Solar install turning out really bad - looking for some help/advice please.

[foo1bar]

Guy says "Well, if we can't verify the complaints there really isn't much that we can do about it, we'll have to close the case."

What did you expect?
I thought you posted the contents of the letter they sent you, and it outlined the next steps which basically said exactly what is happening now - that if it gets fixed the case will be closed. It got fixed, case is being closed.

You had a choice of whether to get your system running, or wait for the ROC - you chose to get your system running. (Probably the same option I would have chosen)

[HX_Guy]

I guess I figured the allegations would at least pique their interest to look into the contractor a bit more...at least get his side of the story, see what he has to say, maybe even inspect some other jobs he has done? I guess ain't nobody got time for that.

[sensij]

The ROC hasn't even indicated that there is a complaint against him yet.

Also, he is up to a C+ on BBB.

It looks like doing the minimum, and then fixing what the inspector catches might be his MO.

From what I can tell, no yelp page, angie's list, or solarreviews.com. I don't know if it possible to leave reviews for companies that don't have a presence on any of those sites, but I'd give it a shot. Then again, anyone choosing to go with an installation from a company without a presence on any of those site is asking for trouble, which is just beating a dead horse.

[HX_Guy]

Nice use of link Sensij.

The C+ rating is hilarious, looks like one of the two complaints dropped off...probably has a time limit on it before it automatically drops off.

I could leave a review not there...or maybe just move on, forget about him, and enjoy my system.

[Living Large]

Nice use of link Sensij.

The C+ rating is hilarious, looks like one of the two complaints dropped off...probably has a time limit on it before it automatically drops off.

I could leave a review not there...or maybe just move on, forget about him, and enjoy my system.

Note that AZ SOLAR didn't even respond to the one recent complaint. So they probably had an F, and the passage of time is what raised it. Don't know if you can file a complaint after the fact - I don't believe there is anything to resolve at this point, other than warning others to STH away.

As the other person mentioned, having no reviews on Yelp, Angies List, and elsewhere is a warning sign. We've been over this - you did have satisfied customers as I recall. You can't be too careful.

[HX_Guy]

At least I can say I'm happy with the system itself. It's doing very well, can't wait for May/June to come around as those are the best months for solar here in Phoenix.



Thanks again to everyone who contributed and helped, I think this thread is ready to be put to rest.

[North Texas]

Wow! Just finished reading. This scares me even more to hire someone for solar. I have 20+ year in construction and this thread even scares me.

[azdave]

Wow! Just finished reading. This scares me even more to hire someone for solar. I have 20+ year in construction and this thread even scares me.

I did my homework and found a local family owned business that has been in solar for many years. They were happy to sell me a 6.6kW grid-tie system (everyone else pressured me to lease). They did exactly what was outlined in the contract. The install was neatly planned and executed and I was kept well informed of the dates when work was being done. The permits and inspections went without a hitch including the installer handling my HOA requirements. I was up and running only a few day later than they originally estimated and that was due to waiting on a final approval from the utility to place the meter. Installed cost after incentives was $1.68 a watt so I don't think I paid through the nose for a quality, turn-key system. Good installers are out there.

[SunEagle]

At least I can say I'm happy with the system itself. It's doing very well, can't wait for May/June to come around as those are the best months for solar here in Phoenix.



Thanks again to everyone who contributed and helped, I think this thread is ready to be put to rest.

Now that you are producing, what is happening to the excess kWh going back to the Utility? Are you being charged or getting credit for them?

[control4userguy]

Wow! Just finished reading. This scares me even more to hire someone for solar. I have 20+ year in construction and this thread even scares me.

You probably won't hear too much about the installs that went down in 3 days (including permit sign-off) because there's not much to say when things go right. When things go absolutely wrong you get threads of 25,000 views. I'm with you though. Aside from maybe the water quality industry, some of these solar firms are rude & crude.

[control4userguy]

Now that you are producing, what is happening to the excess kWh going back to the Utility? Are you being charged or getting credit for them?

Credit? Of course not. He just got his sign-off yesterday...

[HX_Guy]

Now that you are producing, what is happening to the excess kWh going back to the Utility? Are you being charged or getting credit for them?

I don't think either is happening. It seems that during the day while the system is producing, the house is using up the energy it needs from the solar and the rest just "disappears". It's not getting credited it my account since I don't have a net metering plan in place yet.

Logging into my Utility account online, here is what Feb 8th looked like when the system produced 55kWh. The grid basically showed zero usage during the hours the solar was producing, then resumed using power from the grid.



And here is this month to date. A typical day w/o solar we used between 45-50kWh. On Feb 7th, the system only ran 11:45 - 2:00 and produced 21kWh and the total day usage with the Utility shows 31kWh. Feb 8th, solar ran all day and produced 55kWh, the Utility shows 20kWh used from the grid. Feb 10th, system produced 52kWh and we used 27kWh from the grid.

So basically during hours that the solar is producing, the house tends to use about 20kWh..anything over that that is produces goes to waste at this point instead of being credited to the Utility account.

[SunEagle]

That makes sense. Just be careful the Utility might get pi$$ed off because you have turn on your system before they changed out the meter. The data logging systems today would easily catch the lack of kWh being purchased by you during the day which could be flagged as an issue.

Anyway. I'm glad it is all approved and working for you.

[HX_Guy]

I know a couple people who didn't have any issues running their systems for about 2 weeks between the time the city approved it and the time the Utility changed out the meter...hopefully I won't have any issues either.

On a side note, we're now trying to do everything the reverse of before. Meaning, previously we'd try to use as little power as possible during the day and keep heaving usage items for "off-peak" hours..now I told my wife to do anything she wants between 10am - 5pm. Also changed the pool pump timer from 2am-6am (that's the big hump you see in the previous day graph) to now run during the day.

[Amy@altE]

On a side note, we're now trying to do everything the reverse of before. Meaning, previously we'd try to use as little power as possible during the day and keep heaving usage items for "off-peak" hours..now I told my wife to do anything she wants between 10am - 5pm. Also changed the pool pump timer from 2am-6am (that's the big hump you see in the previous day graph) to now run during the day.

For "testing" purposes only, of course.