Aimee is probably wondering where this review is. Especially since I wrote this 9 months ago. The bottom line is I was waiting for the one year anniversary of our system so I could properly analyze the performance of the system. At one year we produced 14.2(-ish)MWh, from a system that was designed for 12.4(-ish)MWh performance after 25 years. The "overproduction" is also in part due to moving some panels from west to south facing. Running the numbers, it is exactly what should have been produced. The actual consumption was a good bit lower than the design for a couple of reasons. First, we replaced our roof as "part" of the solar installation. This actually reduced our heating and cooling needs, since our attic finally had ventilation. We also added an EV to our home, estimated at 3MWh, but we don't really drive as much as "normal" people. Lastly, Solterra added a Span smart electric panel at our request, and I enjoyed turning off circuits remotely while we were away from home. The bottom line here is that we still have 4.4MWh of excess production. Even knocking 15% off the total at 25 years (higher than the 8% the REC panels specify), we will have over 2MWh to "burn." Looks like we are going to consider replacing the gas stove and tankless hot water heater with electric! Finally, I can't say enough good things about the installation team. Super professional, and worked well with my roofer to route the wiring around the end of the roof and avoid penetrating the roof. We have even had them return to install the EV charging plug. read more

SolTerra - Solar Panels - Solar Installation Near Me - Seattle, Washington

We had batteries and a Span panel installed and are really happy with the results. Marvin was our installer and made sure to tell me what he planned to do every day and the results at the end. Originally, we thought the batteries would have to be installed on the ground which would be less attractive and take up more space. However, they were able to mount them to the garage walls which was way better. Marvin definitely seemed to care about the quality of his work and was able to accommodate the layout that I requested. He also called out some issues in the attic that I was aware of. read more

I had 58 solar panels installed 10 years ago by Solterra. The installation and maintenance were great, 5 stars! Soon after they were installed, though, I called about a storage system and was told my microinverters were not compatible with any storage system, but innovations were coming. I called several times over the years, and again got the same answer. And I requested they contact me when this was available. This year I learned from a different source that a battery storage system could work with my microinverters. So, I called Solterra immediately, in September of this year, to schedule installation before the tax breaks expire, and was told they were too busy. As a customer for so many years, helping Solterra early on in its existence, and with years of storage requests, this was not only bad service for loyal customers but also felt like a betrayal. read more

We had SolTerra install our solar panel system, Mike and team were amazing, quick, and professional. They finished ahead of schedule and explained the system once installed. Kevin, the sales representative, came to our house and spent time explaining our options and what our cost savings would be. They were hands on and very helpful, would recommend them highly for solar panel needs. read more

We had solar installed at our home 7 years ago, and the whole process was smooth and stress-free. Since then, we've had a couple of minor issues, and Soltera has been excellent in helping us resolve them. I want to give special recognition to Marvin and Paige -- Marvin's technical expertise, professionalism, and attention to detail were outstanding, and Paige kept everything organized, clear, and easy from start to finish. Their teamwork made the experience exceptional. We highly recommend Soltera Solar! read more

Five companies and over twenty quotes later, we chose SolTerra and couldn't be happier. There are a lot of great installers where we live, but SolTerra had the absolute best communication, deep technical knowledge, and really delivered a beautiful design. From the panel placements to the way they carefully managed the conduit to hide everything from the street, each detail was thought through. It looks great and we just sailed through our first multi-day blackout on solar and batteries alone. Thank you SolTerra! read more

SolTerra - Solar Installation Near Me - Seattle, Washington

installation was good. a couple of years later a recall required the technicians to return. Fast forward to 4 months ago and I needed a new roof Solterra was too busy to remove and re position panels (and VERY expensive in their quote) for the roof to be placed, so I contacted another company. They found that the wiring had been done improperly, spliced and half of the array wasn't producing due to the faulty wiring. Overall an extremely dangerous situation. Great (I think) on the installation but follow up is nonexistent. Very disappointed in this company. Battery or power storage was never offered as an option. read more

UPDATE: we came home with our newborn baby from the hospital this week. Literally 4 hours later, we had a power outage. I could have cried about how grateful I was to have solar power and be able to see/care for the baby. Best decision we could have made. read more

I had a great experience working with SolTerra to come up with a bid for both my solar project, but for reasons specific to my home's needs I ended up choosing another company. It was a tight race! I strongly recommend considering a bid from them. Great service, high quality hardware and competitive pricing. read more

We flipped the switch this week on our new solar power system! SolTerra was excellent to work with, and we're very happy with our system. There were some glitches and time delays as we went along--no fault of theirs or ours, including my father dying--and they were helpful and communicative all the way. Solar power was completely new to us. From the time we asked for a quote until the project was done, we had a million questions, all answered patiently and in language we could understand. I think the responsiveness is especially admirable given that they work on whole buildings and construction projects, when we're just a little rambler in the suburbs. We don't expect to live in the area for many more years. We are not concerned with that because whatever we don't earn through energy savings, we will probably get back as equity when we sell. Feels great to run on green power! read more

They were great every step of the way, and I love having the Enphase website to show me my energy use each day from both the grid and the solar panels. My only complaint is that they didn't explain how much the control box they put next to my front walkway would protrude into the walkway and just generally be an eyesore where it is. read more

Just to be clear we did NOT get a solar installation done by SolTerra. But we wish we were able to have done so, and are very impressed by the company. They communicated well, and after Isaac took a look at our roof it was determined that our situation wasn't ideal for solar due to a large tree (on a neighbor's property) that shades a crucial area of our roof for much of the day. He was honest and explained everything completely. As much as we wanted to get solar installed, we didn't end up wasting thousands of dollars on a system that would never produce the results we hoped for. They could have gone ahead and sold us an expensive system, but they didn't; that speaks to their integrity- a rare find these days! read more

I had the worst experience with SolTerra. Having contacted three firms in January 2022 for competitive bids to install solar on my rooftop, I chose SolTerra, not for the lowest price, but for the schedule; guaranteeing to have the system installed no-later-than April 30, 2022. My most important requirement is that the system be fully installed by April 30, 2022. (I was leaving Seattle on a six months job assignment and wanted the job completed before leaving.) The marketers were friendly and happily took my $42 thousand dollar deposit in February. They informed me of my responsibilities associated with site preparations. This included cutting down a 200 year old tree, which I did at a cost of $1,200 dollars. Unfortunately, I never heard anything else from SolTerra after cashing my check. Being a Boeing Procurement manager for 25 years, red flags appeared at every phase, indicating a lack of discipline in adhering to the agreed upon schedule. I called SolTerra on April 15th to check on when the system would be installed. That's when the excuses started. There had been no material deliveries, no technical representatives showing up to review the project. The only action was the cashing of my $42 thousand dollar check. I didn't even get a call from SolTerra regarding the delays. I had to call them! It was obvious that there was no intention of completing the project as agreed upon. SolTerra promised the job would be completed by April 30, 2022. Ultimately, the job was cancelled in early May due to cost and schedule commitments not being adhered to via the contract. I asked for a refund of all my money. SolTerra withheld $500 from my deposit for "Engineering and Administrative" services, which I had no choice but to pay because they held my deposit. A company is only as good as its word and reputation. SolTerra emphasis was on marketing, versus a quality delivery of their solar product. The marketing organization was completely out of touch with the production and installation side of the organization; giving promises they knowingly couldn't deliver on. It's obvious the management team needs some internal remedial training, nevertheless additional ethics training. I'm sure SolTerra is a quality company. My experience turned out to be a classic case study of how not to treat your clients and how important ethics are in the operation of your business. SolTerra promised to follow-up on some outstanding items. I haven't heard anything since they returned my check, minus $500 dollars. I agonized regarding writing a review, but this was an expensive failure which could have been prevented with better communication and honest dialogue. read more

We hired SolTera to install solar panels on a home in Eastern WA. They were happy to come out (even before the snow had melted) and give us options, information and various proposals based on our roof dimensions. The team that came to the home were super friendly and stayed to themselves. I offered for them to leave their work area "set up" for the next day (we had a lot of panels installed) but they insisted on cleaning up their space each night. Throughout the whole process the main office gave us regular updates, ensured we had the paperwork we needed to sell power back to the PUD as well as our permits. They were accommodating when we asked to add a panel box to the garage (where there formerly was no electricity). During the install process of main office kept in touch with what work was done, what was left and the status of the inspection with L & I. Solar may not make sense in every case but if you're considering it, I'd happily recommend these guys. If you'd like to see a picture (well as good of a picture as I can take from the ground), PM me. read more

We feel really good about working with Solterra Systems in getting a photovoltaic system, in combination with a new roof. 1. They got the job done, within the budget and timeframe agreed on. 2. They made the job possible by hooking us up with a source of financing (Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union) that we hadn't thought of. Financing was a big deal because although the project makes total economic sense in the long run, we didn't have all the cash up front. 3. They designed a system that met our needs and fit in with the particulars of our site (e.g. allowed for a large tree to the west.) 4. The system as installed works great and looks great! 5. The staff was friendly and effective. We worked with Kevin, the planner, and several roofers/installers whose names I don't remember, but they are all people I'd be glad to have over for a party! We went for the PV system because we're pretty sure energy prices aren't going down in our lifetime, and we love the idea of generating our own juice! (It pays for itself in about 14 years and is gauranteed for 25 so the decision was pretty easy.) We went for the metal roof so that we won't have to replace it in 30 years and as a side-benefit the water running off can go on our garden without the chemical issues associated with composite shingles. Doing the roof and PV system at the same time may not be necessary for everyone, but it worked out very well for us, helping us make our little house just a little bit more environmentally responsible ... and economically valuable! I recommend Solterra to you without hesitation. read more

What an amazing company, outstanding communication, knowledge and people to work with. I work with vendors in my career and Solterra would rank at the top. Each individual on the team took pride in their work and provided outstanding service. I will be recommending this company to family and friends. read more

SolTerra Systems was awesome. The sales staff is super responsive and very nice. (Maybe it was the Lattes I was serving ;) Aimee was our sales rep and was excellent with her communication and did not pressure us in any way. She was patient and very helpful and always followed through on what she said. It took a long time to get this project done because we had to get a loan through our business and most banks would not our biz money for solar panels on our home. In the end, it was Solterra's connections to Umpqua Bank that made the difference. The implementation was very quick an they did an amazing job of leveling the panels perfectly in spite of our very uneven roof. You can tell everyone at Solterra is passionate about alternative energy. Now our roof is is producing about 42kWh per day and it will pay for itself in about 6-7 years. Our meter also spins backwards most of the day. We will definitely use SolTerra when we add Thermal collection next year. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions. solar@barklouder.com read more

I originally started out getting quotes from 3 solar companies that I selected after asking for recommendations from neighbors on Nextdoor.com, and looking on Yelp.com. I looked at their websites and requested a free quote. In the end, I got quotes from 6 companies, and went with SolTerra Solar. https://solar.solterra.com/quote/ All of the sales persons had the same basic approach: They asked for my address so they could look at my roof with Google Earth, and they asked for a year's worth of my monthly electric use (the SnoCo PUD web site allows you to print a bar graph for a selected time period.) Then with a basic plan in mind, they scheduled a home visit to give me their pitch. Once at the house, one briefly glanced up at the roof, one came after dark so never even saw it, one took some readings from the front yard in less than 3 minutes, one actually went up on the roof for about an hour and took physical measurements, one didn't come out but did a phone interview, one didn't come out and provided their quote based on Google Earth and my electric bill information only. My situation was a bit unusual. I had just removed my gas furnace and switched to an electric heat pump system. This meant that my electric use history from the PUD did not reflect what my heating use would be going forward in the winter, or what my cooling use would be going forward in the summer (now that I had aircon.) I explained this to all the sales reps when I spoke to them, but SolTerra was the ONLY company that took that information and actually factored it into their calculations for the size of system I should have - everyone else just used my historical electric use with gas heat and no aircon. When I started, I had NO idea about the different options for solar panel system inverters. I highly recommend if you are considering solar, you start with the EnergySage web site to educate yourself - this is a consumer website so not slanted to any one brand or type of panel or system like the solar company websites are, and it is VERY easy to navigate and understand. If nothing else, read the page on the 3 types of solar panel inverter technologies: https://www.energysage.com/solar/101/string-inverters-microinverters-power-optimizers/ As a perk, most of the companies offer a bonus for a referral ie if after they install your solar, you refer someone else to them, then you get a referral bonus check (~$500.) So remember who referred you, and give the company their name. (With SolTerra, you BOTH get a check ie I was referred by a neighbor, so they got a check for $500 and I got a discount of $500 off my quote.) If you go into solar production before the end of 2019, you will receive a 30% Federal Tax Credit on the cost of your installation (including the sales tax.) The Washington State Incentive Program (which paid cash-back up to 50% of the cost of your installation) is currently NOT available - it ran out of money on January 31, 2019. I am on the wait list should the legislature provide more funds in the future. read more

I had 27 panels installed in Janurary and I am so grateful a friend recommended Solterra. Travis, our consultant and designer was outstanding. He and the rest of the Soterra team made the process so easy. They kept us informed and responded to questions quickly. At every point they under promised and over delivered. Our system has been issue free and is performed better than expected. I could not recommend Solterra more. read more

Solterra installed 26 solar panels on our high roof in June, plus switched out two aging electrical panels in our duplex, plus installed our electric car charger. We are so happy! All of their staff from the representative to the guys on the job site are super friendly and very professional. Solterra took care of all the permits and wrap-up work to make sure we understand how the system works and how to maximize the financial return. We did our research on costs and their prices are reasonable and fair. I can't recommend this company highly enough. We weren't sure if solar was for us, but our friends recommended giving them a call and it turned out to be great advice. PM me if you'd like to see photos! read more

These guys did a great job. Polite, professional, and very helpful/knowledgeable about solar in Seattle. For those of you considering an installation, call them for a rundown of the advantages...even in Seattle. read more

We really appreciate the job that SolTerra did from start to finish - which was about a year! We had basic questions at the beginning, and then we needed a new roof and house paint before the solar panels could be installed. The options offered and the estimate were clear and competitive. An upgraded electrical panel for our old house was part of the installation. Everyone on the project was helpful and knowledgeable, and just great to work with. Even during the winter in Seattle, we're generating quite a bit of electricity from the roof! Thanks, SolTerra! read more

We had 26 solar panels installed in Oct of 2015 and been very happy with it. It's great seeing a power bill of only 5.00 for two months of usage. SolTerra did a great job with the installation and would use them again. read more

We were very happy with the installation, from start to finish. The crew were hard workers, very professional and did quality work. They also made it easy for us to see the benefits of solar power and the whole process was pain-free. We also appreciated the way they helped us with any questions, and I was left with the feeling that I could call at anytime, even now over a year later if I needed any help with anything. In fact I made a call recently and Kevin, who did such an outstanding job in educating us about the system contacted me immediately and helped me with a simple maintenance issue. He acted as if I was an old friend that needed some advice. It was very reassuring. On top of all that, we have an outstanding solar system and have been reaping the benefits for nearly two solar seasons. read more

We loved working with Solterra! They installed 25 PV panels on our home and upgraded our electrical panel as part of the installation. At the beginning of our process we knew we were interested in solar, but had so many questions. And, we are the type of people that really like to have an in-person conversation to evaluate our options. Solterra was happy to come to our home and sit down with us. (Not all the companies we contacted were willing to do that. Several wanted to simply look at our house via google and send us a proposal.) Solterra did an excellent job educating us about our solar options and the current incentive structure. They then provided us with several options, and we worked together to come up with the perfect one to meet our needs. The communication about the installation was excellent, and the installation itself was done quickly and professionally. Additionally, Solterra provided turnkey service which meant they handled all of the paperwork required from the state and the city to have our system connected to the grid and so we receive the proper incentive payments annually. This was a huge benefit -- saving both time and stress. And they have happily answered all of my questions about the incentive system before, during and after the installation. Finally, we did have an issue with our electrical panel where one item in our house was mis-wired. When we found the problem, they came out the very next day and fixed it at no charge. The electrician took the time to test everything else on the panel to make sure there were no other issues. This is the kind of service you want when you have a problem! I know that I can call Solterra with a question at anytime and I will receive a prompt and helpful response. I highly recommend them! read more

Solterra exceeded my expectations in every aspect - and my expectations were high. They were the first to respond to my proposal, provided the most detailed and accurate design, and answered every question and concern. When my project was delayed by others, they stood by me and adapted their schedule to mine. The installation was as clean and professional as it could possibly be. I had my roof replaced in conjunction with the solar install, and Solterra coordinated their work with the other contractor to provide a seamless installation. When Washington state legislative changes provided a tax savings, Solterra passed that directly on to me, a significant saving - even though I wasn't even aware of the change. Communication was first rate from the CEO on down. This is a very well run company with competent, experienced staff who work together to provide excellent service - Highly recommended! read more

This company is full on Spectacular. Everyone from Brian Carpenter who is a super genius Mac Daddy of AWESOMENESS, to the crew that installed the panels. If you care about the planet, want to save a few bucks on your power bill, or rock out and power your electric car with the sun, then this is the single most amazing, trustworthy and fantastic solar company on the planet. I full on love these guys. They take care of everything. The process was so easy that I almost feel guilty about what a fantastic pleasure it was. These guys really kick ass, and I mean that in the most professional and work appropriate way possible. Seriously, this company is helping to save the planet, one solar panel at a time. read more

We worked with Nick Richardson to install 29 panels on the roof of our detached garage. We have a main and 3 subpanels which made this an unusual installation but SolTerra figured it out and everything went very smoothly. Everyone I met was extremely efficient, open to discussing their plans and what they were doing, and very considerate. The company did a great job of handling all of the paperwork while keeping us informed. We installed in Jan and got immediate production. One of the wettest, cloudiest springs on record and we still produced 50% of our usage. Yesterday was our best day so far, producing 200% of what we used. All of Nick's calculations have been spot on. They are the best contractor/installer we have had work on the house - by far! read more

I cannot recommend them unfortunately. The sales person was pushing hard right from the start and was even hesitant to come out and work with me unless I was sure I was going to purchase. Once the final proposal was given the numbers actually looked good but I still had concerns about funding it at as the price tag is still large at the start (over 20k). I had other electrical work they said they would do as well. I though that this might be a good way to see how well they work to have this done first. When I decided to put off the solar for now and go with the smaller job they told me they were no longer interested. My suspicions that they only wanted a quick sale and not a business relationship for the future was confirmed. :( Avoid these guys at all costs. read more

We bought our house 4 years ago and the roof was replaced at that time. The old owners paid around $20,000 at that time. The roof had low spots where water accumulated (called ponding). With standard roofing, ponding will negate any warranty. Obviously, the roofer at that time overcharged the former owners for an inferior roof. We got estimates for a new roof this past summer and all came in around $20,000+ with multiple different recommendations. I wondered if we replaced the roof at the same time that we installed Solar, if it would be advantageous. We contacted Solterra and were immediately in touch with Kevin Moen. He was courteous, knowledgeable, believable and obviously loved his product. He came when he said he would and followed through every time (unlike the other 3 roofers). They made recommendations about safety issues with our electrical panel and some deterioration on the structure of our roof. We never had to clean up after any of the workers and they were all a joy to work with--uncommonly courteous and diligent. Our experience was the best that we have ever experienced in our 30 some odd years of owning houses and rentals. read more

Horrible customer service. They looked at our roof and gave us a bid. We signed a contract with them and took out a loan to purchase the equipment. Two weeks before the installation they wanted to reduce the warranty from 10 years to 2 years. We received an email about this on a Friday at 9:45pm before Kevin, our salesman, went on a week vacation. Very disappointed in the level of service they provided. I would advise to look into other companies if you are deciding on solar. read more

Brian, the sales rep took us through all the information we needed, covering things we hadn't thought off. Told us accurately how much electricity we could generate using several different layouts. He explained what tax incentives and financing was available, and what maintenance would be required. Installation went smoothly we passed city inspection. and even though we in a dark, rainy month, we are generating more electricity than I would have thought possible. I am a satisfied customer. read more

We had a great experience working with Soltera. They were wonderful and prepared when we first met. I would have felt NO pressure to decide to hold off on our solar project panel. Luke just loved his work and wanted to share his enthusiasm for solar energy and make the financial case for going forward given all the incredible incentives. We got the whole job done quickly to get in under the end of year deadline for tax purposes. Everything went as planned and it was a pleasure to work with the entire team. I love the federal and state tax incentives and digging being an energy mogul from the sun :) read more

We had looked into getting solar panels and had several companies present their product. We decided to go with Solterra Systems and were very happy from start to finish. Kevin Moen was our consultant, he was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the entire process. The job was done in a short amount of time, the job site was kept clean and professional. We have had no problems at all with our system and would recommend Solterra to anyone interested in a solar system. read more

Worst company to deal with. The sales person Kevin came out first which seemed nice and then he told me that you have a few loose shingles and might need a roof replacement. Had the electrician and another person come out to inspect fuse panel and remeasure the roof and didn't find out anything except the electrician didn't go to the rest room before he came so he decided to whiz behind one of my bushes. Then got another phone call from Kevin and he said roof needed to be replace since the shingles where not lined up and I told him I didn't care about that and then he went on saying the shingles were nailed down and I told him they had to be since the wind blew them up and then it went to your roof is too waive and that the solar panels would never fit on your roof. I would find another company to go with since they are the worst but the best at wasting your time to figure out you were never going to get solar. read more

They misled us to the design. It was completely inaccurate. The design and meters are not sleek and simple (One box like they said). Instead its a mess of pipes and meters. They did not fulfill the contract. They pushed for payment and did not pay the complete permit fee so it delayed the installation of our production meter. They were not responsive on this issue and did not follow up with Seattle City Light to dog Seattle City Light to get everything completed. I am supposed to have had my meter installed by now. Today I receive another letter from Seattle City Light that they need more information and more certifications. I do not know why this has not been submitted by Solterra. Solterra has not done what it was required to do contractually to get my system operational and misrepresented it would be operational once installed. It is not and they misinformed us. Beware. I had this system installed ($25,000) about 6 weeks ago and still have no operating system, contrary to their promises. read more