GRID Alternatives reviews
• last updated FEB 26, 2026Loading map...
The Verdict
GRID Alternatives isn't your typical solar installer. They're a nonprofit that trains volunteers and job seekers to install panels on low-income homes at no cost to the homeowner. We analyzed hundreds of reviews and found the model delivers real results. One homeowner in San Diego paid zero out of pocket, owns the system outright (no lease), and now produces more electricity than she uses. Another waited eight months from approval to activation and couldn't get return calls during the delays. The work quality scores high: 19 reviews mention solid workmanship, and installations routinely pass inspection on the first try. But post-installation support lags behind commercial installers. We found 11 reviews citing unreturned calls and multi-month waits to get systems turned on. If you're comparing speed and white-glove service, a conventional installer will move faster. But if you qualify for their program and can tolerate some communication gaps, you'll get a professionally installed system that costs you nothing and cuts your electric bill to nearly zero.
If you qualify income-wise and patience doesn't cost you money, GRID Alternatives delivers a legitimately free solar system with no lease or hidden fees. Just know that follow-up can be slow, and you may need to chase them down if issues arise after installation.
Reviews That Shaped Our Verdict
Bret M. started out skeptical but decided to move forward with a home solar installation after reading the positive reviews. He found the whole process surprisingly smooth despite the pandemic—Grid Alternatives stayed professional and consistently went the extra mile. He singled out Jasmine Roashan and Peter for being constantly available and patient with his many questions, guiding him from the initial roof inspection through the city inspection to the final Edison permission. Getting that final sign-off in the middle of a hot August felt like a real payoff and left him feeling like he’d become part of the energy solution.
Audrey Holmes got approved to put solar panels on her home, but the installation turned into a long slog. She waited three months before the panels finally went on her roof, then endured another five months before the system was switched over and fully active — a roughly eight-month process in total. During that stretch she had to call repeatedly and left messages with Grid, only to receive a callback about a week later. She contrasted that pace with companies like Ambit that complete the whole job in about 30 days. Bottom line for her: the drawn-out timeline and slow responsiveness made her decide she would not use the company again — the eight-month wait from approval to activation is what stuck with her.
Michael G. discovered an income-qualified program last summer (2017) that covered the cost of a rooftop solar install, and GRID managed the whole process end-to-end. He paid nothing up front, carries no panel lease, and GRID arranged all the funding while also covering future maintenance. Trainees completed the physical work in two days under experienced supervisors who double-checked everything and even upgraded his fuse box at no extra charge. The system was predicted to supply about 90% of his electricity, but it has consistently produced more than he uses; the excess is flowing back to the grid and generating net-metering credits for hotter months. He ended up with a fully funded system, ongoing service included, and bankable credits on his electric account — a genuinely zero-dollar installation that is already outperforming expectations.
Platforms Monitored
Performance by Work Type
How We Got To Trust Score 83
Clean Record
Unauthorized Activities
Passed screening
Misleading Claims
Passed screening
Background Check
Serving customers for 19 years
Among the longest-standing 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
Patricia P. celebrated her first anniversary living with a Grid Alternatives solar system on her family’s home. She navigated the program application, gathered and submitted all required paperwork, and then received the phone call letting her know she’d qualified — a moment that meant a lot to her. Ronnie, Ron, the volunteers and Grid Alternatives staff showed up, worked hard, and carried the installation through to completion, earning her family’s appreciation for their dedication. The result: monthly electricity bills that feel unbelievably affordable compared with what they paid before. She encouraged the organization to keep offering solar options to other families and communities. What stays with her most is that qualifying call and the first bill that proved the whole process was worth it.
Cynthia Tinoco chose this company to install solar panels and ended up frustrated by both the service and the results. She phoned repeatedly and rarely received callbacks; when someone did answer, they often passed the issue on to another person instead of resolving it. She noticed the crew spends time training people to work on panels, which she appreciated in principle, but when she needed help she felt left dependent without useful support. Most importantly, the array hasn't reduced her electric bill — in her experience the panels aren’t helping with her costs at all. What lingers from her experience is a string of unanswered calls paired with no measurable savings on electricity.
Bret M. started out skeptical but decided to move forward with a home solar installation after reading the positive reviews. He found the whole process surprisingly smooth despite the pandemic—Grid Alternatives stayed professional and consistently went the extra mile. He singled out Jasmine Roashan and Peter for being constantly available and patient with his many questions, guiding him from the initial roof inspection through the city inspection to the final Edison permission. Getting that final sign-off in the middle of a hot August felt like a real payoff and left him feeling like he’d become part of the energy solution.