SunStar Energy reviews

Diane D. hired Sunstar Energy’s Richard Devlin two years ago to install a rooftop solar system and has been happy with how it’s performed ever since. He analyzed her household energy use and the roof’s layout, then tailored and installed a system that fit those specifics. Recommended by a friend, he demonstrated deep knowledge, straightforward honesty, dependability, and a considerate, professional approach throughout the process. He has kept in touch with helpful advice by email and stayed available to answer questions long after the panels were turned on. Diane has passed his name along to other friends — what she remembers most is the ongoing follow-up and readiness to help whenever something came up.

Matilda turned to SunStar in 2014 after the inverters on her ground-mounted system failed and she wanted a second, modern array added on her roof. She discovered that owner Richard Devlin wore every hat on the job — estimator, lead installer, primary worker and now the system’s consultant — and that he delivered a tidy, professional installation. When unexpected hurdles popped up during permitting and PG&E requirements, he stepped in and resolved them rather than passing them off. Over the years she received more than just a finished system: Richard kept her informed about PG&E rate and filing changes, sent tax‑time and roof‑cleaning reminders, and even alerted her within a day when a home wi‑fi outage could affect system monitoring. What stayed with her most was the ongoing, hands‑on attention from the same person who built the system — practical, timely follow‑up that made long‑term ownership feel managed rather than forgotten.

Erika discovered that the residential solar array installed on her home in March 2023 left her in limbo when the installer revealed the company had gone out of business. A few months later she was directed to contact Mosaic; Mosaic asked for proof that she’d reached the contractor and even provided the contractor’s number, but the contractor’s website was already down. She still hasn’t received permission to operate (PTO) and refuses to let another solar firm work on her roof. Now she’s trying to cancel the contract and refuses to pay, while Mosaic is refusing to cancel — leaving her with an installed system, no PTO, and no clear resolution.

Greg R. hired Richard in 2010 to install a 5.2 kW array on his home. Because the rooflines and an outbuilding faced different directions, Richard spread panels across two structures and oriented them in three separate directions to squeeze the most solar out of the property. That customized approach paid for itself within six years. A few years ago he and his wife bought Tesla Model 3s and began charging at home, and in May he asked Richard to add another 5.2 kW array. The second system cost less than the first but produces more energy. Richard also stepped in whenever hardware or software hiccups appeared and handled the dealings with PG&E, which made owning solar trouble-free. He’s recommended Richard and Sun Star Energy to friends, and what sticks with him is that a complex, tailored installation delivered a six-year payback and now supports daily EV charging.

Peter chose SunStar Energy after a friend recommended them, and he ended up with two Solar PV systems — one installed in 2008 and another on a different house in the fall of 2015. He discovered there was no high-pressure sales pitch; Richard Devlin did the site work himself, examined placement and goals, and exchanged details by email before laying out a few options to discuss by phone and plenty of time to decide. Both installs came in at competitive prices. Richard personally carried out each installation with a helper, bringing deep electrical know-how to the job. He also follows up annually, requesting the PV output numbers to make sure the systems are producing as expected. The detail that lingered for Peter was the owner-installed approach combined with the routine performance check — hands-on work up front and ongoing verification afterward.

Ralph G hired Sunstar to install a $20,823 solar system on his home and, eight months on, discovered the panels still aren’t running. Local county rules required additional steps before the system could be completed and energized, but Sunstar never followed through to satisfy those requirements. He’s continued making payments on the loan while getting no electricity from the system, and attempts to reach the company have gone unanswered — he now suspects Sunstar may be out of business. The situation left him carrying the debt for a system that hasn’t been commissioned and with no clear way to get it finished.

Tom hired SunStar twice to put solar on his older, structurally tricky Silicon Valley house. After dealing with several other installers that felt more like sales teams than problem-solvers, he discovered Richard and his crew took a different approach: deeply technical, quick to diagnose site-specific issues, and able to explain the fixes in plain language. They completed both installations promptly, charged a reasonable price, and left him with no follow-up problems—it's been over nine months since the second job and more than a year since the first. Because the roof and structure required extra attention, he appreciated not having to hover over the crew while he worked; SunStar handled the complications without fuss. What stood out most was their combination of real technical skill and clear communication, which let him get the system installed and get on with his life.

R F. had Richard Devlin install a home solar system a couple of years ago and walked away genuinely pleased — not just with the equipment, but with how straightforward the whole process felt. Richard guided them through every step, including a careful shading assessment so they knew up front what to expect; nothing unexpected came up during or after installation. The one surprise wasn’t a problem at all but how pleasant and professional the interaction turned out to be. They ended up with a system they're thrilled with and a takeaway that matters for anyone choosing an installer: clear, up-front shading analysis paired with a very personable, knowledgeable installer.

Patti W. had a roughly $50,000 solar system installed the first week of November, only to discover it wouldn’t run until her breaker box was upgraded. She waited through winter: by mid-March the panel swap still hadn’t happened. She placed five calls and kept hearing it was "being looked into," while the system remained unenergized. The sharpest detail here: she remained contractually on the hook for the full $50,000 even though the array produced no power after months of delays.