97
Trust
Score
WattBot

Sattler Engineering reviews

CALIFORNIA / SAN DIEGO
Sattler Engineering
22 Reviews • 1 Location 2,926 Data Points Processed

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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.

3 Stories That Stood Out

1. Scott O.
Yelp | Mar 14, 2025 |

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.

2. Scott O.
Yelp | Sep 29, 2020 |

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

3. Jd W.
Yelp | Sep 14, 2018 |

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

Yelp
22 Reviews · 1 Location
5.0/5
SolarReviews
Tracking
N/A
EnergySage
Tracking
N/A
BBB
Tracking
N/A
Google
Tracking
N/A

Performance by Work Type

SOLAR
SOLAR
Installation, permitting, and grid connection.
5.0/5
ROOFING
ROOFING
Repair or replacement, before or after solar installation.
5.0/5
BATTERY
BATTERY
Energy storage for backup savings and independence.
5.0/5
ELECTRICAL
ELECTRICAL
Panel upgrades and wiring for system readiness.
5.0/5
SERVICE
SERVICE
Repairs, maintenance, and ongoing system support.
5.0/5
COMPLEX PROJECTS
COMPLEX PROJECTS
Multi-trade installations requiring co-ordination.
N/A

How We Got To Trust Score 97

Clean Record

Unauthorized Activities

Passed screening

We checked for:
Unauthorized charges
Undisclosed loans
Identity theft
Forged signatures
Fake contracts
Falsified permits

Misleading Claims

Passed screening

We checked for:
Bait & switch
Overstated savings
Hidden fees
Misrepresented specs
False performance
Misleading warranty

Background Check

Serving customers for 10 years

Operating longer than most installers in the market.

BBB Rating

Not BBB rated.

Review Patterns

What You Can Expect

01

1. JohnWayne C.
Yelp | May 23, 2024 |

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.

2. Tino R.
Yelp | May 6, 2024 |

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.

3. Nick L.
Yelp | Dec 22, 2023 |

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.

02

1. Scott O.
Yelp | Mar 14, 2025 |

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.

2. Jd W.
Yelp | Sep 14, 2018 |

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,

3. Adam G.
Yelp | Dec 6, 2024 |

Adam G. chose Sattler to install a home solar system on his roof in December 2024. He experienced a professional, responsive crew, and the quality of the roof work stood out as the highlight of the project. What he remembers most is the prompt communication paired with solid workmanship.

03

1. Deborah D.
Yelp | May 21, 2023 |

Deborah D. found herself stuck with a problematic original installer while needing a new roof for a home with a 25-year Panasonic panel system. She discovered Sattler Solar on Panasonic’s authorized installer list to protect that warranty, and Erik, Kenny and their crew stepped in to take over the logistics. They coordinated removing the panels, worked directly with JC Roofing, and managed the scheduling so she didn’t have to act as her own contractor. The team stayed responsive to phone calls and email questions throughout, stuck to a tight timeline she required, and completed the reroof and panel work ahead of expectations — leaving her with the panels reinstalled and the warranty intact without having to oversee trades herself.

2. Jeanie M.
Yelp | Oct 29, 2022 |

Jeanie M. hired Sattler Solar to put a rooftop solar energy system on her home in April 2022. She walked away with far bigger gains than just new panels: her monthly electric bill plunged from about $600 to roughly $50–$75, and those savings have already started to repay what she paid for the system each month. She experienced excellent equipment and workmanship, found the whole company highly professional, and continues to get first-rate service. Prices felt fair to her, and the standout fact she keeps repeating is that a once‑huge $600 bill has been clipped to about a tenth of that amount.

3. Timothy M.
Yelp | Feb 10, 2024 |

Timothy M. hired the small company to equip an ADU and found Erik and Vanessa took care of everything — sketching plans, pulling permits and supplying all the materials. He appreciated that, even though it was a modest job, both stayed highly responsive to every question and request. They handled the paperwork and logistics so the project moved forward without him chasing vendors or city offices, and what stood out was that the job never felt “too small” to them — he always knew who to contact for the next step.

Long-term Satisfaction

Recent customers rate Sattler Engineering 5.0 ★

Long-term reviews carry the most weight in our methodology because they are most representative of what you should be paying for: a system that will perform for years.

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