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Carlsbad Solar reviews
• last updated FEB 26, 2026Loading map...
The Verdict
We found zero regrets among nearly a hundred reviews for this owner-operated installer. One homeowner watched Justin personally redo a row of panels mid-install because a six-inch gap bothered him. Another called him out for a system glitch six years after installation, and he was on-site the same day. We analyzed work-quality signals across five categories and saw something rare: 57 mentions of workmanship with not a single complaint. Justin handles the full arc himself, from climbing your roof for the initial quote to submitting your city permits to showing up for post-install adjustments. Reviews describe him as a technical expert who thinks through conduit routing so wiring doesn't snake across your house, sizes systems to cover future electric-car charging, and stocks American-made panels at prices that beat the big-name franchises by several thousand dollars. The installs themselves average two days, and one reviewer went from signed contract to producing power in seven days total (compared to the 35 to 60 days quoted by competitors). If you want an installer who'll treat aesthetics and system performance as equally non-negotiable, this is the company.
If you're fine with a salesperson handing off your project to subcontractors you'll never meet, you have cheaper options. But if you want the person who quoted your job to be the same person fixing a panel alignment issue on day two of the install, Carlsbad Solar is worth the call.
Reviews That Shaped Our Verdict
Dave Cheung dug into dozens of installers and discovered his ranch-style roof would be a challenge: limited southern exposure and intrusive palm trees. Justin at Carlsbad Solar talked through multiple layout and equipment options, absorbed a few curve balls about future plans (an electric car and a new central A/C), and helped him pick the right configuration. He ended up with a neatly sized system of American-made components that eliminated his power bill—just a $20 SDGE charge for the year—looks clean on the roof, and has performed flawlessly. Priced very competitively, the install also stood out next to neighbors who chose bigger national brands and wound up with exposed conduits and poorly planned layouts. Two years after the install, support has stayed responsive, and he has no doubt Carlsbad Solar would react as quickly now as they did on day one.
In August, after an SDG&E warning about a looming high electric bill, Lo' Vetta B., a senior widow, turned off her AC and decided to try solar again. Over the previous three years she'd felt overwhelmed by estimates and companies that didn’t feel trustworthy, so she was relieved when Justin, owner of Carlsbad Solar, welcomed her, treated her like family, and moved quickly. He showed up the day after she called, found an out-of-sight spot on her roof that preserved the home's curb appeal, and secured the permit almost immediately after she signed a clear, easy-to-understand contract. Within a week the panels were on the roof and they were waiting only for the city inspector. Justin kept the process simple, walked her through technical choices she didn’t want to handle, answered her emails within an hour, and offered direct phone access so there were no phone menus to wade through; if a problem appeared, he put someone on it right away. Crucially for a retiree on a fixed income, Justin saved her about $8,000 compared with other estimates while installing what she believes is a superior system. After the first full month her SDG&E bill arrived at zero and she even had kWh credits in a
Anya B. needed a quick solar proposal and discovered a different kind of installer. Justin showed up the same day to inspect the roof, walked her through the technical details, and mapped where the conduit and panels would run so the array would blend with the house. She appreciated that he spoke like a contractor and electrician rather than a typical salesperson — focused on practical layout, color matching and system performance. After signing, the project moved unusually fast: the panels arrived in her garage within days and installers were on the roof about two days later. Justin runs a local family business and uses full‑time employees; during installation he ordered a small section redone when a six‑inch gap appeared, insisting the rows line up perfectly. The crew treated the home respectfully — even asking whether to remove their shoes — and Justin invited neighbors to drive by and view recent work. When she did, she found him on his own roof finishing his system, which felt like a real sign of pride in the craft. They ended up with 18 black‑on‑black panels that look seamless, and after a few days of operation everything worked as expected. The detail that lingered most: a安装
Platforms Monitored
Performance by Work Type
How We Got To Trust Score 97
Clean Record
Unauthorized Activities
Passed screening
Misleading Claims
Passed screening
Background Check
Serving customers for 12 years
Operating longer than most installers in the market.
BBB Rating: A+
Excellent BBB standing. Strong complaint resolution.
Natural Review Patterns
Reviews were posted naturally over time.
Licensed Contractor
A valid contractor license is on record.
What You Can Expect
Kathryn shopped around — comparing leases versus buying and interviewing several solar companies — before choosing Justin and Carlsbad Solar to install a residential system at the end of 2018. She ended up with a system Justin sized with a little extra capacity, and it has met their needs every year since. The install went quickly and without drama. When two minor issues popped up — one immediately after the install and another about a year later — Justin jumped on them right away and got things fixed. Working with a local, family-run team made the process feel personal, and she has referred them to friends multiple times. The detail that stayed with her: prompt post-install support that kept the panels performing as expected year after year.
KT Fortner had a 7.5 kW solar system installed on their home by Carlsbad Solar 3.5 years ago and has watched it perform without issue. Justin Fox led the project and his team smoothly handled everything from permitting to installation, inspection, and startup; the price landed in a competitive range and the workmanship looked flawless from the start. What stood out most was Justin’s blend of deep technical know-how and clear accountability, backed by a crew that behaved professionally, courteously, and diligently. Over time KT found the quality of the installation only more impressive as the system continued to deliver as promised. KT recommended Carlsbad Solar to several friends, who ended up equally pleased, and the concrete takeaway that stuck was simple: after three and a half years of trouble-free performance, the workmanship and Justin’s hands-on leadership proved to be the deciding factors.
Dave Cheung dug into dozens of installers and discovered his ranch-style roof would be a challenge: limited southern exposure and intrusive palm trees. Justin at Carlsbad Solar talked through multiple layout and equipment options, absorbed a few curve balls about future plans (an electric car and a new central A/C), and helped him pick the right configuration. He ended up with a neatly sized system of American-made components that eliminated his power bill—just a $20 SDGE charge for the year—looks clean on the roof, and has performed flawlessly. Priced very competitively, the install also stood out next to neighbors who chose bigger national brands and wound up with exposed conduits and poorly planned layouts. Two years after the install, support has stayed responsive, and he has no doubt Carlsbad Solar would react as quickly now as they did on day one.