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Robco Electric

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7.8

Overall Score

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LAST UPDATED: March 8th, 2024

Robco Electric was established in 1997 as a C-2 electrical contractor, not just a solar company. After two decades of steady growth, Robco Electric is still a family-run company that has built a strong reputation in Las Vegas for on-time, on-budget projects. The company operates by the following values in business: bidding projects fairly, being transparent about timelines and budgets, and getting work done quickly and accurately. 

Robco Electric is there for each step of the installation process: design, installation, troubleshooting, and maintenance. 

Fully-licensed in Nevada, the company has completed over 1,000 solar installs in Las Vegas. In addition to residential solar projects, Robco Electric is equipped to do commercial electrical projects as well. 

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The Good

  • Local Expertise
  • High-Quality Equipment
  • Time in Business
  • Top 500 Solar Contractor
  • Online Monitoring
  • Low Voltage Needs
  • Educational Materials

Local Expertise

Robco Electric understands the specific challenges and opportunities facing the residential solar market in Las Vegas and is uniquely qualified to help homeowners take full advantage of all state rebates and federal tax credits.

Robco Electric is a family-run company that has been operating in the Las Vegas area for more than 20 years, and has since built a solid reputation of excellent service — backed up by an overwhelming majority of positive customer reviews. Robco Electric reviews include evidence of prompt customer service, accountability, and professionalism. 

High-Quality Equipment

Robco Electric offers solar customers some of the best solar panel and solar inverter products on the market. 

Robco Electric is an Enphase premium installer and in addition to inverters manufactured by SolarEdge and Enphase (two of the industry's leaders in micro and string inverter technology), the company also installs panels from LG and Panasonic. 

LG and Panasonic are widely regarded as some of the most energy-efficient and durable solar panels available today. Both come with a 25-year equipment warranty and rank in the top 10 for panel efficiency at 22 percent and 20.3 percent respectively.

Time In Business

Robco Electric has been in operation since 1997 and entered the solar industry in 2009. The company is led by management personnel who have more than 50 years of experience in the field and the expertise to help customers make the right solar decisions for themselves and their families. The company has a strong history and is poised to continue growing.

Top 500 Solar Contractor

Robco Electric has also been named a "Top 500 Solar Contractor" by Solar Power World Magazine every year from 2012 to 2020! This designation is awarded to applying companies for their outstanding work in solar installation. Categorized as a residential rooftop installer, Robco Electric has installed more than 12,000 kilowatts of clean, renewable solar energy since its founding, an impressive feat. 

This volume of installations implies that Robco Electric employs competent electricians and installers who can get the job done quickly and efficiently.

Online Monitoring

Robco Electric offers online monitoring through the Enphase MyEnlighten application. It is available with both Production and Consumption monitoring at no charge for the life of the system. 

Online monitoring is an essential component of any modern solar PV system, as it allows homeowners to keep track of their energy output and consumption, as well as track the performance and savings of their systems. 

Enphase MyEnlighten can also notify customers if one of the system components is under-performing.

Low Voltage Needs

In addition to a solar system, Robco Electric can install the following electric systems: 

  • Fire alarm systems
  • Camera systems
  • Access control
  • Intrusion alarms
  • Intercom and clock systems
  • Voice and data systems
  • Interactive projector installations

Educational Materials

Robco Electric recognizes that many people who are considering solar energy have never ventured into this source of power before. Because of this, the company wants to make sure individuals learn everything they can and have a good understanding of what having solar power means in the short- and long-term. As a result, the company provides adequate educational materials about solar energy and the on its website.

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The Bad

  • No Financing Details on Website 
  • Limited Customer Service Hours

No Financing Details on Website

While the company assures prospective customers it has several attractive financing options, there are no loan or lender details available on the customer website so you’ll need to contact the company directly to access terms, rates, and other details. 

Customers should also be aware that Robco Electric does not appear to offer an option to lease a solar system. While leasing is arguably inferior to buying outright or financing because someone else owns the system, leasing is nonetheless the route some homeowners choose to go with solar. They’ll need to look elsewhere. 

Limited Customer Service Hours

Robco Electric's customer service hours are limited to 7:30 to 4:00, Monday through Friday. Further, the company does not provide live chat assistance on its website.

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The Bottom Line

Robco Electric is a well-established company with experience in both electrical contracting and solar. The company provides online monitoring and helpful educational materials on its website, but its service area is limited to Southern Nevada. That said, the company has installed an astounding amount of solar energy within that limited area, and its solar panel installations are equipped with some of the finest solar panels and inverters money can buy. 

If you live in Las Vegas or a surrounding area and are interested in solar ownership, a local solar expert like Robco Electric is definitely worth considering.

Read Robco Electric reviews below to hear what it’s like to work with the company. In addition to reading client testimonials and reviews, you can view client projects via the project portfolio to see what the products look like and get insight into the installation process. 

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Robco Electric Frequently Asked Questions

What does solar cost?

Solar cost varies on the needs of the customer. Every solar system is custom designed based on the owner’s electrical usage and available roof space. Robco has sold systems from $10,000 to $130,000. On average, solar will cost somewhere between $20,000 to $30,000 in Southern Nevada. The best way to know for sure is to have Robco provide you with a no-hassle quote.

How long does the project take?

A typical project can take between 8 to 12 weeks from start to completion of the project. Once you sign a contract, Robco will assist the homeowner with submitting and receiving HOA approval.  While the company is waiting for the HOA approval, Robco Electric will complete the blueprints, pull a building permit, and submit the required interconnection paperwork with the electrical utility. After the company receives HOA approval, it will complete the solar installation. The solar installation itself typically takes 1 to 3 days to complete on a home in Southern Nevada. Robco has some of the highest installation standards in the industry, such as including pigeon guard, running conduit through the attic, and painting any exposed conduit to match the home’s exterior. Once the solar system is installed and inspected by the building department, it can take the utility up to 20 business days to come on site and install the new net meter.  Once the new net meter is installed, the solar system can be turned on and you will start saving money instantly from your solar system.

Does Robco monitor systems?

Every system Robco installs comes with data monitoring so you can see how your solar system is operating. Enphase microinverter systems have a robust monitoring platform that allows the homeowner to monitor the system and receive alerts if there are any issues or concerns. Robco Electric does not actively monitor your system for you, but you can reach out to Robco for a second set of eyes if you see anything on your monitoring that does not make sense. Many string inverter systems also have monitoring available for homeowners.

Does Robco perform service on other installed systems?

Yes, Robco can service all types of solar systems. Robco is a top-rated solar installer, and the company has technicians who have experience with all types of solar systems. In some cases, parts of your system may still be under warranty, and Robco will follow up with the manufacturer to try to recover any available labor reimbursement funds to keep repair costs to a minimum. 

How does the power company pay me for power?

The utility company will not pay you for power. It will credit your electric account for any power your solar system sends back to the utility grid. Depending on the utility, the credit will carry over each month until used. When you are using electricity when the solar system is not generating power (like at night), you will be using those credits you have previously accumulated. If your solar system is sized to match your historical consumption, then your utility credits should be nearly depleted at the end of each summer or early fall. If you move these utility credits are lost. When the new homeowner moves in, they will start from zero. 

If I move, can I take my system with me?

Although it is possible to move your solar system to your new home, it is not the most cost effective or feasible option. Often, removing a system, transporting it to another location, then reinstalling will require nearly twice as much labor and risk damaging used equipment that may be difficult to replace. Often the better option is to simply leave the system where it was installed and get a new system with current technology on your new home. Home appraisers and realtors have become much more knowledgeable about the value a solar system can add to your home. In many cases, the extra valuation of your current home can help pay for solar on your new home.

What is the warranty?

LG modules (solar panels) carry a 25-year parts, labor, and performance warranty. Enphase micro inverters carry a 25-year parts warranty. Robco provides a workmanship warranty of 10 years, covering you against any labor costs and/or roof leaks caused by the solar system. 

Will my utility bill be $0?

After going solar, you will still have a small fee to pay to the utility. With NV Energy, the basic service fee is between $12 to $15 plus taxes. If you have generated enough credits over the cooler months in the fall, winter, and spring, you should be able to get through the summer months without paying above and beyond this base amount.  

Are microinverters reliable in the heat?

Yes! The idea that microinverters fail in high heat is an old myth the has been debunked repeatedly. Robco installed several thousands of microinverters in 2017, 2018, and 2019 — the three hottest years ever recorded in Las Vegas. In the last seven years,the company has installed over 50,000 microinverters. They are deployed all over Las Vegas, Henderson, Pahrump, and Mesquite. The older systems have been through multiple punishing summers. If these were going to fail in high heat, you would see that mentioned in reviews. It is not mentioned because they do not fail because of high heat. The internal operating temperature on Enphase microinverters is 185 degrees. Your roof does get hot, but it is not 185 degrees up there. Extreme heat poses no issues for microinverters.  

Do I need to install batteries?

You do not need batteries. Batteries are not included with solar systems by default because they are still quite expensive when compared to what they offer. Most solar systems in Las Vegas and surrounding areas are connected to the power grid, or grid tied. The power company’s grid acts like a virtual battery “storing” excess power production as credits on your power bill because of net metering. Those credits then pay for the power you need at night. Unlike adding a physical battery which can cost anywhere from $13,000 to $50,000, you will not pay any additional cost for this “virtual battery.” You should understand that when the power goes out, a standard grid-tied solar system will shut off too. This is required by electrical code to assure the safety of electrical workers while they restore power. Unexpected power coming from your house would be a hazard for these workers if the grid is down. As soon as the grid is back on, the system will activate on its own and start making power again. Here in Las Vegas, we have a very stable power grid and rarely see outages of more than a few minutes. For these reasons, adding a battery does not make sense for most homeowners.

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4.5

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329 Reviews

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Anthony Cembrzynski

I called your company many times regarding information about the application about how solar panels work on the phone Someone answered and said that the person who deals with it is at home and call me back I have no answered no one has called me I'm very disappointed with to way to treating my Before signing the contract there were no problem calling me That's not how you should treat customers

3 years ago

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Reply from Robco Electric

Anthony, I am sorry to hear your experience was less than what you expected. Unfortunately, with the obstacles during Covid your request must have accidently been miscommunicated in the mix of employees working remotely. This is not our standard and with employees back in the office we will make sure this does not happen again. If there were any questions that you still had we would be happy to assist in providing the information you were looking for. Thank you for your time and energy!

Mar. 16th, 2021

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Richey

They do great work. But they did. Or treat me very well as a 3x repeat customer when I wanted a fourth project done. In short they said it didn't make financial sense for them and to go elsewhere as they were sure somebody could give me a better quote. It was quite shocking and unexpected when they said that. I can no longer recommend them due to this and will not be using them going forward.

3 years ago

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Reply from Robco Electric

Thank you for the honest review, Richey! We always want to be transparent about the finances with our costumers, hopefully we can work together again in the future!

Mar. 16th, 2021

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M. Rauenzahn Henderson, NV

Failed to meet expectations set by them prior to install

2 years ago