Direct Energy Solar Reviews
Is This Your Business?2.8
4.3
Overall Score
Cora Andersen
We purchases a solar system with Astrum solar , bought by direct energy, it is not honoring our warranty in the contract and we have had no functional output from a 40 k solar system ? How do we sue them ?
3 weeks ago
Michael Bulkley Milford, CT
Process to sign up was easy and the customer service in the process was amazing. The deal was definitely the best I could find for our house at the time. That is where it ends. Now, 3 years in, I have had one panel that has not worked in 1.5 years and they refuse to fix it because they say I am generating the amount of power they calculated. The point is that I would not have a power bill outside of my lease payment but I now have a substantial bill every month (above and beyond the connect to pole fee). Oh, and by the way, once Direct Energy put the panels up they immediately sold my account to Kilowatt Finance to pay my bill and a generic service company out of California to care for my panels. They also said that I should cut the trees down on the side of my house, trees which by the way Direct Energy assessor said would have little to no impact on my panels (and by the way I can show do not have an impact). STAY AWAY from Direct Energy.
5 years ago
Kimberly Dambrov Springfield, MA
Thank goodness for residential solar customers that you no longer have to worry about getting stuck with Direct Energy (I wish I could say the same) since they announced a month ago they were no longer installing residential solar arrays (at least here in Massachusetts). My initial experience was wonderful as far as the install, however, it's been a nightmare since. Post-install customer service is the pits. I am still waiting just for a date for when someone will come out to replace a microinverter that stopped working in JUNE. Except for the initial response by email telling me to give them two weeks before giving me a date for replacement, my subsequent inquires have gone unanswered. My 5.4 KW system was installed March 2016, and have yet to receive my first SREC payment.
8 years ago
Kathleen Sylvester South Deerfield, MA
We had solar panels installed by Direct Energy just about 3 months ago. The company, as part of their incentive to lure customers, offered $500 for every customer we then referred who contracted with them for solar panels. This program was a large part of why we chose this company as a way to help us pay for our panels. We had a "solar party" with our rep about 4 weeks ago and signed up 4 potential customers, 2 whom had a further meeting with the rep and were in the process of signing a contract for installation. Then about 2 weeks ago the rep disappeared, there was no way to reach her. The company sent an email to our friends who were planning to contract with them, stating they were no longer installing for residential customers. They won't honor their incentive to us and we are unable to now earn money to pay for the panels. There was no warning and our rep had no idea she was about to be terminated. This company has no integrity. I wouldn't trust them and wish I had picked a different company!
8 years ago
Irfan Canton, MA
I entered into a contract with Astrum Solar, and before the installation, Astrum Solar was bought out by Direct Energy. Seemed Direct Energy did not want to abide by the warranty that Astrum promised, specifically no leaks in the roof. They kept trying to push me to sign a waiver of the warranty of no leaks, claiming that the rook was not installed correctly. Eventually, we had the roof manufacturer come out and they agreed that the roof was installed correctly.
After the system was installed and operating, I inquired about when I would receive my SREC check, and was told it would be in February, 2016. I checked again later in 2016, still no check but then they said I would have it in June 2016. June came and went, and they said because I didn't produce enough, they would just include the left over 2015 with my 2016 SREC check in February 2017. February 2017 came and went. Still no check, so I called again and I finally got someone who actually looked into the problem and discovered they had entered my information incorrectly. They now say I will have a check in June. Let's see what happens.
8 years ago
Paul Pacer Buffalo, NY
This company had taken over for Astrum Solar. Why, I don't know. They are suppose to service and fix problems under warranty. I have a system in WNY that was just over $100,000.00. Most of the time it hasn't worked properly. Good thing I have production guarantee, but short of that, why even have the solar panels. Plus, it doesn't make up for the lost production. They never work. It is now near the end of January 2017, these panels haven't produced the way they should since 2015. That's right, 2015. Most of 2016 they barely worked and almost not at all since June 0f 2016. Try getting someone to fix them too is an issue. They are based now approximately two and a half hours away, so they don't want to deal with it. And basically haven't. HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!!
8 years ago
Charles Thomas Stony Brook, NY
I originally bought my panels from Astrum Solar and was unaware that they sold the company to Direct Energy Solar until I had a problem with one panel not working. I contacted them in April 2016 and as of today December 13, 2016, the panel still is not working. I had to get the Better Business Bureau involved a few months ago. DES said that the inverters are bad but they also said its been changed to NEW ones 3 times and that's what they have said they are changing again. it takes them over a month to get back in-touch. I bought 33 panels for $41,000 and they are giving me issues on fixing one. We had the most sun this past summer and I was unable to use one of my panels and now that its winter, I will probably have to wait until spring. I have recommended people to Astrium but would never recommend this company
8 years ago
Michael Syracuse, NY
During my install I learned that they had closed the office in my area because I called the sales person to confirm the install date and his cellphone and office numbers where disconnected. I then spent a day trying to contact someone. After reached someone I learned of the closure. This created a nightmare to complete the install during which there was damage caused to my hot tube cover and roof vents (they did reimburse me for the repairs but I still had to to all the work to get it completed) and now that I need a warranty service it is even worse, I have been roughly 8 weeks with a solar panel down when I was promised a 3-6 week repair when I reported the issue (BTW they did not know even though they are supposed to see it first). In all cases it takes me weeks of emailing and calling to get an answer (never get good followup) and now with the repair I am being told they do not have an ETA because of the office closure and that they will be in touch as soon as they get a solution. So basically if you want customer service go someplace else.
9 years ago
Michael Daigneau West Springfield, MA
If I could do it all over again I would never have signed a contract with this company. The best experince with this company was meeting with their initial sales consultant after that it all went down hill and fast. Communication with my Solar Lead was sparse at best unless I initiated, I understand it's a long process to get solar but timely updates are important. During the install my property was damaged as well as treated by the installers as their own personal workshop, leaving wire and metal shavings in my driveway as well as on my deck, thanks guys I have little kids pretty thoughtful, and the damage I was told to get a quote for still hasn't been repaired despite repeated requests. Then after my install it took over a month to get active, due to an issue with the town, although I was told by Direct Energy that were handling, I finally got frustrated and dealt with the town myself and guess what 2 days later all set, maybe I should be a Project Lead. So I lost an entire month's worth of production waiting for Direct Energy. To attempt to get resolve I emailed everyone in the company, operational leads, the executive board and again no contact. So my $43,000 investment to a company who has yearly revenues in the millions means nothing. So take a piece of advice from me find a company who cares about their customers because Direct Energy does not, and communication I'm not sure that is part of the job requirement to work there.
9 years ago
John Kintnersville, PA
Direct Energy Solar (DES) recently took over Astrum Solar who installed my 11,000Kwh system. 6 year ago. Whenever I had to have a panel replaced, they did it promptly.
Last year I needed a panel replaced by DESI called customer service & they said. "The scheduling manager will be in a position to let you know when we will schedule you in @ 10 days."
@ 10 days later, they contact me & tell me I am schedule for three weeks later.. Bottom line 5+ weeks to replace a panel. Ridiculous!
In May I had my roof replaced. DES s supposed to remove the panels & replace them within 45 days after the roof is finished.
They replaced the panels but they system is NOT reporting power generation.
That was several weeks ago and they still have not scheduled to finalize the installation.
It is beyond the 45 days they are contractually obligated to have the systems up & running and they are avoiding my emails to schedule the job.
I have contacted an attorney to FILE SUIT AGAINST DES FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT.
Direct Energy Solar is clearly mismanaged and customer service is at the bottom of their priority list.
DO NOT have DIRECT ENERGY SOAR install your solar system regardless of wht the sales person tells you as they clearly disregard their contractual obligation with their customers.
9 years ago
Todd Woburn, MA
It has been 2 years since they installed my solar array and they have not lived up to their contract agreement to act as Aggregator to liquidate my SRECs and forward me the check. They have been giving me the run around for a year. I am at the point I am going to report the issue to Massachusetts District Attorney as a potential FRAUD case. as I think they are liquidating the SRECs and distributing the funds.
8 years ago
bob costa South Windsor, CT
i have 58 panels on my house and have had trouble getting the SREC payments from direct energy as i saw on one of the other reviews they are terrible filing for the srecs or they are pocketing the payments i got a $4700 check a few years ago and then last year got $250. when i contacted them they said there was a problem with the filings but i would be made whole this year still waiting
8 years ago
Patty Bailey Aliso Viejo, CA
We signed a contract with Direct Energy Solar in January 2015. Our system was not operational until 10-10-16. We are located in California and the company left California during this time period with no notification of this. We have had no customer service, no integrity and sub-pair workmanship. I am most concerned about our warranty. At the present time, Direct Energy Solar has turned off our system. Based on the other reviews that we have read and our experience this is a systemic problem with this company. DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH DIRECT ENERGY SOLAR!
8 years ago
robert lechterman Pleasant Valley, NY
I had a scheduled appointment with the name and phone number of the representative who do the survey at our house. He never showed up or answered his voice mail message from me. I called the main office in Maryland and was told they would contact his supervisor and get back to me. That never happened.
So anyone considering a residential Solar system would be wise to look elsewhere.
9 years ago
Mike Bulkley Orange, CT
I was just about to finalize the details for my install when it came to light that Direct Energy is only the seller, installer, and maintainer of my system but the actual owner of panels is an unknown company called Kilowatt Systems LLC. The lack of transparency on this major detail is deeply concerning and I am halting the project until I have more clear answers.
9 years ago
Moreno South Hadley, MA
Lost paper work, no communication, while they have recieved approval on credits and state benefits . We have been waiting for months and have not recieved a plan or date to install. 5 months and we call to here we do not have all paper work in place. But we have been told that every thing was in place prior. I am looking into a new company . I have checked with town office and there has been no inquirey about permits . This company has not lived up to its agreement and I do not think they plan on following through in a professional manner.
10 years ago
Peter Palmer, MA
This is about Astrum, now Direct Energy. I had a high end system installed on my new garage 4 or five weeks now. I requested that the conduit from the panels be routed over the rank of the roof and enter the attic space through the gable end. They cut a hole through my new roof. Not good. they never buried the ground rod and bonding wire. I trip over it. I have been asking for 4 weeks to correct the issues, as of today no answers. Not happy and not paying.
10 years ago
Michael Smith
Post install customer service is non-existent. My roof is leaking and it's clearly their fault since the leak is right behind a rafter. Their inspector has done three no-shows. No calls or email saying they need to reschedule. They just don't show up.
7 years ago
Carol Kosary Bethesda, MD
Have been waiting for months to have several failed microinverters replaced. No one replies to email, no one answers the phone.
9 years ago
Russ Davis Woburn, MA
Repeatedly need to follow up to get paid on credits. Delay, Delay Delay. Break promises
7 years ago
Wilma Rochester, NY
DOESN'T MAKE A GOOD GUESS ON HOW MANY PANELS YOU NEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
9 years ago
