Innovative Electric Solar reviews
• last updated FEB 26, 2026Loading map...
The Verdict
Innovative Electric Solar runs lean, does the work fast, and leans heavily on owner John Bleem to handle both the technical side and customer relationships. We found 10 reviews praising him by name for troubleshooting failed inverters, rewiring panel strings on the spot, and working through Easter Sunday to pass a final inspection. In one case, he replaced an inverter, then came back the next day to completely rewire the panel configuration when the first fix didn't work. The speed stands out: one installation went from contract to generating power in under a week, and reviewers consistently mention two-day installs for full systems. The trade-off is inconsistency in pricing. Two reviewers reported quotes that ballooned mid-project, one jumping from $5,500 to over $6,000 for a six-panel addition, with threats to remove completed work if the extra charges weren't paid. We couldn't find enough reviews to judge how often this happens, but the pattern is worth knowing.
If you want an owner-operated installer who'll rewire your system the next day when something goes wrong, this is a solid pick. Just nail down the final price in writing before work starts.
Reviews That Shaped Our Verdict
Kimon H. hired the installer to add five panels to an existing system after receiving a $5,500 quote. As the job moved forward, the contractor kept tacking on extra charges, refusing to honor the original price. When he pushed back on the new fees, the installer turned hostile and threatened to rip out the work already completed. He ended the project frustrated and warns others about the single glaring danger: escalating costs mid-job coupled with threats to undo installed equipment if you don’t pay up.
Steven had an aging rooftop solar setup and called in contractor John Bleem to replace a failed inverter. Bleem swapped the inverter, and when that didn't bring the system back online he returned the next day, completely re-wired and re-configured the panel strings feeding the inverter until the array finally produced power. Bleem worked with steady professionalism and clear technical know-how, and kept an upbeat, friendly "can do" approach throughout the repair. He walked away with a fully restored system and the memorable detail that Bleem came back promptly and stayed hands-on until the problem was solved.
Valerie turned to John Bleem when a non‑licensed subcontractor botched a commercial electrical panel upgrade on a four‑unit building (three units with added ADUs). She watched John and his crew respond immediately—diagnosing the problems, reworking the panels, and putting in extra hours (they even worked through Easter Sunday) to get the system up to code. He zeroed in on the issues that had caused weeks of frustration, resolved them, and secured a passing final electrical inspection in just under a week. The memorable takeaway: what had been a drawn‑out, permit‑and‑inspection headache became inspector‑approved in less than a week because of John’s hands‑on assessment and a crew willing to work odd hours.
Platforms Monitored
Performance by Work Type
How We Got To Trust Score 82
Clean Record
Unauthorized Activities
Passed screening
Misleading Claims
Passed screening
Background Check
Serving customers for 11 years
Operating longer than most installers in the market.
BBB Rating: A+
Excellent BBB standing. Strong complaint resolution.
Review Patterns
Licensed Contractor
A valid contractor license is on record.
What You Can Expect
Kimon hired John to install a small, six-panel system that had been quoted at $5,500. As the work went on, he found John kept tacking on extra charges to finish the job and refused to honor the original contract. Kimon ended up paying $6,000—$500 more than the initial quote—after those added fees. The detail that sticks: what started as a $5,500 install became a larger bill because the contractor imposed surprise charges and did not follow the agreed contract.
Kimon H. hired the installer to add five panels to an existing system after receiving a $5,500 quote. As the job moved forward, the contractor kept tacking on extra charges, refusing to honor the original price. When he pushed back on the new fees, the installer turned hostile and threatened to rip out the work already completed. He ended the project frustrated and warns others about the single glaring danger: escalating costs mid-job coupled with threats to undo installed equipment if you don’t pay up.
Mike R discovered Innovative Electric Solar through the BBB and hired them for a residential solar install. He valued that the owner arrived on time, stuck to commitments, and brought the flexibility of a smaller company to the job — able to adapt and solve the inevitable surprises that show up during construction. Midway through the installation the owner uncovered several electrical problems left by a previous contractor; he walked Mike through each issue, showed the faulty work, and proposed a cost-effective fix. Impressed by the hands-on troubleshooting and straightforward business approach, Mike recommended the owner to friends and family, who then hired him for two more jobs. The detail that lingered was simple but telling: the owner didn’t just mount panels — he found hidden wiring issues and fixed them affordably, which is why others followed Mike’s lead.