery storage solutions. They’re about equal when it comes to performance and functionality.
The customer service provided by a solar installer goes far beyond your experience during the installation. A communicative and professional company will also provide better response times to warranty claims, which keeps your solar panel system up and running and can save you money over time.
We’ll discuss the service you can expect from ADT Solar (formerly Sunpro) and Momentum in the sections below.
Sunpro/ADT is a massive national company, and its size sometimes gets in the way of providing quality customer service. Some customer complaints include issues like:
However, for a company of its size, ADT Solar maintains surprisingly positive customer reviews. It’s clear the company does what it can to keep customers happy, despite its size getting in the way in some cases.
Below are some reviews of the company that showcase the service quality you might receive.
“Absolutely wonderful company. Makes the long process as easy as possible, actually follows up on their surveys and likes to make sure you have all your questions answered while providing you with new up-to-date numbers should you need help.” — Mark H. via BBB
“Handed off eight [times] in a year to different reps. Solar panels were installed 9/24/21 and were unable to pass inspections due to neglect and poor communication between the township, Ameren, and Sunpro. I will be seeking litigation and damages as the panels were paid in full on installation. Also unable to reach anyone in management to complain and work out a resolution. Attempted several times monthly and weekly.” — Delane F. via Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Momentum Solar has a reputation for good customer service, but it also falls short for some customers, likely due to its size. Most of the complaints include the following issues:
Still, countless customers are pleased with the service they receive, and many homeowners make note of how great the company’s concierge service is. Overall, the customer service varies a bit but tends to be positive.
Below, we’ll include some reviews for Momentum Solar we found on the internet.
“I couldn’t be happier with my experience with Momentum Solar thus far. The single biggest reason to use this company vs. their competitors is their top-notch customer service and installation team. My system is fantastic.” — Christopher D. via Google Reviews
“Our sales rep was very nice and informative. No complaints about him. What my complaint is is being harassed. We wouldn’t sign the contract the day of because we wanted to think about it. The rep’s manager then talked to us on the phone and we still wouldn’t sign. A few days later we had an appointment. I called four times to cancel the appointment. The rep showed up twice at our house within an hour apart.” — Nicole M. via Google Reviews
Neither of these installers is the best solar company for customer experience. The size of each company clearly gets in the way of customer support in some cases. However, Momentum Solar has overall better reviews.
Depending on where you live, the likelihood is that there are better solar companies available to you than ADT Solar and Momentum. However, both are considered among the top solar companies, are good options, and provide great quality for the price.
We would recommend Momentum over ADT Solar in most cases, simply because the customer service is a bit better, and most other factors are about equal. Momentum can also help you take advantage of local solar incentives and rebates, including the federal tax credit. This could very well help you reduce your effective system cost.
Comparing authorized solar partners
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