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Save a Lot Solar reviews
• last updated FEB 26, 2026Loading map...
The Verdict
Save a Lot Solar treats your install like the owner lives next door. We analyzed hundreds of reviews and found owner John Orfali shows up in person for initial inspections, supervises city code compliance himself, and answers follow-up questions years after your system goes live. One engineer interviewed several national installers and walked away frustrated by sales pitches that dodged technical questions. John walked him through wiring diagrams and panel specs until every detail made sense, then quoted lower than the vague competitors. That pattern repeated across 169 reviews praising project management: the company sizes systems to your actual usage instead of upselling capacity you won't use, completes installs in two days with zero permit callbacks, and proactively monitors performance data to catch glitches before you notice them. We found 105 mentions of post-install support, including one homeowner whose Enphase gateway failed sixteen months after installation. Save a Lot replaced the part in three days at no charge, handling the manufacturer coordination most installers would shrug off as "not our problem." If a competitor quotes you $2,000 less, ask whether their CEO will meet the city inspector on-site or fix a broken monitoring unit a year later.
If you want the lowest possible quote, you may find it elsewhere. But if you value an installer who'll troubleshoot your equipment years down the line and explain conduit routes like you're a fellow engineer, the premium buys you a decade-long relationship instead of a one-time transaction.
Reviews That Shaped Our Verdict
John Gilbert shopped multiple solar installers for his Berkeley home and, as an electrical and mechanical engineer, insisted on technical answers rather than sales pitches. Most companies pushed for a sale, but when he met John Orfali of Save A Lot Solar he found someone who knew exactly what he was installing and why—walking him through detailed options and specifications while offering a price lower than some competitors. Orfali and his team handled every question quickly and thoroughly before, during, and after the install, and made the whole process easy and personable. The panels paid for themselves in about five years and dramatically reduced his electric bills. Five years on, he had Save A Lot Solar add battery storage so the house could run through PG&E outages; the battery installation went smoothly and today the system flips between grid and backup seamlessly. The Enphase app gives clear system information and even emails him when the house goes off-grid—one detail he still points to as proof the setup just works. He credits Orfali and the crew with making the project possible and appreciates supporting a local small business.
Lan had vetted at least eight solar installers before she landed on Save a Lot Solar — what grabbed her was John Orfali’s willingness to do a thorough, on-site inspection before asking for a signature. He came to their house, checked the existing electrical panel to avoid surprise costs, and spent roughly 1.5 hours walking them through how the PV system and its software work. As detail-oriented, somewhat techy homeowners, they peppered him with questions; he stayed patient and answered everything. John and his crew then pushed to get the install completed ahead of California’s deadline when NEM 2.0 switched to NEM 3.0 on April 14, 2023, a change that cuts the export credit rate from PG&E. The team showed up on time, installed efficiently, and immediately sent web links so the family could install and activate the Enphase monitoring software and start tracking production. About a year and four months after installation, the Enphase IQ Gateway that transmits production and consumption data failed and the household lost access to solar energy. They called Save a Lot Solar; John responded quickly and the team replaced the faulty gateway within three days at no charge. That service—
Michele K. had a frustrating solar install five years earlier and wanted a smoother outcome for her current house, where she requested roughly an 8 kW system with two battery backup units. After interviewing four vendors and finding Save-A-Lot the second least expensive, she discovered that what set them apart was attention from the top: John O., the company CEO, showed up for a detailed in-person inspection instead of relying on aerial photos. He walked her through multiple system options, explained the pros and cons, left the decisions to her without pressure, and even committed to an installation window just weeks out before she accepted the bid. Cody, the designer who then managed most of the process, returned to finalize technical details and gather permit data; he handled every nuance, cheerfully explained choices when asked, and implemented several picky, non-standard customizations at no extra cost. A four-person crew—an electrician, two technicians and project manager Chris O.—worked efficiently without rushing and completed the install in two days with excellent workmanship. When the city inspector checked the job, he removed covers to verify everything was per the plan
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 17 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
Lan had vetted at least eight solar installers before she landed on Save a Lot Solar — what grabbed her was John Orfali’s willingness to do a thorough, on-site inspection before asking for a signature. He came to their house, checked the existing electrical panel to avoid surprise costs, and spent roughly 1.5 hours walking them through how the PV system and its software work. As detail-oriented, somewhat techy homeowners, they peppered him with questions; he stayed patient and answered everything. John and his crew then pushed to get the install completed ahead of California’s deadline when NEM 2.0 switched to NEM 3.0 on April 14, 2023, a change that cuts the export credit rate from PG&E. The team showed up on time, installed efficiently, and immediately sent web links so the family could install and activate the Enphase monitoring software and start tracking production. About a year and four months after installation, the Enphase IQ Gateway that transmits production and consumption data failed and the household lost access to solar energy. They called Save a Lot Solar; John responded quickly and the team replaced the faulty gateway within three days at no charge. That service—
Marlene had Save a Lot Solar fit solar panels and battery storage to her 100-year-old bungalow a year ago, and one year on she still enjoys a comfortably cool house for about $50 a month. She was referred by neighbors, and the crew arrived, worked neatly and left the yard tidy with very little disruption. The team handled everything from system design to permits and the hookup with the local energy provider, walking her through choices in plain language so decisions felt straightforward. They moved quickly and took care of any requirements that involved her, always explaining what was needed and why. What stands out for her is how the company managed the regulatory and utility side smoothly—now she literally stays cool in summer without a steep bill.
Robert Hanelt turned to Save a Lot Solar for battery backup at his Oakland home last year, and the payoff came almost immediately: when a PG&E outage darkened the neighborhood, the new batteries picked up the load and powered the house for three hours—no interruptions and no clocks to reset. That moment crystallized why he had stayed with the company since 2016. He first worked with owner John Orfali when John installed an 18-microinverter rooftop array (4.9 kW DC) in August 2016. Over the years John handled more than just solar hardware—when the insurer required the house’s older electric panels to be replaced, John showed up and swapped them out himself—so when it came time to add storage, the decision was easy. Last year they installed a three-battery backup system totaling 10.08 kWh. He appreciated John’s hands-on approach, integrity and patience: John took the time to explain how the system operates and what benefits to expect, and stayed involved through eight years of service and installations. The detail that sticks with him is simple and concrete—the batteries immediately shouldered the outage and kept everything running for three hours—an outcome that made the whole 8