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CM Solar Electric reviews
• updated MAR 3, 2026Loading map...
The Verdict
CM Solar Electric earns strong marks for honest communication and workmanship, but project timelines vary wildly. One reviewer waited a year before writing their review just to confirm the system was designed correctly, which it was (95% offset achieved). We noticed a recurring pattern: when inverters fail under warranty, owner Carlos catches the problem himself and dispatches technician Brandon within days. In one case, the inverter was replaced the same day parts arrived. Yet two nearly identical reviews from 2015 describe the opposite experience: missed schedules, incorrect financing guidance that cost the homeowner over $1,000, and a deposit CM Solar owed but allegedly never refunded even after BBB intervention. That's an outlier, but it's a serious one. More typical is a different trade-off: 26 reviewers mention Carlos advising against unnecessary upsells (like backup batteries), painting conduit to match the house color, and showing up mid-install just to check progress. If you're comparing purely on price, you may find a lower quote elsewhere. But if you want an installer who'll notice your inverter died before you do and handle the warranty claim without asking, the premium is worth knowing about.
If you prioritize long-term support and don't mind paying slightly more for a company that monitors your system after the sale, CM Solar Electric is a strong choice. If you're on a tight budget or need guarantees around project timelines, get every milestone and refund term in writing.
3 Stories That Stood Out
SteveO hired the company to design and install a rooftop solar system for his home and, although the installation eventually finished, the project became a long string of avoidable problems. He discovered repeated missed deadlines, designers who initially ignored his specific requests, and a pattern of the company shifting blame to city inspections when the longest delays were actually on their end. He ended up paying more than expected after following the company's guidance on Ygrene financing — the advice cost him over $1,000 more than they had promised. Weeks after the crew left the site, the company still had not returned the initial deposit that the contract required refunded, so he filed a complaint with the BBB and is waiting for a resolution. Having worked with dozens of contractors across three homes over a couple of decades, he found this experience the worst by far. He can produce documentation to back each claim, and what lingered for him most was the combination of incorrect financing guidance and the unresolved, contractually owed deposit.
Six years ago Samuel had CM Solar Electric install a complete solar system on his home, and it ran without issues until a few months ago when the SolarEdge inverter failed. He admits he hadn’t noticed the problem, but CM Solar’s team discovered the fault and reached out. A technician came to diagnose the situation, found a blown fuse and replaced it, then encountered a secondary failure and ordered a replacement SolarEdge inverter that was covered by warranty that same day. Brandon and his crew swapped in the new inverter as soon as it arrived, and the system has been functioning perfectly since. Samuel singled out Su for catching the malfunction early and praised the quick, coordinated response from Brandon’s team — what stayed with him was the company’s monitoring and their ability to get a warranty inverter ordered and installed without a long outage.
Chau Nguyen had been shopping for a home solar install and found CM Solar Electric’s price notably more reasonable than other bids. From the first sit-down, Carlos walked through the system design and costs, answered every question clearly, and when Chau asked about adding a backup battery he recommended against it as not necessary or cost‑effective — a bit of honesty that Chau appreciated. They discovered Carlos was a man of his word: after signing the contract the installation unfolded exactly as he had described. The execution crew treated the house as if it were their own, working carefully and professionally; Carlos stopped by on install day and continued to check in by text afterward. The team finished on time, even painting the conduit on the flat roof to match the color, and arranged the conduits, monitor controls, and shut‑offs neatly on the garage wall so everything looked tidy and intentional. Bobby handled the city approval, arriving early with the needed paperwork and keeping the appointment with the inspector on track. What stayed with Chau was the combination of honest, no‑pressure advice about the battery and the meticulous finish—down to the painted conduit—that no
Platforms Monitored
Performance by Work Type
How We Got To Trust Score 75
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.
What You Can Expect
Jimmy spent several months comparing local installers before choosing CM Solar to fit a SunPower PV system on his home, and what stood out was how smoothly the whole project moved. He met with Carlos and quickly felt comfortable — Carlos stayed responsive by email, text and phone at every step while Su and Bobby took care of the paperwork. Instead of the long delays other homeowners warned about, Jimmy’s job progressed from loan application and county plan submission to SDG&E filings, installation and final activation in a matter of months. When a panel upgrade was needed, the upgrade went faster than expected; a supply hiccup traced to SunPower didn’t stall things because Carlos proposed an acceptable workaround and kept the timeline on track. His installation happened in mid–late 2022 during the tail end of Covid-related shortages, yet the team still moved more quickly than he’d anticipated. He intentionally waited a little over a year to watch generation and billing, and confirmed that his monthly payment is going toward owning the panels rather than to SDG&E; the system was sized correctly and the loan fit his budget. The concrete takeaway that stuck with him: attentive, hands‑
San D. chose CM Solar for two substantial rooftop systems — a 26 kWp and a 17 kWp installation — and discovered that what set the experience apart was the after‑sales support. They found the installation itself trouble‑free: the roof never leaked, the crews left each site clean, and the team came across as professional and friendly. Over more than six years at one of the sites, several SolarEdge microinverters failed, and CM Solar handled all warranty dealings with the manufacturer and arranged replacements within a reasonable timeframe. The system design also proved accurate, delivering better than a 95% offset of the annual electricity bill, and the price was competitively pitched. The detail that stuck with San: Carlos and his team remain just a phone call away, stepping in to sort warranty issues so the systems keep producing reliably years after installation.
Ed M. had CM Solar Electric install his home solar system in February 2016, and what mattered most to him was how the company handled a problem years later. Five years after the smooth installation, the inverter failed in February 2021; he contacted CM Solar and Carlos, the owner, immediately mobilized the team led by Brandon to diagnose the root cause, liaise with the inverter manufacturer, and arrange shipment of a replacement. Because the inverter remained under warranty, he faced no cost for the swap. Carlos stayed involved throughout, monitoring progress to push for a rapid replacement and smooth integration of the new unit, while Brandon kept him updated, explained each step, and executed the repair efficiently. He ended up with the system back online and confidence that CM Solar Electric treats post‑sale issues with the same hands‑on attention they showed during installation — owner oversight and clear communication made the difference.
Six years ago Samuel had CM Solar Electric install a complete solar system on his home, and it ran without issues until a few months ago when the SolarEdge inverter failed. He admits he hadn’t noticed the problem, but CM Solar’s team discovered the fault and reached out. A technician came to diagnose the situation, found a blown fuse and replaced it, then encountered a secondary failure and ordered a replacement SolarEdge inverter that was covered by warranty that same day. Brandon and his crew swapped in the new inverter as soon as it arrived, and the system has been functioning perfectly since. Samuel singled out Su for catching the malfunction early and praised the quick, coordinated response from Brandon’s team — what stayed with him was the company’s monitoring and their ability to get a warranty inverter ordered and installed without a long outage.
Karen Shpall had CM Solar install panels on her home more than four years ago and watched her electric bill shrink to roughly $200 a year. The system ran smoothly day to day, and when roof repairs required moving six panels, CM Solar stepped in quickly—relocating and reinstalling the panels and getting the array back up and running without fuss. The standout detail for her was that combination of a dramatic drop in energy costs and the company’s fast, helpful handling of the panel relocation during the roof work.
Roland brought the company in for a rooftop solar job and discovered they handled more than just panel installation — they arranged necessary roof repairs before the work began. He watched the team coordinate the fixes so the solar install could proceed without surprises, and he walked away impressed by how smoothly everything was managed. The standout detail was the proactive handling of the roof repairs prior to installation.
Rian B. lives in San Diego and encountered persistent trouble with a SunVault battery after SunPower’s app switched over to SunStrongConnect. When the company’s bankruptcy left their original warranty void, the battery began behaving intermittently and the app only made the situation more confusing — the system felt close to a lost cause. A referral from their original salesperson led them to Carlos, who changed the whole experience. Carlos showed up responsive and dependable: he repeatedly brought the battery back online, took the time to explain what was happening in plain language, and never pressured them into unnecessary upgrades. Even when Rian pushed back, Carlos stayed calm, patient, and professional, focusing strictly on fixing the problem. The clearest takeaway for anyone in the San Diego area with an expired SunPower warranty is simple and specific: call Carlos — he revived a battery they thought was done and explained every step along the way.
Ryan hired CM Solar Electric to install a 16-panel solar array and a battery on his home. The crew finished the job and, about a week after the system went live, he noticed everything running smoothly. CM Solar stood out for being flexible about where the panels and battery would go, rearranging the layout to fit his roof and preferences rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all solution. Carlos led a capable team of installers and electricians who handled the wiring and installation cleanly, which made it easy for him to trust the work. What lingered as the clearest impression was that adaptability on placement combined with a steady, competent crew — a week in, the system is performing as expected.
John chose CM after a neighbor’s recommendation and ended up very pleased with the whole installation on his home. He appreciated a fair price, quick turnaround, and a team that knew what they were doing — every question got a clear answer and the work stayed on schedule. The system is installed and up and running, and he singled out Carlos and his crew for handling the job.
Long-term Satisfaction
Long-term satisfaction for CM Solar Electric drops to 4.3 ★ compared to early reviews. This is better than 47% of installers we looked at.
Long-term reviews carry the most weight in our methodology because they are most representative of what you should be paying for: a system that will perform for years.