Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. 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.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/20/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Free Energy Systems installed solar panels on our home in January of 2016. Only six of our panels are working and the rest need repair. They are under warranty for 25 years and need to be serviced. This company will not answer their phone or respond to emails.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/11/2024

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  ****** of RA Solar approached me in April, 2023, with an offer of added solar panels that, if plans were filed by a certain date (April 23? Not sure), would lock in my power buy-back rate from PG&E. I signed the contract and gave them a $1,000 ***************** was to be completed in September, 2023. In spite of several attempts to contact them, they haven't contacted me in any way, filed plans for building permits, or commenced the work. I am an elderly woman living on a fixed income. While I believe this is clearly a case of fraud constituting elder abuse, I'm unable to pursue this matter in the courts since I'm home-bound while caring for my husband with Alzheimer's Disease. I hope you can help me and others

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/01/2023

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I used RaSolar to install a battery storage system. On 6/17/22 I signed a contract for a battery storage system. I paid $1000 deposit and then on 8/31/22 I got a bill for $4050 for the design and permitting costs. The contract stipulated that the whole process would take **** weeks. After I paid the $4050 on 9/1/22 I waited for an installation date. On 10/25/22 RaSolar said the permit was approved but they had no one to put the system in. I reached out through email and phone repeatedly through the winter and spring. *************************** the owner even called me to promise a return when I told him that we were disappointed and worried about this process and his company's viability. Since that phone where he said he would work out a payment plan and have his office manager ****** mail me a check, I have heard nothing and he doesn't respond to my emails.We would like a refund for the deposit and permitting costs.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/11/2023

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I hired Ra Solar to install solar panels and a battery in Feb of 2022. They illegally collected the entire fee ****** up front through confusing and deceptive communication. To date, the job has not been done and they've only completed 20 minutes of work after nearly 12 months.They have failed to install the solar panels and battery. They've missed multiple deadlines and are difficult, nearing impossible, to contact. They are not proactive when they will not meet a deadline, requiring me to contact them multiple times to understand if they are coming like they promised or not. They offered to pay my electric bills since the original date of the installation, but have failed to do so. I have paid interest on the loan, but have not received the actual product.I've had to hire a lawyer to get a response from them. I'm including all the of text messages, contracts, etc to support my claim. I have reached out to the Contractor ********************* as well. Since hiring them, multiple extremely negative reviews have appeared online detailing similar problems. This is a nightmare -- I have a massive loan that I'm paying off and no solar panels. I'm in a bad position and need help resolving the situation. Ideally, I want them to complete the job, pay my electrical bills like they promised they would, and repay me for the interest I've paid on the loan I took out that has simply funded their business and/or lifestyle without me getting what I paid for. Please contact me if you need more information.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/27/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  We hired RA Solar to install solar panels & a home battery for ** in Sept 2020. They installed the ************* battery and were supposed to apply for the ********** Self-Generative Incentive Program (SGIP), worth $16,194, as soon as the installation passed inspection. We are now at the end of January 2023, more than 2 years after it's been installed, and RA Solar has still not sent in the application for us. The owner of RA Solar, *************************** <*********************>, had assured us in multiple calls and emails, both to us and PG&E, that he would take care of the application. We filed an extension last year after our initial application deadline passed and we received a new application due date of March 2023. Unfortunately, we are not allowed to file the application ourselves. It has to be done by the installer. But the installer continues to ghost us and we are at risk of losing a sizeable credit of $16,194. The credit incentive was one of the main reasons why we decided to install the home battery, otherwise the cost would have been prohibitive.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/13/2022

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I am concerned about scam/fraud. I have purchased solar panels from Ra Solar in May 2022. I have paid them close to $10000 (deposit, design). Their extremely poor communication and unreliability gives me little confidence they will actually follow through.I signed in a contract in May 2022. I tried to be proactive and confirm the initial installation date 10/10/22. Ra Solar confirmed this date, but on the installation date, I received a message that the solar panels were out of stock, when I had just recently received a confirmation. Install date was then rescheduled to 12/08/22. I again sent several emails to Ra Solar and texts to the owner to confirm the 12/8 installation date as it approached. As the pattern has been, I sent several email and texts, many times I did not get any reply, if at all, for several days, sometimes weeks. Ra Solar did confirm the new install date. On 12/5, I tried to confirm the install. At this time, the owner stated he had poor cash flow and wanted me to pay the panel distributor directly for the solar panels. He told me he would send me the invoice from the distributor that day. I waited several days and I did not receive any email to pay for the panels from the distributor. The night before the 2nd install date, I was told that there was a slight chance of rain so the install might be cancelled. The following day, no install took place. I expressed my frustration with Ra Solar's professionalism and requested my money back. The owner, ******, convinced me to let him finish the job and he could the next day. At this time, he requested I pay him a lump sum of the remaining balance of $3500. However, per the contract, $2034 was due at the time of inspection and $1034 at time of panel turn-on. On the next day, I received a message that installer van broke down. Over the next 4 days, he made numerous commitments to call me, but never did and used several excuses why he was not able to call. He has since been unreachable.

  Business Response

  Date: 12/16/2022

  I am requesting more time to respond.   I am going to get the response done and get it to you by next Friday, December 22nd.

   

  Thank you.

   

  ******

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/17/2022

   
  Complaint: 18555841
  
  I am rejecting this response because: Any response without a refund is inadequate. Since I have made the complaint with BBB, more research into Ra Solar shows that they have done this to many clients. If you look at reviews from ******* Yelp, and Energy Sage, they have taken tens of thousands dollars from people with nothing to show for it. I have knowledge that the owner used the same excuse of the installers van broke down to explain a no show installation. What are the chances this happens to two people who have both experienced inexplicable delays. I demanded my money back and the owner said he did not have access to any cash to provide that refund or even partial. Additionally, Ra Solar requested thousands of dollars before any installation took place. I wish I knew better - My research shows this is clearly not the industry standard. A former employee of Ra Solar has stated that these circumstances are clearly illegal and Ra Solar should be investigated for grand theft. i sincerely appreciate BBBs help with this matter.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/22/2022

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  The owner and office have been promising me the solar panel job will get done. They have received $8,000 deposit nine months ago, but no work has been performed. When I call to follow up, I am told the owner ****** will call me. He never calls or replies to my texts or voicemail. ****** at the office said $8,000 was needed because they pay cash for the panels at their distributors warehouse. All I want and need is the job to get done, or return the money theyve been holding onto. They wont even answer that question. If they say theyre going to call me, then call me as promised. If they say theyre going to do the job, then fulfill the promise to do the job. I need help resolving this problem. Thank you. Recently he said hes come to my house November 21 to start racking which ** told is laying out where the panels will be installed. He didnt show up. I had to call office again to get an answe. Was told he had car problems and pulled ******* off my job. I was never advised until I had to ask why nobody even called me

  Business Response

  Date: 12/16/2022

  I am requesting more time to respond to this claim.  I will have my response to you by next Friday, December 22nd.

   

  Thanks,

   

  ******

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/21/2022

   
  Complaint: 18451810
  
  I am rejecting this response because: the business's request for additional time to review and respond further delays answers to recover the money we have requested.  This is a continued pattern of delays without cause; ambiguities in answers and vagueness in providing timelines, details to what specifically needs to get done.  We are well beyond allowing this company to do any work.  The trust in this relationship is broken.  It would be unreasonable and unwise to allow this business to have access to our home/property as we fear retaliation.

  We can no longer believe the things that are said by the owner of this business or his agents or employees.  This lack of performance is well-documented and borders on defrauding a customer.  We have numerous emails and text threads documenting the extraordinary effort I used to contact this business, in fact chasing down this business owner and his office, only to find out he would not initiate the job.

  I reserve the right to continue this dispute or complaint, not limited to the BBB platform.  The only acceptable outcome is to return to us 100% of the money paid nine(9) months ago.  No work on our home has commenced.  And we do not want this company to do any work or approach our property.

  
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/14/2022

  Type:Delivery Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I originally requested a rooftop solar design via energysage.com the week of June 13, 2022. After reviewing several proposals I selected Ra Solar for the bid. My home required a re-roof to be completed prior to the Solar installation. After finally receiving re-roof bids, scheduling the project I paid a deposit of $11,680 to Ra Solar on July 15, 2022. Upon payment I also informed Ra Solar that the roof project would be completed August 15, 2022. ** informed that scheduled installation would occur on August 30 and August 31, 2022. On August 30, 2022 I received a call from ***************************, CEO of Ra Solar stating that he would like to postpone installation for 30 days due to some ongoing customer issues. I reluctantly agreed to the new installation date of 9/29/2022 and 9/30/2022. On the date of 9/29/2022, two gentlemen representing Ra Solar arrived at my home at 10:00AM PST. They informed of the work beginning on the system installation. They both remained for approximately 5 hours, leaving at 3:00PM advising that they were clear on that day. The only work performed was installation of a plastic box and some electrical wire conduit on the outside of my garage. One person returned 9/30/2022. One of the gentlemen who came the previous day. He arrived at 10:30AM. He placed some railing upon the roof and concluded work at 1:00PM advising that the system install would occur likely on Monday, 10/3.I have called *************************** several times last week. I have responded to ******, customer support at Ra on 10/5 and 10/10 with no response. This company appears to either be extremely negligent or running a ponzi scheme with creditors and equipment. I would like to request a refund as no system was actually delivered.

  Business Response

  Date: 10/15/2022

  Please see our response to Customer compliant attached.

   

  Thanks,

   

  ******

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/17/2022

   
  Complaint: 18221907
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  I have been patient and given Ra Solar ample opportunity to win my business. The bid was selected June 2, 2022 and deposit placed July 15, 2022 giving months of time to prepare resources and procure equipment. When the original install date slipped I was confused with another customer, whose install was also rescheduled. Even then I agreed to the new timeline.  The breaking point was most recently when things fell behind schedule the only contact phone number I had - phone calls were ignored and the voicemail box is full. I have no timeline as to completion of the project and very poor communication. I simply cannot leave this open ended through the rest of the year with no knowledge of when the system will be completed and the utility company signed off. I am requesting contract cancellation and refund of any outstanding deposit. 

  
  

  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/12/2022

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On February 3rd I signed a contract for solar panels and battery installation. The estimated completion date was 3/14/22. I paid a $1,000 deposit at time of signing and $15,192 at time of design and permitting per the contract. There was supposedly a design developed. I have not yet seen any permits. They stalled on giving an installation date and eventually said it would be in May. They keep making excuses and have not yet begun any work. They frequently don't reply to inquiries and when they do just make vague promises of something eventually happening

  Business Response

  Date: 07/22/2022

  Hi,

   

  I am working on the response now and will have it tio you by the end of the day.

   

  Thanks,

   

  ******

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/25/2022

   
  Complaint: 17558352
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  It is not a response at all- just a message saying they would eventually reply.

  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************

  Business Response

  Date: 07/25/2022

  In Response to Mr. ********* complaint. 
  
  We first had contact with ******************** in December 2021.  His solar/battery contract was initially sent to him for signing on December 14th, with an estimated completion date of March 14th, 2022.  However, Mt. ******** did not sign his contract until February 4, 2022.  The estimated completion date on page one of our contract is 1) an estimated date; and 2) it is usually 90 days from contract signing, if all goes smoothly. 
  
  The Customer did not approve his design until May 11th.  I began the process of pulling the permit for the project, in this case two permits, one with the city and one with the Fire Department.  We did not receive the permits until now. 
  
  We are scheduled to complete the installation this Thursday, July 28th. Tell us why here...

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/28/2022

   
  Complaint: 17558352
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  It is Thursday 7/28, the day they promised to install the panels and battery.  They delayed again, no equipment or workers are here, I still do not have any panels or batteries.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************