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Stellar Solar

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6.6

Overall Score

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LAST UPDATED: June 9th, 2023

San Diego-based Stellar Solar was founded in 1998. With almost two decades of roof- and ground-mount residential and commercial installation experience, the company holds a longstanding reputation in the solar industry. 

Highlights for this company include solar energy storage, maintenance services, and EV charging station installation. 

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The Good

  • Solar Battery Storage 
  • Maintenance Services  
  • EV Charging Stations
  • Warranties

Solar Battery Storage

Stellar Solar offers options for energy storage via the Tesla Powerall and the SolarEdge Energy Hub with LG ES batteries and microgrids. 

Where net metering policies have recently changed, Stellar Solar offers a solar battery combination that it claims will enable customers to offset their electric bill while providing home backup during outages. More details are needed, but this sounds like a promising option for customers. 

Maintenance Services

In addition to solar system installation, the company also offers diagnostic and maintenance services for solar regardless of your installer, including the following:

  • Monitoring
  • Troubleshooting
  • Panel inspection
  • Inverter servicing
  • Solar system repair 

EV Charging Stations

Stellar Solar has an electric vehicle-specific team dedicated to installing, servicing, upgrading, and connecting residential and commercial EV charging systems. Not all solar companies offer EV charging installs, so this is a great benefit for homeowners looking to bundle a home solar installation and EV charging station installation. 

Warranties

Stellar Solar offers a 25-year warranty that covers both power and product and a 10-year workmanship warranty.

SunPower panels are highly efficient compared to other brands. However, if something does go wrong and the panels malfunction, they will be taken care of according to SunPower’s manufacturer warranty terms. 

SunPower solar panels also have a 95 percent power guarantee for the first five years. Panels should only see a rate of 0.4 percent decrease in power each year afterward, so panels should still have an 87 percent power output by the end of the 25-year warranty. 

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The Bad

  • Limited Service Area

Limited Service Area

While Stellar Solar is a long-established company, its reach is limited to Southern California. 

That being said, there are benefits to being a local-only company vs. a national one, such as local utility and market expertise. Some specific service areas in addition to San Diego include the following:

  • Vista
  • Oceanside
  • Carlsbad
  • Fallbrook
  • Solana Beach
  • Rancho Santa Fe
  • Poway
  • Escondido
  • Ramona
  • Encinitas
  • Chula Vista 
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The Bottom Line

Stellar Solar stands behind its panels for longevity and performance. You really can’t go wrong with its equipment partnerships. 

We are also impressed with Stellar Solar’s commitment to do right by customers. The company website says that its team of solar energy consultants uses an education-focused, no-pressure approach and that when mistakes are made, the company will acknowledge them and do its best to correct them.

While more customer reviews are needed to definitively corroborate these claims, it seems that Stellar Solar customers are in good hands. 

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Star Rating

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4.6

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13 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

77%

4 grade

15%

3 grade

0%

2 grade

8%

1 grade

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Shelley Krusic Jamul, CA

Stellar Solar was recommended to us by some friends only after my husband and I had interviewed several different solar companies and were always disappointed by their "used car salesman" like attitudes and their insistence that we lease (we wanted to buy). After interviewing Dave G. from Stellar Solar, we were extremely impressed by him and Stellar. Dave is extremely knowledgeable about the CA solar industry and lobbies for the benefit of the solar customer. He helped us get the monthly payments that we could afford, which was extremely helpful. Stellar's employees are all very polite and helpful. About a month after our ground mount was installed and running, Stellar sent an employee to check out why our sprinkler system near the ground mount was leaking...even though it may not have been their fault, the employee fixed it and all was well. Our system is a large one and it did take a couple months before they could start work on it, due to the fact that I think they are a very busy company...but they are well worth the wait! We also got $500 for referring a friend to Stellar! I would definitely recommend Stellar Solar above and beyond all those other companies that my husband and I talked to before we found Stellar Solar.

5 years ago

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Reply from Stellar Solar

Thank you Shelley!

Jul. 22nd, 2020

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Michael Ralph Woodworth PE El Cajon, CA

I have had my 30 panel, 9.8 kw, ground mounted array for 1 year. OUTSTANDING!!!!! I read these reviews and saw where one customer was upset with Stellar's Customer Service. I was VERY PLEASED with their customer service. The process stared in April 2017 and the panels were operational in June 2017. Stellar always kept me up to date on the status of my project. I researched ground mounted panel array's because there was no way, the size I needed, was going to fit on my roof. Plus the only codes to comply with are the Electrical Code and keep brush away from it for 10 feet. I received quotes from the only three companies I could find that installed ground mounted arrays. I am an Engineer and after reviewing the three systems it was very easy to select Stellar's custom structure and the panels they use. I am currently observing the installation of very large ground array being installed on a hill side directly west of my residence. I AM HORRIFIED AT THE FLIMSY STRUCTURE THAT IS BEING INSTALLED. I do hope that it is not Stellar that is installing the system. I would very sad if it was. Mike Woodworth PE El Cajon CA

5 years ago

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Reply from Stellar Solar

Thank you Michael!

Jul. 22nd, 2020

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Tom Mudd San Diego, CA

I bought SunPower panels from Stellar Solar about a year ago, and have been happy with what they delivered. I put in a large system that puts out more than 100% of my use, and output has been about 10% more than expected. There were actually some issues that came up during installation, a couple cosmetic mistakes that were made, and without hesitation they came out and did a re-installation that took them at least as long as the first installation. Problems sometimes occur when you're in this type of business, and I was impressed that they quickly responded and made everything right, with zero pushback.

6 years ago

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Reply from Stellar Solar

Thank you Tom!

Jul. 22nd, 2020

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H Hamilton Bonsall, CA

Our system was installed in 2014. We're now into our 5th year of operating a 23.6Kw (91 panel ground mount) and we couldn't be happier. We were able to work with the Stellar staff to size the system the way we wanted and their installation was superb. We are now looking to upgrade our system to include battery backup and standby generators and went directly to Stellar without reservations to pursue this avenue. They may have limited coverage area, but their service is personal - something not often found in California. We would recommend (and have) Stellar without reservations.

4 years ago

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Reply from Stellar Solar

Thank you Hamilton! We are glad you had a great experience!

Jul. 22nd, 2020

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Andrew San Diego, CA

I must say after working first hand with these guys from sales to final installation. These folks blow away anyone else I talked to on this list for my home in San Diego. Can't speak highly enough of the professionals who were on my roof they were very knowledgeable guys who had many years of experience putting the best products to work on many southern Californian homes. Even Tony G!!! Choosing Stellar Solar is a wise choice. If you are looking for a great company to address any solar needs I can't point enough fingers to these guys!

6 years ago

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Reply from Stellar Solar

Thank you Andrew!

Jul. 22nd, 2020

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Martin Encinitas, CA

When I decided on going solar I decided to put the minimum number of panels on my roof, but optimize their placement. Stellar gave me a design where with just 8, LG 310 watt panels, I have been producing about 4 times the power my home uses. I haven't paid an electric bill since.

5 years ago

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Reply from Stellar Solar

Thank you Martin! Glad to hear you liked your experience!

Jul. 22nd, 2020

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Joanne & Tom Heaviland Carlsbad, CA

They were awesome starting with our sales rep Marc C sp? all the way through our installers and customer service. I highly recommend them! We are making money now too! and I love that I don't have to worry about running our appliances and jacuzzi! Thank you Stellar/Sunpower

5 years ago

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Reply from Stellar Solar

Thank you Joanne and Tom!

Jul. 22nd, 2020

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Steven Ornish El Cajon, CA

Stellar Solar installed 60 Sunpower panels on my roof 7 years ago and did a superb job. The panels paid for themselves in 7 years. I also referred two neighbors to them, who are highly satisfied with their work. I give them my highest rating!

6 years ago

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Reply from Stellar Solar

Thank you Steven!

Jul. 22nd, 2020

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Eric San Diego, CA

Took then almost 4 months to do the install. Why you may ask ? Simple, because they forgot about our project. They tried to put the blame on SDG&E. An investigation, by me, revealed that they (Stellar Solar) had not filed the proper paperwork. Was anything done by Stellar to compensate us for the lost time ? No. Just got the run around. Their materials may be top notch but their customer service with us was terrible. Would definitely NOT recommend this company to anyone else. Ever.

6 years ago

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L Macaluso Lemon Grove, CA

We have had Stellar do two separate systems for us and I can't say enough about the quality of there staff and the finished product.

6 years ago

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Reply from Stellar Solar

Thank you Leo!

Jul. 22nd, 2020

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Jeremiah and Loretta Lynch San Marcos, CA

Sales, office staff, work crews, financing outfit all top notch. We are into our second month of utility billing and love to see our panels working for us.

7 years ago

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John Lane Encinitas, CA

All good. Smooth and responsive process. AND, they sent me a $500 referral check.. GOOD TO GO.

6 years ago

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Reply from Stellar Solar

Thank you John!

Jul. 22nd, 2020

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Paul R. Marsh San Diego, CA

There has been no problems with their installation and we have been making money each year since then.

7 years ago