ComplaintsforBlue Raven Solar, LLC

• Initial Complaint

  07/09/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Blue raven solar rep sold me a 5.3kw solar panel system. They installed a 3.8 kw max ****** solar system. They installed the incorrect microinverters. I have 400 watt panels, but the max ****** on the inverters they installed is only 300 *****. They are refusing to correct the issue.

  

  Business response

  07/16/2024

  As Blue Raven Solar only uses industry-leading materials for all solar projects, the customer received some of the best microinverters available for their solar system. According to the customer's signed Home Improvement Contract (HIC), the system size is determined by the size of the panels, not the microinverters. Throughout the solar industry, microinverters are typically undersized compared to the panels because this promotes the most long-term savings and effectiveness over the course of the year.
  
  Blue Raven Solar guarantees the production of each solar system. The customer signed an HIC stating their ********************** system was estimated to produce ***** kWh annually. Since the system was turned on, it has produced 103% of our estimate. As the customer is producing within our guarantees and all appropriate materials were used, Blue Raven Solar has fulfilled its contractual obligations.

  Customer response

  07/17/2024

   
  Complaint: 21963329
  
  I am rejecting this response because: selling a customer a 5.2 kw system that only produces 3.8 kw is a fraud and a scam in my opinion reguardless of your nonsense contract. I very specifically told my sales person i needed at least 5000 ***************** ****** because of the future electric load i will be putting on my house. I was promised 5.2 kw max ****** and i am obviously not going to be satisfied about being lied to by your sales rep and getting 3.8 kw max ****** instead. I will be letting everyone i know about this. 
  

• Initial Complaint

  07/02/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Date ***** 27,2022 A sales representative named *********************** came out to our home. He presented to ********************* a grand idea of solar panels and how cost effective it would be to purchase them at that time due to the government was providing a tax rebate. I was sent a contract on 4/27/22 at 9pm that was so late in the evening because I worked late that day. To get the offer they had present we had three days to read this long contract.That I did not understand over half the wording. When I asked them clearly about cost of payment, I was given this breakdown sheet! Which they stated later meant nothing! Only the contract that was signed on 5/2/22. We complained about the high bills we continued to receive. Come to find out they miss quoted I have 3100sqft they fitted me for 1500sqft home. So they retro fitted my home which still incorrect and cost me another $20,000 on 5/26/23. This still doesn't offset electric bill and now I'm being told I need ten more panels(6free ones & 4 for) that they want to charge me an additional $7000! This was discussed 4/10/24. I haven't heard anything from them since I accepted the free panels only. I emailed them on 6/22/24 and *************************** replied back on 6/24/24 to say that he put my case to the next department. Nothing else has been communicated between ************* Raven.

  

  Business response

  07/08/2024

  According to the customer's signed Home Improvement Contract (HIC), we do not guarantee a utility bill offset. However, we do guarantee the production of the solar system, as that is within our control. As shown by the customer's monitoring portal, the ********************** panels are currently exceeding our production estimates. Nonetheless, in an effort to ensure a positive customer experience, we offered to add six additional panels at no cost to the customer.

  With the customer expressing interest in further increasing their utility bill offset, we offered to install additional panels at a heavily discounted rate. Though Blue Raven Solar has fulfilled all our contractual guarantees, we have continued to strive for an amicable solution. The customer has decided to move forward with only the six additional panels, which we are currently working to get properly permitted and installed.

• Initial Complaint

  06/28/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  This company's door to door sales employees are harassing customers homes. This has happened 2 ******* so far. Our home has a no soliciting sign and continues to be solicited to. We have had to call the police to trespass one particular employee. The other times they have ignored us saying we're not interested but have ignored our requests to leave the property. Our neighborhood just yesterday has had a rep ignore and tear down "please do not ring doorbell signs" Blue Raven do better as it's ridiculous that we have to continuously call the police about your company's representatives.

  

  Business response

  07/01/2024

  We apologize for the negative experience the homeowner had with one of our private contractors. These individuals are there to help educate homeowners on the benefits of transitioning to solar energy, and if there is expressed interest, they will schedule an appointment for a more specific proposal to be given to the homeowner. Although these contractors are not selling anything, we understand the frustration that *** be caused. We always strive to provide a positive experience to all homeowners, even those who *** not be interested in pursuing solar energy. To help prevent future issues, we have notified local management of the concerns and asked them to address the issue with the representatives directly.

  Customer response

  07/01/2024

   
  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,
  
  ***********************************

• Initial Complaint

  06/05/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  In August 2022, two Blue Raven sales reps visited our home with a proposal for 14 solar panels. I had previously evaluated other potential solar installers and concluded that installing solar panels was not financially viable despite their claims. Despite this, the Blue Raven reps. assured us that their offer was much more economical. My average electric bill was $128 per month, and switching to solar would not make sense if it resulted in higher costs. The sales representatives made several assurances. first, we would receive approx. $14,000 in tax credits and an additional refund from Blue Raven, which would help amortize the loan and prevent any increase in the monthly payment. They instructed us to send the supposed refund check, along with our loan account number, to the financial institution to ensure the payment would remain fixed. Seventeen months later, our financial institution increased our monthly payment to $225, and we never received the promised refund from Blue Raven. When I contacted customer service, they denied the existence of any additional refund, contrary to what the sales reps had promised. Additionally, the representatives falsely claimed that the loan payment would remain fixed for the loan's duration. I am now paying approximately $320 per month (combining the solar loan and the electric bill), which is significantly higher than my original average bill of $140 per month. During the summer, this amount can go even higher. Our solar panels do not produce enough energy to offset the electric bill. As a result, we are forced to open windows during the day in the middle of summer to avoid using the **** system, keeping our house in the 80s and only turning on the ** at night before bed. This situation is both financially and physically uncomfortable. We are now stuck with solar panels that do not meet our energy needs, and we are facing increased financial strain due to misleading and false promises made by your sales representatives.

  

  Business response

  06/10/2024

  Prior to the customer starting the ********************** process, the customer did not provide a full electrical bill to show their total annual usage. Therefore, Blue Raven Solar created a proposal based off the square footage of the customer's home to estimate their yearly electrical consumption. The customer signed a contract for 14 panels, with an estimated annual production of ***** kWh. Blue Raven Solar does not guarantee the customer will not have an electrical bill, since this can heavily vary based on each customer's specific circumstances, rather we guarantee the production of the solar system since this is a variable we can control. This information is included within the customer's Home Improvement Contract and highlighted in the proposal as well. 
  
  Additionally, all proposals provided to the customer show what the monthly loan payment would be if they apply the tax credit to the loan or if they choose to not apply the credit to the loan after month 18. Notably, Blue Raven Solar cannot apply on behalf of a customer for the tax credit. The contract also includes a full page dedicated to clarifying the tax credit, and in the recorded welcome call, which all customers are required to participate in, explains that if the tax credit is applied to the loan within 18 months, the payments remain unchanged; otherwise, they are recalculated. 
  
  To provide additional context, this customer's estimated tax credit was $13,895, which they stated they already applied for, and used in 2022, but choose to not put the amount towards the loan payments. Consequently, the customer's loan payments increased since they did not apply any of the $13,895 to the solar loan. 
  
  Lastly, the customer contacted Support on 6/5/2024 about a check they were expecting that was around $14,000. It was clarified that no $14,000 rebate was mentioned in the contract, rather this amount they were looking for was the tax credit that they had already claimed in 2022. As Blue Raven Solar has fulfilled all contractual obligations we will not be able to proceed with complying to the customer's desired settlement.

• Initial Complaint

  06/04/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I've been getting phone calls from this company several times per week. I filed a complaint with BBB a while ago about this issue and the phone calls stopped. Now they have resumed. For the love of god stop calling me.

  

  Business response

  06/10/2024

  After reviewing this customer's information, we found that the outreach was not coming internally from Blue Raven Solar, the calls are likely coming from a third-party. This homeowner was added to ours, and any of our partners', Do Not Contact lists. If the homeowner experiences any further contact from us, we ask that they reach out to us directly at ************.

• Initial Complaint

  06/03/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We were blatantly lied to about how much money we would get back in credits from our ******************* They told us we would get a 1 to 1 ratio. After months of energy bills and speaking with someone from our electric company, they had gotten rid of the 1 to 1 ratio back in 2019. We were also sold 10 panels which is not enough to cover our electric bill, even though we were told that this would completely eliminate our electric bill. We now have 2 bills to pay.

  

  Business response

  06/10/2024

  Blue Raven Solar does not guarantee the rates that a customer will receive from their electric company, as that is outside of our control. Additionally, the customer signed off on a system of 10 panels, which was estimated to produce ***** kWh on an annual basis and offset their electrical usage by roughly 42%. This information is reflected in their proposal and their signed Home Improvement Contract. The customer's system has been reviewed, and since it was initially energized, it has produced 106% of our production estimations. If the customer has any further concerns or would like any additional paperwork, we recommend they contact our Customer Support team directly by calling ************ or emailing us at ***********************************

  Customer response

  06/12/2024

   
  Complaint: 21795876
  
  I am rejecting this response because:  This was not what the salesperson told us.  If you do not guarantee the rates, you need to train your salesperson to not say that they will.  Also, we spoke to the salesperson multiple times saying we only would do this if we wouldn't have an electric bill and only be paying for the panels.  This hasn't been the case at all.   At this point, we are looking into having a BETTER company take over the panels from you and get us what we ACTUALLY need.   Whenever anyone asks us about our panels we tell them to avoid Blue Raven at all costs (including an entire condo association that is looking to have panels placed on 15 buildings that our parents are on the board of.)  Congratulations on missing out on hundreds of thousands of dollars over having sales staff that lies.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************

• Initial Complaint

  06/03/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We signed a contract August 2023. There were errors on contract (wrong electrical company, moving electrical box) Had me resign several times as these errors kept being on the rewritten contract. The electrical meter was tagged a ditch from house to garage dug this ditch is several feet down and a foot wide. It was dug in November of 23, yet nothing has been done. more contracts signed yet nothing has been done. Ditch is still open (right by our sidewalk) dogs have fell into it while playing. Now a grandchild has fallen into it. We just want it closed and cant get a response

  

  Business response

  06/10/2024

  This customer's project has been delayed due to the need for their electrical system and main panel to be upgraded. Additionally, the customer's financing was declined, which has resulted in further delays as we work with them to secure funding for the project and necessary upgrades. Although we are still working through these delays, once we were notified of the customer's concern, we contacted the trenching contractor and got the trench backfilled to prevent any further issues.

• Initial Complaint

  05/21/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Door to door solicitors ignored no soliciting signs; when I asked them if they saw the no soliciting signs they said yes then continued to get me to buy solar panels. Further training is needed for door to door salespeople to not violate local no solicitation ordinances.

  

  Business response

  05/22/2024

  To help homeowners learn about the benefits of renewable energy, our appointment setters go door-to-door with information on these benefits. These setters are not there to sell anything, nor do they have the means to sell anything. However, they provide information and, if more specific details are wanted, they will set an appointment with a solar consultant for a later date and time. Nonetheless, Blue Raven Solar instructs all representatives, though they are private contractors, to be respectful of homeowners and to comply with any requests and signage. We have brought this to the attention of sales management to address with the local representatives.

• Initial Complaint

  05/08/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  On May 8th, 2024, a man came to our door saying he was a representative of Blue Raven Solar. He did not give his name, but continued to tell my wife that the government was subsidizing 100% of solar installations and said that we would pay nothing. This is a flat out lie! The government gives TAX DEDUCTIONS of up to 30%. He then proceeded to give outlandish estimates of how much we would pay per month on our energy bills. One of my outdoor cameras recorded the entire interaction.

  

  Business response

  05/09/2024

  As the Federal Solar Tax Credit is available to all homeowners who go solar, the government is making solar more affordable for homeowners. However, we recognize that the credit is limited at 30% of a customer's total system cost. In addition, Blue Raven Solar offers an exclusive financial plan that requires no money out of pocket for the first **************************************************** misrepresented by our appointment setter. Blue Raven Solar does not endorse providing false information, especially as the benefits of renewable energy speak for themselves. We would invite the homeowner to send any footage they have directly to us at ********************************** so we can address this matter with the representative directly. -******************

  Customer response

  05/10/2024

   
  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,
  
  ***********************

• Initial Complaint

  04/30/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  In July of 2019 I purchased a solar system for my home for $40,000.00. At the time of purchase, one of the questions I asked was in regards to what happens when I need my roof replaced? The **** ****** *****, stated they would come out and remove the solar panels and put them back after the roof was completed. He stated this was a free service. In 2021 when we started the paperwork to reroof I called the company to let them know and to confirm for the roofing company that Blue Raven would take care of the solar panels. They said yes, just need at least a two week notice and there is no fee for this service. Now in 2023 we are finally wrapping things up and when I called Blue Raven stated there is an ******** fee for this service. Since the roofing company is charging us an extra $8000.00 for this service I am having them do it but I am really upset at this extra cost when initially I was told it was included in the purchase.I have since gone back and read all the fine print on the installation agreement and find that it does state that it is the customers responsibility. Honestly had I realized this I would have waited on the solar panel installation and not trusted the word of the rep. and the company. The least Blue Raven can do is reimburse the $8000 I am having to pay. Thank you.

  

  Business response

  05/03/2024

  Blue Raven Solar does not guarantee anything outside of the written agreement, and as the customer stated, according to the agreement, the customer is liable for the cost of removing and reinstalling a solar project. We have reviewed the project, and there was no documentation from ******************************************** However, there was a call from April of 2022 where it was never communicated to the customer that this service would be free. To ensure the customer's warranties remain intact, we advise customers to either work through ********************** for this service or obtain a third-party release form from Blue Raven Solar. It is unclear if the customer has already proceeded with the removal of their solar system; however, they have not received a third-party release form. To assist the customer in moving forward with their reroofing, Blue Raven Solar has reached out to them but had to leave a voicemail and is awaiting the customer's call back. We are willing to work with the customer to obtain a third-party release form or negotiate pricing to ensure the customer's warranties are upheld. However, we will not be reimbursing them for this service as it is not included in the cost of their solar project.

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