Best Solar Installers

San Francisco

Sutro Power

Sutro Power runs one of the tightest solar operations in San Francisco. We analyzed their work and found zero complaints about installation quality, zero complaints about sales pressure, and zero complaints about follow-up support. One homeowner postponed two panels for six months while finishing other roof work, and the crew returned without hassle to attach them. Another had Sutro coordinate with their builder mid-construction so both parties owned the outcome together, avoiding the leak-blame game. The team caught an inspection issue mid-project and proposed multiple fixes on the spot. In 25 reviews mentioning workmanship, only two flagged minor hiccups (a confused technician once, a few months in the install queue before NEM 2.0 ended). JP, the owner, texts back when things go sideways and checks in a year later with battery updates, no sales pitch attached. He also throws an annual crab feed for customers, which is either very San Francisco or very savvy relationship management. Probably both. If you want an installer who'll return your call after the system is live and the check has cleared, Sutro Power is the safe bet.

Albion Power

Albion Power earned our unreserved recommendation. We analyzed dozens of reviews and found a company that treats rooftop solar like the engineering project it is, not a commodity sale. One homeowner watched six other installers hand over quotes based on outdated satellite photos; Albion's estimator climbed the roof with a tape measure, then brought in an architect to certify the structure could handle 24 panels. Another signed in August 2024 for a combined roof-and-solar job and watched Albion navigate a year of permit delays without a single change order or price hike. The pattern held across 56 comments about project management: they say a date, they hit it, and if your city's inspector is difficult, you never hear about it. We found 53 mentions of workmanship quality and only one complaint. The most telling detail: after a full year, one system produced 106% of its rated capacity and the owner received a check from the utility for surplus power. If you want the cheapest quote, keep shopping. But if you want an installer who'll send their owner to supervise your install and an in-house electrician who can upgrade your panel to 200 amps mid-project, Albion's precision is worth the premium.

SolarGuru Energy delivered exactly what they promised. We analyzed dozens of reviews and found two homeowners who signed on for value and speed, got it, then came back a year later to say the system still performed flawlessly. The company quoted below competitors while spec'ing better equipment (10 reviewers called out pricing, 11 mentioned high-quality workmanship), and 21 people said project management was smooth from design through activation. One install team spotted a racking mistake during final walk-through and returned the next morning to fix it without being asked. The owner, Miguel, stayed reachable throughout, and a coordinator named Gabriela sent proactive updates so customers never had to chase status. One buyer did warn that Miguel sold his contract to a third-party outfit called Powur mid-project, which led to measurement errors and a seven-month permitting nightmare. That handoff risk is the trade-off for SolarGuru's low overhead model. (We did not find a single complaint about systems going dark post-install, so if you survive permitting, the panels apparently work.)

We recommend Luminalt without reservation. They installed SunPower panels on a three-story Victorian with a battery location problem that another installer gave up on after months of silence, then worked through fire code exceptions and got pre-approvals before installation so inspections sailed through. We analyzed reviews spanning over a decade and found 74 mentions of workmanship quality with only 3 complaints, and not a single negative word about their follow-up support even on systems they installed years ago. Two patterns stand out. First, their project managers don't vanish after the sale. When one homeowner's power went out on a Saturday, the service lead called back in five minutes and had an engineer at the house within 45 minutes to troubleshoot a downed PG&E line that had nothing to do with the solar install. Second, their crews finish early and clean obsessively. A four-to-five-day job with panels, a Tesla battery, and a car charger wrapped in three days, and the homeowner noted the installers swept and vacuumed daily instead of leaving lunch trash around.

EcoGen America does solid work and won't ghost you after installation. We analyzed nearly a hundred reviews and found zero complaints about workmanship or follow-up support. One homeowner hired them over a year ago and said they've consistently exceeded expectations ever since, another noted the crew handled permits without needing a single follow-up call. Reviews show 27 mentions of clean installation work and 14 praising post-sale responsiveness, but we noticed something missing: almost no one describes a specific problem the company solved or a technical challenge they navigated. The reviews read more like satisfaction surveys than stories. That's not a red flag, it just means we can't tell you how they handle complications. If you want an installer who'll show up on time, mount panels correctly, and answer the phone six months later, EcoGen checks those boxes. If you need evidence they can troubleshoot a tricky roof or chase down utility paperwork when permits stall, you'll have to ask them directly.

All Bay Solar is a solid choice if you want an installer who handles roofing, electrical, and solar under one roof. We analyzed dozens of reviews and found a consistent pattern: crews complete installations in a single day, leave no debris behind, and the owner answers the phone on Sundays when something goes wrong. One homeowner had panels installed a week ahead of schedule and was generating power eight hours after the crew arrived. Another watched the team scour the ground daily for stray nails, a detail that matters when one loose nail can flatten a tire. The company scores well on workmanship (36 positive mentions, 3 negative) and project management (39 positive, 5 negative). They handle permits and rebate paperwork without handing you a folder of forms to decipher. But we found four reviews describing serious issues: crossed generator wiring that left a home dark during a storm, electric meter installations that took eight months and still confused tenants, and a SunPower contract that couldn't be fulfilled because the product line was discontinued mid-project. All Bay fixed some problems quickly and ignored others entirely, sometimes blaming the customer instead.

A 24 Electric will answer your panicked Saturday call and walk you through a fix over the phone at no charge. We found over forty reviews describing Eddie, the owner, doing exactly that: one homeowner lost all power at 9 PM, called eleven electricians, and only Eddie picked up (from overseas, on vacation, mid-breakfast). He spent thirty minutes resetting a stuck breaker remotely and refused payment. Another customer texted photos of a corroded panel on a weekend morning, got a callback diagnosis, and had power restored without a truck roll. His workmanship scores near perfect (44 mentions of quality installs, one complaint), and 95 reviewers praised his follow-up support. The catch is cost. He charges a flat fee per task plus a $295 show-up, which works for complex diagnostics but stings on simple jobs. One review detailed $1,680 for two outdoor lights and a dimmer switch (later negotiated to $1,000). If your issue is a true emergency or a head-scratcher no one else can diagnose, his 30 years of troubleshooting experience justify the premium. For routine outlet swaps, get a written estimate first.

Skytech Solar looked like a solid pick for years, but recent reviews reveal a company struggling to stay afloat. One homeowner watched 30 percent of their system go offline two years after installation; Skytech argued about warranty coverage for weeks before finally sending a tech who fixed it in minutes and admitted the original install was sloppy. When the same panels failed again two years later, the owner told them the company had shut down and could only provide a referral to a third-party contractor at full price. We found a pattern of disorganization and vanishing support once payment clears. In one case, a crew showed up with the wrong inverter, installed a defective replacement, then stopped responding to emails after the homeowner paid in full. The system sat broken for over a month. Twelve reviews describe poor communication, unresolved outages, and difficulty reaching anyone for warranty help. The bright spot is older installations from 2016 to 2019, where 24 customers praised low-pressure sales, knowledgeable staff, and installations finished in a single day. But that version of Skytech appears to be gone.

CleanFactor Energy is not worth your time or money. The owner stops returning calls once you send a deposit, leaving projects incomplete and permits unfiled for months. One reviewer in Redwood City waited six months and eventually discovered the company never even submitted permit paperwork despite repeated assurances that approval was imminent. Another had panels installed but never connected to the grid, watching them sit useless on the roof for months while Phil Mickelson ignored their emails. Nine separate reviews document the same pattern: fast talk up front, then radio silence after you pay. The company scored just 3.0 for post-sale support, with nine negative mentions outweighing the nine positive ones. It also logged 3.6 for value, with eight reviewers specifically flagging wasted deposits and incomplete work. Earlier reviews from 2013 through 2017 praised Phil's consultative approach and efficient installs, some completed in under two weeks. But something shifted dramatically in 2020. The recent track record shows a one-person operation that overpromises and underdelivers, leaving homeowners chasing refunds and scrambling to find new contractors mid-project.

This company can nail the installation, then leave you stranded when something breaks. We analyzed dozens of reviews and found a sharp divide: homeowners who sailed through permitting in five minutes and are still getting callbacks seven years later, and homeowners who can't get a returned email three weeks into a warranty claim. One customer watched her monitoring system go offline and spent three weeks sending follow-up messages with no resolution, while another had a raccoon unplug a cable under his panels and saw the original installer on his roof within days to fix it. Sixteen reviews describe smooth handoffs and responsive after-sales support, but nine describe the opposite: hidden permit fees after panels were already delivered, temporary electrical connections left in place as permanent, and service requests that vanish into silence. We found one customer who caught the crew trying to use coastal-prohibited fasteners during install, then couldn't get anyone to inspect an unsafe breaker a year later. The delta between "exemplary experience" and "zero sense of urgency" suggests you're rolling the dice on which version of the company shows up when you need them.

SolarUnion operates in two modes, and your odds depend entirely on which one you get. We analyzed hundreds of reviews and found a company that handles routine installations competently but collapses when anything goes wrong. One homeowner's inverter failed after a single year, SolarUnion blamed the equipment manufacturer and charged $990 for a replacement visit, then took a month to show up. Another customer watched their electrical panel spark and smoke after installation, SolarUnion's third-party crew had loosened critical connections when tapping into existing circuits, the company refused responsibility and the homeowner paid $10,000 to fix it. We found 64 complaints about poor value and 65 about inadequate post-sale support, numbers that track with a disturbing pattern in negative reviews. When systems fail or underperform, you will wait weeks for a response, hear excuses about subcontractors or equipment defects, and often pay out of pocket to resolve problems the company created. The 157 positive workmanship mentions and stories of smooth battery installs tell us SolarUnion can execute standard jobs, but the moment your project requires real accountability or warranty follow-through, you are rolling dice with a $25,000 bet.

This company isn't worth the risk. We analyzed hundreds of reviews and found 31 customers stuck in months-long delays with spotty communication and unfinished installs. In one case, a homeowner waited a full year from contract signing to a working system, cycling through multiple disappeared project managers and dodging late fees while the panels sat dark on their roof. In another, optimizers were installed backward in February, not caught until July, leaving the system producing at 40% capacity while Axia tried to bill the full balance. The pattern is consistent: 52 mentions of value problems versus 40 positive ones, post-sale support scores barely above neutral at 3.4, and frustrated reviewers reporting that staff turn over so quickly they can't get questions answered. Yes, some customers got lucky with standout reps like Tiffiny or Aldo who kept things on track, but you're gambling that you won't draw the short straw. The QCells hardware itself performs well when properly installed, but that's cold comfort if your system doesn't turn on for six months after you've started making lease payments.

YSG Solar is not safe to hire. We found dozens of accounts describing unresponsive service after installation, with customers reporting broken systems and ignored calls for months. One homeowner's inverter failed in March and YSG never answered repeated calls or emails, forcing them to pay another company $2,000 for repairs YSG's warranty should have covered. Another customer discovered YSG failed to extend their inverter warranty during the required two-year window, leaving them stuck with expensive repairs. The pattern is consistent: systems fail, calls go unreturned, and customers file BBB complaints just to get a response. We also identified a cluster of reviews describing botched battery installations where installers arrived without proper credentials, made multiple trips for missing parts, and pressured customers to release loan payments before passing inspection. One homeowner detailed seven separate installer visits, inaccurate roof drawings discovered mid-installation, and a CEO who made promises to secure loan release then disappeared. Several customers reported paying ConEd, plus two different solar loan companies simultaneously because YSG abandoned incomplete projects. Even routine issues escalate into nightmares when the company stops answering the phone.

Sunlight Financial is a lender you hire indirectly when your solar installer chooses them for financing, and once you sign, getting help becomes a serious problem. We found repeated accounts of customers stuck paying for broken or never-completed solar systems after installers went bankrupt or abandoned projects, while Sunlight kept demanding loan payments. In one case, a homeowner paid for panels that didn't produce a single watt of electricity for three years after the contractor disappeared, yet Sunlight sent the $30,000 balance to collections. The company also places liens on your home, and 21 reviewers described Sunlight blocking or delaying loan transfers when they tried to sell, even after being told transfers were allowed. One seller discovered mid-closing that Sunlight suddenly required a $15,000 minimum balance to transfer, a term nowhere in the original contract, and the company's complaint department never called back. Support is sparse. Multiple customers reported payment errors, surprise rate hikes from $255 to $325 per month with no warning, and weeks of unreturned calls when they tried to fix billing mistakes or get refund details.

O3 Home Solar has a serious problem keeping systems running after installation. We found one homeowner who paid $34,000 for panels that never lowered her electric bill, then waited five months for a fix while the company missed appointment after appointment. Another customer is still chasing a refund on a battery deposit from two years ago, unable to reach anyone in authority. The pattern is stark: 27 reviews describe smooth installations and responsive crews, but 11 detail systems that don't work, service requests that go unanswered for months, and zero accountability once the panels are up. One reviewer was told a faulty component posed a fire risk, then heard nothing for two weeks. Post-sale support scored just 2.8 out of 5, with 18 mentions of poor follow-through versus 15 positive ones. The company apparently excels at selling and installing, then vanishes when you need them. If your system works flawlessly forever, you'll be fine. But solar systems don't work that way, and you shouldn't gamble $30,000-plus on a contractor that goes radio silent the moment something breaks.

Ra Solar is not a safe bet. We found dozens of reports of equipment failures left unresolved for months, customers forced to hire outside electricians at 10% of their original install cost, and allegations that the company filed for bankruptcy with no assets to pursue. One homeowner's system went down in March 2022 and by February 2023 they still had no fix, only repeated no-shows from technicians who arrived without the right ladder or safety harness. Another customer documented months of radio silence after paying a deposit for an add-on project that never happened. Workmanship scores are middling (4.2 out of 5), but post-sale support sits at 3.3, and project management at 3.3. We noticed 60 reviews describing delays, missed appointments, and broken communication promises, with some customers alleging scam-like behavior. Even customers who had smooth installs in 2019 and 2020 report that responsiveness evaporates once the system is live. The price may look competitive, but that discount buys you zero peace of mind if something breaks a year later. If you need an installer who'll still answer the phone when your panels stop working, look elsewhere.

Palmetto Solar is a gamble you shouldn't take. We analyzed thousands of reviews and found a company split between satisfied customers and homeowners stuck with non-working systems. One Houston resident spent a year and a half trying to get half their panels repaired, cycling through Palmetto's third-party service partner with zero resolution. Another paid for both a $300 monthly panel loan and a $300 electric bill after their system barely produced 5% of promised electricity. The pattern we see is severe: 623 reviews cite value problems, 617 mention poor post-sale support, and the most damning cluster of 331 reviews details panels that stop producing electricity for months while customers chase technicians across state lines. When systems do fail, reviews show staff turnover kills continuity, service areas turn out to be unsupported, and roof leaks from installation go unacknowledged until customers involve inspectors. To be fair, 462 reviews describe smooth installs and helpful sales reps. But production forecasts appear wildly optimistic, the one-year service window conveniently expires right when problems surface, and the monitoring app won't even alert you when your panels quit working.

Sunrun will charge you while your panels sit broken. We analyzed thousands of reviews and found a company plagued by systemic breakdowns that leave customers trapped in multi-year cycles of non-functioning systems and finger-pointing. One homeowner reported paying $111 monthly for over a year while waiting for a replacement inverter, another spent nine months in 2019 without realizing their system had failed because Sunrun never monitored it despite advertising otherwise. The pattern is unmistakable: 264 reviews document service delays stretching months or years, with departmental handoffs that go nowhere. In 2025, Sunrun introduced a $580 diagnostic contract that customers must sign before the company will even investigate warranty claims, a policy that wasn't disclosed at sale. We found roof damage from botched installations (wrong brackets, failed inspections, leaks patched with no follow-up), bills sent to collections two days after project completion, and cases closed with no resolution while customers chase ghosts through a support labyrinth. The few positive stories center on individual reps, not the company's operational backbone. If you're researching Sunrun because of a Costco partnership, note that the relationship ended in 2025, and you'd be inheriting the mess without that safety net.

HelioPower installed systems that routinely failed to deliver promised savings, then disappeared when customers needed help. We analyzed nearly a hundred reviews and found a clear pattern: professional installations followed by expensive utility bills and unanswered service calls. One homeowner paid $40,000 for a system HelioPower promised would eliminate their electric bill, only to receive a $3,000 invoice from Edison a year later. When they called for help in January, a technician finally showed up five months later and said "sorry." We found 40 reviews mentioning poor post-sale support and 45 citing project management failures. The problems go beyond slow callbacks. Multiple customers reported mechanics' liens from unpaid subcontractors, systems wired incorrectly that produced only 60% of expected output for years, and roof damage that led to interior water leaks. One customer's final inspection failed four times due to broken tiles, missing flashings, and rails sealed to dirt instead of felt paper. The inspector called it a "nightmare." By 2020, many phone numbers were disconnected and the company appears to have gone bankrupt, leaving customers with broken systems and no recourse. (Yes, one reviewer had to hire lawyers just to find out why their panels stopped working.)

Tesla Energy is gambling with your home. We analyzed thousands of reviews and found a company that can't activate systems, miscalculates energy production, and leaves customers trapped in 20-year leases with higher bills than before they went solar. One homeowner paid $78.69 into their utility's credit bank but could offset only $6.16 of their bill, discovering too late that Tesla's sales pitch about "offsetting" power was a half-truth buried in fine print. Another waited nearly two years for Tesla to acknowledge full responsibility for a roof leak, then spent four more months waiting for a subcontractor who never called, racking up $2,067 in utility bills while the removed panels sat idle. The workmanship score (3.5) is the only metric above water, but post-sale support (2.2) and project management (2.5) scores reveal a company that disappears after install. We found 1,876 complaints about support versus 838 compliments, and in one theme covering 479 reviews about performance failures, only 1% were positive. The app-only communication model means you can't reach a human when your system fails, your roof leaks, or your bill doubles. Some reviewers report threatening legal action just to get a callback.