SolarCity: Read 704 User Reviews From Real Homeowners

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Jodi

This company has no transparency or commitment to the customer. I signed an agreement with Solar City who required a $500 deposit. I was clear from the first conversation that the project was contingent on completion by 12/31/17- some 3+ months away. The roof inspection and evaluation happened quickly. Then, the project fell flat because the roof team and the project manager would not reply to repeated emails. I was eventually told that the project would not be completed in 2017. I cancelled with Solar City but was told the $500 was non refundible

8 years ago

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William Applegate Lancaster, PA

A lot of ‘small talk’, but no real ‘figures’. When the electronic quote was emailed to me while the salesperson was still here, I had to “sign the contract” before I could even see what the actual numbers were. Really? What kind of business practice is THAT? And they pulled my credit FIVE times over the next three days. Thanks Solar City, I didn’t need those fifteen credit points. Well, Needless to say, after that experience I didn’t want to find out what it would be like to be an actual Solar City customer.

8 years ago Edited September 14, 2021

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Donald J Makowski Warren, MA

This company has not a clue what they are doing. The only thing they know how to do is get money for the panels and rebates then see you later. and you want it to work too? LOL. ny system has seen 5 service calls this summer. it generated one tenth of what it was designed to do, so they gave me a 25$ credit on my bill. the system did not generate that many kilowatts. I want the junk off my roof so I can get a real one

8 years ago

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Tony North Hollywood, CA

I am fully satisfied with the installation process. All wirings installed were all done correctly and neat. I will give them a thumbs up!!

8 years ago

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Gary Murrieta, CA

The worst of the worst, our pool man in his infinite wisdom starting running our pool pump 12 hours a day and our bill went up to $500.00 a month. Our neighbor told us to run the pool at night our bill dropped to $110.00 . We turned our current bill to Solar City and they kindly charged us $200.00 plus a month, we have complained but it goes on death ears once you sign on the dotted line they have you! Small print is the hook, do your homework check these crooks out and see all the complaints that Solar City has racked up!

8 years ago

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Steve B

If zero stars was available I would have picked zero. Solar City has no office or showroom or anything related to a location. Only one phone number for all issues. A manager is not available to talk to at anytime. Leave a message and they say a Manager will call you back in two days. No the service desk calls with a pre-canned respone that absolves them of all responsibility and leaves you with their problem. The promises made by the sales rep where all lies. No paper trail so Solar City is not responsible.

8 years ago

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David Krauss Eastsound, WA

The design of their devices is so primitive that , in the face of complaints from our entire neighborhood, we were forced to pay $8,000.00 to have it removed. It radiated such an electric field that no sensitive electronic device (such as AM radios, remote controls and even some WIFI networks) were unusable within several hundred yards. When we pointed out to them that they were in violation of FCC regulation they claimed that they were exempt from all federal interference laws.

9 years ago

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A Forney, TX

My husband thought he was doing a good thing in trying to help the environment by getting solar panels but it has been an absolute nightmare now that we are selling! So many things that we were told were lies...if you decide to get solar panels definitely do your homework and stay away from SolarCity! It’s been a terrible experience and we are now having to get lawyers involved

9 years ago

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Jack and Connie Quigley

Simply the very best; no equivocation. THE BEST in every category. Workmanship, fit, finish is looking at a Rolls Royce compared to a Yugo at best.

9 years ago

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john papas

worst company ever ,billing is not accurate and on top of that when i send the payment they take for ever to post it on the account so the next bill is always wrong. Then when i call the customer service im in the phone for over an hour try to explain their mistake.Not to mention that if you dont pay the bill with auto withdraw payment from your bank they charge you 15 $ every month. Their agents on customer service they have absolutely no idea how to help you, or resolving any issue.Big mistake on doing business with them. Stay away

9 years ago

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Shawn

Worst Company ever. Customer service and upper management are horrible! I have never had such a bad relationship with a company ever. A proper inspection was never done before install and after water damage from rain has been a true nightmare getting anything done through this incompetent company. Go with Costco or a stand up company not Solar City.

9 years ago

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El Dorado Hills Customer

We entered an agreement which we should have read thoroughly, but did not. We relied on the sales person's version of what we would pay and what we would get back based on the amount of solar energy produced. We pay for all of it. Our production is 210% and our useage is 98%. It is not paid back by PG&E as we were told. How do you get out of a 20 Year contract when customer service will not listen to and answer our questions and the sales agent claims he knows nothing. I HATE THIS COMPANY!

9 years ago

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Lorraine De Leonardis Los Angeles, CA

We were sucked in by a smooth talking rep out of Home Depot, he knew all the right words to say and we signed a lease with them. Took over 9 months to get the panels on and the rep told us lies after lies and of course when we called to complain he no longer worked there. We didnt see much difference in our DWP bill so when I called and they reviewed it they said we didnt have enough panels on our roof and in order to to so we had to sign another contract. We are stuck but I urge anyone who needs panels go with another company. Solar City is full of lies.

9 years ago

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Jaye Johnon

TERRIBLE.. BAD SERVICE! VERY LONG WAIT FOR SUPPORT HELP ( 5 days system is off) Then service support calls and reads manual to me?? !! Not knowledge, not helpful, not friendly and really not a good company any longer. They promise, but they don't follow thru with support. It's been 3 years since install and lots and lots and LOTS of problems and lack of support.

9 years ago

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William Mansfield CO

Customer service is disappointing at best, no calls have ever been returned, I did get a recorded phone message that there were concerns about our account yet a subsequent email said nothing wrong. Rates have increased 25 percent vs the utility 20 percent, Power unit failed took a month to get it repaired, technician blamed supplier. Service desk said the added costs I had to pay not their responsibility. The whole idea was to avoid higher costs. Had hope that when Tesla took over there was a chance for improvement.

9 years ago

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Bahig Tawfellos Paramus, NJ

It was my worst decision I had ever made to install their system. From signing the contract, to the installation, to lack of production (not seeing the savings been promised), to their billing practice (they impose an additional $10/month if refuse to have an automatic payment), to customer service.. it is a nightmare. the keep all the federal and state incentives for themselves. Bottom line, do not use them.

9 years ago

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Ambrosio Hernandez Tucson, AZ

Solar City installed my solar panels and also the NEST. My AC stopped working today and it says: wiring trouble! I called the guys at NEST and they asked me to change wires, turn on and off my AC and NOTHING WAS SOLVED!!! I wonder what kind of company you are. And now there is no AC in my house, it's very hot and all the cables are there twisted, LIVE WIRES!!! And you asked me to call a tech and PAY for the mess you did in my house?!

9 years ago

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David Putnam

They want to charge $7.50 for NOT allowing them in your checking account, system not working and they won't fix it, and last time I left repairmen alone at my house they vandalized my house. After leaving several messages I have still not received a call from a supervisor that can help, and instead repeatedly referred to someone that has not done a thing to help.

9 years ago

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G F

Very disappointed in the customer service of this company. Once we have signed the lease, I have followed up with them numerous times regarding questions and frustrations I have had. I found the customer service very unprofessional and sarcastic and refused to answer any of my questions, advising I have to wait for my "welcome call". How ironic. After I lodged a complaint with Solar City, I still have had no response or so called "welcome call". Our electricity bill hasn't shown any sort of discount and Solar City just don't bother to return any of our calls or emails.

9 years ago

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Frank Los Angeles, CA

I bought my house 2 an 1/2 years a go and I never got a real bill from them. After a year of arguing with them for a bill, finally they made me pay for the whole year ALL AT ONCE. Now I been trying to pay once again and all they say is. " we are looking into it" This company is horrible and I told my neighbors, people at home Depot and mall NOT TO GET INVOLVE WITH THEM.

9 years ago

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Francisco

It's a shame that a company like SolarCity got this Costumer Service going on. It's the worst experience ever. They played days and days a freaking weird 'game' over the phone with me where I had to explain the same 'whole problem from the very beginning' to a new person over and over, solving nothing. Frustration is what they want you to feel and quit calling them. If you wanna truly HATE a company with passion, well, I'm telling you SolarCily's Costumer Service will make it happen. How the owner of this company can allow this be happening for God's Sake! Terrible. Horrible.

9 years ago

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Ron Forthun

I have set two appointments with Solar City, after confirming my location both times I received a call from the sales person that they had a 7/9 hour drive to my location and both were no shows the day of my appointment. ( they say they have an office an hour from where I live) I took both days off to be home on both days. If they cant get the sales appointment correct I can only imagine how their work is. Customer Service and follow up is terrible. I wonder if I were to buy a Tesla if the service would be the same...

9 years ago

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Mike Garden Grove, CA

Solar City charges for the production of KW's which their system generates, you pay something like $.16 per kW and get maybe a .02 credit back from Edison for any overflow. So in my case I'm paying more after their installation than before. I might add there appears to be a lot of inconsistencies between my Edison bills and what Solar City estimated for power usage, actually a bit fraudulent considering I have to pay for excess production at a higher rate. I rank this company to be very poor.

9 years ago

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Eric Johnson

I was originally told that they would be able to produce over 100% of my electricity needs. There were some large trees on the west side of my house that I told them before they put on my panels, that they would NOT be cut. I do not think they took that into account. At the moment, they are producing about 55% to 60% of my needs and my True Up cost has increased dramatically. Not what I wanted but locked into a 20 year lease. I would recommend against going with them if you lease.

9 years ago

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Susan Spring Valley, NY

...unclear billing. They send invoices to sign up, but I was confused which invoice I am paying and which is rebate I am applying for. When I called for help I was told customer service will contact me. They never called me I needed to call them about 5 times. Customer service after purchase is terrible. When I needed help because panels weren't producing it took them 2 months and my multiple calls after problem was solved. Very frustrating service.

9 years ago

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Nadine Stevenson Rialto, CA

Salesman was great and even had a problem with 9 of our panels, they noticed the problem and came without me calling to fix it. Great company. Love the payment options

9 years ago

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Morton Kinzelberg Smithtown, NY

Since Solar City put their panels on my roof 2.5 years ago the cost of my electric went up $500 for the year. I also have a $300 weather vain missing from my roof. After calling them umpteen times and being stonewalled I gave up..they are not a good company to do business with. My next step is to file a claim with the BBB How do you get out of a bad deal? I'm a 87 year old disabled veteran How low can you go?

9 years ago

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Aneesah Sultan

The absolute worst customer service experience I have ever had with any company! Horrible customer service at all levels. No management follow up despite numerous customer service failures. All of this when they should have been trying to close a deal. I can't even imagine how horrible the service is if they manage to lock you into a 20 year loan! Run, don't walk away from this company. They are giving Solar companies a bad name!

9 years ago

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William Strange Irving, TX

Our first two bills were approximately $300.00 less than before and our third bill, just received was down about $250.00 from what we were paying! We think it is fantastic!

9 years ago

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M Riverside, CA

Solicitor wasted 20 minutes of my time, gave verifier incorrect information, verifier spoke to me in an annoyed tone of voice when the information he was given didn't match what I had provided. He asked that I hand the phone back to solicitor who grabbed the phone and walked away without a word. He set a terrible example for the two trainees who were with him, but both of them apologized and said goodnight.

9 years ago

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Jynnifer

I decided to go with Solar City for my home and it started off great. A representative came out, went over everything , set an installation appointment and arranged all paperwork needed to be signed. The solar panels were swiftly installed and I thought we were on our way to service in no time. Well its been almost a year of nothing but ridiculous stupidity on the employees part time after time leaving me still waiting for solar service. At this point I just want everything removed and rid myself of this incompetent company!

9 years ago

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Diane F. San Francisco, CA

We moved into our house with solar power through Solar City. From the start, the transfer of the account from previous owner to new owner and billing has been a mess and it's been two years!!! Customer Service Reps are not responsive. They do not call back with updates. I'm having to call to follow up. I can't wait until the lease is over!! It couldn't come soon enough.

9 years ago

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Tom Doty Staten Island, NY

Solar City's "Customer Service" department is completely non-responsive. As a prospect and during the process from contract initiation through installation, communication is excellent. Once you are a customer however, they are absolutely terrible in resolving an issue. I was promised a consumption meter, they messed up in multiple ways, and now refuse to even respond to my communications seeking result ion. Awful customer service!

9 years ago

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Steve McIlvenna Sacramento, CA

Between being lied to in the sales presentation and promises made regarding installation of the NEST thermostat, I have had nothing but trouble with this solar company. We finally went live on the 1st of November and since then my system has been broken. They said today it was going to take at least 15 business days to get a new system and then they will schedule an install date for up to 2weeks later. In the meantime I still have to pay the lease even though the stupid thing is not working. I want them to take the whole thing down but they won't. WARNING in my opinion this company stinks.

9 years ago

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Lonnie Currey

Solar City is an absolute RIP-OFF!!! Throughout the life of the system I will end up having paid over $100,000.00 for a system a local installer tells me I could have bought locally for $30,000.00. I have had the system for 5 years and when I called the company to get a pay off price it took them 5 months to get back to me with a ridiculous number and then only after I harassed them with numerous phone calls per week. They are unresponsive to clients and a financial rip-off.

10 years ago

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Ken Landry San Jose, CA

I was loving this company until I had a problem. I purchased their Tesla battery backup system. Rather then protecting my essentials during a power outage, IT CAUSED MY OWN PERSONAL OUTAGE REPEATEDLY! It also caused the solar panels to NOT produce! Because they apologetically and repeatedly promised to send someone out, and that it took FOUR MONTHS even though I was originally told they would see me in a week, possibly more but within 2 weeks at worst. Well 4 months seems all the longer after 6 or 7 un-kept promises.

10 years ago

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Rene A Rayos TX

Solar city sales team and concierge haven't a clue as to the lengthy process of service. They cannot do anything to provide service. The energy company is still in command of the service, they say when the solar panel will be in play. I am very disappointed with all of the process from the beginning. Going on 16 weeks and still solar city cannot give me a date of service. Way too many steps and documents and BS. I regret ever agreeing to solar city. I am requesting removal of panels if not switched to solar within the week. Regretfully should have not agreed. Too novice of a company!

10 years ago

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T Coronado Ntl Forest, AZ

I have a system that is installed but not connected. They screwed up the install and had to move my panels. They left my roof in a mess. After fighting with them, I got them to fix my roof to 80%. I am tired of fight on that so I am fixing my roof myself. Now I am fighting with them to actually get my system connected. No one knows anything when you call. I will never suggest Solar City. I am almost to the point box telling them to remove the system and calling the Better Business Bureau for help.

10 years ago

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Karla Cortes Castillo Visalia, CA

First sales person Lying to me you been paying more from regular electricity always bill is going up I recommend nobody get in the same trouble like me You just buying power to Them and you in contract for 20 years and if you want to sell your house and the new buyer they don't want to get in the same contract and if you want to move you Panels to the new place has to be with the same electricity company because the other way you had to pay over 20,000 and they remove the panels and take it away

10 years ago

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Claire Ferrell Long Beach, CA

Damaged my tile roof and didn't acknowledge it -I found out from a neighbor. Twenty-seven tiles damaged.and had to be replaced. Service was ready to pui on line but kept getting e-mails that solar city was awaiting approval by So. California Edison Company. When I called the utility re getting on line, the Edison company tole me that I was ready to be on line In March. This was July when I found this out. Wouldn't recommend this company to anyone.

10 years ago

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Patrick Speer San Diego, CA

Our system was not properly installed, waiting on the 4th inverter to be installed. Have spent many days at home waiting for installation only to have no one show up to do it. Very frustrated with the service i am getting. It seems only one or two people in this company actually know how a solar system works and how to install it properly. Have had to reschedule our final inspection several times because the system never works to get the inspection done.

10 years ago

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Lonnie Currey

This company is overpriced and doesn't tell customers the cost will increase annually while the system output is declining annually. If you ask for a "payoff quote" it took them over three months of constant harassment to find out my unit will cost more to payoff in lump sum than an equivalent company would have charged initially and I have had it for six years. They are a ripoff!!!

10 years ago

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Walt Scherer Granite Bay, CA

If you live in Placer County, use their Mpower program to shop for solar providers and to finance the installation. Solar city is wonderful...until the system is installed. After that, you don't exist. Their billing system is horrible. There was an error in every bill and you can't speak with anyone because they understaff the post- sale customer service lines. Then, you have to pay $90 every year, unless you let them have direct access to your bank account. They will take what they want, then you try to get back the overcharges.

10 years ago

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Carmen Landeau Los Angeles, CA

Great sales person, very knowledgeable and courteous. Personnel installation very clean and neat work. Very happy with the results.

10 years ago

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Jennifer Griffiths Longmont, CO

For over a year we have been double billed, had our ACH payment option turned off and haverecieved fraudulent charges against our account. Customer Service manager Pam claims they are upgrading their billing system and cannot reverse a June 2 overcharge. We have been provided no documentation or statement regarding the charge. This has happened several times. It is unacceptable not to receive reimbursement for over $100 of overcharges

10 years ago

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Michael Mirabella Los Angeles, CA

Leased a solar system from Solar City three years ago. Last year the system went down for 7 months. I could not get them to fix it. I had to pay the lease and SCE. It cost me over $2000 to SCE. The prior year I paid only $300. Solar City just told me that I did save money for the 5 months I had solar so they are not reimbursing anything. I highly recommend solar but not with Solar City.

10 years ago

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sheila Scottsdale, AZ

Very disappointment with their service, My roof leaked like hell the first day it rained, My system was not working properly but I got charged for it and when I asked why they told me it will get adjusted in 2 years, my bill was the same and on top of it I have to pay them too. Solar City promised me 47% production I end up 33% which was not worth the hassle at all. Will not recommend them.

10 years ago

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Marilyn Jones Rutherford, NJ

I received my first energy bill from Solar City. I strongly feel that I was taken for a ride. I saved $8.00 for the month of April compared to a pass energy bill. With summet here using pool and air-conditioning I probably will pay more. Agreement for 20 years definitely not worth it. Solar City made their money through rebates and I am stuck with panels on my roof. Told I would save 30% and certainly did not. I cannot through my conscience ask friends and family to convert to solar. Sent text message to sales representative and did not hear back.

10 years ago

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Charlie Daubs Redding, California

Very good customer service, easy installation, my electric bill for last month for the City of Redding was $15! You do the math.

10 years ago

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Caryn Tropea Bartle Brentwood, New York

We have had them for about 6 years now. LOVE the quality of product as well as the service oriented people. on a scale of 1-10 I give them a 15!!!

10 years ago

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