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Todd Solar Engineering is a solid choice if you need pool solar work, but steer clear if you're after rooftop photovoltaic panels. We analyzed dozens of customer stories spanning a decade and found two wildly different companies depending on what you're buying. For pool solar installations and repairs, the pattern is consistent: Todd himself shows up, fixes things honestly (one homeowner avoided a needless heater replacement after Todd diagnosed the real issue in 10 minutes and wouldn't accept payment), and crews finish on time. One client reported swimming nine months a year in sun-heated water after Todd installed eight panels and trained them on system maintenance. But two recent reviews paint a troubling picture for electric solar projects. Both customers paid substantial sums (one $48,000) and then waited over a year for utility paperwork that never got filed correctly, with staff going unresponsive mid-project. If you need pool heating or a quick solar panel repair, Todd's technical knowledge and no-pressure honesty make this a safe bet. If you're planning a full photovoltaic system, the operational capacity isn't there.
If you're installing pool solar or need repairs on an existing system, Todd's hands-on expertise and straightforward pricing deliver reliable results. If you're considering rooftop electric panels, recent project management failures suggest the company can't handle that workload right now.
Jack S. contacted Todd for a solar pool-heating quote after his pool heater supposedly failed. When Todd showed up, he asked what had been happening with the equipment and offered to take a look. After ten minutes on the pool pad he diagnosed the root cause of the heater issue and uncovered three other faults the maintenance company had missed. The heater turned out not to be dead; Todd swapped in a couple of spare parts he carried in his truck and got everything working again. Despite Jack insisting on paying, Todd refused both parts and labor. Without that quick, hands-on diagnosis they would have bought a new heater and still faced the same unresolved problems. Jack walked away impressed by Todd’s technical skill and integrity and will recommend him for any solar-related work — the image that stuck was Todd fixing things on the spot from parts in his vehicle and refusing payment.
Rusty K. praised Todd Franzen’s workmanship but discovered the installation’s promise stalled after the crew left. He ended up with a residential solar array and battery backup installed more than a year ago, but the team never got the NEM2 application through without errors. Over time the company contracted down to what appears to be a one-person operation run by Jenifer, who has been largely unresponsive — she will offer soothing answers and then cut off contact. He pressed her for a straight update on whether the plans rejected by SCE for application errors had been corrected, and she stopped responding. Now he faces a finished system that can’t move forward on interconnection, and SCE won’t let him step in to fix the application unless Todd Solar goes bankrupt. The clearest takeaway: great workmanship on the roof, but administrative collapse left him stuck with a system that can’t be activated after a year of waiting.
Patryk S. commissioned Todd to overhaul his backyard pool system, installing a new gas heater, pool pump, filter, LED lights and eight solar panels to heat the water. The crew completed the job about a year ago, and he reports the whole setup has been running smoothly ever since. Installers acted professionally, answered his questions during the process, offered maintenance tips and walked him through how to operate the system. Todd stayed responsive by email through what felt like countless follow-ups, used a straightforward design approach, priced the work reasonably and included all available rebate information in his quotes. The payoff: after a year Patryk enjoys about nine months of sun-warmed swimming and knows how to maintain and use the system himself.
Passed screening
Passed screening
Among the longest-standing installers in the market.
Not BBB rated.
Reviews were posted naturally over time.
Long Beach homeowner Dara R. had Todd Solar install her pool’s solar setup about 15 years ago, so when the pump died during a hot summer she already knew who to call. She watched the team show up the same day, diagnose the failure, and even repair the old pump instead of pushing an immediate replacement—an honest move given how old the equipment was. After seeing the options, she chose a new, more efficient pump because the newer technology promises noticeable monthly savings. She walked away impressed by the company’s quick response and straightforward approach, and by the technicians who prioritized what made financial sense over an easy sale.
Patryk S. commissioned Todd to overhaul his backyard pool system, installing a new gas heater, pool pump, filter, LED lights and eight solar panels to heat the water. The crew completed the job about a year ago, and he reports the whole setup has been running smoothly ever since. Installers acted professionally, answered his questions during the process, offered maintenance tips and walked him through how to operate the system. Todd stayed responsive by email through what felt like countless follow-ups, used a straightforward design approach, priced the work reasonably and included all available rebate information in his quotes. The payoff: after a year Patryk enjoys about nine months of sun-warmed swimming and knows how to maintain and use the system himself.
Clarissa in Hacienda Heights called Todd in years ago to install a solar panel system to heat the family pool, and that work turned into a long-term relationship. She hired him again a couple of years ago to put in other pool equipment, and he has stayed reliably available for service and follow-ups whenever problems or questions popped up. Now preparing for a home remodel and a new roof, she plans to bring him back for the next phase because she trusts his work—and counts him as the only truly honest contractor she’s encountered. After many years of prompt service and practical help, five stars feels like an understatement to her.
Jack has relied on Todd Solar Services since 2016 to maintain the solar system and pool equipment at his Anaheim Hills home. When a pool filter quit recently, he called on Todd and the crew; they stayed available, worked through the problem, and got the filter running again with professional, high-quality workmanship. Over the years he has turned to them for everything from solar work to pool equipment and water heaters, and what keeps him coming back is their constant availability and the consistent care they bring to each job. The detail that stuck with him: they show up when needed and finish the job right.
Stephanie P. has relied on Todd for years to maintain the solar system that runs her pool — he originally installed it for the previous owners and kept supporting it through ownership changes. She calls him when the system needs repairs, and he answers quickly and comes out promptly, even with the drive to Orange County. He’s easy to talk with and routinely points out potential problems that fall outside his formal service area, then follows up with practical tips and advice on pool care. He knows pools inside out, and that extra attention — flagging issues and offering fixes even when it isn’t strictly his job — is what keeps her coming back. She plans to keep using Todd for all her solar and pool needs because he still looks after the original installation and serves as a reliable, knowledgeable resource.
Barbara bought a solar heater for her pool a few months ago and declared it the best money she'd ever spent. She watched a small crew arrive, work quickly and efficiently, and take care of delivery and installation without fuss. Months later she remains pleased with the purchase; the detail that stuck with her was how fast and tidy the team was, which made the upgrade a straightforward, no‑drama project.
David faced a leaking pool solar heater just as the roof above it needed replacement, so the job involved more than swapping panels — it required coordinating two big trades and two different roof coverings (composite shingles where the panels sit, lightweight concrete tiles everywhere else). He brought Todd Solar Engineering in; Adrian came out, gave a fair estimate, removed the old unit before the roof work started, and handed the roofer exact placement specs so the crew could install the roof around the future array. Once the roof was finished, Jen and Todd arranged for Adrian to return promptly; he installed new EcoSun panels, reset the pool’s control system, cleaned up thoroughly and even painted the exposed pipes to match the surrounding fascia. The panels did what they promised — the pool warmed up within a few hours and was swimmable again. What stood out was the company’s attention to sequencing and detail: proactive removal, clear directions for the roofer, and a hands-on installer who finished the electrical reset and left the job tidy. He gave Todd Solar Engineering his highest endorsement and came away most impressed by how smoothly the coordination turned two separate
Chris found Todd and his crew, including Jennifer, exceptionally responsive and accommodating when he chose them to install solar on his home. They moved quickly — the panels went up fast, ended up looking sharp, and are working well — and the job was priced reasonably. What stuck with him most was the team’s responsiveness: prompt communication and a fast, tidy installation that delivered a functional array without feeling overpriced.
Beth called about a set of pool solar panels that had been leaking for more than 20 years; the installer picked up quickly and showed up soon after. He diagnosed and repaired the leaks promptly, and while he was up on the roof he also took care of some broken tiles. She came away impressed that he clearly knew what he was doing and that his approach felt extremely fair. The detail that stood out was how a single, fast visit resolved the long‑running leak and the tile damage at the same time.
Long-term satisfaction for Todd Solar Engineering drops to 3.2 ★ compared to early reviews. This decline is worse than 75% 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.