San Diego Solar Install

About us

Clean, renewable and affordable Solar Energy seems “too good to be true”, but it's not. Now it's easier than ever to switch your energy to the energy solution of the future: Solar. San Diego Solar Install is a local (C-46 licensed Solar Energy) contracting company specializing in the installation of high quality, competitively priced solar energy systems for your home and business. We install and (repair inverters) custom designed solar power systems for Residential and Commercial companies. BBB approved and awesome Google reviews online. We seldom if ever use subcontactors. Our specialty is using all American made materials. Our License # is 946112. 15% Discount for all Angies List customers. All proposals are FREE no obligation to purchase. 25 year warranty on every solar panel and inverter we install. Testimonals and great information can be seen online at www.sandiegosolarinstall.com Call or local 619-600-8087 or toll free 877-600-7374(SDSI)

Business highlights

16 years of experience

Services we offer

Custom design solar power systems for residential reducing or eliminating your energy bill.We handle permits and power company interconnect agreements plus all inspector required.Please also read our google review online and BBB references. Your friends in solar energy. Honest Fair Efficient Solar., Inverter Repair, Solar Pannel Installation

Reviews
5.06 Reviews
Number of StarsImage of DistributionNumber of Ratings
5
100%
4
0%
3
0%
2
0%
1
0%
Showing 1-6 of 6 reviews
MIKE Z.
Mar 2014
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$31,000
I had a very challenging install.  I had a 10 year old Grid system with two inverters.  One of the inverters went bad and needed replacement and having upgraded my water heater to electric I needed to generate a lot more power.  I received 7 or 8 quotes and nobody would want to touch the old system and there wasn't enough room on my roof to install all the additional panels I needed, pricing was all over the map, lots of typical sales gimmicks and lease options, it was mess.
Then I found Bruce on Angies list, he came out looked at my situation and gave me some suggestions.  I then started to do some research on the micro inverters.  After receiving his quote, his price was very competitive, and he was the only guy who would replace my old inverter, upgrade wiring/electrical and make some modifications to existing panels to accommodate an additional 32 panels with the new micro inverters (all to code).  My research supported his suggestions and allowed me to achieve the energy production I needed.  I had a delicate tile roof, they did the install and repairs without breaking a single tile!  No leaks, they cleaned up after every work day.  I couldn't have been more impressed.
Furthermore, having both a grid tie system and the Enphase micro inverters I was able to compare the efficiency of the two systems.  In my experience, the micro inverters were probably 20-30% more efficient and with the real time monitoring of each individual panel I could see where some trees were shading a few panels at certain times of the day so I trimmed those back and boosted productivity(you can also see if a panel isn't working properly and get it fixed, not possible with a grid tie system).
Bruce and Brad, were honest, highly experienced and a true pleasure to work with. I would recommend them again in a heart beat.  They also had the best warranty of all the companies and the Enphase system is the only way to go.  These guys are the best in the business, I highly recommend them, you won't be disappointed!

Kevin M.
Jan 2014
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$26,000
I started my research on Solar installers last summer.  I sent feelers out to many of the folks on Angie's List, and all the well advertised big outfits.  Even the guys that showed up on Google searches.    I had a rough idea of what I wanted, namely Enphase Micro Inverters, and production that would take care of 95 - 100 percent of my electric costs. 
The big guys are too big.  They have fancy financing, and sales tricks. It kinda felt like timeshare presentations.   Others refused to even consider Miicro Inverters.  And my goodness, they were pricing things like it was 2008.  There were some small guys too, but they just didn't have the experience or knowledge.  Price is probably the most important, but knowledge is right up there.
Bruce and SDSI were one of the companies I had a good feeling about.  A co-worker of mine had high regards for him too.   No hard selling from the beginning.  Just quotes and lessons along the way.  Heck, He has taught half the solar people in San Diego County!  He knows what he's doing with solar.  Design, installation, codes, etc?  He's a solar contractor, not an electrician or electrical contractor.  Big difference.    
He's an artist when it comes to the design.   The day he showed up to measure the roof  he got up on top and asked, "Is it always this windy?"  I told him it really wasn't very windy, and that it was pretty normal.  He said "no way would I design it the way the other companies were suggesting.  You put the panels that close to the edge of the roof with this kind of wind, you're gonna have a problem".  The wind shear would have weakened the panel mounts, and even torn off the panels closest to the edge.  Its that kind of insight that separates him from the others.  He's been doing it for years.
Now Bruce is a huge Enphase guy which is a good thing for me.  Probably the biggest in San Diego, and he loves the Phono panels.  I personally wanted something different in the panels and he was able to accommodate my request.
We decided in late October, my final system was going to consist of 30 panels, and the new m250 inverters.  Thats about 15 more than my electric panel could support.  Wanting to save a few bucks, I was able to get the panel upgrade done on my own.  Didn't have to use Bruce.  In fact, he wanted it that way.  Remember, he's a solar contractor, not and electrical contractor?  Probably saved me $1000 bucks.  He could have arranged it, but it worked out better this way
.
As soon as the panel upgrade was done, he had the materials delivered.  The next week, Brad (the installer) showed up and in three days had the system installed and hooked to the electric panel.  Brad is awesome.  He knows things about installing that Bruce hasn't even thought of yet.  You put these two together, and you have if not "the best", certainly one of the best solar teams in Southern California.
Inspections passed without incident.  However, getting permits and inspections from the City and SDGE were the slowest part of this whole process.  When they let you down, it messes up the whole schedule,  Just be prepared for that.  These are about the only bumps in the road you will experience.  We got the green light from SDGE on Dec 31, but it was a nail biter.
Overall, its an outstanding system, and a very positive experience.   Both Brad and Bruce are as calm as they come.   I preferred the email correspondence over face to face meetings.  His quotes are nearly instant.   You will be very surprised how aggressive he is with his pricing.  Easily 30% less than the big guys.   He works with San Diego County Metropolitan Credit Union, so financing is available (and he pays the fees!!!).  Anyone that asks me, I will recommend Bruce and SDSI in a heart beat.
Response from San Diego Solar Install

"Thank you so much [removed member name]"


RAYMOND S.
May 2013
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$17,000
San Diego Solar install installed a solar system that was up and running
30 days after the contract was signed.It was sized correctly and was a
good job. We had two solar quotes that were more expensive and the time
to install was twice as much. We are very satisfied and would recommend them to anyone.They are a locally owned company which we try to use.

STEVEN H.
Jul 2012
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$4,000
Neighbor had solar installation. Looked neat and professional. Neighbor highly satisfied with work, price, and service. I called Bruce, the owner. He came out immediately. Given notebook and complete explanation of what, how and why. I am partially disabled so Bruce took pictures. We found Bruce to be honest, diligent, resourceful, inventive, kind, punctual and smart. I was actually sorry to have the work completed - on time and as promised.

Danton S.
May 2012
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$30,000
Bruce Bosworth is the owner. He is extremely willing to take all the time that I want to explain all the options that are available to me. In my case, I wanted a solar panel that was made in America instead of one made in China. He got me solar panel made in America and did not even charge me extra for it. His work was incredibly neat; it was almost like a work of art. He has stayed in contact with me regularly even after the sale has been done, which I rarely see these days. If I have a problem with anything, he is immediately available to take care of it. He is very good at after-sales service. 

Carol H.
Apr 2012
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$16,000
See above...

Licensing

State Contractor License Requirements

All statements concerning insurance, licenses, and bonds are informational only, and are self-reported. Since insurance, licenses and bonds can expire and can be cancelled, homeowners should always check such information for themselves. To find more licensing information for your state, visit our Find Licensing Requirements page.

*Contact business to see additional licenses.

FAQ

San Diego Solar Install is currently rated 5.0 overall out of 5.
No, San Diego Solar Install does not offer free project estimates.
No, San Diego Solar Install does not offer eco-friendly accreditations.
No, San Diego Solar Install does not offer a senior discount.
No, San Diego Solar Install does not offer emergency services.
No, San Diego Solar Install does not offer warranties.