Halvorsen Solar Service reviews
• last updated FEB 26, 2026Loading map...
The Verdict
Halvorsen Solar Service is a one-person operation run by Richard Halvorsen, and he's built a quiet reputation as the guy who fixes what other installers break. We analyzed dozens of reviews and found 25 separate mentions of his workmanship, with zero complaints. One homeowner watched him diagnose a 12-year-old arc fault in minutes (a split conduit the original installer left behind), then run monitoring cable through a crawl space so the system could send daily performance alerts. Another had SunPower refuse warranty service for over a year; Richard showed up and restored full output in three hours. What stands out is how many customers return to him across multiple projects. He removed and reinstalled panels during three separate roof phases for one client, coordinated timing with the roofing crew, discovered a faulty part after reinstall, and handled the manufacturer claim at no extra charge. The only reservation we spotted: one reviewer on a steep roof felt the price was a bit high relative to electricity savings, though they still recommended him.
If you need a solar specialist who'll troubleshoot a decade-old system or remove panels so you can reroof without drama, Richard delivers. Just know you're hiring a solo contractor, not a team with multiple trucks.
Reviews That Shaped Our Verdict
X endured more than a year of SunPower refusing to honor the warranty on their home solar system. Then Richard arrived, diagnosed the problem and had the system back up and running within three hours. They emphasized his punctuality and easygoing personality — the quick, effective repair and pleasant service turned a yearlong headache into a same-day solution. The detail that stuck with them: an issue left unresolved for over a year was fixed on-site in about three hours by a punctual, personable technician.
Jason H. had his home's solar array taken down and put back up as part of a full re-roofing project. Richard handled the whole three-phase job himself: he removed the panels before demo, returned to install new stanchion mounts after the old roof was taken off, and came back a final time to reinstall the panels and rewire everything once the new roof was finished. He found the price fair and appreciated that Richard synced the work with the roofing crew so each phase happened on schedule. After reinstalling the system, Richard ran a thorough performance check, discovered a faulty component, worked directly with the panel manufacturer to get it replaced, and made sure Jason paid nothing extra for the repair. What stuck with him was how quickly Richard completed the work — single-handedly — and the almost baffling way he managed the panels on and off the ladder. The memorable takeaway: a one-person contractor who coordinated three visits, handled the heavy lifting, and resolved a post-install defect through the manufacturer at no out-of-pocket cost.
BR discovered the biggest improvement when Richard ran a Cat‑5 cable from the inverter to the router through the crawl space so daily Sunny Portal reports and immediate failure alerts arrive automatically. Before that BR would walk to the side of the house to eyeball the inverters, sometimes going months between checks; the remote monitoring transformed routine maintenance into instant notifications. Over the past 3–4 years Halvorsen Solar kept a 12‑year‑old PV system operational. About three years ago one of the original Sunny Boy 2500 inverters failed; with the original installer out of business, Richard sourced a used replacement from a prior job and swapped it in. When the second old inverter died about a year later, Richard installed a new Sunny Boy 7.7. Last fall he also expanded the array with higher‑efficiency panels, including all mounting hardware and wiring. A month ago an arc‑fault error popped up; Richard arrived quickly, traced the problem to a split in the metal conduit the original installer had run 12 years earlier that had allowed water inside and shorted a connection, and fixed it. He handled the work professionally and punctually, stayed good‑natured through
Platforms Monitored
Performance by Work Type
How We Got To Trust Score 89
Clean Record
Unauthorized Activities
Passed screening
Misleading Claims
Passed screening
Background Check
Serving customers for 14 years
Among the longest-standing installers in the market.
BBB Rating
Not BBB rated.
Natural Review Patterns
Reviews were posted naturally over time.
Contractor License
License information could not be confirmed.
What You Can Expect
Ryan M. needed his solar panels taken down so his roof could be replaced and shopped around for estimates. He picked Richard because the quote came in lower than the others, and Richard followed through exactly as promised. The panels were removed on schedule, there were no hidden costs or surprises, and the whole interaction was straightforward and pleasant — what stuck with him most was that the lower price didn’t come with any compromise in reliability.
When Susan's solar inverter quit, a friend put her in touch with Halvorsen Solar Service. The owner called back quickly, came to her home, examined the inverter and climbed up to check the panels — and discovered substantial deterioration in the bolts holding the array in place, a safety concern beyond the failed inverter. He replaced the inverter and swapped out the corroded mounting bolts, leaving the system working and the panels securely fastened. Susan walked away relieved by the owner's hands-on approach and clear workmanship; the combination of a prompt response and the discovery and repair of dangerous hardware is what she remembers most.
Scott M. had a burned-out inverter at his San Jose home, and Richard drove from Hillsborough to handle the repair. Richard swapped the fried unit for a new SolarEdge inverter, phoned SolarEdge to confirm the inverter and backup battery pack were visible on their portal, and raised the battery's reserve from 10% to 30% so the house would retain more usable backup. Richard arrived on time, explained how the inverter and backup percentage work in straightforward terms, and boxed the old inverter for return shipment. Richard also stood out by being the only installer who returned a call and sent a text within a day. He found Richard reliable, honest, friendly, reasonable and knowledgeable, and walked away impressed that Richard didn’t just replace hardware but proactively optimized the system’s backup settings.