SolarCity Reviews
Is This Your Business?2.6
5.1
Overall Score
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Mark Santiago Vallejo, CA
My experience with Solar has been 100% great. The installation went smooth. The installers were very professional and informative when I had questions, No problems with the city inspection. GOOOOOO Solar City.
7 years ago
Carrie Crouch Methuen, MA
We are completely satisfied with Solar City. We were one of the first ones in our community to contract with them and would do it again. We have made many referrals as well.
7 years ago
william Wilson Elk Grove, CA
We've had the solar for nearly a year without problems. California's deluge of rain barely increased our fees and now with more sun on the way we'll be coasting. We've had nothing but solid performance and service.
7 years ago
Arlene M. Burman
I'm the first to admit Solar City was wonderful during installation and activation. However, I MUST advise you to READ ALL THE FINE PRINT in their contract. Our sales rep quoted us a price. It is the only price that was ever discussed. Unfortunately, he neglected to mention that this price was ONLY if we agreed to payment by ACH (withdrawing funds directly from our checking account). This is not acceptable to our financial situation, and now we must pay an additional monthly fee of $7.50. This seems like a tremendous amount to process one check per month. When I called customer service, I was told our contract states the quoted price includes the discount for ACH payment. This was never pointed out to us or mentioned at any time by our sales rep. I realize now we should have read the contract with a magnifying glass. People should be warned about this unconscionable business practice.
7 years ago
Patti Littleton Hagerstown, MD
They were very professional and made sure everything was done correctly during install. Matt D's was the consultant and stayed in constant contact with me to make sure if was a easy transition. Would recommend to anyone
7 years ago
Robert D. Burns Queen Creek, AZ
I was immediately notified when my monitoring mechanism was not reporting its function. They notified me then responded with a serviceman to my location. I have been with them for appxy. 5 years and have no complaints at all.
7 years ago
John Attleboro, MA
The panels were installed on December 24th 2015.It is now August 21 2016 and I am still not connected to the grid. Granted they had to have a new transformer installed but it should not take 8 months. The transformer was installed 1-2 weeks ago and I was told by my electric provider that everything is ready to go. All they needed was one LAST piece of paperwork from Solar City and I would start using the solar panels. You guessed it. Another delay. I was informed it will take another 90 days for the paperwork to process. That will make it 11 months.
I am so sorry I did business with them but am locked in for 20 years. They have stopped returning my phone call.
8 years ago
Richard Raszkiewicz Surprise, AZ
Love this company, because of it's honesty. Returned $2,000 from original cost when the did not have to replace our electrical box. Also love the fact that they do not subcontract anything. It is ALL done by Solar City.
8 years ago
Jacob J. Salinas, CA
Salespeople don't reveal all concerning the agreement with SC. Also it can take up to 4-5 months to get a system turned on. SC blames PGE for this when its actually SC searching for investors to take on the financing SC has provided. SC apparently puts their leases, etc. into bundles that need to be accepted by investors BEFORE a system can be activated. So it has nothing to do with PGE, ONLY with SC's method of financing. It brings to mind the bundling of mortgages with foreign investments that caused the economic collapse in 08'.
Post installation problems problems seem to be ignored. You can call again and again and it seems as if your ignored for weeks until the problem is resolved.
8 years ago
Barbara Gift Hagerstown, MD
Every time we have had any issue they responded quickly. Solar panels were installed and were turned on as soon as they possibly could. Any hold up was with local people coming to give the ok for each part. They have been excellent. No complaints.
8 years ago
KF Tulsa, OK
I have solar panels with Solar City. I have been so impressed with their customer service. I bought the house with the panels so it wasn't a company I found myself. I can't speak to pricing as I didn't shop them but so far, my bill is minimal and their people have been fantastic!
8 years ago
Robert Fitzpatrick Sandwich, Massachusetts
We love our solar from Solar City-haven't had a bill in two years from our utility company because we keep getting credits--We live on abeach and don't have any trees around our house.
8 years ago
John Albert Trotta Forest Hill, Maryland
The Installation and inspection are done. An exceptional crew installed the system , Very friendly and hardworking men. The Inspections went smoothly. Waiting for the utility company to give the OK to get started.
8 years ago
Amanda Hough Menifee, California
We have solar from SolarCity, best company hands down. I got quotes from other companies, but this one is much more professional. I have had my solar up and producing energy for over a year, and i have had no problems.
8 years ago
Peter Mahigian Phoenix, Arizona
Fantastic. From the first chat with the rep to flipping on the switch in front of the "not so happy APS person in Phoenix" it was perfect. We are saving about $700.00 a year. Thank you!!!
8 years ago
Larry Innis Illinois
I could not be happier with Solar City. Thank you. If 10 is the highest, I rate my experience a 12. I wish you were in the St. Louis area so I could install your solar panels on my house there. Great job.
8 years ago
Roseann Marsett Tucson, AZ
I found Solar City to be friendly and efficient. They responded quickly to all questions and issues without any high pressure. The work was done professionally and in a timely manner.
8 years ago
ROBERT HESS Walkersville, MD
SolarCity has answered all of our questions, and have been prompt and in getting engineers here to inspect our house and roof. They've now submitted a design that can be reviewed by our HOA's archetechtural control committee, complete with applicable paperwork so that we can go solar soon!
8 years ago
Xuan Chen Los Angeles, CA
Solarcity was the best decision I ever made. Took only 2 weeks before they were ready to install. I was presently surprised how fast it went. By the 2nd month already turned on and saving money. Thank you Solarcity
8 years ago
John Bodkin Millersville, MD
Solar City has bee just great with the installation of my solar panels. I am happy with the sales plan that I selected and pleased with the results that we have experienced in our first year of use. My sales person was excellent and is now a regional Manager
9 years ago
Scudder Mersman Carlsbad, CA
I paid nothing, was installed a month after signing and saved over $1000 in a year when I cranked the AC compared to the previous year when I had to suffer in high heat to try and save money. Go solar city!
9 years ago
Lena Pinnick Modesto, CA
We are very satisfied with the whole process! We love our lower bill. Everyone is very professional, including the installation crew. Fast, efficient, friendly, would recommend to anyone!
9 years ago
Dawn Flansburg Schenectady, NY
We had ours installed a couple of weeks ago and they did a great job. They reinforced our garage roof to compensate for the weight of the panels. So far so good. The salesman was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions.
10 years ago
Ronald Honolulu, HI
SolarCity is great the idea is great. It's the cheapest way to go slower! The visions of the owners is great. That's the reason why I choose them over the competitors. Customer service was great in the beginning. There's a big disconnect with the billing department with the company. Here in Hawaii operations has no follow-up at all. After to sell the forget about you! Overall I like the company is just the Hawaii operation and billing department is obsolete. It is bad for $6 billion plus company.
10 years ago
Miller Gwynn Oak, MD
Our salesman had me convinced that this was the way to go, then I started second guessing the decision and he instantly turned into a jerk. Then with the plans they were supposed to go on the garage then they moved them to the house then they come back out and they are back on the garage. Then the trenching guy came out and I made him move everything because he wanted to tear up my walkway then tell me I was responsible for fixing it. It was a terrible process and as of today I'm not happy. The install was a mess, they left broken glass that came up from the trenching all over my yard and covered a hole with a board and put dirt on it to burry the hole instead of filing it in. I'm a very frustrated customer. Half tempted to tell them to take their crap off my roof
10 years ago
Linda Dawson Garland, TX
My system has been up & running for about three months now. Customer service was great, installation was also great, however, I am not saving nearly as much as I'd been told. I'm still getting almost $200.00 bills from the electric company on top of the Solar City bills averaging about $96.00 a month. We have a very large system, but the savings don't amount to much. We keep our a/c on 79 degrees and we are running a pool cleaner everyday for 6 hours. Still, I expected to save much more money and we are pretty disappointed.
10 years ago
BOSKO MISTRELOVIC Fairfax, VA
I agree with Good comments 100%, I did not have any bad experience. The only comments is that actual installation ( slightly different then plan )was not marked up and me the owner given a copy. Next was that a copy of the pictures given to City inspector was not provided to the owner even thou I have specifically requested them.
10 years ago
David Troy, NY
I'm guessing that Elliot Fisher is "your local experienced solar contractor" my personal experience was so good that I refered 3 friends and mynparwnts who also got systems and they are all very satisfied.
10 years ago
Michael Bollentin Trenton, NJ
Overall, my experience was fantastic. The staff and service have been great. I had a roof leak (totally unrelated to the installation) and they were on top of things. I would highly recommend Solar City to anyone who is thinking about getting solar power for their home.
10 years ago
Michael south Baltimore, MD
Just had my panels installed today and so far so good, if I had a complaint to come up with it would be my rep hasn't contacted us since we signed the contract at least to keep us informed of how the process is/was going
10 years ago
Allison Longmeadow, MA
Customer service was great from the start. My consultant was very helpful going through the proposal and explaining the product and the lease agreement. I have had a wonderful experience !
10 years ago
BTUFF Bakersfield, CA
They originally sold us on a system they knew was under powered. So after a monster true up, they said we could add panels. We had no choice. Over the last few years the system always has communication or something wrong with it. Our true up with 40 panels was $3,750. After going into PG&E I realize the system hasn't been working for some time. When I called their support they said they absolutely wouldn't look at PG&E data. It's night and day better than anything Tesla has. The lady at PG&E said, it looks like the system hasn't been working for a long time. The more I went back, the more I saw that was true. It paints the picture black and white. Marcus, the rep told us the system was working. After a long back and fourth he came back with it was ultimately our fault because they kept text messaging the communication wasn't working. We had called numerous times and rebooted as directed. They had been out a few times and I'm starting to think this deal hasn't been working for a long time. We will probably get legal involved. In no way, shape or form would I ever use Tesla//Solar City. I've heard other horror stories from them as well the more I ask around.
1 year ago
Thor Hinckley Portland, OR
I own 2 homes served by Tesla Solar. The customer service they provide is so completely inept that there isn't enough space/time to provide all the details. Suffice it to say that after replacing their defective panels on my house, I asked for assistance with a roof lead under the panels. After repeated calls (5-6), they removed the panels and told me to replace the roof..After notifying them of the new roof it's taken over 5 months and dozens of calls by me to even schedule a crew to replace the panes. They never return calls or respond to email requests. The paperwork they finally provided to me was for a former owner of the house in 2012. They are just amazingly bad!
3 years ago
Tim New York, NY
I signed (in retrospect very foolishly) a PPA with SolarCity in 2015. Things were going along fine for a couple years until the inverter or communications board inside the inverter stopped working. By this time, we were under Tesla. Tesla took months to come out; setting up appointment times and then cancelling. Finally, a crew of about 4 "rooftop" guys and 1 "panel" guy came out. I don't know why they so many workers, but I was told they were doing a full system inspection. Fast-forward 2 more years (5.5 years into my contract) and I have a leak in my roof. It looks like there are several cracked shingles along the top of my roof, which is about 12 years old (well within it's service life). No one has been on the roof except for the Tesla crew 2 years ago. I can't get them to even come out and look at it. Roofers who came to look all think it looks like mechanical damage and not tree or weather damage. SolarCity/Tesla is the only one who has been on that roof pitch. I clean my gutters from a ladder, and nothing else has been done on the roof.
There's a 1 year warranty on the mounting installation, but this is other damage that is apprarently caused by the crew that isn't around the mounts and is after 1 year. So, they have me stuck and won't "do the right thing" and pay for any portion of my roof nor let me out of the contract without buying the system. I'm going to keep calling and pursue arbitration. I admit it was fooling of me to sign the contract.
If anyone comes across this site, please think again before using SolarCity, Tesla, or other PPA agreements. It's a risky move.
3 years ago
Raymond Parkinson East Wareham, MA
I lease my system; originally from Solar City. When Tesla took over they changed the way I could monitor my systems production. I do not have a "smart phone", & therefore cannot observe the systems production. It's almost impossible to speak with someone, & mails are useless. My total out of pocket energy bill, is more than previous. The KWH, cost increases yearly, unlike the local provider, whose charge fluctuates down at times. No one can explain how I am saving money ! Would I go this way again, nooooooooo !
3 years ago
Marsha McKeever Pearl River, NY
Their installation of our solar panels caused our roof to leak. They only guarantee their work against leaks for one year. A roof leak will not show up within a year. They are now charging us nearly $500 to remove their panels and "allow" us to pay a roofer to repair the damage they caused by poor workmanship. And this is actually "progress" in dealing with them as I have contacted several "customer service" reps who, while they were polite, did little for me except cause delay upon delay, including giving me an email address with "telsa.com" as the address. Avoid them. They do very poor work and have very poor customer service.
3 years ago
Eydie Larson Pleasant Hill, CA
We started leasing our solar panels about 7 years ago. The installation was wonderful and we were very impressed with Solar City. In March 2020 our system quit generating power. We were told the inverter box was bad. It took them 2 months to come to that conclusion. It took them another 3 months to replace it. System still didn’t work. There have been months of emails. There have been many assurances that technicians will be out but it takes weeks for that to happen. Their own employees have told me that we are a low priority. We have not seen the same technician twice, it is always someone different. They have finally determined that our panels need to replaced. We are hopeful that this will happen soon, but are not counting on it.
This company is so badly run. The employees must be very demoralized. I have never encountered an organization that is so inept. The worse part is feeling so powerless as we cannot get out of our contract. I wish we could all band together and do something.
3 years ago
Jay Gabele Rockville, MD
If I could give less that 1 star, I would. My Power Purchase Agreement states that Solar City will NOT place a lien on my home or property. They did. They claim that although the PPA states that they would not file a lien, they are permitted to file a UCC-1 (a lien). In fact, my PPA states that I agree that they have the right to file the UCC-1, not they they will. I agree to the fact that they have the "right" to file. But, my PPA states that they will not. If they want to hold me to the PPA, I should be able to likewise hold them to the same standard. Now that I am trying to refinance my home, I have to pay Tesla (formerly Solar City) $150 to temporarily remove the UCC-1 for sixty days. For the record, the UCC-1 is a lien filed against a debtor's home or property. I am not indebted to them. They lease my roof for their panels and in return, I pay for the power they produce. Think twice and do your research before you decide to enter into a twenty year agreement with them. Don't be blinded with their money saving, no risk claims.
4 years ago
Victoria Harp Bakersfield, CA
I just started using Tesla solar panels because I bought a house with them already in place and took over the contract in December 2019. SolarCity is the Company that sold the system and is the administer of my account who I pay my bills to. As of today 10/05/2020, my True-Up for November 2020, is $2,821.35. This means I've been paying $108 per month for the panels on my house and now in November, I'll owe another $3,000, that I definitely cannot afford. I would be better off with no solar at all. If you would like me to send you all my PG&E energy bills and the True-Up statements, I would be more than happy to. Just look me up, attorney in Bakersfield, Victoria Harp. I will email every single document you need to see how horrible this company is and how the next 15 years I'm in a lease with Tesla, I am going to consistently be entirely screwed over. SolarCity is the company that administers the plan and that I pay my bills to. Don't buy. Don't lease.
4 years ago
Bill Arlington, TX
I have been a SolarCity customer since 2014. However, ever since Tesla brought them under the Tesla umbrella their customer service has been and still is atrocious. It is impossible to talk to a live person about a specific issue. I have been trying for weeks now to get some specific questions answered so that I can sell my house. After being on hold for well over an hour I finally talked to a real person, who created a case for me and told me that I would be assigned a case manager who would call me the next week. Of course, that hasn't happened. I am extremely frustrated. I wonder that, if I stopped paying my monthly rental bill, would someone call me?
4 years ago
Erik Lantz McKinney, TX
We are on our 8th year of a 20 year solar lease, and already our second inverter is going bad. It keeps shutting down and throwing a "GFI fault" error code. It took Tesla over a month to finally send a tech out to look at it, and never once did they tell me anything was wrong. Guy comes out, resets the systems and tells me my inverter is going bad and it would probably happen again. Well he was right, it happens multiple times per day. Every time it happens I have to go outside and reset the system. Fortunately I am working from home right now because of the pandemic, or my output would be even worse. Called customer service and they sent someone out again, confirmed the inverter was bad. Was told it would be 7-10 days and someone would be out to replace it. Not a word for nearly 2 weeks, so I called Tesla and was told the replacement inverter was backordered and they could not give me an estimated date. This will be our third inverter in 8 years. These things are junk. If you are thinking about going with Tesla for rooftop solar DO NOT DO IT.
4 years ago
Shrilurk Brentwood, CA
My inverter failed after five years. A week after reporting it, no progress. They keep moving the window of response out farther. After four business days and originally being told "Tier 2 will get back to within three business days" the response turns into "Tier 2 will get back to within 3-14 business days". Then they tell me "The contract obligation is for us to fix or replace. It does not provide a time frame for this to be completed." Preposterous!
4 years ago
Kathy Waldorf, MD
Now that Tesla owns Solar City customers can expect no service, no cooperation, and no resolutions of any kind. I have been a customer since June 2016 with no problems until Oct 2019. Apparently the converter was destroyed by lighting in Sep 2019 and they did not come to inspect it until Feb 2020 and it was not fixed until mid-March 2020. In February they reported me to credit bureau for not making payments (I did not know I was being billed) on estimated production. There is no estimated production on a broken system. I was forced to make payment on bogus numbers and they refused to remove negative credit report - even after showing them in contract that if outage is of no fault of mine there will be no payments due. Tesla has reduced technical support to 1/4 of staff that Solar City had in place. The "Executive Resolutions" person tells me this is just like a lease on an automobile - I would still have to make payments if the auto was broken. So, apparently Tesla thinks it's okay if they don't fix your car for 6 months? Anyone choosing solar panels - should not choose Solar City/Tesla.
4 years ago
Mike C Ramona, CA
Tesla is the worst solar company to deal with. My panels were leased from SolarCity which was gobbled up by Tesla, in 2016. My panels DO NOT WORK for several days during and after a rain. The cause is "GFI Fault" basically a short circuit. I have written, called and cajoled Tesla but nothing, nothing at all. What they say is if the system is generating the "contracted" amount of energy, too bad. Problem is we bought a Tesla Model 3 thinking solar panels would defray some cost as we charged the car. But when it rains, forget it. We have to use SDGE's power. Tesla Solar is clueless and does not care. As far as I got with them, I was told that their priorities are with customers whose solar systems are totally offline and that I would have to wait. Guess what? I've been waiting 3+ years. We either have to charge the car during less expensive TOU periods (just a few pennies cheaper - a joke), charge when we need the car no matter what TOU charges are or drive to a Supercharger and still pay $8-10 for a charge. My "true up" period is August. I already owe SDGE $1.108.91. Like you, my system generates enough to reduce costs significantly - but not any more. It's criminal
4 years ago
Melinda Phoenix, AZ
Like the 5 star comments, the installation of the system is not a problem. Solar City was great about updating information. At the information provided however in person, I was advised should I have a problem, Solar City would come out to evaluate and make sure the system was working. I now have a leaking roof and birds under the panels. I need a new roof. Prior to agreeing to Solar City panels, the salesperson stated they would remove the panels and replace for free within a reasonable time frame. I am now being told the following: It will cost an estimated $7500 to remove and replace the panels AND they are scheduling into the middle of the summer to have the work done should I agree. I have a leak in my roof today! This needs to be done now - not 6 months from now!
Please do not use this company! Solar City is now with Tesla who does not care about the consumer!
4 years ago
Steven Okerlund Peoria, AZ
We had a Solar City system installed in 2014. In July of 2019 the system stopped working and it took 2 months to get a tech to come and check it out. They said all the panels have failed and all need to be replaced but may be a few months before that happens. It is now December and no information from Tesla as to when things will happen. We get lip service from the customer support team and no definitive information as to how they intend to fix their system. The system has produced nothing in 6 months and no reimbursement for a system that was paid for, cash up front. I would give them failing grades for customer support and tech support . We have to start looking at legal recourse to get them to respond and honor their contract.
4 years ago
Deborah Gottlick Finksburg, MD
If you are thinking of getting solar panels installed at your house…please don’t do it. I signed up for the FREE solar panels with Solar City (now Telsa). I was told that my rate would be locked in, that the panels would produce most of my utility bill, and that I would receive annual checks for the production that was sold into the grid. Sounds good right. Once they install it onto your roof, you never see a service technician again. If you need any updates to your home, you have to pay them to remove and reinstall the panels. Not only do I have to pay $178/month to lease the panels, but I an still continually paying my utility provider an additional $300/month. I am now averaging over $500/month (together). Did I mention that I’m never at home because I have a full time job. I use a woodstove for heat. In addition, I pay professional tree service every year to trim trees away from the house. The savings you are promised…is NOT what you get…NOT even close.
4 years ago
Tom Antioch, CA
Tesla installed a solar system on my house in September 2019. This is the worst company to deal with. They never return actual responses to their customer care emails. They refused to demonstrate the system actually works nor applied for the utility interconnection agreement until I paid the full amount of the entire project. Yet their contract says they are responsible for permitting and who pays for something that they do not even know if it will actually work All they had to do was get the interconnection agreement and turn it on for 5 minutes to show it works.
Also, their roof mounted system is a perfect haven for pigeons and other birds to nest under the panels creating nest and excrement piles that result in water backup and eventual roof leaks. They do not recognize this design defect nor tell you about it as a problem. After the fact for a big added price, they offer to fix the problem. Why not build the fix into the contract price. If neighbors had not told me of the problem, I would have probably had roof leaks as my first indication of the design defect.
I would never recommend dealing with Tesla (was Solar City). I'd give zero stars if possible
4 years ago
Chelijam Granada Hills, CA
I got my panels before the Tesla buyout. After having the panels put I realized I need additional panels as we are going over our usage. I was told at the time of the contract that if we go over we can have Solar City come out and they can install another panel at no charge. This would of course increase my monthly payment but stop the overage. Unfortunately, I didn't move quick enough and the change happened. When I reached out to Tesla they won't add 1 additional panel unless I pay $5000.00 plus additional fees up front. WTH?? I reviewed my contract doesn't say anywhere about an additional charge for additional panels other than what was original agreed to. Now I'm paying my monthly in addition to a huge overage to LADWP. Thanks Elon for ruining what was once a decent company. And yes their website only caters to their stupid exploding overprised cars. I do not recommend any Tesla product to NO ONE. Thumbs down!
4 years ago
Christopher Mesa, AZ
Tesla took over Solar City in Arizona. Since February of this year 2019, I have been without solar power. According to Tesla, they do not have any of the panels or converters in their warehouse to replace my system. It is now October. I have a leak in my roof and I have asked them, since I need to get a new roof installed, could they please take off the solar panels now, and apply the new panels when they get them in the warehouse. You would think that since they are going to do it anyway, they could send a crew out and just take these ones off so I can redo my roof. They stated that they would charge me approximately $5000 to do this. I argued with them that they have to change out the panels anyway. I asked them to please take off the panels and reinstall the new ones when they get them in the warehouse. I'm still waiting almost 9 months later. I also informed them that I am currently still paying the company every month directly out of my checking account and not receiving anything in return. They cited company policy. I'm sick of big companies ripping people off and not helping out someone who is loyal to them, ( pay direct deposit)...In my opinion nobody should EVER do business with a company like this. They have the means to take off the current panels and will do it anyway. I Absolutely hate this company and how they do business and treat their clients. Do NOT get solar from this company. You will be sorry. Twelve more years on this contract. Do not get Tesla solar.
5 years ago
