Score
Sun First reviews
• updated MAR 3, 2026Loading map...
The Verdict
Sun First delivers clean, efficient installations but won't hold your hand through the process. We analyzed dozens of reviews spanning nearly two decades and found a company that excels at technical work while relying on customers to drive follow-up. One homeowner who installed panels in 2003 still generates $200 in annual surplus with zero service calls. Another had to chase down the sales rep multiple times when ready to sign, then again to locate panels suddenly "available" after he complained about shortages. Workmanship scored 4.7 out of 5, anchored by repeat customers who returned for battery additions and panel expansions over 8 to 12 year spans. The installation crews route conduit to match roof colors, honor special requests like dog potty breaks during work hours, and finish most jobs in a single day. But project coordination lags: 16 reviewers praised the actual installers while 6 noted delays between proposal and start date, missing city permits on install day, or weeks of silence after submitting quote requests. One woman documented six contact attempts over two weeks before anyone called back. If you value hands-off reliability once the system is running, Sun First's long-term performance justifies the occasionally bumpy road to get there.
If you're willing to be the squeaky wheel during sales and permitting, you'll likely end up with a system that runs for a decade without trouble. Just don't expect proactive check-ins along the way.
3 Stories That Stood Out
This homeowner chose Sun First Solar from an employer-sponsored shortlist twelve years ago to install panels on their house. The original installation finished on time, on budget, and with little stress, and the array has performed flawlessly ever since. Earlier this year Sun First completed a system at their son’s house: the sales manager moved quickly on the design and proposal, and the installation crew wrapped the job up professionally and safely while smoothing city inspection and PG&E interconnection. This month Sun First returned to add 12 more panels and a backup battery to the original system to meet rising demand from air conditioning and electric vehicle charging; the battery now helps manage solar use more efficiently and provides standby power during outages. From initial design through contract and installation, the teams executed smoothly, and they appreciated the crew’s hard work, safety protocols, and respect for the property. The standout fact for prospective buyers: the panels have run flawlessly for twelve years, and the recent upgrade delivered dependable backup power.
Richard S. hired Sun First to put SunPower panels on his home and ended up using a payment holdback to get the job across the finish line — he refused to pay the balance until PGE had officially transferred the connection, and after he held payment the utility hookup moved from a quoted two weeks to just two days. The estimator arrived on time and went over system size and panel placement in detail, and the written proposals laid out costs clearly. Where the experience faltered was in follow-through: once Richard told them he was ready to proceed, he had to chase the estimator and office staff for updates. A shortage of SunPower panels added another delay until he pushed back and was told the panels had become available. To their credit, the crew used the interim to install racking and conduit so panel installation would be quicker later — probably unnecessary since the install itself only takes a day, but at least it showed they were working on it. There was a hiccup when the City Engineer asked for the permit and the crew didn’t have it on hand; a few phone calls sorted it out, but it revealed some coordination gaps between the field crew and the home office. The crew itself was,
Isabelle tried repeatedly to get a quote from the company — she filled out their online form twice, phoned twice, left a voicemail and even used the chat. Only the chat produced a response: a woman named Tracy called a couple of days later, but Isabelle was headed into a meeting and asked for a 2 p.m. callback; Tracy agreed. Two weeks passed and she never heard back. The experience left her frustrated and uneasy about how the company handles follow-up — what stood out most was a promised 2 p.m. return call that simply never arrived.
Platforms Monitored
Performance by Work Type
How We Got To Trust Score 89
Clean Record
Unauthorized Activities
Passed screening
Misleading Claims
Passed screening
Background Check
Serving customers for 15 years
Among the longest-standing installers in the market.
BBB Rating
Not BBB rated.
Natural Review Patterns
Reviews were posted naturally over time.
What You Can Expect
This homeowner chose Sun First Solar from an employer-sponsored shortlist twelve years ago to install panels on their house. The original installation finished on time, on budget, and with little stress, and the array has performed flawlessly ever since. Earlier this year Sun First completed a system at their son’s house: the sales manager moved quickly on the design and proposal, and the installation crew wrapped the job up professionally and safely while smoothing city inspection and PG&E interconnection. This month Sun First returned to add 12 more panels and a backup battery to the original system to meet rising demand from air conditioning and electric vehicle charging; the battery now helps manage solar use more efficiently and provides standby power during outages. From initial design through contract and installation, the teams executed smoothly, and they appreciated the crew’s hard work, safety protocols, and respect for the property. The standout fact for prospective buyers: the panels have run flawlessly for twelve years, and the recent upgrade delivered dependable backup power.
Dennis S. has been working with Sun First Solar for years: they put 12 panels on his roof in 2015, installed a Tesla Powerwall in 2019, and returned yesterday to add six more panels plus a NEMA outlet for his electric car. He found the crew consistently professional and respectful of the property, handling every phase from purchase and scheduling to the actual install without dropping the ball. The electrical work yesterday was handled by Alex, who left neat, clearly expert workmanship. Kim Fink, a Sun First Solar senior executive, smoothed the process and made interactions easy. The most memorable thing for him: one company that kept supporting and expanding his system over time, coordinating each step so upgrades felt effortless rather than disruptive.
Gabriel F. has been with Sun First Solar for 15 years, ever since he installed a SunPower solar system on his home. When PG&E began extensive work in his neighborhood and raised concerns about the older array, he turned to Sun First for a checkup. Their electrician Kip conducted a step-by-step on-site assessment and troubleshot the issues, while service manager Tayfun recommended targeted maintenance tips that increased the system’s efficiency. He valued the team’s professionalism and willingness to walk him through fixes and preventive measures. Because of that hands-on support he plans to install a Powerwall with them in the new year — what stood out was the clear, actionable assessment that squeezed more life and performance from a 15-year-old system.
Aldona V. had Sun First install solar panels on her home in 2015, and the project’s design and installation were smooth and professional. Over the years the company stayed quick to respond whenever questions or issues came up, so when she decided to add a battery this year she went back to them. Sun First handled the Tesla Powerwall design and installation with the same attention to detail and competence. After nearly a decade of service and a recent battery add-on, she ended up with reliable equipment and a provider whose prompt, ongoing support was the deciding factor.
Bonnie had a solar system installed in 2004 that had been losing production and felt outdated, so she recently had Sun First Solar perform a full upgrade. She found the replacement system far superior and priced reasonably. The crew arrived on time, treated the property with care, and even worked around the household’s three dogs by pausing for their potty breaks. Garvin kept her informed at every stage of the installation and called when he needed her input. She walked away very satisfied with the job; the punctual, communicative crew and their willingness to accommodate the family’s pets were the details that stood out.
Dave K. had a Sun First solar system on his home for about four years when a recent PG&E shutoff knocked out his grid power. He called Sun First and reached a technician right away—Tayfun—who guided him over the phone to restore emergency daytime power and then drove over to verify the system was working in person. That quick, hands-on response during an outage is what stood out: phone troubleshooting plus a same-day site visit. He finished the episode reassured that Sun First will support his system during outages and remembers Tayfun’s follow-up visit as the detail that made the difference.
During a recent 54-hour blackout, Dan watched his home stay fully powered — the twin Tesla Powerwalls Sun First had just installed kept everything running and still showed about 51% charge by 5 p.m. when PGE restored the grid. He already had two 12-year-old SunPower systems, one at his house and one at his office, that Sun First designed and installed; those arrays ran for a dozen years without service calls or problems. Sun First handled the design, permitting and installation for the new batteries, and Kip, the company electrician, and his crew produced neat, exemplary wiring and setup. The installation workmanship and the systems’ real-world performance during the outage left him grateful, and he thanked Aran Moore and the staff for reliable, honest local service.
Craig had a 2.6 kW system put on his Marin home in 2007 and then expanded with another 2.5 kW of Sunpower AC panels in March 2016. When he went back to upgrade, he found the older DC array still performing well, and the new AC modules felt like a clear step up. He shopped around the second time and couldn't beat the price he got for Sunpower — he preferred their U.S.-made panels over cheaper imports and noted the manufacturer in San Jose and what he believes is a 25-year parts-and-labor warranty. The installation came through a local Marin business, and the combination of the long warranty, American-made panels, competitive pricing, and the fact that his original 2007 array was still working are the details that stayed with him.
One year after a rooftop Sun First installation, James G. marked the anniversary with a system that delivered exactly what he hoped for. He watched the installers arrive on time, admired a tidy, well-balanced panel layout and a neat conduit run, and found his electric bill sitting at zero. When the one-year PG&E true-up arrived there were no charges. What stuck with him most was that the clean workmanship translated into real savings — a zero-dollar true-up after twelve months of production.
Long-term Satisfaction
Long-term customers rate Sun First 5.0 ★ — higher than early reviews. This growth is better than 97% of installers we looked at.
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.