Better Buy: Sunrun vs. Sunnova Energy

Since its listing in July 2019, Sunnova Energy's (NYSE: NOVA) stock has risen a massive 375%, outperforming Sunrun's (NASDAQ: RUN) impressive 290% rise. The market's enthusiasm for renewable energy stocks got a further boost last year with the coming of a government that's more friendly to the industry, as well as the extension of an investment tax credit for solar developers. For Sunrun and Sunnova, a growing customer base in a highly competitive residential solar installation market is backing the rise in their stock prices. Let's see if one of the two solar stocks is a better buy right now.

Founded in 2007, Sunrun currently boasts over 500,000 customers -- more than five times Sunnova's customer base. At $15 billion, Sunrun's market capitalization is nearly triple that of Sunnova. But Sunnova's recent revenue growth is higher than Sunrun.