2023 Costco Solar Panels Cost, Installation, Reviews

If you want to install an affordable top-tier solar system in your home, Costco is one of the best sources to consider.

Costco solar panels are high-quality and made from monocrystalline, so they provide above-average performance and can earn homeowners decent energy savings.

But are these solar systems worth investing in?

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What Solar Company Does Costco Use?

Costco has partnered with Sunrun to deliver solar energy to its members at a lower cost.

Sunrun was founded in 2007 and is one of the leading residential solar and energy storage companies in the United States.

It is headquartered in San Francisco, California, and its mission is to create a sun-powered planet by making solar energy accessible and affordable for homeowners nationwide.

Currently, the company serves 20 states, primarily in the Northwest and Southeast. It also serves Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

Sunrun provides rooftop solar panels, backup generators, and battery storage systems.

It also offers solar installation and monitoring services to ensure customers get the most out of their solar investments.

So far, Sunrun has served over 800,000 customers and installed more than 8GW of energy.

Did you know? Sunrun is the largest solar installer in United States with a market share of more than 13%.

How Much Does Costco Solar Cost?

Determining the average cost of installing Costco solar panels is challenging because the amount you pay depends on various factors.

These include your state, preferred financing option, household energy usage, and whether you’re a Costco member.

In addition, the company does not publicly display the price of the products on its website. But based on customer feedback, it is safe to say that Costco’s solar pricing is consistent with other solar companies.

Equipment and solar panels range between $5,000 and $10,000.

Considering that labor and installation materials account for approximately 65% of the total cost, you will likely pay between $9,285 and $18,570.

So, the total cost of installing Costco solar will range between $14,285 and $28,570.

This estimate is consistent with the national average which is $20,020. 

Costco Solar	Average Cost
Cost of Solar Panel & Equipment	$5,000-$10,000
Cost of Installation and Labor	$9,285-$18,570
Average Total Cost	Costco Solar Panels

Please note that the above price is simply an estimate and is subject to market changes. We recommend contacting the company for an accurate price quote.

Pro Tip: It’s a good idea to get quotes from various companies when planning a solar installation project. Doing this will help you know the fair market price and find the best deal for your project. In addition, we recommend adding 10 to 15% to the final budget to cushion yourself against price fluctuation and hidden costs. 

Costco’s Grape Solar Kit

Costco offers a 100-watt Grape Solar kit, which includes solar panels, cables, a charge controller, and an inverter.

These kits are primarily intended for charging electronic devices and powering lighting fixtures, but they can also provide power for other small-scale applications, such as R.V.s, electric fences, gates, boats, and more.

However, the power output of these kits is insufficient for complete off-grid usage.

You can purchase Grape solar kits on the Costco website for $114.99 per kit.

Costco And Sunrun

Getting a complete residential solar system through the Costco and Sunrun partnership is the best choice for homeowners who want to go off the grid.

With this option, a customer receives a full-fledged solar system, professional installation, warranty, and regular system maintenance and monitoring. 

There are also other benefits to shopping under this partnership.

Suppose you purchase a complete residential solar system, including inverters, solar panels, batteries, and racking. In that case, you will receive a Costco Shop Card equivalent to 10% of the pre-tax cost of the solar equipment.

This promotion is available to Costco members who pay with cash or a loan; it does not apply to customers who choose a power purchase agreement (PPA) or a lease.

Also, this cashback is on equipment only and does not include installation and labor costs.

So, if the total price of your solar equipment before tax ranges between $5,000 and $10,000, you will receive between $500 and $1,000 on your Costco Shop Card.

The funds you receive on the Costco Shop Card can be utilized to purchase various merchandise at Costco, including items from the Costco Food Court and Gas Station.

More Solar Products From Costco

Costco Solar Light

Costco offers a range of solar lights for outdoor use, including string lights, path lights, spotlights, and garden stakes.

They are easy to install and maintain and are powered by a solar panel and rechargeable battery.

Most of the models have motion sensors for increased security and <a.

These lights are relatively affordable, with prices ranging from $40 to $59.

Costco Solar Power Generator

Costco offers various models of solar power generators.

One option is the Goal Zero Yeti 3000X Lithium Portable Solar Generator Kit, which includes a 3000-watt-hour lithium-ion battery and two Boulder 200 Briefcase solar panels.

The price of Costco generators range from $3,500 to $4,000. 

Costco Solar Battery

Costco offers Brightbox Battery, a comprehensive solar storage solution that provides users with dependable backup power during outages.

The company does not publicly list the price of the battery on its website, so we recommend contacting them for a quote.

Costco Solar Reviews

Costco has impressive solar panels with a decent efficiency rate.

However, it dispatches all its solar services through Sunrun, which has built a poor reputation over the years.

While the panels themselves may be efficient, poor customer service from the responsible company could result in buyer dissatisfaction, thus tarnishing the brand’s reputation.

Sunrun has received many online reviews from various platforms, including Google, Yelp, Trustpilot, and Better Business Bureau. Most of these reviews are either strongly negative or strongly positive.

Some typical complaints include the following:

• Poor customer service: This is the most common complaint from customers. Customers claim that the company’s response times become very slow once the contract has been signed. In addition, they are very slow to address challenging warranty claims. Even worse, serious issues such as wrong billing are left unaddressed. 
• A pushy sales team: Sunrun uses a door-to-door marketing strategy. While this approach is not illegal, their sales team is very pushy and coerces the customer into making a rash decision and signing the contract.

Other complaints include:

• Not available in some states
• Limited price transparency
• Long installation times

The company has received a few positive reviews, with customers praising the affordability of their products and the peace of mind they get from warranty coverage.

Some customers also appreciate that the company provides multiple financing options, including loans, leases, cash, and payment agreements giving them the flexibility to choose how they want to pay for the solar, regardless of their budget.

Did you know? Sunrun is committed to reducing its carbon emissions to zero by 2040.

Costco Solar vs Tesla

Tesla is another big name in the solar industry.

The company was founded in 2003, and for many years, its primary focus was manufacturing high-end electric sports cars.

In 2016, Tesla acquired SolarCity, a solar company founded by Elon Musk’s cousin.

The acquisition allowed Tesla to tap into the solar industry, and without a doubt, the company has made remarkable progress since then. 

Today, Tesla offers a range of solar products, including solar panels, solar roofs, and energy storage systems.

These products aim to help homeowners and businesses generate their own clean energy and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels while saving money on energy bills.

Below are a few differentiating factors between Costco solar and Tesla:

Costco Solar vs Tesla: Performance

Performance is a crucial factor when comparing the two companies.

Both Tesla and Costco provide top-tier, monocrystalline solar panels with above-average durability and efficiency. 

Costco solar panels have an efficiency of 20%.

Unfortunately, Tesla does not publicly disclose the efficiency specs of its solar panels. Still, many experts consider them preferable to Costco panels because of the company’s reputation for using cutting-edge technology.

Some of Tesla’s panels provide 425 watts of energy and compete head-to-head with leading options like SunPower. 

Costco Solar vs Tesla: Warranty

When considering solar energy, you should choose a company that offers an extended warranty.

Solar systems are susceptible to malfunction, so having a warranty is crucial.

Many solar companies provide warranties that cover manufacturer defects, inadequate installation, and system efficiency.

A company may cover all three aspects or only one or two of them.

Costco provides a 10-year workmanship guarantee and a 15-year roof penetration warranty. For an even greater level of protection, you can opt for Sunruns’s Premium Best Plus, which offers a 25-year roof penetration warranty.

Bear in mind that some customers have reported difficulty with warranty claims.

Tesla provides a 10-year workmanship warranty and a 25-year production warranty.

Costco Solar vs Tesla: Cost

The cost for both Tesla and Costco solar panels is similar, assuming you’re purchasing the whole system and not leasing it.

For instance, buying Costco solar panels through Sunrun will cost around $2.94 per watt, corresponding to the national average of $2.84 per watt.

Tesla solar panels cost around $3.07, but the company can match competitor prices if you provide them with a lower quote within 14 days. 

If you lease Costco solar panels through Sunrun, your final cost will be substantially lower than the national average.

Sunrun encourages customers to opt for a lease by offering it at a lower price in a marketing effort to convince customers to rent rather than buy the product.

Did you know? Tesla guarantees that the cost of its solar products will continue to decline with advancements in solar technology. This promise cuts across the board because solar prices have declined by around 80% over the last decade. 

Costco Solar vs Tesla: Financing Options

Costco accepts four financing options: solar loans, solar leases, power purchase agreements, and cash payments.

Tesla only accepts cash payments and solar loans.

Costco Solar vs Tesla: Coverage Areas

Costco provides solar services in 20 states. These include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, South Carolina, Florida, New Hampshire, Illinois, New Mexico, and Wisconsin. 

On the other hand, Tesla provides its solar services in all 50 states thanks to its massive network of service providers and third-party installers.

From a coverage area standpoint, Tesla is the obvious winner because it can serve all U.S. homeowners regardless of their state.

Does Costco Install Solar Panels?

No, Costco does not install solar panels.

The company’s solar services are fulfilled by Sunrun.

Fortunately, Sunrun provides a comprehensive solar installation process for customers who purchase solar panels through Costco. They also offer monitoring and maintenance services for customers who lease these solar systems.

Is Sunrun Owned By Costco?

No, Sunrun is not owned by Costco.

The two companies have a partnership to deliver solar services to Costco customers at a reduced price.

Sunrun is owned by Institutional Investors with a combined stock of 97.95% of the company.

Some of Sunrun’s top shareholders include BlackRock Fund Advisors; The Vanguard Group, Inc.; Orbis Investment Management, Ltd.; SSgA Funds Management, Inc.; BNP Paribas Asset Management U.K.; and Invesco Capital Management, LLC.

Is Costco Solar A Good Deal?

There is no single answer to whether Costco solar is a good deal.

Choosing to lease the Costco solar from Sunrun means you can install solar in your home with zero money down. You simply have to pay the monthly cost of the lease.

Unfortunately, if you lease Costco solar panels you will not have access to tax breaks and incentives that can yield significant upfront savings. Also, the product will not add value to your home because the company will uninstall the equipment once the contract expires. 

If you purchase the product, you will pay more initially. However, you will add value to your home while subsidizing your monthly energy bill. You will also qualify for tax breaks and a 10% promotion. 

In terms of product performance, Costco solar is a decent choice because of its high quality. It has an efficiency of about 20%, which is excellent considering that many solar products have an efficiency ranging between 15% and 20%.

If you plan on purchasing the solar panel system instead of leasing it, consider other reputable solar companies, such as Tesla, SunPower, Trinity Solar, Vivint, and Momentum.

Sunrun has poor customer service, so opting for a company that excels in this area will save you from future hassles. 

Make Your Home Sustainable With Solar Panels From Costco

Costco panels are a viable choice if you’re looking for affordable top-tier solar panels. However, there are a few considerations that will determine whether the investment is worth it or not.

For instance, leasing the system might significantly offset your monthly electricity bill but will not add value to your home long-term. After all, the solar panels belong to the company, not the homeowner.

Purchasing or financing solar panels is a good investment because it will add value to your home while offsetting your monthly energy bills. Plus, it will qualify you for solar tax credits and earn you a 10% cashback Costco Shop Card.

The cost of leasing Costco solar panels from Sunrun is very affordable because the company provides competitive prices and warranties with their lease packages.

However, the cost of purchasing or financing solar panels is slightly above the national average. Therefore, we only recommend opting for Sunrun solar panels if you want to lease them.

If you can finance or purchase your own solar system, we recommend looking elsewhere, considering the company is plagued with slow response to warranty claims and poor customer service.