1UP Solar reviews
• last updated FEB 26, 2026Loading map...
The Verdict
1UP Solar's track record reveals serious operational failures that should give any homeowner pause. One customer waited over a year with panels installed but zero solar production, paying both a loan and SDG&E bills while the company blamed the city for delays and left unfilled holes in the home. We found a pattern of projects stretching nine months or more, with customers reporting ghosted calls and installers leaving work "messed up" without accountability. The sales process raises red flags too. One prospect asked a straightforward question about total project cost and got hung up on twice, then redirected to a confusing conversation about receipts and tax claims. We noticed licensing concerns pop up multiple times. One reviewer confirmed the company representative holds a sales license, not a contractor license, calling into question who's actually doing the work. A few older reviews do praise the savings and speed, but the recent complaints about abandoned projects and evasive communication suggest the company's priorities have shifted away from follow-through.
If you're willing to risk months of delays, unanswered calls, and potentially unlicensed work for a competitive quote, proceed with extreme caution. If you need a reliable install with accountability, look elsewhere.
Reviews That Shaped Our Verdict
Compa J. hired the company for a home solar installation and ended up waiting more than nine months before the job was completed. They experienced persistent silence — phone calls went unanswered and the company frequently ghosted them, forcing them to chase updates. When installation crews made mistakes, the crews left the problems in place and the company wouldn’t accept liability for fixing the shoddy work. Frustration grew because they know four other families stuck in the same drawn-out, unresponsive situation. The detail that lingers: a painfully long timeline combined with no communication and uncorrected workmanship.
Steven C. reached out to someone he found on Instagram who initially came across as informative, hoping to get a straight answer about a full system price for his home. When he asked a simple question — what the total cost would be from start to finish — the rep dodged it, saying he would “send it to me” instead of answering directly. As Steven pressed for an on-the-spot figure or to have a few questions answered, the rep suddenly claimed he had to hang up. The conversation then slid into an unrelated offer about giving him a receipt so he could “claim it,” which wasn’t what he asked for. When he repeated the cost question, the rep hung up on him a second time. Steven walked away puzzled and concerned, left questioning both the person’s professionalism and even their grasp of the basics; what stuck was the repeated avoidance of a straight price and the abrupt hang-ups.
In 2022 Andre H. signed up to have a 14-panel solar array put on his condo to meet a mandated deadline. He discovered the paperwork never got recorded, which stalled the project until UP1 finally returned, installed the panels and wiring, and he even took a day off to hand the installers drinks during the tedious work. But more than a year after that install the equipment sits on his roof and produces no solar usage—he still relies on SDG&E for power—while the system remains effectively unconnected. UP1 covered the first loan payment on the system, but the company blamed the City of San Diego for delays; he ended up with sleepless nights, a required $1 million insurance policy, higher property insurance premiums, and holes cut in his home that haven't been repaired. Frustrated and worried about the panels' quality, he plans to pursue the BBB and legal options and is even considering having the array removed. He wants Manny R. to call him immediately.
Platforms Monitored
Performance by Work Type
How We Got To Trust Score 71
Clean Record
Unauthorized Activities
Passed screening
Misleading Claims
Passed screening
Background Check
Serving customers for 8 years
BBB Rating
Not BBB rated.
Review Patterns
Contractor License
License information could not be confirmed.
What You Can Expect
Joseph M. found Manny and his crew professional and punctual when they installed a residential solar system at his home. He appreciated that they showed up on time and guided him through the whole process, providing steady, hands-on support from start to finish. The combination of upfront professionalism and consistent assistance is what stuck with him.
Luis E. B. hired Manny and 1 Up Solar to put solar on his home and ended up with the entire system installed in just one day. He locked in a low electricity rate for many years, a payoff he views as a direct hedge against SDG&E’s increasingly creative ways to raise bills. Manny took the time to explain the equipment and the numbers in plain language, and the crew finished the rooftop work while he and his family were at work. Beyond the quick turnaround, the standout was the combination of clear communication and a concrete financial outcome: a completed system and predictable costs going forward. He also pointed out the longer-term upside as electric cars become more common — having solar already in place lowers future charging expenses. The detail that stuck with him most was walking back into a finished installation after a workday and knowing the rate was locked in for years.
Michele F. recently switched her San Diego‑area home off SDG&E and discovered the move actually put money back in her pocket — the system produced an up‑front credit when it went live. She chose Manny Renteria to manage the job; he guided her through the options, addressed their household energy needs, and handled the practical details so the process felt straightforward. Tired of SDG&E’s steadily rising bills, she valued that the installation not only curbs future utility increases but delivered a payment at the outset. The detail that stuck with her: a team that made the financial and paperwork side easy and left her with cash in hand instead of another climbing bill.