ComplaintsforSummit Solar

• Initial Complaint

  05/07/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Had a solar system installed by summit before they exited the market. I had a panel that was producing significantly less power than the rest of the panels. I contacted summit to warranty it. They told me my issue was a bad inverter so they got enphase to send me a replacement and told me to work with their subcontractor since they exited the market. I paid the subcontractor $450 to swap out the inverter. This did nothing to fix the problem. They then tell me the panel is the problem so I now have to pay an additional $450 to replace that. I shouldnt have to pay double because of their incompetence. They should own up to the fact that they misdiagnosed the problem and refund my original $450

  Business response

  05/30/2024

  This problem was not misdiagnosed. Switching out the inverter is the first required step in order to have the panel replaced. Summit was simply following the process required for the manufacturers warranty. 

• Initial Complaint

  06/07/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Summit solar handled the install of my solar system (and YES--it was bad, communication was bad, and these facts have only ADDED to the frustration NOW)The end of 3G cell networks has brought about the need for an update to the inverter to maintain reporting for SHINES credit in ********.This was brought up PRIOR to 11/22 and I opted for the wireless gateway solution offered as this would allow lifetime reporting. They cost was charged upfront PRIOR to the work, and then May 4 I received a call that this would be performed on 5/10, but I am unsure if the incorrect part was brought (they brought another cell card modem--not wireless gateway I opted for) and now the system is no longer reporting since 5/10. A month already and no response has been received from Summit Solar, except on 6/6 that they want me home for a 6/8 install, which I have let them know is impossible as it is not enough notice to get the time off work. They are no longer responding and I simply want the correct equipment installed, to correct this situation as I will end up repaying the SHINE credit of $8000 that was provided after the install. Clearly SHINES has stated that credits will need to be returned if your not maintaining reporting for 10 years. I am now 6 months of no reporting as after the install the electric company would not allow the system to be turned on due to net metering agreements (handled by Summit Solar) so those 5 months were no reporting as well as this last month....and we are starting ANOTHER month.All that it takes is decent communication, but Summit Solar will message you 5 times in a day and then disappear for 2 years..they ignore your response and then tell you its your fault.

  Business response

  06/13/2023

  The system was not showing monitoring in the app because of the 3g cell card replacement. This was a national issue with 3g cell towers switching to 5g. The system was still producing and customers shine credit will not be required to be paid back. This was simply an issue of being able to track production on the app. When technicians visited, it was determined that the inverter required a unique upgrade because of the particular model. Crews are scheduled to upgrade the inverter on 6/14 to ensure all production can be seen from the app. 

  Customer response

  06/13/2023

   
  Complaint: 20156020
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  1 when asked in November what option I would prefer I choose the permanent connection to home Wi-Fi gateway

   2 part has not been installed yet, and they are installing a 4g cell card which will require a future upgrade again at a cost

   3 I paid in advance in Novembers

  4 the shiner credit in fact does have to be returned if you do not maintain reporting for 10 years. Production on the system is not at issue, reporting is. And I had 3-4 months at the start where this was supposed to be reporting but could not be turned in due to unfinished installation.  Now, with this incident I am another month + of not reporting.

  5 I paid $350 upfront, lost a month of reporting, and am not even receiving what I opted for.

  6 I literally provided solution which would have had me reporting data with a hard wired connection, which per the solaredge manual is a viable option.

  7 the company refuses to communicate, and I would be more than happy to prove that they ignore customers. I have endless emails/text messages that have gone unanswered.
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************************

  Business response

  07/04/2023

  Summit has a scheduled date with customer to get hardwired setup of monitoring. Customers SREC will not be affected by the issue as the system is still producing and we can backtrack all production to make sure nothing is missing for monitoring purposes. 

  Customer response

  07/05/2023

   
  Complaint: 20156020
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  I honestly have no faith since this has been ongoing now for 2 months without reporting.

   From the initial ask about this (prior to November 2022) my initial response for this documented, but the company didnt seem to even accept this until 11/21, charged for parts up front, provided wrong parts, and still cant get this working.

   

  poor, quality company, communication, and generally full of lies. *** been told numerous times I would be discounted the charges, but this is something that never happens. This company once they collect your money will string you along.

   

  I will do my best to keep this complaint open until this issue is fixed and I am again reporting per the agreement SUMMIT set up for ** with ******** shines.

   

   And yes I spoke with shines it is in fact in jeopardy of having to be repaid without reporting.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************************

• Initial Complaint

  12/03/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We signed up with Summit Solar to have solar panels installed on our roof on May 5, 2022. We were told that the entire process would take ***** days. Summit Solar uses Titan Solar to install the system. Titan Solar used a subcontractor to install the system. As of today, we are at 212 days and still don't have working solar panels. There have been delays after delays. At the final inspection by the city we were told that a change had to be made by the installer. That was over a month ago and the correction still hasn't been made. When I call I keep being told that they are working on it. This was supposed to be a 2-3 month process and we are over 7 months at this point.

  Business response

  12/06/2022

  It was never our intention to involve a subcontractor, but due to current labor market issues and constant crews coming down with Covid a contractor was needed to complete the installation. We have scheduled a time with the homeowner for one of our internal crews to visit the site on December 6 to complete the additional items needed to turn the system on. We are genuinely sorry this happened and hope that we can regain your trust in the future. 

• Initial Complaint

  07/29/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  In February we signed a contract with Summit Solar to get our solar panels put in. After a long wait they finally came out at the beginning of July. They didnt finish the job and left a big hole and machinery in our yard. Finally after three weeks, someone came and picked the machinery up; however, *** stopped returning texts about when they will actually come and finish the job. Now we are left with a bunch of metal on our roof and no solar panels.

  Business response

  08/04/2022

  Unfortunately, a particular trencher needed to be rented for this install. Summit attempted to have trenching company come out to pick up the trencher multiple times, but the trenching company was very unresponsive. As a company, we are deeply sorry for this delay. In regards to the delayed installation, the job itself requires additional crew members for panel placement because of the scope of work and safety reasons needed for this particular home. The job would have been finished sooner, but we had a covid outbreak among several crew members and have had to delay the final panel placement. Panels are currently scheduled to be installed August 13. 

   

  Customer response

  08/04/2022

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *******************

*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. ↩