Save a Lot Solar reviews

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

Lisa M. first worked with Safe a Lot Solar about ten years ago when they put panels and batteries on her home, and over the decade she kept expanding that system with additional panels and storage. Each new install went in efficiently and professionally, but what she remembers most is how the company handled problems afterward. Whenever an issue popped up she called them, and each time a technician came out and fixed it rather than leaving her to figure it out. The clearest example came when she was out of town and worried about a power outage affecting her 90‑year‑old mother: the team interrupted an evening birthday celebration to restore power for the house. That mix of modern equipment and old‑school follow‑through — a local crew that still answers late calls and stands by its work years later — is the detail that will stick with prospective buyers.

Daniel O'Brien first had a rooftop solar array installed, then two years later called Save-a-Lot Solar back to add Enphase batteries. Both visits the crew showed up when expected, delivered neat, professional workmanship and completed the jobs ahead of the scheduled timeline. He liked that the same tidy, on-time service returned for the battery retrofit.

Stephen Hertz experienced a well-organized, efficient installation and has enjoyed his solar and battery system for several years. When one of the batteries developed a problem, Enphase and Save a Lot Solar coordinated a warranty replacement promptly, so he faced minimal disruption. What stood out to him more than the smooth install was how quickly the manufacturer and installer worked together to fix the issue, leaving him confident in the ongoing support.

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.

Charles O. reached the one-year mark after a residential solar installation and remains pleased with how things turned out. He appreciated that Save A Lot Solar stuck to the agreement and kept expectations realistic instead of overpromising. A year on, his panels continue to produce as expected — steady performance with no surprises.

Maret had solar panels and batteries installed a couple of years ago, and the system delivered on its promise—lower electric bills and a smaller environmental footprint. When she recently discovered the Enphase energy reporting had lost its connection, the company sent a technician to her home. The crew replaced a battery and untangled the system’s computer connectivity issues, spending considerable time troubleshooting on-site even though she isn’t an expert. What stood out was the hands-on aftercare: the technicians stuck with the problem until monitoring was restored and everything was working again. That responsive follow-up, not just the initial installation, is the detail she keeps coming back to.