Palmetto vs Sunrun in 2026: The Honest Numbers

Full transcript

The verdict up front

Palmetto is the stronger fit for buyers who want ownership economics with modern software: its marketplace model — vetted local build partners plus Palmetto's platform and monitoring — typically prices cash and loan systems below big national quotes, and its LightReach lease exists where third party ownership makes sense. Sunrun remains the giant of leased solar: if a zero down lease with maintenance handled forever is the goal, its scale, storage attach rates and grid services programs are unmatched.

What the marketplace buys you

Palmetto's model splits the job: local certified crews build, Palmetto's software sells, monitors and manages. The economics tend to beat vertically integrated nationals on ownership quotes because the overhead is thinner. The trade off hides in the workmanship warranty — it varies by build partner, typically five to ten years — so the diligence question is always who exactly is on your roof, and what paper stands behind them.

What Sunrun's scale buys

Sunrun owns the subscription lane: the largest residential fleet in the country, industry leading battery attach rates, grid services programs that can pay you for your battery's standby value, and a lease that wraps maintenance for its full term. In twenty twenty six that model gained relative ground — third party owners still capture commercial clean energy credits and can pass savings through, which makes zero down offers price better against ownership than they have in years.

The close

Buying — cash or a sane loan — and staying put: quote Palmetto against two local installers and let the marketplace math work. Leasing: Sunrun's subscription is the deepest version of that product, but read the escalator and the year twenty five buyout language before signing. The full comparison and FAQ are free at dreamy leads dot com.