Sustainable Energy Systems LLC

I am very happy to chose SES. The price was great. I ran the materials they used by a few solar forums and all got thumbs up. Virginia and Loudoun County were a pain - like they don't much want solar (compared to where I used to live in DC where it was a breeze), but SES was great about navigating all the hurdles. Kenny in particular was responsive and nice. Aric doing the inspections was very skilled and personable.

Sustainable proposed a string inverter solution. I've read multiple articles that micro inverters are a superior solution in terms of reliability and throughput. So, I rejected this vendor

It took a few months to get my system installed, but once in place, it worked well and the company was responsive and followed up when needed.

Unethical and Extortionist practices - 14 months ago, my wife and I had solar panels installed on our home. The contract was brokered through a third-party (Zuna Solar - based in Texas). The installation went well, and everything is operating as it should. However, during August 2023, we experienced hail damage to our roof which has resulted in leaking that is slowly growing and causing damage to our living room ceiling. We had the roof inspected and confirmed the best way to deal with the leak is to have the roof replaced. We filed a claim with our homeowner's insurance and have had our claim approved and funded. With these funds, we contracted with a Northern Virginia roofing company to replace the roof. In order for this to occur, we need to have the solar panels dismounted, and then remounted after the roof replacement is completed. This is provided for in the contract on page 7, in the paragraph with the heading "Removal and Reinstall". Please note that the estimated cost on the contract is listed as "the greatest of $135 per panel or $2,700", although the contract also states this is subject to change. When we contacted Sustainable Energy Systems, they initially provided an estimate for the dismount/remount for a figure of $13,800 (drastically higher than "the greatest of $135 per panel or $2,700" figure provided in the installation contract), then went on to state that they would perform the work only if we canceled our contract with our current roofing company and paid SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS, LLC to perform both the roof replacement AND the solar panel dismount/remount. I refused to accept either the radically inflated cost for the dismount/remount work or to cancel my contract with our current roofer (we have already paid a 30% deposit), so we are no longer in discussions with Sustainable Energy Systems. I will never do business with them again due to these unethical and extortionist business practices.

I have tried dozens of times since June to get them to repair two (now 3) faulty panels that are not reporting data to the optimizer. Problem might be with the modules or the optimizer or the connector to the optimizer. The system is under warranty. I can NEVER reach the service department and messages are not returned. Sales has offered to have service return my calls, but service still does not return my calls. Basically, the service department is a scam, they do not have one and they will not provide any service. The install in 2015 was great and my roofer even complimented their work. But if anything fails later, you will get no help.

I joined a Solar United Neighbors Co-op. SES won the contract. We applied for the install. There were delays due the Co-op creating a lot of contracts including us. No complaints. They sent an expert out to review the design, and made a minor change to ensure maximum production (a chimney shadow and couple of bathroom vents were in play). The day of install the crew was professional, paid attention to detail and did not do the "up and over" install to connect panels across the front and back of my roof (meaning a no curb appealing conduit running over the roof). Instead they went into my attic and ran that conduit through the attic to outside the house and cleverly hid that conduit behind a gutter down spot to connect to the inverter. From the curb? A neatly installed array, and no unsightly conduits from the curb. They installed a new service panel and hit a space problem. Resolved at no additional cost. We went active January 13 and our monthly bill dropped to $8.71 (Pepco connect to the grid fee no getting out of that) by March and has held while we build credits for the Winter (BTW we paid for the panels as SES told me they don't want to do PPA or Lease). They are worth getting a quote from and if a SUN Co-op choice? No brainer.