SolarCity

It never happened. Took weeks of calling them to get a response. Three weeks to get a quote when SolarCity had already given me a quote on their behalf. Blamed me because SolarCity didn't give them my phone number. Sever problems with communication, scheduling, and customer service.

I ran into a SolarCity rep at Home Depot and asked a lot of questions. Based on the responses, I decided to have a site survey done and commit more of my time. When the day came for the survey, the sales rep used a computer and software to estimate solar array needs based on his visual inspection. I believe his assessment was fairly accurate, but this was my first surprise with SolarCity; unfortunately the rest of the surprises were bad. The sales rep was having some sort of internet problems on the company end, because he wasn't able to send an email to me through his corporate account. He was using my internet connection, which worked, but I didn't get his emails when he was at my house. This was important because I wanted to discuss any concerns with someone in person. I was told that I would get an email that would have me digitally accept a contract with SolarCity. This was fine so long as I could read the contract before accepting it. After the sales rep left, I received multiple duplicate emails from him. *** It appeared to me that by clicking the button in the email I would be allowed to read the contract before accepting it. What I found out after clicking is that the click itself was acceptance of the contract! I was ticked off because this is unethical! I am aware that a contract isn't legally binding without both parties being able to review before accepting, but the principle of the matter dictates this was unethical. I reviewed the contract and didn't find anything objectionable (no lien on house like SolarCity used to do) except the clause about requiring my internet connection. The sales rep told me an internet connection is optional. I decided to proceed cautiously and voice my reluctance and concerns to the sales rep in writing. The next step was to schedule the site survey, where SolarCity comes to your house to ensure the roof can handle the load, the solar panel array "designed" by the sales rep is accurate, etc. This confused me because I thought this should be done before anyone's time is spent talking dollar signs, and most definitely before a contract is presented! I scheduled the site survey, and the person on the phone told me that they'd have to drill holes in my roof to anchor themselves for safety. I told them that isn't going to happen because I have a low pitch roof, and if someone can't measure my roof without falling off, then I won't trust them to install solar panels and mess with my electrical system. The SolarCity employee also stated that they'd have to verify my roof trusses are sound. I asked how they intend to do that, and was told they'd access them through my attic. I told him I don't have an attic, so how will they verify? The employee told me they'd have to cut holes across my ceiling and put a camera on a stick to take a look. I told him they aren't cutting holes in my ceiling, especially since a photo won't verify the structural integrity of a truss, which can only be done by close up inspection. We went back and forth on my logic, but I wasn't going to back down from my position. He conceded to let me discuss it with the employees who do the survey, so I scheduled the appointment to see where this went. My next step was to verify how this would affect my PGE electricity bill. The sales rep, and the contract, didn't say anything about this part, but I knew from others who have solar that there would be some changes. I called PGE and they told me I would have at least 1 charge for being connected to the grid, and possibly another depending on the solar installation. None of this was discussed or disclosed to me. I was quite angry at this point so I canceled the site survey appointment, wrote a letter stating that I cancel the SolarCity contract because I was within my 3 days to do so, and sent it certified mail. The next day I received a voice mail from the sales rep saying SolarCity can't provide service to me because I have a manufactured home, and therefore they are canceling the contract. OUTRAGE! If this was the case, which I don't believe it to be true, then this could have been asked over the phone by the sales rep before he came over. Everyone would have been saved a lot of time, money, hassle, anger, etc. Do not deal with SolarCity. No one should be lenient on contracts, and if all of the data isn't provided, throw them off your property and tell them to pound sand.

It didn't cost us anything upfront except in that when we get the energy tax credit we get that once a year, but we have to pay to solar company on a monthly basis. They did everything. There was very little that we really had to worry about. They brought the electrician, they brought panels and they installed and everything happened same day or in two days, I didn't remember but it was pretty fast. They were very easy to work with. We didn't check with any other company we went with them because this is the only company that we are aware of that works that way.

I felt they weren’t very truthful. They make monthly payment arrangements which is why we went with them in the first place

We install it, they own it, they maintain it and they provide us with a discounted electricity.

It was a pretty comprehensive job, and they worked with the general contractor for others, and I was really impressed with the quality of everything that was done. They did some windows, and we did the standard insulation of wall, and we put the gas heater put in. I got bids for the window job, and I looked at their bid that they had given a year ago, and they weren't the cheapest, but they were the best. They did it on time, they showed up as scheduled, and they finished up all the work. Their finished work on the windows was tricky, we had to spend a bit of time looking for windows. My son had used another contractor for the same job, and his did not go so well. In my case they did a good job, and they were very easy to work with. They were really at the top of their game. They saved me money on the solar project. The price was not the cheapest, but it was the best value.