Sunko Solar reviews
• last updated FEB 26, 2026Loading map...
The Verdict
Sunko Solar and owner Marco Iwabuchi earn our strongest recommendation. We analyzed dozens of reviews and found a pattern we almost never see: homeowners who interviewed up to 8 competing companies all chose Sunko for the same reasons. One couple watched Marco design a reverse-tilt racking system for their north-facing roof when every other installer said it couldn't work, then saw their panels generate 55 kWh daily through a Los Angeles summer. Another homeowner inherited a dead solar system with the house, called Marco for help, and watched him drive out three times at no charge to fight with the inverter manufacturer until the system worked again. Reviews show 26 mentions of transparent sales practices with zero complaints about upselling, a rarity in residential solar. Marco sizes systems to your actual usage instead of maxing out your roof, explains the engineering in plain language, and stays personally involved from design through permit approval. The work itself scores perfectly on craftsmanship across 14 reviews. If you want the cheapest bid in Los Angeles, you'll probably find it elsewhere. But if you want an installer who'll troubleshoot a faulty inverter years later without sending an invoice, the premium is worth it.
If you value an owner who answers his own phone and designs custom solutions over a sales team that disappears after signing, hire Sunko Solar. Marco Iwabuchi will overengineer your system to work, not just to close the deal.
Reviews That Shaped Our Verdict
Tyler Rebbe bought a house last year with the solar panels already paid for and assumed the system was functioning. In January a shockingly high electric bill revealed the inverter had failed and the array hadn’t produced power for months. He called Marco at Sunko Solar; Marco and a technician came out at least three times to diagnose the issue, then persisted with customer service and the manufacturer until a replacement inverter was approved. Marco handled the logistics and the warranty fight, completed the repairs at no charge, and stayed on the case until everything was back online. A month after the swap the system runs properly and Tyler’s next bill was minuscule — the clearest takeaway being that Marco not only fixed the hardware but navigated the warranty hurdles so the homeowner paid nothing for the repair.
Jim chose Marco to design and install solar on his Los Angeles home — a house that runs central air and regularly charges electric cars. He encountered several unique site challenges during planning, and Marco worked through each one, walking him through clever, practical solutions and staying personally engaged from quote to commissioning. Marco’s crew showed up on schedule, worked quickly and courteously, and accommodated the family’s timing. Once live, the system started banking credits with LADWP within months and has more than kept up during LA summer peaks, even with ACs running and EVs charging. After spending time with a more popular competitor that felt impersonal and unfocused, he ended that exploration and went with Marco — the difference in hands-on attention made the choice obvious. The detail that stuck most: the system delivered real LADWP credits through the hottest months, so the payoff felt immediate enough that he wishes he’d done it sooner.
Steve hired Sunko Solar and owner Marco Iwabuchi to install rooftop panels on his home, which had a large, north-facing roof that slopes downward — a setup that would normally reduce output if panels simply followed the roof. He watched Marco and the crew move quickly and professionally: they stuck to the contract and budget, finished the install, and had LADWP approve and turn the system on in about two weeks from the start of work. Where other companies balked, Marco tackled the problem with a "reverse tilt" solution, raising the back (down-slope) edge of the panels about 18 inches so they could better face the southern sun and capture more energy. Steve included photos that show the tilt detail and a side view of the house, and from July 20 through August 14 the system produced a daily average of 55 kWh. For anyone with a north-facing, down-slope roof, the concrete takeaway that stuck with him was Marco’s practical reverse-tilt approach — it turned a challenging roof into a productive array.
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How We Got To Trust Score 92
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Serving customers for 9 years
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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
Jim chose Marco to design and install solar on his Los Angeles home — a house that runs central air and regularly charges electric cars. He encountered several unique site challenges during planning, and Marco worked through each one, walking him through clever, practical solutions and staying personally engaged from quote to commissioning. Marco’s crew showed up on schedule, worked quickly and courteously, and accommodated the family’s timing. Once live, the system started banking credits with LADWP within months and has more than kept up during LA summer peaks, even with ACs running and EVs charging. After spending time with a more popular competitor that felt impersonal and unfocused, he ended that exploration and went with Marco — the difference in hands-on attention made the choice obvious. The detail that stuck most: the system delivered real LADWP credits through the hottest months, so the payoff felt immediate enough that he wishes he’d done it sooner.
Katie Penna searched for years for a solar company she could trust and ultimately chose SUNKO Solar to outfit her home. She discovered owner Marco Iwabuchi and his team went well beyond expectations: Marco’s friendly, reassuring personality made her comfortable with the decision, and the crew backed that up with clear communication, competitive pricing, and solid workmanship. They managed the installation with attention to detail and kept her informed through the process, leaving her confident enough to recommend SUNKO to friends and family. The detail that stuck with her was Marco’s personable leadership paired with the team’s consistent follow-through.
Tyler Rebbe bought a house last year with the solar panels already paid for and assumed the system was functioning. In January a shockingly high electric bill revealed the inverter had failed and the array hadn’t produced power for months. He called Marco at Sunko Solar; Marco and a technician came out at least three times to diagnose the issue, then persisted with customer service and the manufacturer until a replacement inverter was approved. Marco handled the logistics and the warranty fight, completed the repairs at no charge, and stayed on the case until everything was back online. A month after the swap the system runs properly and Tyler’s next bill was minuscule — the clearest takeaway being that Marco not only fixed the hardware but navigated the warranty hurdles so the homeowner paid nothing for the repair.