Sunrun trounces Tesla in Q1 solar installations

May 8, 2019
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Sunrun overtook Tesla as leading US residential PV installer (public listed) in the second quarter of 2018. The seasonally weak first quarter played its part with both competitors as Sunrun’s deployments fell from 115MW to 86MW but a fraction higher than previously guidance of 83MW to 85MW. Image: Sunrun

Leading US residential PV installer, Sunrun reported deployments of 86MW in the first quarter of 2019, a 27% year-over-year increase that was in stark contrast with former leading installer, Tesla that recently reported deployments of 47MW for the same quarter.

Sunrun overtook Tesla as leading US residential PV installer (public listed) in the second quarter of 2018. The seasonally weak first quarter played its part with both competitors as Sunrun’s deployments fell from 115MW to 86MW but a fraction higher than previously guidance of 83MW to 85MW.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Sunrun reported deployments of 86MW in the first quarter of 2019, a 27% year-over-year increase that was in stark contrast with former leading installer, Tesla that recently reported deployments of 47MW for the same quarter.

As a result, revenue in the reporting quarter was US$194.5 million, up US$50.1 million, or 35% from the first quarter of 2018 but significantly lower than the US$240.1 million record set in the previous quarter.

Sunrun reported first quarter 2019 revenue of US$194.5 million.

Lynn Jurich, Sunrun’s Chief Executive Officer and co-founder said, “Sunrun is proud of our 242,000 customers who are helping to create a resilient and decarbonized energy system. We exceeded our deployment guidance in Q1 and are raising our margin target for the full year. At the same time, we are investing in a superior experience for our customers and advanced services that will build our future energy system.”

Sunrun reported that its total cost of revenue was US$147.3 million in the quarter, an increase of 24% year-over-year. Total operating expenses were US$238.7 million, an increase of 19% year-over-year.

Net loss attributable to common stockholders was US$13.9 million in the first quarter of 2019.

Guidance

Sunrun said that it expect deployments in the second quarter of 2019, to be in the range of 102MW to 104 MW. This compares to prior year quarter deployments of 91MW. 

Deployments for the full-year were reiterated to be in the range of a 16 to 18% increase from the prior year, or 434MW to 441MW. 

16 June 2026
Napa, USA
PV Tech has been running PV ModuleTech Conferences since 2017. PV ModuleTech USA, on 16-17 June 2026, will be our fifth PV ModulelTech conference dedicated to the U.S. utility scale solar sector. The event will gather the key stakeholders from solar developers, solar asset owners and investors, PV manufacturing, policy-making and and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out the PV module supply channels to the U.S. out to 2028 and beyond.
13 October 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
PV Tech has been running an annual PV CellTech Conference since 2016. PV CellTech USA, on 13-14 October 2026 is our third PV CellTech conference dedicated to the U.S. manufacturing sector. The events in 2023, 2024 and 2025 were a sell out success and 2026 will once again gather the key stakeholders from PV manufacturing, equipment/materials, policy-making and strategy, capital equipment investment and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out PV manufacturing in the U.S. out to 2030 and beyond.

Read Next

February 10, 2026
Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited (RUMSL) has extended a Letter of Award (LOA) to Ceigall India and ACME Solar to develop 220MW solar-plus-storage in Morena, Madhya Pradesh. 
February 10, 2026
WGEH has signed a Feasibility Phase Agreement to advance Stage 1 development of its 70GW renewable energy project in Western Australia.
February 9, 2026
The US federal government has withdrawn its appeal against a US Court of International Trade (CIT) ruling to retroactively collect two years of tariffs on imported solar panels.
February 9, 2026
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is planning to provide dedicated support to European solar inverter manufacturers amid a call for greater energy security and strategic autonomy.
February 9, 2026
Solar manufacturer United Solar has launched a polysilicon manufacturing facility in Oman, adding 100,000 metric tons of annual production capacity.
February 9, 2026
Global electricity demand is set to grow 2.5 times as fast as overall energy demand by 2030, ushering in what the International Energy Agency (IEA) has dubbed the “Age of Electricity”.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Webinars
February 18, 2026
9am PST / 5pm GMT
Solar Media Events
March 24, 2026
Dallas, Texas
Solar Media Events
April 15, 2026
Milan, Italy
Solar Media Events
June 16, 2026
Napa, USA
Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA