SunPower Vs. Trinity Solar: Which Company Is Better? (2024)

Cost Comparison: SunPower Vs. Trinity Solar

Solar panel systems average around $29,970 in the U.S. before any incentives. Trinity’s pricing usually falls around this figure, while the typical system from Maxeon costs closer to $36,000 before any incentives. The solar company you choose can play a major role in where your total installation cost falls, so you should choose wisely and understand what you get for the money.

Ultimately, you’ll have to request free quotes from each company to know exactly what your solar system will cost. However, we’ll compare the general pricing and financing options of SunPower and Trinity Solar below.

Costs & Financing Options

Solar energy systems can vary in price among solar installation companies for a few reasons. One of the biggest factors is the type of equipment provided.

For example, SunPower’s panels are some of the best in the solar industry and come with an outstanding warranty that guarantees rigidity and performance for 40 years. These panels naturally cost more than many other brands, which is one reason why SunPower is priced above average. However, we feel the extra ~$0.67 per watt is well worth the investment for what you get.

The financing options available can also determine your up-front prices. Companies like SunPower that accept cash payments, loans, leases, and power purchase agreements make clean energy accessible to more people. Just keep in mind that the payment option you choose can also affect your long-term energy savings and electric bills.

Which Company is Cheapest, SunPower or Trinity Solar?

SunPower panels average around $4.00 per watt, which is well above the national average of $3.33, so a solar system from SunPower will usually be approximately $6,000 more expensive than one from competitors like Trinity. However, the quality you get for the price is still well worth it.

SunPower accepts the following payment options to keep solar as accessible as possible:

• Cash purchases
• Solar loans
• Solar leases
• Power purchase agreements (PPAs)

Trinity Solar comes in around average in terms of pricing — about $29,970 before any incentives and $20,979 after the federal tax credit. While it’s cheaper overall than SunPower if you buy or finance, Trinity doesn’t have no-money-down options as SunPower does.

This is likely going to be a larger point of contention in the near future. Net metering in California was just made less appealing and beneficial when the state rolled out net metering 3.0 (NEM 3.0). As a result, installing batteries alongside panels is the new norm in California for any customers looking to maximize their long-term savings and legitimize their high installation costs.

Solar batteries cost around $10,000 each, so installation costs are very likely going to go up in the near future as the new NEM policy affects other states. Higher installation costs are going to mean solar is less affordable overall, which means the multiple financing options SunPower offers are going to be even more important than they are now.

Our Pick for Best by Cost – SunPower

Trinity Solar will almost always be more affordable than SunPower if you buy or finance your panels. SunPower comes with above-average pricing for its high-quality solar products and services. 

However, SunPower also accepts leases and PPAs, while Trinity doesn’t. If you’re looking exclusively for upfront savings, SunPower is the better option.

Plus, SunPower’s Maxeon panels are higher-quality than any competitor on the market, so we feel the value more than justifies the higher cost per watt.

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Warranties Offered: SunPower Vs. Trinity Solar

Most solar panel systems come with warranties that protect the equipment, guarantee a certain level of energy production after installation and guarantee that the installation process is done properly and won’t cause damage to your system or home.

SunPower provides a comprehensive 40-year warranty for the equipment and energy production, as well as a 25-year workmanship warranty — making it one of the best warranty packages in the industry. The warranty claims made to SunPower are typically handled quickly as well, so it’s reassuring that the company really stands behind its products.

Trinity Solar offers a 25-year warranty for the equipment and a five-year workmanship warranty. This coverage pales in comparison to SunPower’s, especially because there is no warranty for solar power production. The workmanship warranty is also half the industry average of 10 years. This could end up being a big deal, especially for customers in areas that experience above-average rainfall and snowfall, both of which can expose issues with the installation and lead to expensive property damage.

Our Pick for Best Warranties

SunPower has one of the most sought-after warranties in the industry, so it’s no surprise that its coverage is far better than Trinity Solar’s. If you’re looking for peace of mind, SunPower is a far better option.

Coverage Area: SunPower Vs. Trinity Solar

The service area of a company is an important factor to consider, especially because it directly dictates if an installer can service your property or not.

SunPower is one of the nation’s largest solar installers, covering all 50 states. Trinity Solar provides service in just nine states, including:

• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• New Jersey
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island

With Trinity’s service area being limited, SunPower will appeal to more customers across the country.

Our Pick for Best Coverage Area – SunPower

SunPower is the clear winner in terms of coverage area. It serves the entire country, while Trinity Solar is a regional provider that works primarily in the Northeast.

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Solar Panel Performance: SunPower Vs. Trinity Solar

SunPower only installs one-panel brand: Maxeon. These panels are manufactured by SunPower’s sister company, which upholds SunPower’s commitment to value and performance. 

These panels have an energy efficiency rating of up to 22.7%, and they are guaranteed to maintain 92% of their efficiency for an incredible 25 years. That’s the highest efficiency rating in the industry, and the efficiency guarantee is better than most manufacturers offer. The standard warranty guarantees 85% to 88% efficiency after 25 years.

Trinity Solar mainly installs Qcells brand panels, but it can provide access to many other panel manufacturers as well, depending on your preference. The solar products represented include:

• Tesla (solar panels and Tesla Powerwall batteries only, excludes Tesla Solar Roof shingles)
• Panasonic
• LG
• Enphase microinverters and inverters
• And more

Still, none of the other tier-one monocrystalline panels Trinity offers matches SunPower’s panels in efficiency and durability.

Our Pick for Best Panel Performance – SunPower

SunPower is the winner when it comes to panel performance, no matter which company it’s up against. Its panels are not only highly efficient, but they degrade at a rate that’s much slower than those of most competitors.

Customer Experience: SunPower Vs. Trinity Solar

The customer service provided by your solar installer won’t directly affect your solar power system cost, but it can indirectly cost you more money and lead to poor system performance down the road. Below, we’ll discuss the service you can expect from SunPower and Trinity.

What Customers Say About SunPower

SunPower has one of the most longstanding positive reputations in the solar industry. Despite its size, it still provides outstanding customer service.

It has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and many positive customer reviews that mention things like:

• The company’s fast responses to warranty claims
• The level of professionalism amongst the salespeople and installation team
• The high level of communication provided by the company
• The knowledgeability of all employees

Of course, with a company this size, there are bound to be negative reviews as well. SunPower’s size does sometimes get in the way of good customer service, and it can cause delays in the installation timeline and some frustration when it comes to scheduling.

Below are some customer reviews for SunPower that should give you an idea of what to expect on both ends of the spectrum.

“[Our service representative] showed up early and he is professional, friendly, explained how solar energy generation works, showed us how to use the app, and got our system up and running within the given time frame. Thank you!” — Kristine D. via Yelp

“Horrible service and pros at dropping the ball on service activation. It has been four months since the service was installed, and I am still waiting for service activation. Lots of finger-pointing at So Cal Edison for their permission for service activation. I’ve called weekly for the past two months to SunPower and still no activation. I definitely do not recommend SunPower.” — Tim B. via Yelp

What Customers Say About Trinity Solar

Trinity Solar is a much smaller operation, but it still clearly struggles with customer service. Unfortunately, the company has garnered some negative attention, with many customers noting the following issues:

• Installation delays due to a lack of communication
• Scheduling conflicts, also due to communication issues
• Slow responses to warranty claims and system issues
• Slow responses from customer service
• Long delays between installation and system activation

Trinity Solar has many positive reviews as well and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, so it seems like the experience you can expect depends on the representatives handling your solar project. Some customers are thrilled with the communication and knowledgeability they see in the company.

Below are some reviews of Trinity Solar we found online.

“My most disgusting customer service experience. Trinity Solar’s “purple team” emailed when I signed the contract introducing themselves. After that, it was impossible to get responses from them regarding any concerns. I would call, send emails… no acknowledgment of my communication. I am concerned if I have a problem, am I a priority. I would not recommend this company.” — John Blake via Google Reviews

“This was 5-star service all around. David made the initial process of learning about the benefits of solar, if I was a good candidate, and what the pricing and system would look like very easy to understand. The installation process from start to finish was easy as well. I always received calls from Trinity with an update and what my next steps were. Once complete, the package I received to help me determine what steps needed to be taken to get my tax benefits and credits made that process super easy.” — Nicole Bienstock via Google Reviews

Our Pick for Best Customer Experience – SunPower

While both companies have some customer support issues due to their large size, we have to go with SunPower as the winner when it comes to the overall customer experience. SunPower has more positive reviews and fewer complaints about serious issues like warranty claim problems.

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Final Verdict: SunPower Vs. Trinity Solar

SunPower and Trinity Solar are both good companies, but we’d recommend SunPower over Trinity for most homeowners. SunPower delivers higher-quality equipment, better warranty coverage, and better customer service in general.

Our Top Pick: SunPower

Overall, we’d recommend SunPower over Trinity Solar for most homeowners. SunPower has superior products, warranties, and service in most cases. Although it costs more than Trinity, most solar customers will find that the added investment is worth it.

The cost information presented in this article is derived from a comprehensive analysis, incorporating data from multiple industry sources. The average cost per watt per state was calculated based on figures from Consumer Affairs, Energy Sage, and Berkeley Lab’s Electricity Markets & Policy Department. Additionally, monthly energy consumption and the average monthly cost of electricity were sourced from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, ensuring a well-rounded and accurate representation of the information presented.