Having East Bay Power Systems design install and certify a rooftop solar panel system has been a…read morewonderful experience. Working with the team (Darlene, Jeff, David etc.) to get the system designed and installed was very easy, they took care of everything, including getting the city to approve the design/installation for PG&E. Installation was a simple one day process, and best of all, we were essentially off the grid the next day. Interestingly East Bay Power Systems use American made solar panels (Aptos) and an American made power backup system (Tesla). Not only does the system perform flawlessly, because of there high output of the Aptos solar panels (up to 450W per panel) the whole array of 10 panels is virtually unseen. As an added bonus, they set up a Tesla app on your phone so you can see at a glance how mush power the system is generating, how much is being used to power the house, how much is used to charge the backup system and how much power is being sold to PG&E. For a system this good, overall cost was relatively low, far less than what I was quoted 5 years ago by two different companies. You may have noticed all my reviews to date on Yelp have been 5 star, this is deliberate. Life is too short to focus on that which does not make us happy. This is why I restrict my reviews to those things/places/services that make me happy and appreciate life. Sure, I have been to some really dreadful shops, hotels and restaurants etc., but, like I said, life is too short to spend time thinking and writing about them.

The product is good, the process left us wanting…read more Eric, David, Jose and the crew did an excellent job. My frustration was with the post installation process. I got answers from Darlene that did not make sense. Sometimes her computer was down other times her phone was down. Sometimes she would call to give me a message only to realize that she had called the wrong customer. Did not enjoy working with her. Finally, Kara engaged and we got the Permission to Operate about two months after the install. Supposedly Jeff (the Business Owner) is no longer with the company and has gone back East, so not sure who is leading their future efforts. For future customers: hang on to a portion of the payment till the Permission to Operate is received not just the installation.

I couldn't be happier with my experience with Solar Sesame…read more My situation was a little more complicated than most because I already had an existing leased solar system under NEM 2 that I wanted to preserve. That meant my new system needed to be designed as a non-export system with battery storage. Before choosing Solar Sesame, I had already received three other quotes. My existing provider kept pushing another leased system where I'd continue paying per use. While it was cheaper than PG&E, it was significantly more expensive over the long run than owning the system myself. Another provider told me they couldn't fit enough panels on my roof to meet my energy needs and recommended much more expensive alternatives. A third provider quoted nearly 40% more than another installer for essentially the same system. Solar Sesame stood out immediately. They designed a system that fit all the panels I needed on my roof, met my energy goals, and came in at the best overall price. They also went above and beyond when the federal tax credit rules were changing. They were able to structure the project in a way that effectively preserved those benefits for me, which I really appreciated. Originally, I planned to install just one Tesla Powerwall. After doing more research, I decided I wanted two. I found a competitive online offer, and without any hassle, Solar Sesame matched it by adding the second battery at a heavily discounted price. That flexibility and willingness to work with me made a big impression. Throughout the entire project, the team was transparent, professional, and kept me informed every step of the way. There were a few delays, but they were all related to the PG&E process rather than Solar Sesame. Now that everything is up and running, I'm extremely happy with the system. The installation looks great, my electric bills have been dramatically reduced, and I feel confident I chose the right company. If you're shopping around for solar, I highly recommend talking with Solar Sesame. They earned my business by offering the best combination of value, expertise, transparency, and customer service.

Solar Sesame is a brokerage company, they don't install the panels; they work with another company…read morecalled GoodLeap that installs, maintain and owns the solar panels. There is a 3.59% increase annually to a flat rate fee and a connection fee with the quote. After 25 years of this contract, you can choose to buy the panels (by that time, the panels will be 25 years older), but if you'd like to keep the panels, it'll cost a todays estimate of 900-$1200 to maintain annually. When I did the calculations would $327 monthly for electricity. And even with the panels, there is a $15 connectivity fee to connect to the main grid aka PG&E. So the quote I got is unsustainable for what I'm trying to achieve; which is to be independent from PG&E. Because I used only about $30 of electricity and $15 gas, but have to pay $125 delivery fee from PG&E, and it's just gouging for no reason. And the solar sesame quote I got ended up more expensive in the long run than if I stayed with PG&E. I was referred to an actual government run solar panel installation company through a local state and federal program called Grid Alternatives and is looking forward to a quote from them. was told by a clean energy program that I may be able to get solar panels free of charge and get a electric panel upgrade at no charge if I qualify. After meeting with their rep; they were pressuring me to sign at the meeting. Very aggressive. The solar seasame rep said he has been with the company for 10 years; but solar seasame was established in 2021. Maybe I heard this wrong, but there were a lot of questions unanswered; and a lot of confusion on who and what is getting done. They also use the Tesla battery...which I don't want to support. Unfortunately I will not be going with Solar Sesame.

Got Watts installed two phases of solar panels on my roof, 67 panels in total. The job was massive,…read morethe price was fair, and the follow up service was excellent. There were hardware glitches after installation, but the Got Watts team reliably spotted them - without me realizing there was even an issue - and sent teams out to ensure my equipment worked as promised. Years later I noticed some leaks through my roof where some phase 2 panels were installed. I notified Got Watts and they sent large crews to my home to rectify the issue over several days. This was no small fix. They probably spent vastly more to rectify the leaks than they did to install the panels to begin with. No one likes to have problems with an install. But, it means a lot for a contractor to honor their commitment and spend vast sums to honor their warranty, and their word, to their customer. I've had "good companies" make promises they wouldn't honor once the initial check cleared. Got Watts was true to their word and treated me in a dignified manner that is rare these days. I would unreservedly recommend the good people at their firm. Special thanks to Sam Moore and Daniel Harrold for their excellent service.

Skylar S @Got Watts showed up at my door at just the right time. I needed a new roof and it was the…read moreperfect time to get a solar system installed. He helped me understand the options, pricing/discounts, and process. He helped get estimates from roofers and connected me with TCU for project loans. He answered questions along the way, checked in on the progress and practiced high-quality professional customer service throughout. The system is up and running (after a Tesla battery replacement) and generating power! First bill from PG&E was $38; second was $2! Thank you, Skylar and Got Watts!

We could not be more delighted with the results we achieved working with the team at Your Energy…read moreSolutions. The many moving parts to our residential solar plus battery system, including the various entities, such as PG&E, Tesla, City inspectors, and the financial backers we opted to use all progressed seamlessly and, for us effortlessly, thanks to hard working individuals behind the scenes. In particular, Skyler could not have been more helpful, managing our project and acting as a point of contact. Others included David in sales who demystified the process, Varon who coordinated with the utility to ensure we met all requirements, and Gino, who collaborated with Maxwell Power (formerly HDM Renewable Finance), the clean-energy company that helped finance our residential system. On site, the design and install team did a great job keeping things simple. The entire system, including battery and thirteen panels, was installed according to Ramiros's expert design within just four hours. Good quality hardware was used to tie to the roof, which was inspected by our roofer and given a big thumbs up for not causing problems. But even before that, David our site survey tech, gave us the sense that all would proceed well, as he collected necessary data by drone, and made a favorable first impression with his personable approach. Toward the end of the multi-month process, which included time to get a new roof installed, we passed city inspection with YES tech, Dario, an extremely courteous young man, present to ensure we made it through that last step and PTO (permission to operate). YES has an excellent and well-deserved reputation because of these people and others who worked on our behalf. The company can do better automating some of the process, and to be fair, they say they are working on transitioning to a CRM software solution for this purpose. But, I can say that over a period of several months, I had excellent communication with many helpful people. Skyler in customer service was my primary contact and that made all the difference. My thanks to YES for helping us make this wonderful and complex project a reality. We love our new YES-backed system and look forward to working with the company again in the future.

I had a frustrating experience with Your Energy Solutions regarding a warranty transfer. The…read morecontract stated that an additional charge would be incurred for the warranty transfer but did not disclose the amount. We were later charged $500 with no prior breakdown or explanation of the fee. I clearly communicated that I would be the one paying this charge. Despite that, the service department reached out directly to the buyer and asked who would be paying. This unnecessary contact created confusion and complications during the escrow process that could have easily been avoided. The lack of transparency on the warranty transfer fee and the poor internal communication caused more stress than necessary. Businesses handling real estate-related services should be more careful with both contract clarity and how they communicate with parties involved in a transaction.

I had a great experience with A1 Sun throughout my home solar installation. Their entire team was…read moreprofessional, knowledgeable, and easy to work with at every stage of the process, from planning and installation through completion. I highly recommend A1 Sun to anyone considering solar for their home.

I'm in the last two days of completing a system here in El Cerrito. I'm a private home inspector…read moreand have known Larry for many years in a professional capacity. Reuben is the new person in charge and is already doing an outstanding job. The level of professionalism and care for the client within this institution is extraordinary. We get so used to working with people who are subpar, that when you work with someone who is first rate, especially an ensemble cast like this, it sort of bowls you over. Everyone is extremely knowledgeable and patient and friendly and the job gets done without any unnecessary hitches. Their communication is terrific. The email or text about everything on a regular basis so you're never wondering what's going to happen or when. As a client and a professional, I cannot recommend this company more highly. Matt Cantor ACI CANTOR INSPECTIONS

Solar panel system with new roof in 2019. Battery backup system added in 2024. No drama, great…read morefunction, indeed saving money and also eliminating worries. Starting with our first conversation in 2016 about timing and strategy, every interaction with John O. was a calm, educational joy, and his company delivered a rock-solid system. What a great loss to the community that the regulatory environment has essentially driven this company out.

I had solar panels installed a few years ago. Unfortunately the company has gone out of business…read more I've been trying to reach them to get a cracked panel replaced. John, if you could message me that would be great! We have LG360N1C-N5 panels.

Our solar installer, Solar Union, went bust in mid-2025 and in November our LG battery stopped…read moreworking. The inverter mfgr, Solar Edge, refused to do anything directly, so I had to find a new installer. That took a while but I finally found Sutro Power. The co-owner, JP Rapagnani, took us on, attracted the attention of Solar Edge, came onsite and got the battery reconnected and updated, installed optimizers on three dark panels, and, finally, washed the panels. Our solar system is back up and we are so grateful to Sutro Power. Thanks, too, to techs Ryan, Vlad, and Rick.

Sutro was the only provider I could find that had SigEnergy batteries. There were some issues…read moreintegrating that battery with my old system, but the Sutro team kept troubleshooting until it worked. Also, their prices seemed competitive (and no one else had exactly what I was looking for).

I'm a bit late in writing this as our system was installed last Oct 2025 but wanted to give a big…read moreshout out to Sunlight Electrical. My mom and I couldn't be happier with the service we were provided from start to finish. We contacted the business in late July of last year to see about installing a solar system on our home before the end of the year. Within in days, Alessandro was here to meet us in person and provided us with a comprehensive breakdown for solar options and pricing. We loved that we were treated like actual people instead of a number in a queue. Given that there was a slight backlog of jobs they had to work through we were assured that we would have our system fully installed and activated before the end of the year, which we did! It was great working with Nick who was our onsite rep and Juan was always available to answer any questions we had by phone (of which I had many). Despite the number of times I called, he was always patient with me and provided detailed answers that gave me a better picture of our installation and how our system would operate moving forward. I can't say enough about how amazing the whole process was. Looking at our electrical bills right now and we're in awe of all of the savings we're getting, which validates our decision to purposefully oversize our system. If and when we decide to install a car charging station in our home we're definitely going back to Sunlight!

I can't say enough good things about Carlos Gomez from Sunlight Electri-Cal Solutions…read more I've been working on a non-standard solar setup using an EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra X and EcoFlow Smart Home Panel 3, and finding a contractor who truly understood this type of system was incredibly difficult. I spoke with many contractors, and almost all of them sent salespeople who gave generic answers or tried to push cookie-cutter solutions that clearly didn't fit my setup. Carlos was completely different. From the moment he arrived, it was clear he wasn't a salesperson -- he's an engineer, and it shows. He took the time to deeply understand my system, reviewed actual spec sheets on the spot, and immediately identified issues that other contractors completely missed. Multiple companies told me Hyundai panels would work fine. Carlos checked the amperage limits, applied proper safety margin calculations, and clearly explained why those panels would not work with my EcoFlow system -- saving me from a costly mistake. He also walked me through: Proper panel selection within voltage and amperage limits Safe string configurations and series wiring How to maximize roof space while staying within code Permitting requirements I hadn't been told about before On top of that, Carlos identified critical code and safety requirements that no one else mentioned: Bollards required in the garage to protect battery units Correct battery placement to maintain required clearance from doors and entrances Heat detector requirements for battery installations in a garage These are all things that would have caused inspection failures later -- and Carlos caught them immediately. He spent well over an hour with me, climbed onto my roof to check for obstructions, inspected battery placement, reviewed wiring paths, and answered every question in detail without ever rushing me. What truly sealed the deal was how efficient and transparent the pricing process was. Carlos was able to turn around a detailed quote very quickly, and when I received it, I was honestly surprised -- it was a significant amount lower than every other quote I received, even though his evaluation was by far the most thorough. Given everything: His technical expertise The level of detail and care The ability to integrate with my existing system The fast turnaround And the much better pricing Choosing Sunlight Electri-Cal Solutions was a complete no-brainer. Carlos is knowledgeable, meticulous, honest, and genuinely passionate about doing things the right way. After meeting him, I completely understand why this company has such strong Yelp reviews. If you're in the Bay Area and need electrical or solar work done the right way, especially for a non-standard or custom system, I highly recommend Carlos and the team at Sunlight Electri-Cal Solutions.

All of a sudden the panels at my mom's house stopped producing energy and I was in a pickle because…read morethe installer went bankrupt years ago. Because of the good experience I had with having Clean Solar install panels at my house I reached out to them to see if they would service panels installed by another, and thankfully they accepted the job. After some back and forth with their customer support, they remotely assessed that the inverter failed and they would install a new one for a reasonable price. Clean Solar employee Jose arrived early for the install and he was very polite and relatable. He replaced the inverter and did not leave until he made sure that the system was back up and running and production was being reported in the app. I recommend Clean Solar to anyone needing their panels serviced or to install a new system. Jose is an excellent employee and my mom had a great experience working with him.

**Update: Carl contacted us to apologize for the few negative experiences and they will definitely…read moretake our feedback seriously and will address and improve these issues. Btw I was going to bump this review to a 4 but working with Nick we decided on 5.** We had a complicated full house renovation this year and signed with Clean Solar for either the Tesla tiles or solar panels and we ended up choosing solar panels + Tesla power walls. I want to give special thanks (and the only reason why I didn't give a 0 star) and appreciation to the members listed as they deserved beyond 5 stars Bill, Nick, Jeremy, Rodger, Louis, Kevin, Albert, Alberto, Carl (CEO). Bill was amazing and helpful in explaining the process and helping us secure the initial funding. You are probably wondering why I am giving this solar company a 3 star. Well it takes 1 bad apple to ruin a team and this is the case. A three day project ended up taking 3+ weeks & we understand that the workload is extremely busy this time of year. However when 1 person is acting unprofessional, crossing the line, asking homeowners to borrow a usb cable to charge their cell phone, super loud, tries to impress (why), doesn't listen to clients (would walk away in mid conversation), act as if he is the owner of the company, talks way too much (not in a good way), talking about his side hustle business, a bit juvenile, not completing and complaining about the job in front of clients plus not showing up when he said he would to complete the job, leaving tools at the site and asking the homeowners to put it in their garage until he returns to pick it up, calls in sick last minute leaving the load to other team members plus more well then this becomes a problem and 0 stars (if possible) especially the amount of money you invest into this project. We also requested that this person not show up again but they kept sending him back. At the end of the project half of the Tesla walls were connected and working but the other half wasn't connecting. At one point our bedrooms electricity didn't work, it wasn't the breakers and Nick was awesome enough to take our after hours call and help us manually override those other 2 disconnected wall panels. The dream team (Nick, Kevin and Albert) resolved the connection and all is working now. Also, Nick stayed late to make sure our Tesla walls were configured and updated properly. Plus , a shout out to Jeremy for staying late as well to help fix a broken issue. Feedback: Organize a team that works well together to effectively complete the project. Provide sexual harassment training (this is excluding people listed here). If a female client doesn't feel comfortable with a person don't resend them back. Also if a homeowner (regardless of being the wife) calls and leaves a message please out of courtesy call back after all I am the client, work and pay the bills too (even though this is my husband's project).

Bad bad bad. They were great at making a proposal and getting our money, but there were so many…read moreproblems with the design and installation. We knew they were running against the clock trying to wrap up installations before the tax credit ran out, but now the system is installed and having TONS of problems and they do not respond to calls or emails. We fin called the manufacturer (Enphase) and they sent a technician out to diagnose and turns out Solar Technologies configured our system incorrectly and other problem. Enphase communicated to Solar Technologies what they need to do to solve all of our problems, but Solar Technologies is completely unresponsive. Our batteries only charge up to 17 percent capacity because they didn't set the system up correctly so basically we paid 50k for a system and that system is only functioning a quarter of what it should be. I wish they would refund us for all the capacity that we've missed out on. They are terrible.

I would give them a 0 is I could. (0 days ago I booked a remove and replace contract with solar…read moretechnologies. I needed a new roof and the solar needed to come off. Sarah is the nicest and great worker has been my only contact and she is not a technician. I requested a pre site visit to review the job and draw up plans and I was told it is billable. So no pre site visit was ever completed. So removal went well. Install is a disaster. We are now 5 days in and I have no working system. I had 2 inverters and wanted to go to one. I was told the Tesla inverter could do that. Today the team removed my 2 old inverters and mounted the Tesla inverter. They then went to the panels and there was no Tesla MCI to connect to the panels. 18 of my panels might not be compatible with the Tesla inverter. 1, I do not have a building permit. This work is being performed while it is in process. 2. There is no install plan. Every time the installers came I had to be project manager. They did not know I was going to 1 inverter. 3. Even when the inverter was in the truck the team did not know I am going to one inverter. 4. My old inverters have been removed and are not usable. Save yourself my pain hire a reputable solar company.