Independent Power (Colorado)

We hired Independent Power to install two large solar arrays on our hotels in Estes Park—a 93kW (211-panel) and a 75kW (170-panel) system, both installed in 2020. This review reflects our long-term experience with Independent Power, including their post-installation support. Unfortunately, our experience has been disappointing from the outset. The project was scheduled for a two-week installation, which was crucial for our seasonal business, but it ultimately took more than six months to complete. During installation, one of the panels blew off the roof and landed in a neighboring field—a dangerous event that could have caused serious injury. Another issue involved the lack of foresight regarding snow accumulation. Despite being a Colorado-based company, the design failed to account for snow sliding off solar panels onto customer vehicles. As a result, the team had to retrofit snow fencing and relocate panels, requiring significant re-engineering after the initial installation—an outcome that was both inconvenient and disruptive. After installation, problems persisted. When we experienced an inverter communication error, their service team not only failed to resolve the issue but also shorted out the communication board, subsequently blaming our internet configuration, which had not been changed. Most concerning is their customer support, or lack thereof. After investing over $400,000, we now receive little to no response or assistance. This raises serious questions about how they might treat smaller customers once the installation is finished. In summary, I would not recommend Independent Power. Our experience was characterized by over-promising, under-delivering, poor project management, and inadequate post-sale support. I urge anyone considering Independent Power to seriously research alternative providers.

My original furnace had cracks that was leaking carbon monoxide. So I couldn’t turn it on. Independent Power scheduled me as soon as possible and gave me a wonderful heating system. I am a warm satisfied customer. Everyone, including the team. Who came to install the units was kindly, courteous, even sweet. I was shown how to use the system in great detail and with l with patience. Highly recommend this company to anyone.

IPS installed solar within the original time frame and estimate provided. Noah and Emily always quickly returned my calls and emails. Always showed up from Bozeman when they said they would to install panels and work on the electrical components. Were quick to process a change order when I switched from 10 to 12 panels. Sean even made a last minute detour to fix a quick issue with my panel to get the Enphase app up and running. Highly recommend them.

Great experience

Just had my system turned on but the team did a great job!

Great service and quality system installed. Getting the quotes was a breeze as well, Dan was really helpful in configuring my system and the several others that I asked him for to compare price and performance. Looking forward to the solar production of my new system. Independent Power is very professional, their installers are great. All equipment installed in a timely manner, and it all works perfect. Great crew, highly recommend Independent Power.

I guess they got bought out and they didn't handle the transition well. They are 6 months late in getting the install done and demanding payment without having my panels up and running. Probably a crap shoot with these guys. Maybe they will be good but most likely they will disappoint, and you will be stuck with a non-communicative group of boners.

We have had IPS install solar panels on 3 houses through the years. The first time they were very attentive and were more than ready to explain how the panels work and to get them installed. For the second time, the process went smoothly as well. For the third time, I felt like my emails got lost of the shuffle of too many emails to deal with for them and being shuffled between representatives. Over the course of a year (because I would forget about my email to them for months at a time), I started up the conversation multiple times. When I finally sent an email explaining that I was waiting for answers and asked if they really wanted my business, I got a very apologetic response from a lead rep and the solar panel process got rolling immediately and thoroughly. They checked in often to confirm dates and paperwork. The panels are up and running and we are content with the company.

Just had system installed so can't comment on how it is running, yet, but installation team did a fabulous job. Sales customer service was great...detailed, good explanation. Customer service overall good, but can improve on explaining the process, i.e. what will happen next and who is responsible for each step. Payment process was easy. Price comparable, just wish now someone would invent a less expensive battery to go completely off the grid! Overall, no complaints and I would highly recommend this company.

I bought solar panels form IPS 7 years ago. There were problems from the beginning. Panels didn't work right the 1st year. Finally fixed. There has been no Regional Manager for the past 7 months and no indication when position will be filled. My solar panels have not been working well for past year, according to records, and I now have solar panels and am paying an electric bill. Work in New England region is subcontracted out. Subcontractor was here multiple times and has not fixed problem. Presumably, a new subcontractor has been hired. When one calls or emails service department in Colorado, it takes multiple times to get a response, I have now called/emailed daily for 4 days in a row, still no response. Last conversation was that they would have someone here quickly. I am frustrated and dismayed.

DO NOT use - spent 100K on systems, multiple failures to deliver bid as promised. Horrific customer service and lack of communication, both internally and customer facing. Took more than 6 months to install my jobs, neither of which are completed per their bid. Basically told me they were done and checked out with no resolution. Worst experience I have had as a customer ever.

Hey, These people did a great job. They were fast and courteous. The system install went smoothly and they explained what they were doing. The system seems to work fine. I am looking forward to seeing my first power bill.

I am due for an install in less than a week and have zero confirmation on if it is proceeding or the materials I have paid for are in their possession. 7.2 kW system in Arvada, CO. Scheduled mid August, and the initial quote and engineering was awesome. My project manager reaches out every two weeks supposidly by policy, but I have had multiple delays due to items needed from the homeowner and nobody has told me. The end result is I am left chasing down information so that my install can proceed. If you want to chase and manage your own install and pay someone to supposidly do the same thing them this is your company. I still like their equipment and how they designed my system but do not have a warm fuzzy on when it will progress to a live system. Will update if things change.

I had my system installed through IPS. Their employee came out three separate times to reset arc sensors and claimed the problem was an overly sensitive inverter. They tried to charge about 130.00 per hour plus drive time to fix the system. The reset never worked. I contacted Sun Power directly. Sun Power got someone else out and the system has worked flawlessly. Months of hassle with IPS and problems. If your system works they are fine. If you have problems go through someone else. Completely and totally incompetent after install.

I interviewed 9 different solar system installers, IPS had the best warranty, highest rated equipment, system produced the most power with the lest panels and the lowest cost. Overall service has been great.

These guys were very professional and Timely. The installation went flawlessly. There experience shines through in spades. The sunpower panels and hardware are the best hands down. My only negative is the SunPower monitoring software it NOT very detailed and needs a major update.

IPS installed a 4.5kW SunPower PV system on my roof in late 2006, and it's consistently generated its design specification of an average of 550 kWhr/month since then, every year for the past 13 years, literally maintenance- and incidence-free. After increasing my home's efficiency (mostly by replacing incandescent bulbs with LEDs for 1/10th their power cost), my home now uses sufficiently less electricity to power my electric car, so in addition to satisfying all my electric-power needs for the first ten years with the rooftop array, I'm now actually driving on sunlight too. Though I'm always happy to see IPS employees - they were great to work with during the design and installation of my system 13 years ago - I'm ecstatic I haven't had to call them out to deal with anything associated with my array since then. Mine really has been an install, power-up, and forget experience with their SunPower PV technology. I couldn't possibly be happier.

I'm currently frustrated with the responses from this company. I bought an expensive home with their system installed. At that time, they put in writing that my system would work once the electrical was completed. Based on this, I paid them thousands of dollars. So, I completed the electrical as they instructed me to do and then they came out afterwards to say that not only does my system not work but that they are refusing to work on my system. That was after months of trying to communicate with them. This was a huge investment. This company appears not to stand by their word or their equipment. :(

I could write a lengthy review simply because the entire experience had many moving parts and IPS showed incredible patience with me! However, I will cut to the chase and say that when the Inspector came, he first asked me who did the installation? When I told him IPS, he said, “Those guys are good... they should write the book!” Nothing like having the guy that gives the thumbs up (or down) his validation to our decision in going with IPS over the other bidders, right?! The confidence I already had in IPS was further solidified by the Inspector’s comment.

IPS was the most knowledgeable and professional Solar installer I talked to during my selection process. They also provided the most flexibility in customizing the system to fit my homeowner preferences. Having a solar system on your roof and the components on/around your house for many years, I'm glad I was involved in the design/installation process. I believe I could have found an installer that would have had the system installed for cheaper, and I could have found one that would have had the system installed faster -- but ultimately the quality and overall installation was very professionally done. Some details of my installation that maybe I couldn't have achieved with a 'typical' installer. On a portion of my roof that was more visible, I had a more attractive all black Sunpower panel installed. On the other portion I had a high efficiency but slightly less attractive version of panels installed. There was barely any conduit showing on the back of the house, most of it hidden by the panels and also they painted the conduit to match what was behind. I had some electrical upgrades done at the same time, a service upgrade to 200Amp, a few additional exterior outlets, and some customizations that allowed for a few outlets of power during a daytime power outage (due to code restrictions, sometimes grid tied systems produce no usable power during grid outages). Overall, IPS was very professional and great to work with.

IPS was excellent in educating, designing, instillation, documenting all the required paper work and completing the work. They also gave a very competitive price. I own the system and use the generated power for whole house electricity needs and charging electric car. I highly recommend IPS for any size solar projects.

IPS was one of three installers who participated in a competitive bidding process during 2011 on our residential solar photovoltaic system. They eventually came through with an amazing deal on a prepaid lease - less than half the price of a similar lease proposed by another bidder.

Nick Williamson, Natha Espeland, and the entire IPS service team including the installers handled every part of the process thoroughly and promptly. In particular, Nick should be commended for working through a snag with Excel Energy. I am fully satisfied with IPS and love having solar power!

We are on the lease program

Everyone I interacted with at IPS was great! I would recommend them to anyone I know that was considering a PV system.

Slow responses to questions. Several delay glitches at start of installlation. Net metering not well explained at contract time.

Everyone from the company was very knowledgeable, friendly, helpful, prompt, and professional. Only thing with the net meter is that the electric company required it be clearly signed. Once I let the solar company know. they took care of it.

Professional and completed work as promised, I would do business again with these folks, great job! Great firm to work with!

The sales, contracts, and installation staff were very professional, helpful, and a pleasure to work with. Contractor charged the net after utility rebates but I did not get the 30% federal credit funds until paying my Quarterly Estimated Tax.

All the members of the team that worked wiht us (sales, install, contracts, etc.) were exceptional!

IPS is totally rad!!! my "evergreen" solar panals were MADE IN THE USA!!!

Sales team was great but it took some time, even 5 days one time, for the project manager to return my call project inquiry call. The installation team of Nicholas, Jonah, & Davis were very professional & very understanding of the complex integration requests while a non-IPS project was simultaneously underway. Sales coordination by Natha in purchase incentive process was very professional & she was excellent in her follow-up on document deadlines, etc. Sales lead, Steve King, with his laid-back professional sales approach was quite instrumental in my decision process. I felt comfort that he would make sure the project would be completed with integrity.

Our experience couldn`t have been better or faster. I`ve recommended your company and Nick to some neighbors and some have said they were seriously considering moving forward. We appreciate Nick`s dedication to solar and his professionalism. He`s knowledgeable, friendly, and honest. Thanks you so much, we REALLY appreciate it!

The installers were the best. They worked with me to place the equipment in a location that worked best for my space. Very pleased with the installation process.

Comments: Our experience workign with IPS was excellent. The entire IPS crew (sales manager, construction manager, construction crew, electricians) were VERY knowledgeable, always willing to explain what they are doing, very polite, and very responsive. We can highly recommend this company for solar panel installation!

The system seems to be performing somewhat better than projected. We will have to wait to see if inclement weather evens things out in the long run.

I have never experienced the high level of customer service with any company I have dealt with. I have done 3 major remodels so I have worked with many companies. They are very knowledgeable and explain the system and its operation and design very clearly. they are very dependable and follow through with their word or notified me why they had to change the schedule. they are very enthusiastic about what they are doing and a pleasure to work with.

IPS made the Climate Smart process very easy. Their customer service and communication was outstanding. Many of our neighbors are now currently having PV systems installed by IPS upon our recommendation.

I was very happy with the work done. I even changed my requirements part way through from the Fronius Datalogger Web to the Egauge.NET unit, and they came out and installed it. Very Satisfied! Independent Power Systems handled everything. They even brought financing from Sun Power to the table, which was one of the key factors. Local Utility payed $ 3.50/DCWATT which made it possible.