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Sun Badger Solar
Solar Panel Installation, Solar Panels For Electric System Repair, Commercial Solar Panels Installation,
About us
Sun Badger Solar provides high quality, professionally designed solar arrays to home and business owners in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Florida. Customer satisfaction is our top priority! We treat each project as if it was our own home or business. Sun Badger utilizes the newest technologies on the market to insure your system is built to last, with only Tier One equipment. Our staff has over a decade of experience in the Solar industry, and can help find the best, most economical solution to your energy needs. We also have multiple financing options that can help make solar a reality for anyone on any budget!
Business highlights
7 years of experience
Services we offer
Free Solar Site Assessments, Solar Energy, Solar Panels, Solar system maintenance and service
Amenities
Free Estimates
Yes
Accepted Payment Methods
- CreditCard
Reviews
4.617 Reviews
| Number of Stars | Image of Distribution | Number of Ratings |
|---|---|---|
| 82% | ||
| 6% | ||
| 0% | ||
| 12% | ||
| 0% |
Showing 1-17 of 17 reviews
Michael S.
Feb 2023
I wanted to wait in writing a review until I gained comfort with my installed solar system. I am now there! I would highly recommend Sun Badger Solar, as I felt like they cared for me and my family, and reacted to status, installation, and issues quickly. with excellent, timely communication throughout the whole process. This is a very proactive, customer-dedicated company that was a joy to work with. I just want to publicly acknowledge the fine job and process that Sun Badger Solar executed to install our solar system. It is a system consisting of not only solar panels, but multiple electric meters, batteries, inverters, and electrical systems. We have 20 solar panels that have reduced our electrical bill by $150-200/month. Our batteries will provide enough power to critical systems like the heat and refrigerators for about 10-16 hours in the event of a power outage, then charge up the next day to provide enough power through the night. On the initial visit, Sun Badger came to the house to look at the roof, attic, and basement to assess for the optimal solution for us. They were upfront, and provided estimates on different configurations of panels & batteries. We were able to negotiate a solution that would work for us, based on a budget that would work for us. From that point, we waited about 2.5 months for them to do the permitting, interfacing & scheduling with the electric utility company, and the draw-up before the final install. The installation was pretty straight forward, but ran into issues that Sun Badger and their team stuck with to identify the root cause and resolve with the equipment manufacturer and the electric utility company, which took another 2.5 months. Once those were addressed and resolved, we have had no problems or issues. That has been now 8 months.
Dan B.
Sep 2022
As far as the installation and panels themselves are concerned, we have no issues and are pretty happy with everything. The install team was courteous, did good work, and everything went well. However, the management of the project was not good. The main frustration that we have was the constant feeling that the company did not want to be accountable for things and preferred to say that it was ours or someone else’s (the city’s) fault. Our system was installed in April of 2022, which was great timing, perfect to get the great sun months of May, June and July. Once the installation was complete, however, the city wouldn’t pass us on the inspection because the drawing was incorrect. Rather than accept responsibility, there was a constant back and forth of trying to pass the blame to us or the city for what happened. It took until mid July to get our system on, during which time we were still paying our full electric utility bill and missing out on some of the prime generating days of the year. This was not our mistake, and it wasn’t the city’s, yet we, the consumer, end up paying for it. Not only that, but due to the delay, we couldn’t get our paperwork submitted in time for the earlier deadline for the state of Illinois solar rebate, so now we are months away from that as well. Then, just a few weeks in, we checked the app one day to find that our system had not been producing for a few days. We were never notified of this even though we were told a third party would be monitoring it for us and take care of any issues like this. Again, Sun Badger told us we didn’t complete the necessary steps, but we were never given the information to complete even though they told us they would send it. So we lost out on more prime summer generating days. At the end of all of this, it cost us a delay in a multi thousand dollar rebate, and probably close to $500 in missed production, none of it because of us, the consumer. But we have not had a single person contact us to discuss the actual financial issue. Again, our biggest problem is the lack of accountability and constant need to place the blame elsewhere. If I were to do solar panels over again, I would absolutely not recommend Sun Badger.
Response from Sun Badger Solar
"Hi [Member Name Removed], Thank you for your feedback. I’m happy that your installation itself went well and I’ll pass your praises along to that team. As for project management, we are constantly trying to improve and streamline our processes for customers and will be brainstorming ways to better communicate. It was our pleasure to speak with your wife, [Member Name Removed], on a weekly basis to try to help throughout the permitting and drawing process required for the remodel you all were doing on the second story of your home so that the city would approve the structural integrity needed to support the solar system which had already passed inspection. We do all work by the book and need to ensure our customers will be able to safely use their solar systems. While we attempted to go above and beyond to ensure the project moved ahead in a timely manner, we acknowledge that extenuating circumstances such as these do complicate projects and can cause headaches for all parties. In terms of Omnidian, the remote troubleshooting service Sun Badger Solar pays to include for all of our customers for three years, it is required to accept the terms of service in order for them to have access to your monitoring. We are working on a wrap-up process and customer page to better inform our customers of this requirement so that they can enjoy the service we provide to alert them, as well as our Solar Service Team, of any production issues. Take care, -Sun Badger Solar"
SUSAN B.
May 2022
Communication was fantastic throughout the entire process. Every question and concern was addressed. There was much educational and technical information presented along the way so we knew what was happening. The crews were hard working, professional, cleaned up, explained things and they really love their jobs. There were some delays to due supply chain issues for the meters and some weather related issues but we were made aware of those.
Response from Sun Badger Solar
"Thank you [Member Name Removed]! We are always here if you have questions, even now that your system is energized! We look forward to the many sunny days ahead for you and your solar system! ☀️ Don't forget about our referral program through our Sun Badger Solar app!"
Patricia M.
May 2022
Installation was completed in a timely and professional manner, along with good attention to clean up of work areas at the end of the day. All interactions with the Sun Badger team were met with courteous responses and detailed explanations each step of the process. Sun Badger team did an excellent job of coordinating their scheduled work with WE Energies and the village inspector, as well as obtaining all the necessary permits for the project. Communications was very good, though there were a couple instances where workers showed up without advance notice of their visit from the project office.
Response from Sun Badger Solar
"Thank you for your feedback! We take pride in our customer service and the work that our install teams do for our customers! We are here for you shall you have any questions going forward. Don't forget about our referral program as well!"
Michael A.
Mar 2021
everyone was great at communicating what was going on from quote to completion
Response from Sun Badger Solar
"Thank you for choosing to go solar with Sun Badger! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out!"
Vijay D.
Mar 2021
After reseraching for about 6 months and getting quotes from three different solar contactors, finally decided to go with Sun Badger. The Matthew Stoltz the Solar consultant at SunBadger was excellent. Mickey Kennedy the project manager from SunBadger sent me updates every Friday on the status/progress of the project. The process of getting permits was so smooth, I just had to sign few documents and done. The installation took just 2 days. It’s just been a week now the system was generation good for the few sunny days we had. I like the ENPHASE app where we can monitor the system. After the system was up and running, Lindsey Stellflue from SunBadger called me and explained about the SunBadger app and ENPHASE app. showed me how to access the warranty information and shared their service contact. Over all I am very much satisfied for choosing SunBadger. I highly recommend SunBadger for family and friends.
Response from Sun Badger Solar
"Thank you for your feedback! Sun Badger Solar strives to make this experience a smooth process for our customers, while keeping you updated along the way. I'm happy to hear we did just that for you! We look forward to the sunny days ahead for you!"
Benjamin A.
Mar 2021
We have mixed feelings about our experience with Sun Badger Solar. In short, the equipment itself is great and the sales and installation teams were outstanding. However, a simple miscalculation on Sun Badger’s part, and refusal to own up to the mistake from upper level leadership, including the president, Trevor Sumner, really soured our experience, so unfortunately we cannot recommend Sun Badger. In our experience, it appears that Sun Badger put profit over customer commitment. Here’s our experience in more detail, for those to whom it’d be helpful. The positives: Everything about our experience with our salesperson, Jake H., was outstanding. He helped us understand all our options and was very attentive to our questions, thoroughly addressing all of them to ensure that we were making the best possible decision for our needs and our property. Even after the initial consultation and throughout the process, Jake and the others on the project management team were available and responsive if we ever had any questions or wanted to touch base. About a week before the installation was scheduled, we found out that the panels we had planned on were not available, but that a similar higher-producing panel in the same size was. Sun Badger offered to swap these in, like for like, which we very much appreciated. The panels themselves are high quality and performing as they should be. The negatives: Our most significant negative experience in the process was that on the day of the install the installation crew informed us that the number of panels Sun Badger had laid out in their design would not fit. Our roof surface is a simple rectangle, so calculating the number of panels should be simple math. The installation crew rearranged the panels in such a way that they could fit as many as possible on our roof, but we were still left with 2 fewer panels, which translates to a system that produces 7% less energy than expected. This may sound like a small percentage, but when our goal was to max out our production to get as close as possible to the 120%-offset limit (as set out by our utility, Xcel Energy), 7% makes a big difference, especially considering how that multiplies over the 30-year life of solar panels. Had we known the original panels wouldn’t fit when we should have known—right after the engineering site visit—we would have re-designed, with different panels that would get us closer to our energy production goals. Instead, we were faced with a day-of-install decision of either delaying our project until the following year to accommodate a redesign (and therefore accept a lower federal rebate rate), or opt for a lower-producing system. We went with the latter. This caused another issue on the financing side since we had signed the financing documents at the beginning of the process, and could not now change those documents with our lender. Sun Badger did credit us for the panels that were not installed, so we could apply those funds to the principal on our loan, and they have assured us that they’ve changed the loan process so that this won’t happen to future customers. With regards to the miscalculation, Sun Badger says they’ve made system changes to avoid this error in the future. However, when we approached Sun Badger for any sort of good-faith gesture of compensation to help make this right for us, the best they could do was an Amazon or restaurant gift card. In fact, Sun Badger largely avoided owning responsibility for the error and the long-term negative impact it will cause us over the life of the panels. Sun Badger also avoided apologies by saying things like, “at the end of the day, you still have a great system and are getting thousands back in rebates.” True, but we are not getting our planned return on investment. The empty words and platitudes don’t address the problem. Sun Badger’s leadership’s lack of responsibility is the most disappointing part of this whole experience. We don’t question that the panels themselves and the installation are great, and our experience with our salesperson, Jake, was great. But if the best that we can say is that the product itself, installation, and the salesperson were great, you’d be better off finding another solar company that can accurately design a panel layout and will do the right thing for their customers.
Response from Sun Badger Solar
"Mr. [Member Name Removed] thank you for your comments. Sun Badger takes care to install the highest quality and newest technology products, and we ensure the best possible customer experience. We apologize that you found our efforts did not meet your expectations. As you noted, Sun Badger took responsibility for providing you a no-charge upgrade to the original panels selected for your design, and we also refunded you for any panels that were not installed and any financing fees related to the slight change in your design. As explained, you are receiving the maximum production possible out of the solar array we installed on your home, given the physical space available on your roof. We explained changes to our design procedures to prevent future situations like yours from occurring. And we offered you gift card compensation, which you declined because you demanded something of a higher value in exchange for not writing a review. You have an excellent, well designed solar array which we are very proud of, and which will save you thousands of dollars on your electric bill over its life. We stand by our work and believe Sun Badger has treated you more than fairly. But of course, we are disappointed you didn’t feel our efforts and offers were sufficient. We are confident you will enjoy your solar energy system for many years."
Craig P.
Dec 2020
I interviewed 3 companies for my solar installation. I felt that Jared from Sun Badger did a great job of answering my millions of questions, and provided me with good apples-to-apples comparisons between the various panels and installations that I was looking at among the 3 installation companies. In the end it was Jared's no pressure approach, informative manner, and the companies ability to improve on the original quote to compete with other installer offers that sold me. The financing offered by Sunlight Financial also offered some of the best rates I came across as well. Once the contract is signed, they use an application called Basecamp to communicate with you and the rest of the install team. I'm not a huge fan of the structure of the app itself, but in the end it didn't really matter. There was really little communication needed after determining my solar design and signing the contract. Prior to Basecamp, the initial presentation and communication via phone and email with Jared was superb. After that, with Basecamp, you are updated and the various milestone of the install. There was one hiccup that occurred that had me a little upset for a bit. I posted a message on Basecamp regarding the upcoming expiration for the reservation of my Focus on Energy incentive. I had not received a response and so I had to take it upon myself to contact Focus on Energy to get my funds reservation extended. During my exit interview with the company they were very apologetic and insisted that should not have happened. In the end I got my incentive, so I can't hold a grudge. There was only one visit by an electrician that I really needed to be home for, so he could inspect my attic. Other than that the entire installation occurred with the need of anyone needing to be home. Access to my electric panel was via my garage in which I could just give them my garage code for entry. I signed at the end of June and install was tentatively scheduled for October. Once October came I was given a date for install, but that was cancelled for an unknown reason. It ended up to be about 4 weeks later (roughly) that they were able to come and install the panels. Initially they wanted to get it all done in one day, but due to weather it was spread out over several days. Once installed the wait for the electric company was about 3 weeks I believe, to change out the meter and give the OK to operate. In the end the delay in installation worked out to my advantage, because funds for a $500 rural bonus from Focus on Energy were freed up and so I got that extra money. I should disclose that Sun Badger says they will compensate me with an Amazon gift card for writing this review. I do not know how much, but the compensation does not affect the content of this review. It only provides incentive get of my butt and actually write a review. My system is 7.935KW with 23x LG Neon2 panels and Enphase IQ7+ microinverters with an estimated 88% offset. In South Central Wisconsin.
Response from Sun Badger Solar
"Thank you very much for taking the time to write this review! We are glad to hear you chose us based on the trust you were able to form with our sales team. We are here if you have any questions, even post-project! Hopefully you are able to refer your friends and neighbors to earn even more money back through our Sun Badger Solar app!"
Rick S.
Dec 2020
For a young company they are very committed to improving and providing great service. My experience wasn’t perfect but in the end I’m very happy with the product and company. I’m even part of the referral program. Come save the planet or at least get rid of you power bill. It feels good to do it. ?
Response from Sun Badger Solar
"Thank you for taking the time to write this review! We appreciate your feedback and are always striving to improve so that we can keep our customers happy! ☀️ Congratulations on going solar!"
Mitchell B.
Sep 2020
From start to finish, Dustin, Cameron, and Alex provides excellent service for our install. The only downside to our process doesn’t necessarily belong to them, but Solar is expensive. With our system facing west, we have to pay more to get the % energy we needed. From a national average, we were a bit high, but that’s what we get in Wisconsin. The panels are installed exactly how we had planned for them to go. They look nice on our roof, and have been producing on par with our estimates. Communication was fantastic, and has continued to be great after install. We are very pleased with Sun Badger Solar. Thanks to the whole crew.
Response from Sun Badger Solar
"Thank you for your review [Member Name Removed]! Your solar array looks amazing and happy to hear our estimates are on par with what it's been producing. Don't forget about our Sun Badger Solar app and the referral program we offer. There are some great rewards to be earned! Welcome to the Sun Badger family!"
Colin M.
Jul 2020
Sun Badger made the process so easy from the start. Questions were answered in a timely fashion. The crew that installed was great. Just overall everyone made the decision to go solar much easier.
Dennis K.
Jun 2020
Sun Badger was outstanding. Their salesperson, Noah, was highly knowledgeable and genuinely excited about solar energy. His presentation was convincing without pressure. I obtained proposals from four solar contractors. Sun Badger not only had the best price, they were the organization with which I felt most comfortable. The process went well but for one glitch. They neglected to notify me about the date of installation. The installation leader, Eric, was excellent. He took my wife and me on a tour to examine their work. He and his crew were most courteous, and did a total clean-up upon completion. I am now online, and enjoy checking on my system’s functioning on my smartphone app, Enphase. I highly recommend Sun Badger.
Thomas K.
Jun 2020
The sales presentation seemed more honest and factual than a competitor. All team members from sales to installers to support staff were very cordial and customer oriented. Everyone responded quickly to answer questions. The equipment seems top quality and the installation job was top notch. The cost was slightly lower than a competitor. Overall, very good value on price, product, and service.
Neil S.
May 2020
Sun Badger was top notch from the first meeting until my solar was commissioned. We were shopping for solar for about a year and finally settled on sun badger. Sun badger offered in our opinion the best customer support we could ask for. From the base camp app which tracks your projects status to the enlighten app that tracks you solar output, we couldn't have asked for more. Sun Badger kept us up to date on the project's status via the base camp app. If I had any questions, I just posted on the base camp app and received a response shortly. Install was very quick (about 1 day to get the panels installed). Once commissioned by the electrical company, all I did was download the enlighten app and I was immediately able to view my solar panel and everything related to the energy output. We are very happy to have gone with Sun Badger! Highly Recommend this company.
Martin R.
May 2020
It went great. We the project hit snags Sun Badger figured them out. Installation went smoothly and we like the way they panels and hardware look on our home. Very clean and looks nicely done...better than others.
Troy V.
Apr 2020
Fantastic experience from quote to installation. Already generating great solar electricity on our roof! I highly recommend Sun Badger and their team.
Peter R.
May 2019
I got quotes from 5 different solar companies. Proposals included purchase, lease, and PPA. Some companies offer all 3 as options. I have been watching the industry for a long time and so I know a fair amount. I was more interested in product quality and life expectancy. I looked at the specifications for the products in all of the proposals. Sun Badger uses excellent products that are at the right point in the cost/quality curve. The paperwork involved with the city, the SRECs and ComEd can be daunting. Sun Badger made the entire process smooth as can be. The installation went smoothly. The installation team was clean, fast, always on time, available for the inspections and excellent in every way. A few minor issues came up in the inspection and they were solved quickly. My only concern is that Sun Badger seems to be like a general contractor and hires subcontractors to do the site survey, engineering design, and installation. The entire process went very smoothly.
Response from Sun Badger Solar
"Thank you so much for the great review! We have a number of solar arrays up and running in Mt Prospect and are happy to add yours to the list. Stay Sunny and let us know if you need anything!"
Licensing
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FAQ
Sun Badger Solar is currently rated 4.6 overall out of 5.
Sun Badger Solar accepts the following forms of payment: CreditCard
Yes, Sun Badger Solar offers free project estimates.
No, Sun Badger Solar does not offer eco-friendly accreditations.
No, Sun Badger Solar does not offer a senior discount.
No, Sun Badger Solar does not offer emergency services.
No, Sun Badger Solar does not offer warranties.