ComplaintsforSolar Optimum

• Initial Complaint

  02/03/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Incomplete and nonfunctional solar energy system. Still no resolution 6 months after starting installation process. Work was not done according known PGE Greenbook standards and also not done according to original blue prints. Poor quality work. Poor communication

  Business response

  07/28/2022

  Consumer Response /* (2000, 9, 2022/04/27) */ We have finally resolved our issues with Solar Optimum, and I'd like to close this file.

• Initial Complaint

  01/13/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Delivery Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I, *************, reached out to Solar Optimum for installation of 15.2KWatt system on roof of my house with light weight concrete tiles. Communication initiated with ************* and taken over by rep. ****************. Having learned from time wasting experiences*********** and another solar contractor, I was upfront about lightweight concrete tiles, requiring special anchors for installation and had offered to provide replacement tiles for broken ones during solar panel installation at my expense to the installers. ***** and I executed the contract for a price of $41603.36 (financed). Contract uploaded. ***** left the company and ************** took over the deal and demanded me to pay additional $9k before they install the solar panel. I learned that additional amount of money was due to change in installation methodology from tile anchors to comp-out/ inlays, unilaterally. Email communication uploaded.

  Business response

  08/12/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/02/11) */ It is standard practice in the solar industry to perform the site inspection and verify the achievable system layout prior to providing a final price and scope of work via a change order as needed for installing any project. An Energy Consultant provides an initial proposal based on limited information gathered remotely which is then verified and may be modified after the results of the site inspection. After reviewing the notes from the site inspection and after confirming with our operations department, it was determined that the only way to successfully complete the solar installation, as well as maintain the integrity of the roof/waterproofing, was by utilizing a comp-out/inlay method. The inlay change order was proposed to the homeowner and he refused then cancelled his project stating that he would source another installer. Solar Optimum charges a small deposit fee, 50% of which is refundable prior to engineering If the customer decides NOT to move forward, this fee is only to cover our costs for evaluating the property. This homeowner has not been charged the deposit fee as a gesture of good faith, having already completed this work. We also evaluate every installation based on a 25 year warranty. If we determine that a roof's condition will fall short of the warrantable period, as in this instance, we propose a solution to prevent future problems. We want our customers to make a conscious decision in their best and long-term interest. Consumer Response /* (3000, 7, 2022/02/17) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) Light weight concrete tile roof was disclosed to the receptionist and with Solar Optimum's sale representative ******************* We discussed different ways of solar panel installation and it was clearly understood and agreed by ***** to use the anchors suitable with light weight concrete tiles and any broken tiles will be replaced by the installer provided by owner at no additional cost to Solar Optimum. *********** left the company or got fired, Either way company chose to impose installation methodology with additional $9,000. The company refused to provide a written statement that the company does not use roof anchors but comp-out installation method. Only question remain s that why the company refused to use previously agreed upon tile roof anchors and insisted expensive comp-out/inlays method while company does use tile roof anchors installation method. Specially when broken tiles were to be provided by the owner for replacement. Business Response /* (4000, 11, 2022/07/28) */ ***Document Attached*** I don't know if my response and attachment went through the first time so I'm resending it again. See attached reply to *************

• Initial Complaint

  12/06/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I referred a friend to Solar Optimum. The friend bought and paid for their product and named me as the referrer. I expected to receive a $500 referral bonus from Solar Optimum but I have not received it. The referral was on June 24, 2021. Since then, I have contacted *************** at Solar Optimum repeatedly to obtain the referral bonus, including Oct 7 and Oct 25. In November alone, I reached out to ******* by email (Nov 8), phone (Nov 29, left a voice message), and text (Nov 30). He's replied to none of these. I'd like Solar Optimum to send me the $500 referral bonus.

  Business response

  01/07/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 8, 2022/01/06) */ This referral check situation was resolved with the *******'s. The referral check was sent and delivery confirmed. Consumer Response /* (2000, 10, 2022/01/07) */ (The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.) I accept this response. Thanks!

• Initial Complaint

  08/04/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  In 2020 I hired Solar Optimum to install solar panels. Before beginning its work, It represented that it would inspect my roof and would inform me if there were any issues. It also represented that it had a roofing contractor's license. Before any work began in 2020, Its website confirmed this. Under the circumstances, It would have needed to have informed me if there were any issues with the roof before it began its work; it did not. Rather, it told me my roof was in good condition. Before its work began, my roof had no leaks. After it completed its work, my family began noticing roof leaks and water damage. I brought this issue to Solar Optimum's attention and gave it opportunities to inspect and remedy it. In response, it refused to do so, and instead tried to coerce us to release it from potential present and future liability, including issues untethered to the dispute. It also sought to silence us and threaten us with an attorney's fees provision if we told anyone.

  Business response

  01/18/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 10, 2022/01/06) */ On March 18th homeowner called to report he had a leak in his roof. The next day our Construction Manager responded and arranged a time to meet at the homeowner's house. After his initial inspection it was determined the leaks were NOT caused by our penetrations. The homeowner wanted third party verification, so our managers met with the homeowner's roofer at his house. The homeowner's third- party roofer could not determine the source of the leaks. There were two leaks that were caused by a failure at a half round attic dormer vent and at a location under the roof valley metal. These are both roof related metal leaks that have nothing to do with the solar installation. Prior to installing your solar system, we did our due-diligence and inspected your roof to ensure that our solar penetrations would properly seal, which they have. Your roof condition and underlayment at the locations where we installed were in satisfactory condition to penetrate and seal our solar mounts. After the leaks were inspected and the cause of the leaks could not be determined, as a courtesy gesture, we offered to remove and re-install the solar array at no cost so that the third- party roofer could perform the repairs and upgrades to your roof. You refused. You instead demanded that we pay your roofer to repair and upgrade your roof even though the leaks are not our fault. As an attorney, the homeowner should be aware that a mutual release is an arms-length, voluntary transaction used to resolve disputes.

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩