I have known these Master Electricians (Eric and Derrick) from their early days earning college money working with their father's Hoffman Electric business. They sweated and froze through several years of hot/cold general electrical work in attics and crawl spaces all over central Texas. I suspect that their dad had them working in electrical during their summer vacations while still in high school. They had dreams of putting their college level education efforts into designing and installing solar systems. These twins look young however they both have a massive amount of experience and education behind them so when I found out that they were starting their own business under the HESolar name plate, I begged them to put their research to use by designing two virtually identical systems for my duplex which houses my home office on one side and residence on the other. After putting in a tremendous amount of research into various solar applications and equipment as well as answering what must have seemed like a million questions, HESolar came up with system Side B as 30, 255 watt polycrystalline panels for a total of 7,650 watts grid tied backed up by a battery bank and generator transfer for truly off grid systems. This system started production in August 2013 and has never had any problems and has always produced more electricity than consumed. Produced a total of 15.59 MWh. to date. 02-12-2015 Office system side A uses 26, 290 watt monocrystalline panels for a total of 7,540 watts grid tied backed up by another battery bank and generator transfer. The only equipment difference for these two systems was monocrystalline versus polycrystalline panel technology as I wanted to learn which was more productive. The monocrystalline out produces the polycrystalline by as much as 1,000 watts daily with slightly less ratings. This days daily production for side B is 35.9 KW and side A is 36.96 KW. These panels are on the same roof angle at the same azimuth. Side B is mounted at the top of the roof line and starts producing earlier than A which sets on the lower one half. This A system started production in October 2013 and since the office consumes more electricity than the residence, I currently do not have as much credit going forward each month and my largest electric bill was approx 15.00 dollars. Total production for this side is 13.69 MWh to date. With the current carry forward of credits and new Central Air units, I should never have an electric bill in the future. I am extremely happy with the systems. The systems run themselves and I have never had to call HESolar back for any service work or problems. I and they are able to monitor all aspects of my systems at any time from anywhere in the world via the internet. HESolar walked me through every phase including helping me find a great roofing company to install standing seam roofing Austin Energy approved insulation and weather proofing specialists as well as permits and inspections. Their crew was very professional, friendly, and timely. I have had numerous compliments about the appearance and quality of both systems. I whole heartedly recommend HESolar for any and all electrical work. No job is too large for these guys as they have a number of qualified master electricians they can draw from for the larger jobs. My reasoning for going solar was not so much for the green impact as the economical impact in my situation. At the decision point, I calculated that. I could save approx $3,600.00 in annual electrical payments by installing solar. At the then current interest rate 1% to be generous, I would need to have $360,000.00 in the bank at interest. If I earn $3,600.00 in interest payments to pay my electrical bills , I would have to send to the IRS $900.00 in additional taxes and still come up short at the end of the year. Now that I am not paying out the $3,600.00 in electrical payments, I do not have to pay taxes(as of yet) on money not spent. Please do not clue in the IRS on this benefit. I also could eliminate my UPS battery costs for my computer equipment and not be out of business due to rolling brown outs or power failures. My wife also had medical problems and I did not want her to suffer if power failures came along. As it stands right now, I have no idea when the power has blinked or failed. Rodney R Krawl Austin Texas read more

This is an update to my previous review. I've had my 5.5kw system up and running for 18 months now. The Sunpower panels look and function great, but the Sunpower microinverters and the Sunpower monitoring system have given me problems since day 1. Two of the 22 microinverters failed and HEsolar replaced my monitoring unit 4 times, and it still never worked for more than a few days at a time. During the vendor selection process, the salesman from Freedom Solar convinced me that going Sunpower for every component was the best option. Derrick with HEsolar tried to advise me to only purchase the Sunpower panels, and to use Solaredge for the inverter and monitoring unit. I should have listened to Derrick initially. One day out of the blue, Derrick emailed me with a long-term solution. He offered to replace all 22 of the Sunpower microinverters with a single Solaredge string inverter, and to also replace the worthless Sunpower monitoring system with a Solaredge monitoring system. The best part of all, he was willing to all of this FREE OF CHARGE! The parts alone cost $2,000, not to mention 4 workers x 5 hours each. I quickly agreed to the offer and within 3 days, he had made the swap. I couldn't be more pleased with the new Solaredge equipment. I only wished I had listened to Derrick from the start. I'm still shocked that he was willing (on his own accord without any encouragement from me) to assume the entire cost in order to rectify a mistake that I had made. This is a testament to the type of business that the Hoffman's operate. They are honest, respectful, and polite. They have the lowest price, they offer the most advanced products on the market, and they have top notch customer service. What more could you ask for in a business? If you're thinking about going solar, do yourself a favor and give these guys a call. read more

With the tax credit expiring at the end of 2025 I decided we should move ahead with a solar installation. HESOLAR had a much better price quote of the two companies we were considering. However, their work was never less than top-notch professionalism. In fact, these people exceeded the quality of any home-improvement work I have ever had done, and I'm known to be a bit fussy! I was a bit nervous after making the commitment. It was still a big investment and not a necessity in the way that a new roof is a necessity. Several times I wondered if I was doing the right thing. My motivation was not to save money on electricity -- ours is pretty cheap -- but I wanted piece of mind in case electricity costs increase dramatically in the future, and to have backup power during the occasional power failures. I kept wondering if a generator would have made more sense for that need. In the end, I am thrilled with this "greener" option, and I am far more relaxed about it now that I have had a few weeks to really study this, getting a feel for what appliances use the most power, and learning how to balance things for optimal efficiency. The app for controlling this system is absolutely stunning. Because my priority at the moment is having a backup power source rather than getting my electric bill as low as possible, I can adjust how much battery capacity I want to have on standby which is awesome when the weather is a little stormy. I have a lot of anxiety about power going out while making dinner. Last night I just bumped up the battery from 10% standby to a 60% charge. There was lightning nearby and my batter was only at 18%. It immediately started to charge from the grid, and it didn't take long. I love knowing that I can do this to make sure I am in a good spot! Overall, I am completely pleased and have zero regrets! read more

I spent several weeks researching the advisability of installing Solar Panels in terms of financial considerations, including the likelihood of increasing rates over the coming years, as well as possible blackouts in the future. Once the decision to have the system installed was made and that it needed to be done by the end of the year to get the rebate the only decision was what equipment would be best and who should do the installation. After interviewing several possible installers, most of which were acceptable, I interviewed HESOLAR, and they were head and shoulders above the others. Their recommendation about what equipment was best reflected what I had discovered perfectly, which went a long way towards reassuring me that HESOLAR was the best choice. The quote on the system was also right in line with what I expected, actually it was, lower than most, which is surprising given I would be the owners rather than subcontractors. The proof of course is in the pudding, and I have absolutely no doubt that I made the right decision. Eric and Derrick were both very helpful during and after the installation, including dealing with the paperwork required by Pedernales, the city and our HOA. The installation went perfectly. It was a pleasure doing business with HESOLAR. There is a considerable difference between working directly with owners and that makes a world of difference. I could not be more satisfied with my decision and highly recommend Hessler. read more

My wife and I recently made the decision that we wanted to contribute our share to keeping our environment cleaner while reducing our monthly electric bill. After an investigation on the internet, we settled on HESolar to get a quote based on the exceptional reviews that we read. I am here to tell you that those exceptional reviews are NOT exaggerated. I dealt with Derrick Hoffman from my original request for proposal to completion of the installation of our Solar PV System. Derrick was nothing but professional in his dealings with me and I never felt pressure to make a purchase. He simply explained what his proposed system could do for us and provided a cost quote to install the system that I had asked for. Derrick directed and participated in the solar system installation from commencement to completion. He and his crew were so unobtrusive while working at our home we almost didn't realize they were here. The work was done within the time frame promised and there were no surprises. The utility company inspector that performed the system installation inspection said that HESolar had done a "first class installation". If you are considering installing solar at your home or business I highly recommend that you talk with HESolar before you make your decision. read more

My wife works a corporate job 100% from home, which means lots of video conferences, team collaboration services, etc., so downtime from either our telecom or electrical service are big problems. We installed PC tower-sized UPS boxes at both her workstation and our networking hub, but those would run out of juice after a couple of hours, and we've had power outages that lasted much longer than that. So we had been thinking about a solar + battery system for a few years, and the expiration of the residential energy credits prompted us into action. We opted for a whole-house back-up system, even though HE Solar offered us less expensive alternatives. Our system has been running for less than a month, but we're already highly satisfied with the investment. Eric and Derrick and their entire team have been nothing but professional throughout every stage of the process, and the quality of the installation is first-rate. We did consider other providers prior to awarding our business to HE Solar, but we're completely satisfied with our decision, and wouldn't hesitate to hire them again or to recommend them to others (which we have already done). read more

We just purchased a new home and we wanted to install a solar power system on the roof. We did a lot of research on solar companies in the Austin - San Antonio corridor and narrowed the choice down to 4, Hesolar among them. We contacted each of the solar companies to set up an initial meeting/survey. Derrick Hoffman from Hesolar was the first (and only) one to actually come out and do a feasibility survey and initial meeting. The other companies required multiple calls to get any attention at all. We impressed with the professionalism, courteousness, knowledge, and customer orientation. The system design was engineered to take the absolute best advantage of the sun exposure of our home and the actual installation is first rate - Great workmanship! Hesolar went the extra mile to ensure the installation exceeded our expectations. All aspects of the installation were thoroughly and satisfactorily explained. We are really pleased with the the way the project turned out. We would use Hesolar for any and all future upgrades or electrical work and would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone considering a solar panel system. read more

Couldn't have had a better experience. Attention to detail incredible. These guys are industrial artists not just solar technicians or electricians. Eric and Derrick, the owners of the company, did all of the installation with one helper. They came when they said they would and before the sale were very patient to answer all my many questions. They didn't compromise on the quality of the components. HESolar was the only company who came out and got on my roof to measure the shading during the pre-sales and design process. The other companies did everything remotely via internet and wanted something signed before they would even come out and inspect my job site and verify about any shading. HESolar's price was competitive with the other major companies also while providing solar modules made in the USA. Oh, and our array kicked out about 26kWh of electricity after they put it in service around lunchtime. It appears if it had been in service the entire day we would have had net zero, possibly negative, consumption from the grid. Today might just be "grid freedom day". Thank you Eric, Derrick and John.. :-) read more

I can't say enough good things about HESolar. Derrick and Erik (and their dad) were awesome to work with. honest, professional, communicative. Honestly they were the ones I wanted to work with after hearing good reviews on them and speaking with a neighbor that used them But I did my due diligence and got 3 quotes. Their quote lined up with what I was expecting and hoping to pay and would give me the best value. i did a lot of research up front and even spoke with a professional from out of state so I was prepared to ask questions (even ones I knew the answers to) to see what their response would be! Derrick answered all of them To my satisfaction. They kept me up to date with emails on the status of the project. In these times with so many unprofessional contractors, HESolar is best contractor I ever worked with! if your considering solar it's absolutely worth talking to HESolar. The new Tesla powerwall 3 battery is better than anything! else out on the market right now. Thanks guys for making my solar installation seamless! read more

I was referred to HEsolar from Z-works/Design Build when I asked about putting solar on my house here in Austin. I knew there were a number of companies doing this but had no idea where to start considering it seemed like there were almost too many companies trying to push solar. Also I knew I wanted a fairly complex system that would allow me to have truly un-interrupted power in a grid-down situation as well as have power during even more extended periods of grid down time. HEsolar not only took the extended time to talk about all the possible options, but they were genuinely excited about putting together a system that accomplished more than what a normal rebate seeker would want. Knowing this is also a family business built from vast experience as master electricians also made this an amazing experience. Overall HEsolar provided a truly wonderful experience with a clear passion for this line of work. read more

I solicited several quotes for a system and HESolar offered the best equipment and the best system layout. HESolar put as many panels as possible in a place to collect as much sunlight rather than what was the easiest to install. This type of attention to detail from the start pays off in the long term. Work started on-time and the crew arrived right at 8am. The inverter and associated electrical panels were installed first with the racking and panels installed several days later. The delay was largely due to weather. The completed install is very tidy. They didn't leave any materials or trash behind. All the wiring is run through metal conduit the entire length with warning labels indicating the danger of the wiring within. The racking under the panels are barely visible and no wiring is visible. Overall, a clean, tidy install both inside and out. read more

When shopping for solar installers, I was impressed by HESolar's super fast response, degree of preparation for the initial discussion, use of technology, and efficiency in their customer approach. Both brothers were straightforward and no-nonsense in responding to questions. When the representative for another company called into question the design that HESolar proposed, I continued to receive quick, clear, understandable responses from Derrick for every request for more detail. I was not disappointed in my selection of HESolar. Communication offered no frills but was provided at each step in the process, and Derrick followed up regularly to ensure that progress did not get bogged down at any point. It was very refreshing to have confidence that work continued without my needing to check in. read more

So far, so great! I have been working with "good twin" Derrick and he has been very responsive to my questions. The system was installed on time, and the final inspection just took place and the new AE meter installed today. From the bidding process through today, I have been very pleased with HESolar's professional ethics during the process. Seems like the City of Austin and AE have the highest respect for these young Master Electricians. I wanted to give my business to a small local company and I believe I made the right decision with the Hoffman twins. Time will tell now if this system pays off in the way of producing solar energy enough to lower my bills substantially. I am proud to have gone green and I highly urge you to give these young men a shot at your business. J Rolyn, Austin, Texas read more

HEsolar is a locally owned company based out of Buda TX. Their knowledge and experience surpasses most of the individuals pitching solar in the greater Austin area. Believe me, I met with over seven sales reps. In many cases, I knew more than they did. Unlike most solar companies, the brothers do all of their own work and one of them is always on the job-site. You have a master electrician and solar expert installing your solar panels not some general labor crew off the street. Their pricing is very competitive - well below most for Panasonic panels. Seriously, look no further, you can't go wrong using the brothers! I have extremely high expectations when it comes to knowledge, experience, and quality of work. The brothers exceeded my expectations. As you may know, this is rare in today's world. read more

Eric Hoffman is one of the owners of HeSolar. He was also the one who gave me a competitive quote, the one who worked patiently with me on revising the design to suit our need, the one who came to our roof with his own crew to install the panels, and the one who did the final checking and helped get the solar edge monitor system running. Since its running, our 7.04 KW system had already produced 710 KWh in 19 days (clearly outperforming the estimated production quoted by HeSolar). If you want to cut the middle man, get a good price, and more importantly, deal directly with the company owner and his own professional crew members (instead of subcontractors or even sub-subcontractors), you should definitely consider Eric Hoffman @ HeSolar. Five star recommendation from a happy customer! read more

HEsolar installed panels on our house at the beginning of November. I was very impressed by the owners, Eric and Derrick Hoffman. They and their small crew installed the whole system in two days. They worked with me (an architect) to make the installation aesthetically pleasing in regards to panel placement, routing of the electrical and the inverter location. During the research stage I contacted several companies, but ended up going with HEsolar due to their good info (great website), quick response and the site visit. Of course price was a consideration and their pricing was slightly better than the local competition. The equipment and warranty are all top quality. The other aspect of this is financing. HEsolar works with Enerbank -- and they were also easy to work with. read more

I had an exceptional experience working with HESolar to install solar power for my home. Their prompt and professional service, coupled with their unwavering support, instilled confidence in my decision to choose them for my solar energy needs. From the initial proposal, which considered the possibility of adding more panels, to the installation and inspection process, their responsiveness, meticulous attention to detail, and courteous demeanor were truly commendable. Additionally, the thoroughness and patience they demonstrated in explaining the incentives, the estimated energy value, and the functionality of the system and app were a pleasure. If you're seeking a reputable local solar power company in Austin, HESolar is undoubtedly one of the best options available. read more

We began working with Eric at HE Solar long before the construction process began on our new home, which puts our working relationship at about 18 months. HE solar is a first rate solar company. Eric is extremely knowledgeable about his products, and was very patient with us as new customers, experiencing solar energy for the first time. He and his staff were always courteous, attentive, professional, and efficient. We were so impressed with Eric that we had him bid our electrical needs as well, as we were not happy with the contractor's electricians. Hoffman Electric was as professional as HE Solar, and they won the bid to do all of our electrical work. If quality, professional, friendly service is important to you, we highly recommend HE Solar, and Hoffman Electric. read more

The team was great through the whole process. I felt well educated, and they proposed a great solution to meet my needs, which included a battery backup, to provide support during outages. Also, they stuck it out when we were having permitting issues (barriers due to very antiquated local policies) providing multiple solutions, and we got permitted. The installation went extremely smoothly and the resultant install looks super - very clean and professional looking. All exceeded my rather high expectations, as I did own a prior solar system in another city. Post installation, they've been responsive to any follow up questions as I learn the battery management component. All around great team! read more