Solar Optimum

The team did all I asked and cleaned up afterwards very well. I would recommend this vendor to a neighbor !

Due to the online solar company practices, Solar Optimum in particular, I've decided to go elsewhere. These people are unscrupulous. They require contract signing and a $1000 deposit before doing an on site evaluation which they said would cost them two or three hundred dollars. If then they say expensive additional work like moving the breaker panel or replacement or some upgrade that would require great expense to meet current building codes that are different from when the home was built in 1968 and I decide not to go ahead then the deposit is forfeited. They also undersized the system to make it seem more affordable and it's expected they would at some point say it needs more or higher wattage panels to meet my needs. I'm an retired electrical/mechanical engineer and have no desire to spend $40,000 to simply cut my monthly electrical bill by 50%. The ITC is of no value and not needed so the total cost is what comes out of my pocket. I offered to pay the cost of site evaluation and only if my decision is to go ahead then they should reduce the deposit accordingly. It's clear they operate in this fashion as many people will accept the cost increases even if inappropriate because human nature keeps them from walking away and losing the money. It a method of capturing the customer. I will not accept this type of behavior and ended the conversation. I've done extensive research into this project and feel it's upon me to take it from hereon.

Sam was awesome but another company came in lower.

The quote is very reasonable and the response is very quick and clear. The service representative is very knowledgeable and provides top quality services!

Overall, I am happy with the service provided by Solar Optimum. Many obstacles were encountered along the way. Los Angeles fires, project manager falling ill, city inspectors showing up late, power company delays, and roofing problems (defective shingles found on the original roof). With all the obstacles encountered Solar Optimum managed to keep the project moving forward by working with me and their contractors .

Panels and Tesla Powerwall installed in Oct 2024. Took longer than expected with poor communication between city and Solar Optimum. I had to get involved to bridge the gap and keep project moving forward. Finally got everything installed and PTO (permission to operate) from Duke Energy. Installer got me to download the Tesla app to be able to track energy created, used by house, sent to grid. This is where the problems start. App reports energy being created, almost nothing used, so almost everything going to the grid. Obviously not correct. After multiple calls and emails, installer comes back out, moves the CTs around. No change in app. Tesla contacted by installer. No change in app. Installer comes out again. Moves CTs. Still no change in app. I gave up on being able to track with the app. So now I just have to trust Duke to track usage and amount going to the grid. So far Duke reporting seems good. Just wish I could track more proactively.