Shade Power reviews
• last updated FEB 26, 2026Loading map...
The Verdict
Shade Power specializes in solar pergolas, an ideal solution if you want panels but dread the thought of dealing with roof penetrations or future reroofing costs. We analyzed dozens of reviews and found the same story repeated: initial skepticism about whether solar could work without mounting on a roof, followed by relief after meeting with their team. One homeowner had maxed out their south-facing roof space and wasn't sure what to do next; Shade Power designed an attached pergola that added both shade and generation capacity without touching the existing array. The company handles permitting end-to-end (reviewers mention zero friction with inspectors or utilities), and six customers specifically praised installations finishing on or ahead of schedule despite triple-digit heat. The construction crews bring their own porta-potties and leave sites clean. We noticed 20 mentions of workmanship quality and not one complaint about structural integrity or leaks. If you're comparing rooftop installers, this won't be your cheapest option. But if you value outdoor living space and want to avoid roof work entirely, the premium buys you a dual-purpose structure built by people who've been doing this exact thing for years.
If you want solar without the roof hassle and have yard space for a pergola, Shade Power delivers both shade and power in a single, well-built structure. You'll pay more than a standard roof install, but you gain usable outdoor space and skip future reroofing headaches.
Reviews That Shaped Our Verdict
Devan Williams was juggling an already-solarized roof — 18 panels — and a west-facing backyard that desperately needed shade when a mailing from Shade Power arrived. They met with Chadwick Strum, who listened without pressure, walked through options patiently, and helped turn a vague idea about adding panels and shade into a clear plan. Rather than a freestanding structure, they settled on an attached solar pergola that would both expand the home’s usable outdoor space and add more array capacity. Chadwick layered in practical upgrades that made the project stand out: a weather strip to keep the pergola rain-proof, a central light and fan, and a pull-down shade curtain to block evening sun. Over the course of a few weeks — permits, construction, panel installation, and wood staining — the Shade Power crew stayed professional and organized. The result was a solid, durable backyard extension that delivers shade and extra solar generation, finished with thoughtful details that make it feel like part of the house.
After talking with several installers and worrying that a Spanish tile roof would be a deal-breaker, Glenn Bulycz found Shade Power and decided to move forward after seeing their past work. He went through a detailed pre-planning phase that mapped out a pergola-integrated layout and the right mix of solar capacity and battery storage, so the project felt nailed down before construction even began. The installation crew moved quickly but stayed meticulous — careful with the tiles, tidy at the end of each day, and noticeably engaged with the work. Shade Power carried the permitting through without headaches, and the handoff to PG&E for provisioning happened faster than he expected, thanks to the company's coordination. The finished system looks striking and performs well; he’s enjoying the dashboard that shows real savings and the carbon-reduction numbers ticking up. For anyone fretting about tile roofs or wanting a combined pergola and storage solution, the pre-planning and on-site care are the detail that stuck with him.
Zack A. wanted solar power without putting panels on his roof, so he chose a solar pergola to add shade to the yard and avoid future reroofing complications. He walked through a clear, no-pressure presentation from Chadwick, who calculated expected generation against his current and projected electricity use and made it easy to see that a pergola would meet those needs. Shade Power handled all the permits and plans and kept him updated as submissions were approved. On-site the crew demonstrated practical readiness — they even brought their own porta potty — and pushed through a week of upper-90s heat to finish the structure on schedule. The team stayed flexible when he needed to shift the timeline, and the completed pergola looks attractive, feels extremely sturdy, and seems built to last. Chadwick and Jen then stayed on top of the inspector and PG&E until the array received final approval to be turned on. What stuck with him was the combination of a thoughtful, data-driven proposal, the crew’s field readiness, and the company’s follow-through all the way to utility sign-off.
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Serving customers for 7 years
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What You Can Expect
Yeri hired Shade Power to turn their pergola into a solar feature and loved how turnkey the whole job felt. Shade Power moved quickly on the city permits, kept them updated whenever any PGE paperwork needed a signature, and stayed communicative from start to finish. The crew used top-quality materials and carried themselves with real professionalism; Chadwick and Jen stood out for their responsiveness. The detail that mattered most was that Shade Power handled the red tape so they could enjoy the finished solar pergola without chasing permits or utility forms.
Erik had talked with several solar companies and found Shade Power clearly the best. Early in the process he connected directly with the lead installer—the person who would actually do the work—and appreciated walking through the project with someone who knew the details. Once the install began, Chadwick and Jen delivered high-quality work on schedule, kept him updated on progress, and stayed available to answer questions. The standout takeaway for him: being able to speak to the lead installer up front made the whole project feel transparent and low-hassle.
Glen B. chose Shade Power for a residential solar installation and found the entire experience exceptional. He moved from a thorough consultation and a carefully drawn design into a methodical, professional installation. Installers worked deliberately on the roof and completed commissioning smoothly, bringing the system online as planned. He left pleased with the final setup. The single detail that stood out was the depth of the upfront design and the attention during the build — those steps turned a routine project into a low-stress, well-executed job. He still points to the design session and the flawless handover as the moments that mattered most.