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SOCO Solar Power

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8.2

Overall Score

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LAST UPDATED: March 16th, 2024

SOCO Solar and Power provides alternative energy solutions to clients looking to reduce monthly utility bills while using clean energy sources. Each step of the solar project is handled in-house by a SOCO Solar and Power energy professional. There is no aspect of the SOCO Solar and Power service that is ever outsourced to another provider within the industry.

The SOCO Solar and Power operation was officially launched in 2021 and backed by a strong Generac brand. The company was started by solar professionals, Charly Minkler and Will Nowell, who have each had respectable careers within the solar and energy industry. In its first year alone, the SOCO Solar and Power team installed over 100 new solar systems and generators. Additionally, the SOCO Solar and Power team was also able to service over 200 current Generac customers looking to maximize their generator and/or solar investment. 

A majority of all SOCO Solar and Power work results from word-of-mouth referrals. To date, over 99 percent of all SOCO Solar and Power customers would recommend the service and products offered by the company. This has resulted in a number of clients reaching out to SOCO Solar and Power directly to help take on their desired solar or generator project. Free quotes and consultations are available to all interested clients. 

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The Good

  • Certified Generac Sales, Installation, and Service Dealer
  • No Outsourcing
  • Generator Solutions Available
  • Variety of Project Types

Certified Generac Sales, Installation, and Service Dealer

In an effort to provide quality, tier-1 solar equipment to its clients, SOCO Solar and Power has teamed up with Generac to offer solar systems and battery storage solutions. The specific system installed is the Generac PWRcell system, compatible with the powerful PWRcell battery. This system is considered by some to be the most flexible and scalable home energy system on the market as it can function in nearly any climate and provides continuous backup power.

No Outsourcing

Another major benefit to the service SOCO Solar and Power provides is the fact that the company will handle each step of the process in-house from start to finish. That means the sales, design, installation, and continued service is all done by SOCO Solar. Competitors will outsource pieces of this process, but SOCO Solar and Power takes all of it on. 

Generator Solutions Available

As a Generac dealer, SOCO Solar and Power also offers home backup generators to clients. While many solar providers will offer battery or storage solutions to solar clients, not many companies offer generator solutions for clients who do not have the luxury of having solar as an option. SOCO Solar and Power provides solutions to these types of clients as well; providing backup energy and increased energy independence is a main goal of the company. The generator solutions offered through SOCO Solar and Power allow for uninterrupted energy even during utility power outages or inclement weather. Generac generators are permanent solutions that provide an automatic service. 

Variety of Project Types

The solar market seems to lean towards catering to the residential homeowner. While some companies will offer limited commercial options, the residential product appears to be what most of the market goes after. That being said, there are other clients and projects that would benefit from renewable energy. SOCO Solar and Power understands this which is why the company services the following types of clients:

  • Residential clients
  • Small and large scale commercial projects
  • Rural (farming and ranch properties)

Not many solar companies will take on rural clients, nor do they generally have the skill or knowledge it takes to successfully complete these types of projects. SOCO Solar and Power does. 

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The Bad

  • Limited Service Area
  • Undisclosed Financing Information
  • Limited Warranties

Limited Service Area

Most solar installation providers provide a relatively localized service. SOCO Solar and Power is no exception. However, SOCO Solar is a dealer for Generac products. Solar dealers are typically restricted to a particular service area as service areas are dictated and distributed by the manufacturer. Solar installation companies not tied up in a dealership relationship have the opportunity to expand on their own terms.

SOCO Solar and Power does not have this same leeway. As a result, SOCO Solar and Power is only able to service clients in the Southern Colorado region. Outside of this area, SOCO Solar will have to pass on the project limiting who the company can reach. 

Undisclosed Financing Information

While solar savings throughout the duration of the system’s lifespan speak for themselves, the upfront costs associated with installing a solar system cannot be ignored. The average residential solar system costs anywhere from $15,000 to $25,000 to have installed. Federal, and in some cases state, tax incentives can reduce these costs, but it will still most likely cost thousands of dollars for a property owner to purchase a system outright and upfront.

While this is the most fiscally responsible way to handle solar as it boasts the largest return on investment, it is simply not feasible for everyone looking to enjoy the benefits of solar energy. As a result, most solar companies will offer alternative financing options like loans, leases, and power purchase agreements.

For researching clients, the availability of financing options can be a determining factor. While SOCO Solar and Power claims to offer financing that will include lower payments than current monthly electric bills, the company has failed to disclose exactly what those options are. Most solar installation companies make this information public as it is important information for prospective clients. 

Limited Warranties

Warranties have grown to be somewhat standard within the solar industry. Since it can cost thousands of dollars to have a custom solar system installed, it makes sense that clients would want that investment protected for a reasonable period of time. Typically, solar companies will offer some type of warranty for equipment, production, and workmanship.

The manufacturer typically covers the equipment and/or production warranty. In the case of SOCO Solar and Power clients, Generac does cover an equipment warranty, but it only lasts 10 years. Most manufacturers offer equipment warranties for upwards of 25 years. The workmanship warranty is then generally covered by the actual installation provider. SOCO Solar and Power has not disclosed any workmanship warranty details so it is unclear whether or not this feature is available to clients. 

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The Bottom Line

SOCO Solar and Power provides a complete start-to-finish solar product for a wide range of clients looking to use renewable energy to power a property. SOCO Solar has partnered with Generac and has been named a certified sales, installation, and service dealer supplying clients with the latest Generac has to offer.

In addition to providing traditional solar alternatives, SOCO Solar can also install Generac generators for customers looking for a backup power source or increased energy independence. Based on where SOCO Solar provides its services, it's no surprise that the company offers solar solutions to residential, commercial, and even rural clients. 

There is no perfect solar operation and SOCO Solar and Power is no exception. Prospective clients looking into SOCO Solar for installation services should be aware of current limitations to the company’s operation. SOCO Solar only services the southern Colorado region. Outside of this service area, SOCO Solar cannot take on the project. It’s also concerning that despite claiming to offer alternative financing, there is no information regarding what specific options are available to clients. Lastly, the warranties offered to SOCO Solar and Power clients are limited compared to the rest of the industry.

Interested solar clients in southern Colorado looking for a quality solar system and battery combination will likely benefit from what SOCO Solar and Power has to offer. Solar customers interested in protecting their investment and utilizing special financing, however, may want to look elsewhere. 

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4.2

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53 Reviews

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Pedro Montrose, CO

I am still getting a bill and we are almost on the longest day of the year. Was not promised what you said when we got solar installed. It took about 4 months from start to finish before we got service. Not sure if the solar system is functioning to its fullest. Was told that in the summer I should not be getting a bill from. my provider and I have been getting one since the service was installed.

10 months ago

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Reply from SOCO Solar Power

We are sorry to hear about your experience, and we appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback regarding your solar installation with SOCO Solar. We apologize for any misunderstandings or unmet expectations.

We understand your frustration regarding still receiving a bill, especially considering we are approaching the longest day of the year. Our goal is to provide our customers with a solar system that significantly reduces or eliminates their electricity bills. We apologize if this has not been the case for you.

The timeline you mentioned, with a four-month duration from start to finish, is longer than what we aim for, and we apologize for any inconvenience caused by the delay. We understand that timely completion is important, and we are actively working to improve our processes to ensure a more efficient installation experience for our customers.

Regarding the functionality of your solar system, we apologize if you have concerns about its performance. It is crucial for us to ensure that your system is operating optimally. We recommend reaching out to our support team directly so that we can investigate and address any potential issues promptly.

Once again, we apologize for any inconvenience and frustration caused. Your feedback is valuable to us, and we appreciate the opportunity to learn and improve. We remain committed to addressing your concerns and working towards a resolution. Please contact us directly so that we can assist you further.

Jun. 16th, 2023

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Justin Thompson Brighton, CO

The SOCO Solar salesman “Expert” from Grand Junction walked through our 2 week old grass that I spent countless hours and thousands of dollars to plant. I can tell in the video from my security cameras he knew what he did however he didn’t care and continued on about his business being lazy. I do plan to put solar on my new home very soon. However I would be skeptical to use them and afraid they will continue to be careless and probably end up installing the “Solar Wrong” and burning my house down from being lazy and incompetent. Be very careful using them if you do! They care about nothing and it’s pretty obvious!

10 months ago

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Reply from SOCO Solar Power

Dear Justin,

We sincerely apologize for the negative experience you had with our SOCO Solar salesman. We take such incidents seriously and are committed to addressing your concerns.Rest assured, we have addressed this issue with the individual involved, and additional training will be provided to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

At SOCO Solar, we strive to deliver exceptional service to all our clients, and we deeply regret that your experience did not meet our usual standards. We take great pride in our work and the satisfaction of our clients over the past few years. This year, we have successfully served numerous customers, receiving an abundance of positive reviews. Our local team has excelled in providing exceptional service. What sets us apart is our commitment to being there for our clients not only during the installation process but also for ongoing support. We distinguish ourselves from others who may only show up for the initial installation and then disappear.

We appreciate your feedback, as it allows us to improve our services and prevent such incidents from happening again. If you decide to move forward with us for your future solar installation, we are committed to ensuring a smooth and trouble-free process. We truly have the best team in place in Southern CO and the Western Slope of Colorado.

Once again, we apologize for any inconvenience caused, and we appreciate your understanding.

Best regards,
Joshua Scott Smith & Team SOCO Solar

Dec. 18th, 2023

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Dan Paonia, CO

I would definitely use another company. They don't tell the truth on the gov't programs, take 3 times longer to install then they say, blame it on inspectors who failed the installation 3 times and then they promised to pay 3 months of my electric bill because it took so long to install and I never saw a penny of it. Also the $8,000 I was to get back in rebates I never got because I am retired and didn't make enough to pay taxes.

9 months ago

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Reply from SOCO Solar Power

Dear Dan,

We sincerely apologize for the negative experience you had with our company. We're sorry for any misunderstanding regarding government programs and the installation timeline. We understand your frustration and we take full responsibility for any delays that occurred. The issues with the inspectors were unfortunate and caused further inconvenience.

We value your feedback and will use it to improve our processes and ensure better communication with our customers.

Regarding the rebates, we apologize for any confusion or disappointment caused. It's important to note that rebate eligibility is often based on specific criteria, including income thresholds. We apologize for any inconvenience or misunderstanding this may have caused.

We genuinely appreciate your feedback and take it seriously. We're committed to rectifying these issues and ensuring a better experience for our customers in the future. If there's anything else we can do to address your concerns, please let us know.

Best regards,
Team Soco Solar

Jun. 2nd, 2023

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Shannon Taft Austin, CO

Well there slow been dealing witb this for months now still not working

1 year ago