ComplaintsforSolar Tech Elec LLC

• Initial Complaint

  05/16/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Roughly a year ago We had a solar system put on our home. The system has not worked right since installation I call incessantly and sometime get a response but mist time I leave messages and never receive a call back. the system works right for a week or so then blows fuses and goes off line which means I can sell the extra to TECO which is one of the big benefits of having solar. I have put close to $200 on fuses into the system which is not right. Now they claim it was wired incorrectly and after 3 months of stalling finally changed the wiring but left the system working worse than before they touched it, and would not answer the phone as I tried to reach out to them, the phone says the work till 5PM but on a Friday everyone leaves at 2 pm I guess, Left numerous messages with the answering service to no avail, spoke to someone this AM, and not they have to schedule another service call which take 3 to 3 weeks.....the product is great when it works but only has an uptime of aout 35%

  Business response

  05/17/2023

  We are sorry you are having this issue with your Solar System but you have the wrong company. Solar Tech Elec LLC, LIC* ********** did not install nor have any affiliation to this solar system, permit or customer. We ask you please remove this comment and search the company who you purchased the system from. We wish you the best of luck!

• Initial Complaint

  03/16/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We had Solar Tech Elec LLC (STE) install a solar panel system on our flat roof portion of our home. Agreement was for $31,250. It included a 25 year workmanship and roof leak warranty. They were paid in full. ******************* is the President/CEO/Managing ********* ********************* is the Qualifying Agent.The system and its brackets were poorly installed. The installation caused an immediate and ongoing roof leak. STE temporarily patched the area several times, but it was not a permanent fix and damage continued. After many patches, delays, and other system working problems, including it being down for three months, needing 2 inverter and 1 optimizer replacement, ******************* agreed with his inspection employee that the installation was shoddy. ******************* said they would honor the warranty, "not to worry" and they "would make it right" on January 12, 2022.******* plan, which we agreed to, was to uninstall the solar panel system, replace the flat roof, reinstall with new and proper mounting brackets, and then reinstall the system. He got quotes from his roof partner, Armored Roofing, which he shared with us, and started to make plans to start the work. He then later stalled, including saying he was trying to put a claim in with his insurance company. He has since reneged on the needed repairs and not maintained our system. We sent ******************* and Solar Tech Elec, LLC. a DEMAND NOTICE - NOTICE of OPPORTUNITY to REPAIR on NOVEMEBR 1, 2022. He responded negatively and refused the opportunity for further inspection, repair and ignored any possible resolutions suggested.

  Business response

  04/19/2023

  After full review of the Solar System multiple times we have had ******************** do a full investigation of the roof and the leaks are not caused by solar. I have attached a formal letter from the roofing company stating the issues the customers are having. 

• Initial Complaint

  11/01/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I purchased a solar panel package from Solar ********, this included tree trimming, insulation in the attic, solar panels and 2 AC units to replace my older non efficient units. The trees were trimmed first then the solar panels were installed, the insulation was blown in the attic and lastly the 2 AC units installed May of this year. During the recent cold spell we turned on the heat and there was no heat in one of the units. I have called, and texted **** at Solar ******** with absolutely no satisfaction from this man. He ignores the calls and texts, if by chance he answers he is out and cannot talk but will call back and never does. After some research it looks like he gave me an AC unit with no heating capabilities. I am not an AC person but reviewed some documentation on the manufacturers website and that is what I came up with according to the model numbers. We are now getting into the winter months and I need to have heat, I have an ill family member and we cannot go without heat. I am paying for this equipment and I expect to get what I was told I was going to receive. What can you do for me? Running out of time before it gets cold. I also was told I would get a 16Seer units and they gave us 14 Seer units

• Initial Complaint

  05/17/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We had a solar system installed by Solar Tech Elec in 2018. The backup battery finished being installed some time after January 2019. We noticed problems with the battery frequently having faults with charging. These faults caused power issues randomly to the circuits it was connected within the home. Power failures and random discharging events occurred. In June of 2020, we had to remove the battery from the system. It would run correctly for 5-15 minutes, then turn off. From that point, we have been told we were put on a service list, told we would have a mother board replacement, that **** had just gotten back from Mexico, that the battery was in the wrong mode, that a technician would be out to see it, that he was hiring a lawyer to receive refunds as he knew the batteries were defective and again that someone was coming out to look at it. **** has made promises to visit numerous times but never made it to the home for service. It is now May of 2022 and I do not wish to go over a statute of limitations time limit. At this point I do not actually know what, if anything, is being done to resolve this issue.

  Business response

  07/22/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 12, 2022/07/08) */ Business response taken verbally by BBB: We are currently going after the manufacturer as they are not cooperating in fixing or repairing the battery. Unfortunately this is a time consuming process to resolve the issue.

• Initial Complaint

  11/03/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I order a solar system and 15kw battery backup from Solar Tech Elec back in June 2020. I was asked to release the funds for the battery backup because it was needed in order to order the battery. This was done in good faith even though the finance company is against releasing funds until the purchase has been installed. Our solar was installed in August 2020 and was told that our battery would be installed in the next couple of months. It is now November 2021 and the battery still has not been installed. I have received numerous excuses from them as to why the battery wasn't here. At one point I was told that it was in customs and then was told a few months later that they are now installing a completely different solution that is 10 kw. I asked what about the one was originally ordered and was told that they are suing the company that was involved but who knows if that is the truth. I asked about the difference in kw capacity and was told that the new battery is better. That was a couple months ago and now I keep getting told that they will be out here in a couple weeks. I have been getting told that for a couple months now. Meanwhile I have been paying interest on my purchase for a battery that is still not installed. Another problem has been the amount that we have been paying in electricity bills. I reported the issue to them back in 2020 and was finally able to get them to install consumption clamps in order to monitor how much power is sent in April 2021. They stopped working the day after they were installed and despite me asking repeatedly they still have not sent someone to fix that issue either.

  Business response

  01/19/2022

  Solar Tech Elec purchased several batteries by a third company. We never received the goods and had to hire an attorney to receive refund. After receiving refund we placed the order for the battery. Due to COVID batteries were on back order. We have received confirmation that the battery is in stock and were scheduled to install next week.

  Customer response

  04/25/2022

  They did not install it the next week as they had mentioned. It took 4 more months for the install but the batteries are still not commissioned so the system is still not online.

  Business response

  09/13/2022

  Hi ******************************* sold you a battery from a new partner overseas which demonstrated an amazing product to us so we purchased a couple at sample pricing which we offered you and paid upfront for them. Months and months went by and we realized we were not seeing the product and had been screwed. You were given an amazing Solar system at great value and in the end we upgraded your battery to a much better product with no extra cost on your end. I am glad we got this resolved and we appreciate your time throughout the process and thanks again for your business.

  Customer response

  09/13/2022

   
  Complaint: 17863450
  
  I am rejecting this response because: it took almost 2 years from the time that I paid for the system to the time that it was installed. During that whole time I was paying interest and principal on something that I did not have which is unacceptable. Not only that as I had said to you before is that no matter what a 10kw battery system is a downgrade compared to the 15kw battery system I had originally paid for. I'm sure you can argue the technology however the features of the battery I ended up with are the same as ************** you gave me for the 15kw one I had originally ordered. Not only that one of the main reasons that I had ordered the original battery is that there was supposed to be no downtime when power is lost while with the current one there is. The whole reason for getting a system was to ensure that I had zero interruption which was a feature of the battery I was originally sold. 

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

  Business response

  09/14/2022

  Hi ****
  

  The product you ended up with was American made and is almost double the price to the consumer in the current market. This battery also charges during daylight hours also so you will never be without power where as the original overseas sample product did not come with that feature. So even though it is slightly less in storage capacity it still runs and cycles a lot better and also comes with a better trusted warranty. 
  

  Thanks Ross 

  Customer response

  09/15/2022

  
  Complaint: 17863450
  
  I am rejecting this response because: No it was not made in America. Enphase components are designed in American and produced in factories in *****, ***** and ******. I dont know why you would lie when a simple ****** search says where they manufacture parts. I also don't see it is slightly less capacity when it would need a 50% increase in order to equal the original battery purchased. As for the battery charging when the system is down that only applies to 1/3 of the panels that I have. The other 2/3 are useless the moment that the grid goes down. So it is almost useless when the time comes. Citing current market is ridiculous when I purchased a battery almost 2 years ago and I have even spoke to multiple other Solar companies and none of them have quoted the insane price that you say this costs now even with the price hike they have received this past month. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

• Initial Complaint

  11/01/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  agreed to have solar and pool heater installed at our residence on 6/11/2021 told that it would be completed before 7/15/2021 we agreed to finance it with the first payment not due until 60 days after completion. the first part of the install was not completed until august 25th which were the solar panels the pool heater still has not been installed. they took full payment from the finance company and we have already been charged 3 payments august, september and october, but the job is still not completed. we have contacted them on 28 occasions but they just ignore us.

  Business response

  09/13/2022

  Hi ***** I am a little taken back that you filed a complaint about Solar Tech Elec. You purchased a full Solar system and an Electric pool heater. The Solar system was designed, Installed, passed inspection and meter swapped within around 6 weeks time. The pool heater was to come second as it was from one of our partners. There was a delay on stock at the time like there was worldwide. You then left the state for months and left a complaint and there was no way we could get to the pool heater as we needed house access for wiring etc. As soon as we had access to the house we had the heater installed which the holdup then was on your end as you were out of state. thanks

  Customer response

  09/14/2022

   
  Complaint: 17844094
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  They took 12 months to respond to a complaint from 2021 that goes to show you just how incompetent this company is.

  they failed the county inspection 3 times. I have emails stating that they did not need access to my home since they prewired it

  i would not recommend this company even for my enemy.  I would suggest that fpl takes a good hard look at the poor work ethics

  i had to start paying on the debt **************************************************** violation of my contract
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************

  Business response

  09/14/2022

  Hi *****

  The system failed inspection 3 times? That is not true and you got a perfect Install at a great price. We needed access for the pool heater and it was not 12 months after at all that is a total lie. We never avoided you and the pool heater at all you were out of the state how could we possible energize it when the Electrical panel is inside the house. We have a great operation going on here your system and pool package was fully completed as in contract so I dont understand what your issue is because there is not one and like us trying to get access to your house to complete you are just looking for issues that dont exist

  thanks ****

• Initial Complaint

  10/25/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Company installed 60 solar panels on my home. A problem exists with the system and 30% or more of the panels are not functioning. Owner continues to promise to rectify the issue, but has not. He continues to make excuses and blame suppliers. He has promised the issues has been rectified, but the problem continues. Ross is out selling systems across our state and is delivering a faulty product with no follow through. The public needs to be protected from this company and from this man.

  Business response

  11/23/2021

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2021/11/04) */ This is a manufactures issue due to multiple lightning strikes surging the power line. This is an issue with the utility company. The voltage during surges should be protected. We have advised customer to contact utility company asap.

*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. ↩