Solar Panels are popping up all over in our area. It's very nice to see. Sunetrics put up our panels about a year and a half ago and it's been working as expected and we're very happy about that. They said they would put up panels that would be sure not exceed what our needs were. We were advised not to overproduce power because it would be given to HECO (Hawaiian Electric Company) to keep without reimbursement. And it's true. The panels did definitely give us less than what we needed, too much less. For some reason our usage must have also gone up a bit so we thought we'd put up a few more panels.
We sent our Sunetrics salesperson an e-mail. No response. We called their office and left a message. No response.
When we were deciding how many panels we should put up, Sunetrics said we shouldn't worry because we could just call them and they'd put more up.
We recommended them to our friend, Ed this past year who got a quote from them. The Sunetrics estimate came up much, much higher than the others. When Ed called to ask for an explanation he got no response.
We were at a Senior Fair and talked to a HECO person there and mentioned Sunetrics to them. He mentioned how he'd gotten the same sort of higher than everybody else quote for his own home. He was also told that Sunetrics is now moving toward bigger fish. They do things for larger companies now so they prefer not working for smaller home owners.
This has me worried. If anything goes wrong, I suppose we won't be able to count on them. What a sad thing. I'm sorry I recommended them to people.
I suppose this is what happens when a company is too successful.
When we were deciding how many panels we should put up, Sunetrics said we shouldn't worry because we could just call them and they'd put more up.
We recommended them to our friend, Ed this past year who got a quote from them. The Sunetrics estimate came up much, much higher than the others. When Ed called to ask for an explanation he got no response.
We were at a Senior Fair and talked to a HECO person there and mentioned Sunetrics to them. He mentioned how he'd gotten the same sort of higher than everybody else quote for his own home. He was also told that Sunetrics is now moving toward bigger fish. They do things for larger companies now so they prefer not working for smaller home owners.
This has me worried. If anything goes wrong, I suppose we won't be able to count on them. What a sad thing. I'm sorry I recommended them to people.
I suppose this is what happens when a company is too successful.
Perhaps someone should send them a copy of your blog AFTER they forward it to several hundred people first:)
ReplyDeletethats a shame, I hope they still honor the service they did for you,
ReplyDeleteNothing can be counted on anymore. Companies fail, get sold out, move in new directions that are more profitible, etc. I miss the days when we could count on companies to be there when we needed them. It would have been nice if your company had notified it's customers they were moving in a new direction and recommended a company that would take care of your needs.
ReplyDeleteThis is rather shabby treatment, I think. Hopefully you will be able to get ahold of them if something goes wrong. Obviously they don't want your business any more. I hope it turns out for the best.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are able to get a satisfactory response from them in time. I agree that it feels awful to have recommended a company to friends and it turns out not to be so great.
ReplyDeleteThat's a big disappointment.
ReplyDeletethat's too bad Kay. Maybe you can find another good company.
ReplyDeleteThat's a shame. We had our panels installed by Revolusun after getting a slightly higher quote and one less panel from Sunetrics. The difference wasn't much but Revolusun was very competitive and aggressive (can be good and bad). We have emailed Revolusun since installing, and always got a reply email. They have a standing $500 referral offer, so I guess it means they are still interested in the small fish.
ReplyDeleteI think the rebate rules prohibit selling more panels than our usage dictates. I tried explaining to both companies that we are gone one month of the year so our usage is less by so, but they said they can't do anything about that.
Our situation is different from yours because we are in the SunRun program although installation could be done by either companies. I like our $13 electric bill, especially now rolling into the summer high production months. According to Revolusun, if we need more panels we can always install. I don't know how that would work with the SunRun program and their agreement to maintain the panels for the next 20 years for us, should we install additional panels on our own. My plan for containing use is to buy better efficiency appliances as the technology improves. Yesterday we took advantage of a July 4th sale at Best Buy and bought high efficiency washer/dryer that supposedly uses one fourth the electricity, and less water since the computer automatically senses the weight of the load and fills accordingly. With our water bill being so high, this is going to be very cost saving I hope.
L. from W.
We were told that we don't have enough roof space to cover our electrical needs, so we probably won't have panels installed. We do have solar water heating, though. This month's bill amounts to $433 for 33 days. With Lisa now living on the mainland, our bill will hopefully decrease next month.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you're having a problem with them and know/hope you will find a solution.
ReplyDeleteI really really am sorry to hear this, Kay.
ReplyDeleteOur across the street neighbors are putting in solar; I hope they are getting a good and honest deal.
I hope there is an up and coming new company that will take up the slack for the home owners. I am a huge believer in alternative power. Let us know what happens.
ReplyDeleteso true, success can go to some businesses heads!
ReplyDeletei've heard solar panels are very popular but it's distressing that the company abandoned all those smaller homes to make a buck. what happened to loyalty? hopefully nothing will go wrong that you need help. if so, maybe another company will work with you to fix the problem despite the product being someone elses.
ReplyDeleteKC looks so happy with her photo album. it's so sweet that she likes the photo of her and Art planting the papaya tree best. that whole post made me smile. you did a wonderful thing. have a great weekend~
Oh, that is a shame. Regardless of the fact they want to provide services for big companies they should still respond to enquiries surely. Wouldn't you also have some kind of warranty as well? Solar panels are big over here too Kay. However, our Government gave people rebates if they put them in (finished now) and I think a lot of companies sprung up out of nowhere to make quick money. My sister and her husband had similar problems that you are having as the companies grow larger through demand and cannot cope with it all. But on the plus side my brother does not have an electricity bill anymore, he is actually making money from his solar panels now. It takes time but it will happen. good luck and maybe others are right. Send them a link to your blog....bet you will get fast action then.
ReplyDeleteThat really is a shame. The "little" customers help get them to where they are just as much as the "big" customers. We've been researching solar/pv so I'll be sure not to contact them for an estimate. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI agree. We're really sad about this, and disappointed.
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