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Solar Installer Reviews

Ra Solar

Ra Solar Review

3.99

★★★★★

150 Reviews

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Company Information

Headquarters:
300 Montgomery St. Ste 730 San Francisco, CA 94104 United States

All Reviews

★★★★★

sachinpadivals | USA
Jul 18, 2023

Varney took advance for adding additional solar panels. I was trying to get an update and mailed them..The mails are bouncing..Not sure if they are still in business..Anyone else had the same experience ?? Not reachable by phone too

★★★★★

sergio_arm | USA
Sep 29, 2023

"Thank you" EnergySage for matching me with this scammer. 16K out, no solar, not money.

★★★★★

techgaurav21 | USA
Sep 18, 2023

Please don't trust this, Company. Varney took my money and never showed up. It's been more than a year now. I am sick and tired of follow ups and wish I never had contacted them. Not at all recommend them.

★★★★★

judithkitty | USA
Aug 03, 2023

Total scammer. Stole $1000 from us. Not returning phone calls, emails. Terrible!

★★★★★

samuelrdicks | USA

Issue #1: Very slow response time or no response at all. From the beginning this was an issue. Have an email from July 2019 of me complaining to Energy Sage about RA being unresponsive before we even started working with them. Should have taken that as a sign. It’s now July 2023 and it has only gotten worse. If they do ever respond, they just say they’ll get back to us next week or some other time and of course never do. Issue #2: System not robust enough for our use case. From the very beginning I explained to Varney, the owner, that we were building an all-electric house and that we’d likely need more panels than similar sized homes to account for that. Most homes have gas. We also have multiple electric cars, a hot tub, and live in a coastal community with a lot of fog. However, he was very reluctant to quote more than 20 panels despite my concerns. When our first few electric bills came through, they were very high. I asked again if we should add more panels, but he was certain that this was due to the winter months and that we’d have negative bills in the summer to counteract the winter bills. He didn’t think our true-up bill at the end of year would be that high. When summer came, they were less, but not negative. The first year we paid on average about $450/mo. and it has gone up each year. This year it looks like $600+ a month. We have a pretty modest 1800 sf house and our expectation was that we’d pay about half that (maybe even less). The bigger issue now, with NEM 3.0, we can’t add any panels even if we wanted to or we’ll get bumped up from NEM 2.0 to the new NEM 3.0 plan. Then we’d really be paying out the nose thanks to PGE. So unfortunately, due to either negligence, laziness, or lack of understanding of our particular use case, we cannot even add one panel more and are stuck with these higher than necessary energy costs. Additionally, we also purchased battery storage to run our critical needs when the power goes out. We were told that running the battery during peak hours on a time-of-use PGE plan would also reduce our energy bills further. However, like before, I don’t think our particular use case was taken into account. The battery essentially only runs the fridge, a few outlets, and lights when the power is out. We have no hot water, no heating (or cooling), and we can’t charge our electric vehicles. When I spoke to an electrician recently who was doing some work on our home, he suggested that they should have quoted a different battery storage system that could handle 220v so we could run either the hot water, heating/cooling, or both (or at least charge our cars). So, again, I think either negligence, laziness, or lack of understanding of our use case caused us to have a less than ideal experience. We still paid a ton of money for this battery storage system and it does very little to offset peak hour costs. And, even if a system like this didn’t exist at the time (which I don’t think is true) the battery that we purchased was advertised to us that it could. It’s nice that the fridge stays on, but that alone doesn’t seem worth the price tag we paid. Issue #3: Had to pay an additional $450 to San Mateo County to reinstate our permit for the battery storage system. This was the last straw for us. We are currently building an ADU and during the permit process we uncovered that our battery permit had expired. It was never signed off on. We’d been up and running, but technically had no permit to do so. All we had to do was pay this fee, schedule an inspection, and get it signed off on, which we did promptly. When I reached back out to RA Solar for reimbursement we eventually got an apologetic response, an excuse for what happened, and a promise to be repaid. However, since then, cannot get ahold of Varney. His assistant only gives us lip service saying he is very busy, doesn’t have time to respond to customers, and that she (Shauna) cannot help because she wasn’t the one working with us on the reimbursement. I’ve provided a Venmo account, mailing address, and provided the text from Varney saying he would pay us back and admitting fault; repayment should be very straight forward. Apparently, they either don’t have $450 in the bank to spare or don’t have the courage to tell us they won’t pay us back because several months later they haven’t done anything. Perhaps they are so dysfunctional and we are so far down on the priority list that they simply can’t get their act together. Either way, we are out $450 and our ADU project got delayed as a result, a cost that is hard to quantify but likely over $1,000. CONCLUSION: If you want an endless headache, a constant feeling of uncertainty, and ultimately systems that may or may not be sufficient for your needs, go with RA Solar. Otherwise, choose someone else and be very, very careful who you choose, or you might be another victim of an Energy Sage referral.

★★★★★

jkot3 | USA
Apr 10, 2023

Never calls back and does not stick with promises. I can not recommend this business. I am wondering if they are still in business.

States Served

CA

What To Look For In A Solar Installer?

When looking for a solar installer, it's essential to consider various factors to ensure you choose a reputable and competent company that meets your needs.

When selecting an installer like Ra Solar consider:

Experience and Reputation:

Look for a company with a solid track record and years of experience in the solar industry. Read the latest Ra Solar solar reviews from past customers to gauge their reputation.

Certifications and Licenses:

Ensure the installer holds the necessary licenses and certifications required in your area. Look for certifications from organizations like the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) to verify their expertise.

Quality Products and Technology:

Inquire about the types and brands of solar panels, inverters, and other equipment they use. Quality matters for long-term performance. Ask if they offer the latest solar technologies, such as high-efficiency panels or energy storage solutions.

Learn more: Best Solar Panels for Homes | Top Solar Batteries

Warranty Information:

Understand the warranties they offer for equipment and workmanship. A reputable installer should provide comprehensive warranties. The majority of modern solar panels are equipped with a warranty spanning 20 to 30 years, encompassing both the product's integrity and its energy output. An ordinary workmanship warranty offered by a certified company typically provides coverage for solar panels for an average period of 10 years.

Transparent Pricing and Contracts:

Get detailed solar quotes that include all costs, from equipment and labor to permits and inspections. Review the contract carefully to ensure it's clear and transparent, with no hidden fees or surprises.

Local Knowledge:

Choose a company familiar with local building codes, regulations, and permitting processes. This can expedite the installation and ensure compliance.

Customized Design:

Look for companies who provide custom solar system designs tailored to your specific energy needs and property characteristics.

Energy Production Estimates:

The installer should provide accurate estimates of how much energy the system will generate, factoring in local climate conditions and other key influences. If your estimated solar savings are much higher with one solar company, you'll want to inquire further to ensure their savings projections aren't skewed to close the sale. Connect with us for a free estimate.

Financing Options:

Inquire about solar financing options, including purchase, lease, or power purchase agreements (PPAs). Ensure you know the pros and cons of each option.

Customer Service:

Assess their responsiveness and willingness to answer your questions and concerns and consider the installer's commitment to your project satisfaction. Throughout your solar process we’ll advocate for you, ensuring your solar project is done right.

References and Recommendations:

Seek recommendations from friends, family, or colleagues who have installed solar panels. Ask the installer for references from past clients who can share their experiences. You can also read the latest reviews on Ra Solar.

Multiple Quotes:

Don't hesitate to obtain quotes from multiple installers to compare pricing, services, and warranties. Hint: We can help!

Financing and Incentive Knowledge:

Ensure the installer is knowledgeable about available incentives, tax credits, rebates and financing options. At EnergyPal, we’ll help maximize your savings.

Safety Practices:

Confirm that the installer adheres to safety protocols during installation to protect both workers and your property.

By researching and considering these factors, you can select a reputable solar installer who will provide a quality solar energy system and a positive experience throughout the installation process. Connect with us to learn more about the best solar installers in your area.

How Do I Compare Solar Installation Options?

To make an informed decision when comparing solar installation options, start by determining your energy needs and seeking multiple quotes from reputable installers. Examine the quality of equipment, evaluate proposed system designs, and consider financing options, factoring in total costs and long-term savings. Assess warranties, support, and the installer's experience while also checking for customer feedback and references. Gauge their responsiveness and customer service, ensuring they educate you about the process. Consider an installer's licensing, and certifications. Request accurate energy production estimates and review contracts for transparency. By evaluating these factors, you can confidently choose the solar installation option that aligns with your energy goals and budget. Connect with us for a free quote.

Steps for Installing Solar Panels

  • Qualification: Contact solar companies through web forms, referrals, or flyers. Answer questions to determine eligibility.
  • System Design: Receive initial solar system design in a proposal. Review the design and consider panel placement, avoiding “under-sizing“ or “oversizing.“
  • Compare Quotes: Evaluate quotes, considering factors like monthly payments, power output, and system details. Seek guidance to simplify the comparison.
  • Contract Signing: Select a company and panel design, understand and sign the contract.
  • Site Survey: Technician assesses the site for solar panel installation, checking roof orientation and structural integrity.
  • Engineering: Behind-the-scenes process finalizes system layout, electrical configuration, and structural safety for permit submission.
  • Permitting: The company obtains necessary permits and approvals, ensuring compliance with regulations.
  • Installation: Expert team mounts panels, installs wiring and inverters, connects the system to the grid.
  • System Activation: Request final inspections, obtain permission to operate (PTO) from the utility, and turn on the system. Monitoring apps track power generation. From a signed contract to installation and system activation this process can take two to six months to complete. Check out our article for a more indepth look into the solar installation process.

Local Installers, Tax Credits, And Rebates In Your State

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Ra Solar Solar Review Conclusion

Prior to making a decision to work with Ra Solar, homeowners should thoroughly review multiple solar installation providers and quotes. This ensures they can secure the most suitable choices, advantages, and cost-effectiveness that align with their specific requirements.

Our impartial advisors are here with your best interests in mind. We listen, educate, and guide you to ensure you find the energy solution that's the perfect fit for your home.

We provide free custom designs tailored precisely to your home's unique requirements, allowing you to compare programs side by side.

Get a free custom quote on your solar system

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