Solar Sesame reviews
• last updated FEB 26, 2026Loading map...
The Verdict
Solar Sesame can deliver a working solar system, but the path from contract to power-on is littered with avoidable problems. In one Hayward install, panels went up fast, then the battery hookup dragged six months because the crew installed gear in the wrong spot (failed inspection), scheduled inspections the same day they planned to finish work (no buffer for delays), and handed over a non-functional system before testing it. The verdict shifted only after the homeowner posted a one-star review. We found 18 reviews flagging missed appointments, subcontractor miscommunication, and repeated inspection failures. One San Jose customer watched a no-show crew miss a city inspection window (pushing the project back weeks), then discovered the subcontractor arriving unannounced days later while Solar Sesame's own project manager had no idea anyone was on-site. The company failed that home's rough-frame inspection three times for code violations, despite operating in the Bay Area for years. When things go smoothly (55 reviews describe seamless installs and immediate savings), consultants like Kerrie and Marcel earn praise for patience and transparency. But the pattern suggests Solar Sesame overbooks, then prioritizes only the work it's contractually obligated to finish quickly.
If you prize predictable timelines and proactive communication, look elsewhere. If you're willing to negotiate contract deadlines for every phase (not just panel mounting), stay on top of inspection schedules yourself, and escalate loudly when promises slip, you may eventually get a functioning system at a competitive price.
Reviews That Shaped Our Verdict
Jonathan chose an up-front purchase of Q-Cell panels and batteries for his Hayward home and worked with Dan and Carrie to design exactly the system he wanted. The roof crew showed up and mounted the panels quickly and efficiently — the one part of the job that moved fast because it was contractually required. The trouble began with the battery and power-electronics installation and the push to get everything inspected and cleared by the city of Hayward and PG&E. A string of SolarSesame errors plus limited inspector availability stretched that phase to about six months. They installed the equipment in a different spot than agreed, which failed inspection, forced a relocation to a code-compliant location and left cosmetic damage as the work area got moved. Crews repeatedly booked inspections for the same day they expected to finish, leaving no buffer when inevitable issues popped up. The team also handed the system over before confirming it worked properly; ensuing fixes were needed until Andrew diagnosed and resolved the problem. When Mei was reachable by text, she was knowledgeable and kept the process moving; other contacts were apologetic but less useful. After Jonathan lefta
Puthea began a panels-and-batteries installation for a San Jose home and quickly discovered the fast sales pitch didn’t match reality. They felt misled when the company claimed to handle everything in-house but sent subcontractors from several hours away — crews whose unfamiliarity with local San Jose code seemed to drive repeated problems. Communication unravelled early: the company gave an inspection date that didn’t match the city’s record, forcing Puthea to check the city website and reconfirm. On the day of a scheduled inspection the crew was supposed to arrive between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m.; by 9:45 a.m. Puthea was asking where they were, and the project manager kept saying she would get back. At 11:15 a.m. the manager told Puthea the team was already on site — they weren’t — and the city’s inspection window (10 a.m. to noon) passed with the inspector leaving without approving anything. Solar Sesame later changed its explanation to an emergency, but those missed windows pushed the project back by weeks. Worse, a subcontractor showed up unannounced to make corrections while Solar Sesame’s office seemed unaware the crew had arrived. The installation has failed the initial rough
Steve B. had a large, south-facing roof and hired Solar Sesame to fill it — they put up 27 panels and a Tesla Powerwall with just over 10 kWh of storage. By September 2025 he watched the array produce more than 8.5 kilowatts at midday, with morning sun topping up the Powerwall, afternoon generation exporting energy to PG&E, and stored power covering the house overnight while the system stayed connected to the grid for any shortfalls. The practical effect hit his pocket: during Sept–Nov 2024 his PG&E bills ranged from about $660 to $930, but after production began in Sept 2025 his bills never exceeded $160 for the same period. He now pays Solar Sesame a fixed monthly payment of roughly $340, and expects the value of on-site generation and storage to keep rising as utility rates climb. The one real downside was time: he signed the contract in August 2024 but didn’t see production until September 2025 — delays driven by permits, multiple contractors, Tesla supply, and high demand for installers. As an electrical engineer he accepted the slow timeline, and ended up with a dramatic drop in utility bills paired with a home battery system — a clear payoff, if buyers are prepared to wait a
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Serving customers for 4 years
Newer than most installers in the market.
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Not BBB rated.
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Reviews were posted naturally over time.
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What You Can Expect
Brian needed a system installed before the Dec. 31 deadline and called for a quote. He landed a competitive proposal from Thomas, and with Abdullah managing the project the company drew up the contract and completed the installation in six weeks. The crew fitted high-quality solar panels paired with a Tesla Powerwall, and he expects his PG&E bill to drop to a fraction of last year’s cost. What stuck with him most was the rapid six-week turnaround combined with the Powerwall backup.
Camella answered a cold-call about solar and, curious because the pitch felt different, invited the team to evaluate her home with its unusual roof needs. Kerrie walked her through tailored panel options and different service levels so she could choose the exact equipment and coverage that fit the house. Because the company also does roofing work, they handled the roof complications directly rather than handballing them to another contractor. Mei kept the project moving, coordinating details between sales and the installation crew so decisions and schedules flowed smoothly. The installation crew arrived respectful of the property and worked efficiently, and the system includes batteries on site so excess power will be sold back to PG&E each month. After speaking with many companies over the years, she ended up with a roof-friendly, battery-backed setup and a plan that should deliver monthly savings — the combination of roofing expertise plus a single point of coordination is what made the difference for her.
Philip did his homework and chose Solar Sesame for a residential solar system with a backup battery, expecting the company’s promised two-month install and commissioning timeline. Instead he watched the project stretch to nearly six months, and neither the solar array nor the backup battery became operational. Work repeatedly stalled: crews failed to complete tasks on time and often hadn’t finished required work before scheduled inspections, so the inspector couldn’t sign off. Every delay traced back to the installer, leaving him months past the original schedule without a functioning system — the standout fact here is that a job sold as a two-month turnaround ended up almost tripling in time with no working equipment to show for it.