Centro Solar panels and company?

[HX_Guy]

Silversaver, I do appreciate your input on the shade and took it into consideration. Of the two setups I've narrowed it down to, one doesn't have any panels installed where there would be hard shade during the productive hours of the winter months. This would be the setup with the SunPower panels.



The Centro Solar setup pushes the panels up as high as possible and installed in landscape mode so the shade would only have an impact for a couple of months at most and the diodes could also function properly.



As for the installer, sometimes crap happens and you get an unhappy customer. Something obviously happened back in 2011 and the company didn't do any additional installs or solar work until this year. But like I said, the one customer from 2011 that I talked to was happy with the install and their system and I plan to talk to everyone that I can. I should also mention that the installer also owns another business, which isnt BBB listed, but they do have a license for that as well with no complaints. Looks at permit history, that business is actually their main occupations as there are a ton more permits pulled for that than there are for solar installs.

[silversaver]

I probably should let the OP answer but I don't think your sarcasm is warranted. The effort to understand how best to utilize available roof space and deal with partial shading issues using various design tools without simply relying on installer dictates is something I've found quite interesting and illuminating. And yes, the installer is F rated. But the OP has a compelling reason to at least consider that installer which he has clearly delineated. He's also considered steps to take that might give some protection against poor performance by the installer. That he is seeking out advice from this board on all these things before proceeding is something to be applauded not ridiculed IMHO. We all learn when these sorts of issues are discussed rather than dismissed.

I have my solar installed on Dec 2013, I do understand the importance of research, understand and finding the best deal. There are good deals out there if you spend your time. I even choose Bosch discontinued panels for my solar because of the price. I have follow OP's posts regarding his solar research which I find it interesting too. He has done his homework. I only gave the advice to avoid putting panels at hard shade area because there's no way you get anything out of it for your money.

Now, saving the money by finding a F rating installer and use AE card for additional guarantee against installer? That is just too much. You are not finding a great deal, but looking for trouble.

[HX_Guy]

The problem with relying on the AMEX dispute mechanism is that you could get into a situation where delays by the installer result in closure of the time window for disputing a charge. That's the thing with problem installers - like mine for example - delays can be long as the installer juggles shaky finances. In my situation, I signed the lease the first week in October 2011 but my system wasn't up and running until May 18, 2012. Fortunately, my Sunpower prepaid lease required no upfront money. Still the only reason I held out until the end was the deal I got and the fact that the APS incentive would have been cut by a factor of five if I had started over with a different installer.

Wow that's quite the time frame! Yikes!

I do like someone's proposal a few replies back that said to put a timeline on the install...if it's not on the roof in X weeks then money back, or at least have something that will guarantee in writing the install timeframe and if it doesn't happen, then I could dispute. Not sure they would agree to something like that because some things, like permitting, is out of their control a bit. Either way, I could probably dispute the whole job if I dont see things getting done in the time frame they verbally promise. Like I mentioned, they are stating ~3 weeks from the day we start to the system being installed.

[HX_Guy]

Thanks Ian, you said it much better than what I would of said.

I haven't made my decision in either direction, which like you said, is why I'm asking questions. Obviously if there no financial incentive to go with an F rated installer vs an A rated installer with top of the line equipment it would be no question, but we're talking about a difference of about $36,000 cash out of pocket between the two...it at least merits some consideration.

[Ian S]

No, as payment, double checked...as long as I pay their processing fee of $2.8% which is understandable given the large purchase amount (we accept credit cards for our business too so I know how that can be). That's really the only reason I'm considering it, I think the risk would be too big if I couldn't use AE but since I can, is there really much risk? What could go wrong? <- famous last words

The problem with relying on the AMEX dispute mechanism is that you could get into a situation where delays by the installer result in closure of the time window for disputing a charge. That's the thing with problem installers - like mine for example - delays can be long as the installer juggles shaky finances. In my situation, I signed the lease the first week in October 2011 but my system wasn't up and running until May 18, 2012. Fortunately, my Sunpower prepaid lease required no upfront money. Still the only reason I held out until the end was the deal I got and the fact that the APS incentive would have been cut by a factor of five if I had started over with a different installer.

[Ian S]

First, challenge to build solar under shade, then F rating installer. Classic.

I probably should let the OP answer but I don't think your sarcasm is warranted. The effort to understand how best to utilize available roof space and deal with partial shading issues using various design tools without simply relying on installer dictates is something I've found quite interesting and illuminating. And yes, the installer is F rated. But the OP has a compelling reason to at least consider that installer which he has clearly delineated. He's also considered steps to take that might give some protection against poor performance by the installer. That he is seeking out advice from this board on all these things before proceeding is something to be applauded not ridiculed IMHO. We all learn when these sorts of issues are discussed rather than dismissed.

[silversaver]

First, challenge to build solar under shade, then F rating installer. Classic.

[russ]

It is nice to be clever and cute but nice to have a quality installation, done well with no headaches. The type of company you are dealing with can guarantee that? I doubt it. It should be considered worth several to even 10% to have something good at the end of the day with an installer that will hopefully be around when you need help.

You are asking for trouble.

[HX_Guy]

I don't think the installer will take your AE as payment...maybe deposit

No, as payment, double checked...as long as I pay their processing fee of $2.8% which is understandable given the large purchase amount (we accept credit cards for our business too so I know how that can be). That's really the only reason I'm considering it, I think the risk would be too big if I couldn't use AE but since I can, is there really much risk? What could go wrong? <- famous last words

[silversaver]

I don't think the installer will take your AE as payment...maybe deposit

[russ]

I think you have to be a bit crazy to use that bunch!

[HX_Guy]

Are you saying the installer got the "F" rating? not CentroSolar? For what reasons? Have you looked up the installer's ROC? any complaints? How much bond did they have to post? Pay minimal upfront - $1000 and make it refundable at your sole discretion if installer fails to install within XX days. AE shouldn't have an issues then.

Don't pay anything else until after system is installed and inspected by county / city. Sometimes installers want a payment after building permit / utility approval for equipment likely because their suppliers find them not to be creditworthy and won't extend credit.

Sorry, should have been more clear. The installer got an "F" rating. Centro Solar has an A+ rating and are a BBB Accredited Business.

The installer has an "F" rating I assume because of the two complaints for "Product/Service". Of the two complaints, only one of the people left a comment in which they said they signed a contract for Solarworld panels in August 2011...in Nov 2011 the company told them the panels were being shipped from SolarWorld. A few weeks later the company came out and installed the mounting hardware on the roof but no panels. The customer called SolarWorld who said they never heard of the installer company. Nothing additional was ever installed but the customer never gave them any money either. They ended up with solar brackets on the roof and nothing else.

Seems something happened to the installer company late 2011 as they did 4 installs in early-mid 2011 and then nothing again until this year.
I talked to the owner and asked him about it and he said they had a rough time with the economy and such but are now back in full gear so who knows.

I have looked them up on that site and they do have a current C-11 Electrical License, active since 2011. There are no complaints against them and they are bonded to an amount of $1,000 (seems low?).

The way they want payment is 15% up front, 15% after design/when submitted for permits...so 30% before they actually install. Then 60% after they install and the remaining 10% when it's up and running. I talked to AMEX and they said I can dispute a charge up to 60 days after the charge and according to them, the system should up installed within 3-4 weeks so it would fall within that window. That's a good point to put a deadline on the whole thing though as if I pay the first 30% and they do the design and permitting but never install, I may not be able to dispute that as they did do the parts they promised. Not sure how AMEX would handle that, I know they are pretty customer friendly.

Obviously it's very buyer beware but if everything goes smoothy, the outcome would be ideal.

[+3 Golfer]

Are you saying the installer got the "F" rating? not CentroSolar? For what reasons? Have you looked up the installer's ROC? any complaints? How much bond did they have to post? Pay minimal upfront - $1000 and make it refundable at your sole discretion if installer fails to install within XX days. AE shouldn't have an issues then.

Don't pay anything else until after system is installed and inspected by county / city. Sometimes installers want a payment after building permit / utility approval for equipment likely because their suppliers find them not to be creditworthy and won't extend credit.

[HX_Guy]

Wow, you have to be pretty bad to get an "F" rating from BBB. Sounds like my installer just before they went belly-up and left a bunch of customers in the lurch and nothing to show for big down payments. I'd be very wary.

Hence why I haven't pulled the trigger. Paying with AMEX for everything should have me covered though, right?

[Ian S]

Wow, you have to be pretty bad to get an "F" rating from BBB. Sounds like my installer just before they went belly-up and left a bunch of customers in the lurch and nothing to show for big down payments. I'd be very wary.