RA Tech Solar

We contracted with RA Solar December 2018 - installed January 2019. Things went great with the install. Over the summer I tried to get them to do an audit of my system as I didn't think it was outputting what they told me it would...nobody got back to me on it. I have been trying to get ahold of them for 2 weeks because I have a panel that isn't working and nobody will return my calls or my emails. Apparently we are good enough to work with when we buy a system but maintenance or anything after installation is non existent.

I picked RA Solar because Varney laid out the advantages and let me think about that, there was no pressure and he delivered exactly what I requested. His workers are extremely professional and respectful. A couple of roof tiles were cracked and they not only replaced those, they replaced some more that were already broken before they started. Any problems were quickly addressed to my satisfaction and they would keep working any problem until it is solved. My project manager was Henry and he made sure that things went smoothly. Tavee, lead solar technician, was very helpful and would take the time to explain some of the technical aspects of the system, since I like learning the details and he did not mind me sticking my nose into everything. Shaun, one of the other techies was also very helpful and he even took the time to check out my home grown solar system. Pepe and his brother are ex-roofers, now solar professionals and they also answered any questions I had about the system. They also repaired my roof (a couple tiles) but went the extra mile and did more than expected. Varney’s entire team are great to work with and their expertise is right up there with the big guys, like Solar City, Sunpower, Sunrun, etc. I got 5 quotes and Varney beat all of them. RA Solar is a small company and they are a local Bay area company and they do not contract their work out, they have their own staff that are employees of the company, so everyone has a strong interest in the company succeeding. It doesn’t matter how busy they are, they will always make time for you. I love my system now, it just works, no muss, no fuss and I have a cool mobile app and PC app to check how the system is doing. I have a 6kw system, December 2017, Jan, Feb and Mar were between 300-700 kwh, but man old man April was 1Mwh (1 megawatt) and that is awesome! I got my April PG&E bill today and I got a credit of -$12.99, total NEM charges to date is -$164.43. My credits paid my gas portion of the bill and I did not pay electric and gas. And to top this off, I did my taxes for 2017 and my solar tax credit of approximately $5000 plus, resulted in me getting a nice refund check from the state and the federal governments. Now that has to be the coolest thing ever. RA Solar is the best and I definitely got my monies worth. I will use them again, if I move somewhere else. By the way, invest in the wiring that goes around the solar panels to keep the critters from moving in underneath the panels.

I was very pleased with RA TECH workmanship.

Mark from Ra Tech Solar and his amazing crew installed a great looking rooftop 5.5 kW PV array at our house in Hollister. The install went very smooth and looks incredible. After researching many other installs from other companies online, from owner pictures, very few installs look as good and clean as what was delivered by Mark. His quotes were clear, honest, and flexible. If you don`t like something, Mark will explain the options and help you get what you want. Mark took care of all the paperwork and installation details, soup to nuts. Now I just need to send my accountant the forms to file with my taxes, to get the tax credit- easy as pie. This was a very big investment for me and I wanted to be sure I had the right team for the job. After comparing Mark`s quotes to over 10 other large and small Solar companies [taking months of my time], the choice was clearly Ra Tech Solar. Just a note that for anyone considering a PV array install, I strongly suggest getting the optional surge protectors and Tigo modules for your panels. With the Tigo units, if one of your panels is not working perfectly, you will never figure out which one without hours of messy testing and measuring. With Tigo, you can see online how each panel is doing graphically, and that is a priceless feature. It helps the installer come out and fix the problem right away the first time. My only error was not calling Mark sooner since the California rebates are now much lower than before. I should have done this job Jan 1st 2010, as this was when the federal gov started handing out 30% credits to homeowners. As a comparison about pricing, other companies I talked to would find every little reason to bring up the price, like using overly expensive panels or charging me for little details which fell out of their "easy install" guides such as $ 100`s more just because I had concrete tiles. I also took this opportunity to get a NEMA 14-50 240v plug installed in my garage for my future electric car. This install was also top notch. Suggest everyone get this since Mark`s already in the electric panel doing work so it`s easier for everyone. My recommendation, don`t even bother with anyone else. Get a quote from Mark and go with it.

Mark provided fair pricing and excellent workmanship. He also provided creative solutions that provided a cost savings to me including figuring out a way to tap into my old service panel without having to install a new one. Mark usually provided good communication throughout the project, but at times I had to inquire about something that was not explained. He did have the bases covered and was looking out for me, but just failed to let me know what or how a decision was made. In summary: RA Tech Solar provided a great small business experience and installed a well-crafted, fairly priced PV system. His sales presentation may not be the slickest like some of the new big players but don`t let that fool you - he is experienced and knowledgeable and in the end delivered what he promised.

This was a great experience. Well done, professional and remarkably quick. The new solar was installed but also an older solar system was re-done to fix the roof and mounting style used. I would be delighted to serve as a reference for this company any time.

All contracted work was completed with a high degree of craftsmanship and professionalism. Upon receiving my authorization, where existing plumbing and wiring was found to be unsafe or unsound, corrections were made efficiently and at very reasonable cost.

Mark and the RA Tech Solar team were a pleasure to work with. They were ontime, communicative, professional, and cleaned the site every day. The quality of work was excellent, and the installation is quite clean and attractive. Solar production is exactly on par with Mark`s estimates

Ra Tech Solar did a great job for me. Their prices were reasonable, and they are perfectionists. Unlike other installers, they were willing to relocate a roof fan and an exhaust pipe on my roof, making room for more panels where I needed them. They can do this sort of thing because Mark is a skilled general contractor. They were very flexible about the location of the panels and the conduit along the side of the house, in order to produce the best cosmetic results. Unfortunately, the inverter they installed failed after a few weeks, through no fault of theirs, but they got me a new one and installed it within a few days. They are smart, responsive, hard-working people, and I feel fortunate to have encountered them.

It was a pleasure working with Mark Thompson and wife Lidia- both enthusiastic solar promoters working the field of the future. both were flexible and accomodating in meeting and work scheduling and Lidia assisted us smoothly through the PG&E and CA state filing of rebate paperwork. Let the sun shine in. RaTech Solar performed like a full service contractor in every aspect of the PV and Solar Water Panel installations including filing paperwork for the governmental incentives and PG&E.

This installation was the second solar (PV) system that Ra Tech Solar has installed for us. The quality of the work is superb. When there was a choice in the installation details, Mark Thompson of Ra Tech always chose the highest quality option. For example wiring was installed from the panels, through the roof, and through the outside wall to the inverter. All visible pipes are bent to form and painted to match the walls. Roof openings are patched and covered with a roof color and texture matching material. We are very happy with the work.

Mark is great -- he is not a bullshitter

RA TECH Solar had a very challenging job, with very difficult access. Mark Thompson did a very professional job with high quality workmanship and the best materials available.

Great work, high quality workmanship!

Mark with RA-Tech was careful to keep the panel layout within the confines of our patio cover and installed all hardware and equipment in a professional and aesthetically pleasing manner. He ran conduit and mounted equipment per our planning discussions. Additionally, he installed an entirely new electrical service mast, meter box, and replaced our unsafe 1960`s era Federal Pacific load center. Mark removed and replaced the drywall around the load center, and taped and mudded the wall joints. Even though work spaces were limited, the new mast passes through our roof and deck tight to the side of the house and the penetrations, like it was original construction. He even painted all the new conduits, disconnect box and meter panel, with our house paint, as well as the siding where the old meter box was! If you need a structure built to mount your new solar panels on, you would do well to consider having RA-Tech build that for you as well, if they can fit it into their schedule.

Business savvy , reliable and good price.

Part of any delay was City of Albany`s insistance on more attic bracing, which Mark did. He put up 42 2x4 panels, (German brand) which were sold to us by Sunlit Systems which are no longer in business. He was their installation contractor. Did a nice, clean, quick job, (3/4 days) Came out once when a converter stopped working when a wire got pulled loose on roof. I suspect racoons. Would certainly use him again. Have recommended him to others. Wish they would offer the same incentives we got. Between state and Fed we paid about 50%. Will be waiting for new `film` types to come on the market.

We found Mark to be very professional and a perfectionist (which is exactly what you want for this kind of job). He worked day and night to complete our job. We are very satisfied with our solar installation.

The work that Ra Tech did for us was amazing. The professional manner in which the ground mount was installed and the precision is top rated! Exceptional in all ways! Even if we sold this home we would still use this contractor to install anothe pv system. We believe that it is a responsibility to be as green as possible! RA TECH solar is the BEST!

Mark & Lidia Thompson of RaTech Solar has walked us through the entire process step by step. They are very hard workers and take pride in their work. There were no hidden cost and no surprises. I am very pleased that they installed our solar system. I would recommend them to anyone. RaTech Solar was the best for us. Great people to work with, great emails and phones calls after all was completed. They are highly recommended.

Mark is great and the solar is working to our satisfaction. However we have not received a PGE bill yet since the system was just installed.

The design was performed by Brian Sullivan, then with Palo Alto Solar. The installation was done on sub-contract by RA Tech. The installation took 2 days and was performed very professionally.

Mark and Lidia did a great job all the way through. Although I researched the equipment, costs, process, etc., quite a bit upfront, there`s always a lot you don`t know about the first time through. I was impressed that at every juncture even after the contract was signed, Mark and Lidia went the extra step and always opted for top quality service and equipment rather than cost savings to their bottom line. I highly recommend them. It would help to know what the average, and if possible expected, rise in the cost of electricity is projected to be. Up front this looks like at least a 10-year payback, but it wasn`t until I analyzed my electric bills over the last two years that I realized my cost for electricity had actually gone up 20% from 2005 to 2006 on exactly the same total usage (total bills for the 12 months each year). I had no idea that had happenned. Anything like that over the next 5 years, and the payback time is cut in half - making the whole decision to install a whole lot more attractive financially.

Working with RA Technologies was a pleasure. From the beginning all options and various designs were discussed and explained. The execution was also great. The installation of the equipment was done very well and in great craftmanhip and in a very time efficient manner. The components used were excellent quality as well. I am very satisfied with the whole process and would work with them again anytime. While many companies try to ride the solar wave these days it is even more important to verify how satisfied previous customers of any such company were and what experience the contractor has with the particular type of job. In addition, comapring prices is not the only thing to do, also comparing the quality and efficiency of the parts proposed is important.

Owner Mark Thompson installed my 12 solar panels in two days and because of the fact that our street here in residential Gilroy is very dusty, Mark`s wife, Lidia, advised me to wash the panels in the cool of the afternoon

Contractor did a professional job and made changes on the fly to improve problems encountered in the mounting system, which was provided by another company. I found problem solving abilities and work skills excellent.

The City of San Jose Electrical Inspector commented that this is one of the cleanest installation jobs that he has seen. He was very impressed. Ra Tech Solar was the only company I could find that would install customer provided material, that is why they were not involved regarding permits, rebates or inspections. This is a great company and I recomend them highly.

RA Tech workers were friendly and did a good job attempting to keep the work-site as clean and organized as one can expect with construction work. Ra Tech installed a PV system designed by another company (which took care of our paper work for permits,incentives,etc) and made some necessary adjustments to the layout design as well as perform structural work and be willing to deal with our metal roof. They coordinated with the other company well. WE ARE SO HAPPY WITH RA TECH`S WORK THAT WE HAVE CONTACTED THEM ABOUT FUTURE WORK ON OUR HOUSE.

We felt very comfortable with the whole process of the installation of our system. Mark was always on top of any problems that arose. It also helped that he was a certified electrician as well as very knowledgeable of the products and services provided by the energy commission. There were never any questions left unanswered. We would highly recommend his company to anybody.

It came as a surprise that I was expected to pay for all materials on delivery before installation.

RA was interactie and really dedicated to doing a clean install. The system looks very professional and appears to be operating well. My wife reminded me that it was beyond money- it was a matter of national security! I could not talk to people about global warming and do noting, so we went solar and a Prius! beside the small day to day considerations.

Not only was I very satisfied with the installation, my expectations were exceeded. The layout and mounting of the equipment was very neat and orderly. There were some concerns of possible leaks because of our roofing material but there have been no leaks in over 2 1/2 years. My neighbor was so impressed that he hired Ratech Solar too - he`s also been very pleased with their work. I couldn`t reccomend them more highly.

RA Tech Solar operated as contractor for Palo Alto Solar, who procured the system and provided much of the up-front design work and prepared the contract and cost estimates. Palo Alto Solar did much of the paperwork (permits, rebate applications, etc.) while RA Tech Solar did the actual installation.

I am not clear to what extent our installation and all the arrangements were made by our contact at Palo Alto Hardware vs. Mark Thompson who did the installation. It was my impression that it was the contact at Palo Alto Hardware who did a lot of it. So, I wasn`t sure how to answer many of the questions above. On the other hand, I can`t really remember at this point.

The contractor, RA solar, proprietor Mark Thompson, dealt with unanticipated problems, including that the warehouse sent defective parts. Mark fixed the problems at his own expense. He also did add-on work (installed a generator and changed wiring) at very reasonable, I thought extremely low add-on cost. I am extremely pleased with the job Mark Thompson and RA solar did. You may call me at 650-856-2850. Don Augenstein, Palo Alto CA I am ceo of a nonprofit that works on other forms of renewable energy so I am aware of the benefits and issues.

My system is remote (4 hrs away) so installation occurred when I wasn`t on the job and training wasn`t part of what was possible. We chose this system for a second home based on our own motivation and self-interest. The system planner and coordinator for state rebates etc is an independent businessman who identified the electrical contractor that acted as an installer on this job.

Sales process was not done by Ra Tech