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

January 27, 2026
Texas-based IPP Catalyze has secured tax equity financing from RBC Community Investments to support its 100MW solar project portfolio across the US. 
January 27, 2026
French renewables developer TSE Energy will build a 500MW portfolio of agrivoltaics projects on cooperatively-owned French farmland.
January 27, 2026
Enery has secured over US$297 million to develop its renewable energy portfolio across Czechia, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Slovenia.
January 26, 2026
New Jersey's governor has signed executive orders to reduce utility rates and build 'massive amounts' of new renewable energy capacity.
January 26, 2026
Indian solar manufacturer Premier Energies has commissioned its 400MW solar cell manufacturing plant in Maheshwaram, Telangana.  
January 26, 2026
Scatec has secured a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Societe Tunisienne de l'Electricite et du Gaz (STEG) for its 120MW solar plant in Tunisia.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK
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