Sunrun Flex: A totally new way to power your home
Your needs are evolving. Your energy should too.
Step 1 - Forward-thinking system install
Step 2 - Pay only for today's usage
Step 3 - Extra power when you need It
Step 4 - Lock in low solar rates
See how Flex stacks up
Local utilities
- Reliable, affordable power
- Protects against rate hikes
Traditional solar
Sunrun Flex
- Reliable, affordable power
- Flexibility to access more affordable solar power when you need it without an oversized or second system
- Only pay for the energy you use
FAQs
How do I know if Sunrun Flex is right for me?
It’s pretty simple. For customers who think they’ll increase power (which is typically what happens after going solar) Flex provides a ton of value. We don't recommend Flex to customers who know their usage will be going down or staying the same - for example, if your family is moving out, or if you know you're living elsewhere part time.
What kind of savings can I expect with Sunrun Flex?
Ultimately your potential savings is going to depend on three things - how much energy you use at which times of day, how the utility charges you, and the amount of energy and cost of energy from Sunrun. Since we only control one of those, we can’t guarantee exact savings numbers, but Sunrun Flex is designed to maximize your potential savings through lower rates and offsetting expensive utility energy during peak times by using energy stored in your batteries. We can show you a projection of your potential savings based on your past usage.
What happens to the extra power my system generates if I don’t use it?
The utility determines what happens here - they have something called the Solar Billing Plan (NBT) which outlines this - basically, excess energy that you send back to the grid will be credited to you. These credits are at a wholesale rate offered by the utility. The rate does vary based on the time of day the power is sent to the grid. These credits show up as “energy export credits” on your bill and reduce your overall payment. If you have extra, they’ll roll over to the next month.
Will I still have a utility bill?
You should always expect to have at least a small utility bill. Even when solar offsets all of your energy needs, the utility will still require base fees for being connected to the grid. You’ll also pay for any energy you need beyond what your solar covers. This can change over time if the way you use energy - or when you use energy - changes. The great thing with Flex is it helps keep future utility costs low as your usage needs increase.
What happens to my utility bill as I use more power in the future?
Your utility bill is based on how much electricity you import from the utility and anything you send back from your solar. As you use more energy, you may also import more electricity from the grid. This would increase your utility bill.
How do you determine my System size with Sunrun Flex?
We estimate your usage based on the previous 12 months of your utility bills. We take this
annual number and divide it by 12 months to arrive at your levelized monthly pre-solar consumption. We then size your System based on information you share with us your anticipated growing energy needs.
If 12 months of past utility bills were not available, we use your home's square footage to determine your Estimated Current Usage.
How does monthly billing work with Sunrun Flex?
Your monthly Sunrun bill is determined by how much energy you use in any given month. If you use less than or equal to your Monthly Baseline, you only pay the Minimum (or Baseline) Monthly Bill. If, for example, it’s an extra hot month and you run the AC more than normal, then any extra energy you use above the Monthly Baseline is charged at the Flex rate. The maximum you will pay in a given month (Maximum Monthly Bill) - is calculated as the System production divided by 12. You will never pay more than this in a given month, even if your usage exceeds the max.
If you use less than the Monthly Baseline, you will accrue Rollover credits for all usage below the Monthly Baseline.
Here is an example:
Monthly Baseline: 1,000 kWh
Monthly Maximum with Flex: 1,500 kWh
Flex Rate: $0.20/kWh
Minimum Bill: $200/month
Maximum Bill: $300/month
Month 1 (May)
Monthly Consumption = 850 kWh
Sunrun Monthly Bill = $200
Rollover Credits = 150kWh
Month 2 (June)
Monthly Consumption = 1100 kWh
Flex Usage = 1,100 - 1,000 = 100 kWh
Flex Usage with rollover = 100 + (-150) = -50kWh
Rollover to next month = 50kWh
Sunrun Monthly Bill = $200
Month 3 (July)
Monthly Consumption = 1100 kWh
Flex Usage = 1,100 - 1,000 = 100 kWh
Flex Usage with rollover = 100 + (-50) = 50kWh
Flex Charge = 50 kWh * $0.20/kWh = $10
Sunrun Monthly Bill = $210
Can I carry over Rollover credits at the end of the year?
You can carry over Rollover credits from one year to the next up to your Flex Monthly Baseline * 12. You cannot carry over credits that bring you below your Flex Monthly Baseline * 12. As an example – if your pre-solar usage is 12,000 kWh, you have consumed 12,400 kWh and have -200 kWh in Rollover credits, those credits will carry over to the next year. If you consumed 11,800 kWh and have -200 kWh in Rollover credits, none of those credits will carry over to the next year.
How do you ensure that I don’t pay for energy that the System does not produce?
At the end of every 12-month period, Sunrun looks at (1) your annual pre-solar usage (used to calculate Flex Monthly Baseline); (2) the number of kWh charged at the Flex Rate; and (3) the total kWh produced by the System. If (3) - (1) is less than (2), you will receive an annual production adjustment, which is called ourFlex Guarantee!
Do you still offer a Performance Guarantee with Sunrun Flex?
Yes, Sunrun will still guarantee 90% of estimated System production. If your System produces less than 90% of the Estimated Total Production, you are refunded (audited and paid every two years). For details on the Performance Guarantee, see your Sunrun Customer Agreement.