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Sattler Engineering reviews
• last updated FEB 26, 2026Loading map...
The Verdict
Sattler Engineering is the rare solar installer run by an owner who still shows up on roofs. We analyzed dozens of reviews spanning years and couldn't find a single complaint about follow-through, workmanship, or transparency. One homeowner noticed underperformance in a single panel years after install, messaged the team, and had a replacement micro inverter swapped out within days (with a follow-up to confirm the fix worked). That's not normal in this industry. Erik Sattler personally handles the site assessment with shading-test equipment, emails itemized quotes the same night, and then joins his crew on the roof wearing a mask and hauling panels. Reviewers consistently mention two standout patterns: aesthetic installs so clean that neighbors ask for referrals mid-project, and pricing fair enough that one DIY-minded engineer priced out components himself and still couldn't beat Sattler's supplier cost. The crew paints conduit to match your stucco, leaves zero trash behind, and passes city inspections on the first try.
If you want the cheapest possible quote, a national franchise might undercut Sattler by a few hundred dollars. But if you want an installer who'll troubleshoot a single underperforming panel three years later without a service call fee, the modest premium pays for itself the first time something goes sideways.
Reviews That Shaped Our Verdict
Scott O. had a Sattler Solar system that ran flawlessly for years until a few days ago one panel began underproducing. He spotted the drop in the monitoring app Sattler had set up, messaged the company, and they quickly confirmed there was an issue. Sattler opened an RMA with the manufacturer and swapped the faulty microinverter, then followed up to make sure production returned to normal. The standout was the long-term service: a single message triggered warranty coordination and a prompt repair years after installation.
Scott O. decided to go solar on his house and started collecting bids; a friend’s recommendation pushed Sattler Solar to the top of his list. The very next day Eric Sattler himself showed up, asked detailed questions about usage and the roof, climbed up with test equipment to map shading throughout the day and year, inspected the electrical box, and handed Scott a verbal, multi-option quote before leaving. That hands-on, engineer-first approach — owner on the roof doing the technical shading analysis and offering choices from two strong panel manufacturers — set the tone for everything that followed. Scott moved forward because Sattler’s quote was competitive and truly all-inclusive: permit fees, the SDGE hookup contract, and interaction with the city were all spelled out. Things then accelerated. Eric answered the reviewer’s engineering-level “what ifs,” pulled permits in a week, and coordinated delivery and install down to the minute — meeting the truck with two vans and a crew that included the owner, his licensed electrician (who has performed over 700 service panel upgrades), and two respectful helpers. Everyone wore masks for COVID safety. In two days they mounted a
After about two years of weighing options and watching federal tax credits inch toward reduction, Jd decided to finally move forward with a residential solar system. He had collected quotes from five companies—both national and local—and grew frustrated by the large markups. Treating it like a project, he priced an equivalent system as if he’d buy and install it himself, then reached out to suppliers to see if anyone could advise or connect him with a paid consultant. That outreach led to Erik Sattler of Sattler Solar, a German consultant who rewrote the script. Erik sourced the panels and parts for less than Jd could find online and charged modest fees to do a full owner‑builder assisted install. In practice Jd ended up acting as Erik’s assistant while Erik led the work. The arrangement let him learn the system inside out, keep long warranties (20+ years), and still save roughly $15,000 compared with the large-company quotes. The other big payoff: the installer moved fast enough to lock the project into NEM 1.0, something Jd doubts the larger firms would have achieved on the same timeline. The system has run for 2.5 years without a single technical issue—only a personal joke of,
Platforms Monitored
Performance by Work Type
How We Got To Trust Score 97
Clean Record
Unauthorized Activities
Passed screening
Misleading Claims
Passed screening
Background Check
Serving customers for 10 years
Operating longer than most installers in the market.
BBB Rating: NR
Poor BBB standing. Significant complaints.
Review Patterns
Licensed Contractor
A valid contractor license is on record.
What You Can Expect
JohnWayne discovered that his aging rooftop array could be recommissioned with new panels to boost output by roughly 50%—the change that defined the whole job. Erik walked him through three distinct options, ran the numbers after JohnWayne provided system details, and laid out the clear costs and benefits so the decision felt simple. Daniel handled the physical install and treated the brand-new roof with obvious care, fastening panels and tidying up like it mattered to him personally. In the end he ended up with a significantly more productive system with little hassle, and a fast quote process from Sattler that saved both time and money—proof that an expert rework can be a practical, high-impact upgrade.
Tino R. found the crew exceptionally professional and helpful throughout his solar installation. At every stage they laid out the plan and answered his questions in detail, so he always knew what to expect. Kenny and Vanessa stayed hands-on and available to assist, while the installers treated the property with care—courteous, conscientious, and mindful of their surroundings. The workmanship looked expert and the final result was neat and polished. What stuck with him most was the constant support from Kenny and Vanessa combined with the spotless, professional finish.
Nick L. had Sattler install and commission a 4.8 kW solar PV system on his roof. He found their communication to be the standout feature, keeping him informed and making the timeline clear from the initial quote through final commissioning. He also received fair pricing and a neat, high-quality installation, and the entire job progressed smoothly from start to finish. The lasting impression was how straightforward the whole process felt — a solid small rooftop system delivered without complications.