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Illuminate Solar reviews
• last updated FEB 26, 2026Loading map...
The Verdict
Illuminate Solar is the rare installer that answers the phone the same day and shows up on Monday to fix your problem. We analyzed reviews spanning eight years and found a pattern that repeats over and over: Mark (the owner) reviews your energy bills to size the system you actually need, not the one that maximizes his margin, then coordinates directly with roofers or city inspectors so you aren't stuck playing project manager. One engineer who compared multiple quotes said every panel mount was installed with visible care, no corner-cutting. Another homeowner watched a 10-panel system that barely produced 1.6 kilowatts get replaced with 22 panels generating 55 kilowatt-hours per day, all while Mark filed the paperwork to preserve their original net-metering agreement. Fourteen reviews mention flawless project management. Twelve call out fair pricing. We couldn't find a single complaint about workmanship, sales pressure, or follow-up. (If you're wondering whether a small shop can handle permitting and utility red tape, one replacement install went from roof work to final city inspection in seven days.)
If you want the lowest possible quote, a national franchise might undercut Illuminate by a few hundred dollars. But if you want an owner who'll personally troubleshoot a failing inverter on a Friday and have a crew fix it by Tuesday, this is the installer to call.
Reviews That Shaped Our Verdict
Benny W. compared multiple bids before choosing Illuminate to install a 20-panel array plus a Tesla Powerwall on his home. He found Mark and his crew straightforward and punctual — the job finished exactly as promised and on schedule. As an engineer, he noticed workmanship others might miss: nothing felt rushed or half-done, and every component was installed with care. The price landed in a competitive range, and Mark didn’t try to push extra equipment beyond what was needed. The detail-oriented installation and the lack of upsell are what stayed with him most.
Vinny ran into a problem with his solar array and, after Enphase pointed him to local contractors, discovered most companies either didn’t reply or put him on long waiting lists. He ended up on two waiting lists while only three firms got back to him; Mark from Illuminate called the same Friday. Mark showed up Monday, ran diagnostics, and determined the fault was on the roof rather than the panels or electronics. The next day Mark sent two technicians who climbed onto the roof, located the issue and repaired it. The work came at a price he called very reasonable, and he gave Illuminate a five-star rating. What stood out was that a same-day response turned into a roof-side repair completed by Tuesday for a fair cost.
Tim wanted to cut his reliance on PG&E under NEM 2.0, and Mark and Kayla ran point on the job. He found Mark energetic and deeply knowledgeable about solar — Mark went through a full year of PG&E bills, spent a lot of time explaining system details, and helped size the right solution. They removed an older 10-panel setup that only produced about 1.6 kW and ended up with a 22-panel, 7.5 kW array that now generates roughly 55 kWh per day. The team handled the project while the roof was being replaced: Mark filed the paperwork with PG&E to “grandfather” them into the NEM 1.0/NEM 2.0 arrangement and coordinated directly with the roofing company, which took a huge logistical burden off the homeowner. Installation was quick and on schedule, the system is up and performing well, and the PG&E meter actually runs backwards during the day. A 13 kW battery backup is scheduled for later this year. Pricing seemed reasonable, and a memorable detail was that Mark was the only rep who returned a call promptly when other installers didn’t. The clearest takeaway: the company synchronized the roof work, paperwork, and install so the new array started producing immediately — the meter running backward
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Performance by Work Type
How We Got To Trust Score 96
Clean Record
Unauthorized Activities
Passed screening
Misleading Claims
Passed screening
Background Check
Serving customers for 9 years
BBB Rating: A+
Excellent BBB standing. Strong complaint resolution.
Review Patterns
Licensed Contractor
A valid contractor license is on record.
What You Can Expect
Benny W. compared multiple bids before choosing Illuminate to install a 20-panel array plus a Tesla Powerwall on his home. He found Mark and his crew straightforward and punctual — the job finished exactly as promised and on schedule. As an engineer, he noticed workmanship others might miss: nothing felt rushed or half-done, and every component was installed with care. The price landed in a competitive range, and Mark didn’t try to push extra equipment beyond what was needed. The detail-oriented installation and the lack of upsell are what stayed with him most.
Tim wanted to cut his reliance on PG&E under NEM 2.0, and Mark and Kayla ran point on the job. He found Mark energetic and deeply knowledgeable about solar — Mark went through a full year of PG&E bills, spent a lot of time explaining system details, and helped size the right solution. They removed an older 10-panel setup that only produced about 1.6 kW and ended up with a 22-panel, 7.5 kW array that now generates roughly 55 kWh per day. The team handled the project while the roof was being replaced: Mark filed the paperwork with PG&E to “grandfather” them into the NEM 1.0/NEM 2.0 arrangement and coordinated directly with the roofing company, which took a huge logistical burden off the homeowner. Installation was quick and on schedule, the system is up and performing well, and the PG&E meter actually runs backwards during the day. A 13 kW battery backup is scheduled for later this year. Pricing seemed reasonable, and a memorable detail was that Mark was the only rep who returned a call promptly when other installers didn’t. The clearest takeaway: the company synchronized the roof work, paperwork, and install so the new array started producing immediately — the meter running backward
Thomas hired Illuminate Solar to put rooftop solar panels and a battery backup on his house in 2022. Early in the project Mark coordinated directly with the roofing contractor so the crew could set the panel footings before the new roof went on, then returned to complete the solar installation after the roof was finished. The job came in at a competitive price, the crew worked efficiently, and the installation quality was solid. Most memorable was Mark’s follow-through — he stayed involved after the equipment was in place to troubleshoot and confirm the system and battery were functioning correctly.