Helping Riverside County homeowners navigate SCE rates and solar options since 2020
Update: April 15, 2026 - Freedom Forever Filed Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Freedom Forever, one of the largest residential solar installers in the United States, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on April 15, 2026. This is a significant development for any homeowner currently under a Freedom Forever contract or considering one. The section below covers what is known and what SCE customers should do now.
If you searched "Freedom Forever vs SunPower" in 2026, the landscape has changed significantly since this page was first published. Both companies have now filed for bankruptcy. SunPower filed Chapter 11 in August 2024. Freedom Forever filed Chapter 11 on April 15, 2026. Here is what that means for SCE customers in Temecula and Murrieta.
2026 Context:SCE's residential rate is 34.5 cents/kWh average and 41-43 cents/kWh Tier 2 as of 2026. The federal Section 25D residential tax credit expired December 31, 2025. NEM 3.0 cut solar export rates to 5-6 cents/kWh, down from roughly 30 cents under NEM 2.0. These three facts together change which solar option makes sense for most Riverside County homeowners.
1. What Happened to SunPowerBankrupt August 2024
SunPower filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on August 5, 2024.
The company sold its residential solar business to Complete Solaria, which rebranded under the SunPower name. Warranty obligations transferred to the new entity. Pre-bankruptcy customers should verify their coverage status directly with Complete Solaria.
SunPower was one of the most respected names in residential solar for more than a decade. They built a premium product reputation on high-efficiency panels and a vertically integrated model. The bankruptcy was not a minor restructuring. It was a full Chapter 11 filing driven by years of losses, supply chain pressure, and the post-NEM 3.0 slowdown in California installs.
Complete Solaria purchased the residential business out of bankruptcy proceedings. The company continues to sell and install under the SunPower brand name. However, the legal entity backing pre-bankruptcy warranties is now a reorganized company, not the original SunPower corporation. For homeowners in Temecula and Murrieta who already have SunPower panels, the panels still function. What is uncertain is whether warranty service will be as responsive under the new structure.
For homeowners considering a new installation in 2026, the practical issue is this: if you sign a contract with SunPower-branded equipment today, get written clarity on which legal entity is backing the 25-year panel warranty and the workmanship warranty. Do not rely on a verbal assurance or a generic warranty document that predates the bankruptcy.
2. Freedom Forever in 2026Bankrupt April 2026
Freedom Forever filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on April 15, 2026.
The company is one of the largest residential solar installers in the United States by volume. Chapter 11 is a reorganization bankruptcy, not a liquidation. The company may continue operating during proceedings, but warranty obligations, contract terms, and service continuity are all uncertain until a restructuring plan is confirmed by the court. Any homeowner with an existing Freedom Forever contract should document all agreement terms and monitor communications from the company or the bankruptcy trustee.
Freedom Forever had been one of the primary $0 down PPA providers for SCE territory in Riverside County. Their model was installation-and-financing: they sourced panels from multiple manufacturers, owned the system under a PPA, and collected per-kWh payments from homeowners over 20-25 year terms.
Under Chapter 11, the company may assign or sell existing PPA contracts to another entity as part of the restructuring. If you are a current Freedom Forever customer, your contract obligation does not disappear with the bankruptcy, but who you pay and who services the system may change. Review your original PPA agreement now and note all warranty and maintenance provisions.
For homeowners who were considering a new Freedom Forever quote: hold. Signing a new long-term PPA with a company actively in Chapter 11 carries real risk around warranty backing and long-term service. There are local and regional installers operating in Riverside County with no bankruptcy exposure.
3. Head-to-Head Comparison
Here is how Freedom Forever and SunPower compare on the factors that matter most for an SCE customer in Temecula or Murrieta deciding in 2026.
4. What This Means for Temecula and Murrieta Homeowners
The most important shift for SCE customers in 2026 is not which brand name is on the panel. It is the financing structure. The Section 25D tax credit that made purchased solar systems compelling for most homeowners expired at the end of 2025. Without a 30 percent federal credit to offset the upfront cost, buying solar outright became harder to justify for the average Temecula homeowner.
At the same time, NEM 3.0 reduced what SCE pays you for power you send back to the grid from roughly 30 cents per kWh down to 5-6 cents. That change reduced the long-term return on ownership. It did not change the value of a PPA, which is based on what the system produces and what rate you pay for it, not what SCE credits you.
For most homeowners in this market, a $0 down PPA at a rate below SCE's current 34.5 cents/kWh average rate is the most practical path to immediate savings with no upfront cost and no dependency on a tax credit that no longer exists.
Bottom line for Temecula and Murrieta: Both Freedom Forever (April 2026) and SunPower (August 2024) have filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Neither is a reliable choice for a new 20-25 year contract right now. The better path is a local or regional installer in Riverside County with no bankruptcy exposure. A $0 down PPA still makes sense for most SCE customers given that Section 25D expired and NEM 3.0 reduced ownership returns, but get that PPA from a financially stable company. Read the full PPA vs buying solar panels comparison and check the solar tax credit page for what is still available under Section 48E.
5. Frequently Asked Questions
Is SunPower still in business after the 2024 bankruptcy?
SunPower filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August 2024. The residential business was sold to Complete Solaria, which rebranded under the SunPower name. The company is technically still operating, but warranty obligations from pre-bankruptcy contracts are now under a reorganized entity. If you have an existing SunPower system, contact Complete Solaria directly to verify your specific warranty coverage status.
Did Freedom Forever file for bankruptcy?
Yes. Freedom Forever filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on April 15, 2026. Chapter 11 is a reorganization bankruptcy, not a liquidation, meaning the company may continue operating during proceedings. However, warranty obligations, service continuity, and contract terms are all uncertain until a restructuring plan is confirmed. Existing customers should document all contract terms immediately and monitor communications from the company or the court-appointed trustee.
Which is better for SCE customers in 2026 - Freedom Forever or SunPower?
As of April 2026, both companies have filed for bankruptcy. Freedom Forever filed Chapter 11 on April 15, 2026. SunPower filed in August 2024. Neither is a reliable choice for a new 20-25 year contract right now. The better option for SCE customers in Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, and Lake Elsinore is a local or regional installer with no bankruptcy exposure. A $0 down PPA from a financially stable company is still the most practical path for most SCE homeowners given that Section 25D expired and NEM 3.0 reduced the return on purchased systems.
What happened to SunPower warranties after the bankruptcy?
SunPower's bankruptcy transferred warranty obligations to Complete Solaria, which now operates under the SunPower brand. For customers who signed contracts before August 2024, warranty service is technically under the reorganized entity. Coverage is not void, but it is less certain than it was with the original SunPower corporation. Always request written warranty confirmation before relying on coverage from any company that has gone through a restructuring.
Should I get a PPA or buy solar panels in 2026?
For SCE customers in 2026, a PPA is often the better financial structure. Here is why: the federal Section 25D residential tax credit expired December 31, 2025, removing the primary financial benefit of ownership. NEM 3.0 also cut export rates to 5-6 cents per kWh, down from roughly 30 cents under NEM 2.0, which reduced the payback on purchased systems. A $0 down PPA lets you lock in a solar rate below SCE's current 34.5 cents per kWh Tier 1 rate without upfront cost or tax credit dependency. For full details, read the PPA vs buying solar panels comparison.
6. Next Step
If you are a Temecula or Murrieta homeowner comparing solar in 2026, the single most useful thing you can do is get a site-specific quote that accounts for your SCE bill, your roof orientation, and your preference on financing structure. Generic calculators and national brand comparisons miss the details that matter for your specific address and consumption pattern.
For context on how this market compares to others and which installers have the strongest local track record, read the best solar companies in Temecula guide.
If you want a straight conversation about which local or regional installers are operating in Riverside County right now with no bankruptcy exposure - including which contract terms to watch for - call me directly. I work with homeowners in this area every day and can walk through the options without pressure.
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