New Sunrun Survey Finds Soaring Electricity Demand and Extreme Weather Are Fueling Homeowner Anxiety; 80% Fear Data Centers Will Drive Up Utility Prices

Rhea-AI Summary

Sunrun (Nasdaq: RUN) released a national survey (1,000 U.S. homeowners; Sept 12–25, 2025) showing widespread anxiety about electricity reliability and affordability amid rising demand from AI and data centers. Key findings: 80% fear data centers will raise utility prices, 81% experienced an outage in the past year, and 62% have considered home battery storage. The release emphasizes homeowner interest in distributed solar+storage—91% say it strengthens the grid and Sunrun reports delivering hundreds of megawatts of dispatchable power via networked home systems.

The survey underpins Sunrun's positioning that residential storage and solar increase resilience, reduce outage impacts, and offer potential grid benefits.

Positive

• 62% of homeowners have considered home battery storage
• 91% say solar and batteries strengthen the grid
• Sunrun delivering hundreds of megawatts of dispatchable power

Negative

• 80% worry data centers will raise their electricity costs
• 68% concerned their utility can’t meet growing local demand
• 81% experienced at least one power outage in the past year

With the majority of Americans saying they feel unprepared for grid instability, electricity outages, and extreme weather, Sunrun offers peace of mind with home battery storage and solar

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sunrun (Nasdaq: RUN), America’s largest provider of home battery storage, solar, and home-to-grid power plants, today released new national survey data revealing that rising energy demand from AI and data centers, coupled with worsening extreme weather, is deepening homeowners’ anxiety about the reliability and affordability of their electricity.

The survey of 1,000 U.S. homeowners found that Americans are increasingly skeptical that traditional utilities can meet the nation’s rising power needs. Most fear higher costs, more frequent power outages, and limited preparedness for an energy system under mounting strain.

“Americans are worried about energy reliability and affordability. They want solutions that give them independence, control, and peace of mind,” said Sunrun CEO Mary Powell. “The fastest way to strengthen the grid is by putting more generation and storage where people live and consume it. Home storage and solar don’t just keep the lights on—they deliver dispatchable power our grid desperately needs, and the majority of Americans recognize that's good for the entire country.”

Rising Demand, Strained Grid
Homeowners are losing confidence that utilities can handle America’s rising energy needs.

• 80% worry that data centers will drive up their electricity costs.
• 68% are concerned that their utility provider can’t keep up with the growing energy demand in their area.
• 89% believe that going 24 hours without electricity would be worse than not having gas in the car—a sharp reflection of how essential reliable home energy has become.
  
  

Outages Are Taking a Toll
Americans are already feeling the effects of an unstable grid.

• 81% experienced at least one power outage in the past year.
• 60% faced up to three outages in that same period.
• 71% are concerned that their home will experience an outage in the next year due to high electricity demand or extreme weather.
• Only 11% said they felt “very prepared” for their most recent outage.
  
  

Nearly nine in ten (87%) said they have suffered real consequences during power outages, from spoiled food and lost income to interrupted access to medical equipment. More than one in four (29%) have turned to a neighbor with backup power just to charge a phone or access basic necessities.

Americans Want Energy Independence
Homeowners increasingly view distributed energy resources as a solution that provides both personal resilience and public benefit.

• 62% have considered installing a home battery storage system and are equally motivated by saving money (71%) and maintaining power during outages (71%).
• 91% believe home solar and batteries strengthen the grid, and 92% said they’d be willing to share excess energy with neighbors and their community during peak demand—a glimpse at how distributed power plants could reshape America’s energy future.
  
  

As utilities and policymakers struggle to meet unprecedented demand, Sunrun’s growing fleet of home storage and solar is already proving that distributed energy is a fast, scalable solution. By networking together customer systems into distributed power plants, Sunrun is delivering hundreds of megawatts of dispatchable power during times of peak demand—helping stabilize the grid while giving families more control over their energy.

“Every home with storage and solar is a building block of America’s energy future,” Powell added. “We are building a massive, flexible energy resource that lowers energy costs for everyone, protects families, and strengthens our national security.”

Methodology
The Sunrun Survey was conducted among 1,000 U.S. homeowners between September 12 and September 25, 2025. The survey was prepared and administered by Wakefield Research using an email invitation and an online survey.

About Sunrun
Sunrun Inc. (Nasdaq: RUN) is America’s largest provider of home battery storage, solar, and home-to-grid power plants. As the pioneer of home energy systems offered through a no-upfront-cost subscription model, Sunrun empowers customers nationwide with greater energy control, security, and independence. Sunrun supports the grid by providing on-demand dispatchable power that helps prevent blackouts and lower energy costs. Learn more at www.sunrun.com.

Media Contact
Wyatt Semanek
Director, Corporate Communications
press@sunrun.com

Investor & Analyst Contact
Patrick Jobin
SVP, Deputy CFO & Investor Relations Officer
investors@sunrun.com

FAQ

What did Sunrun (RUN) survey find about homeowner concern over data centers on Oct 30, 2025?

The survey found 80% of homeowners worry data centers will drive up their electricity costs.

How many homeowners in the Sunrun (RUN) survey experienced outages in the past year?

81% reported at least one power outage in the previous year.

What percentage of homeowners in the Sunrun (RUN) survey would share excess energy with neighbors?

92% said they would be willing to share excess energy during peak demand.

How many people did Sunrun survey and when was it conducted for the Oct 30, 2025 release?

Sunrun surveyed 1,000 U.S. homeowners between Sept 12 and Sept 25, 2025.

What demand signal from the Sunrun (RUN) survey supports residential solar and storage investment?

High homeowner interest—62% considered home battery storage and 71% cited saving money or maintaining power as motivators.