Certasun

Exceptional Service !!

Now this is how a Company needs to Operate......Excellent service from the beginning of procuring loan, permits and extraordinary superb electricians who went above and beyond to have no exposed conduits connecting different parts of the solar panels by running them in the attic. Clean and neat work in all. Kudos to Matt and Jeff with their team who made the Installation a piece of Art. Cory did an excellent job getting the permit and back of the house coordination with the city and getting the Net metering and Illinois solar sun shines and Comed Battery Rebates. I would be happy to show off the Project completed by Certasun to anyone who have a second thought/ doubt in going Solar with Tesla Powerwall 3 as Storage....

Overall, I’m pleased with this new system. However, the pricing was the primary concern. During sales, I was informed that both the city and the state would provide a rebate. However, the exact timing of the funds’ disbursement was unclear. Specifically, for the city, I was told that the funds might run out, and I might not receive anything. I asked about the current availability of funds, and the salesperson confirmed that there was money. About a month after the project finished, I sent a few emails to the project manager, expressing my concern about the city rebate. The project manager informed me that the funds had been exhausted and referenced a date that had passed approximately a month after I signed the project. It would have been better if the company had informed me earlier in the project that I wouldn’t be receiving the rebate. Since the project had already started a month ago, I believe I should still be eligible for the rebate or that the company should have filed for me. On a positive note, I’m satisfied with the results of the installation and inspection teams. However, product management was quite poor.

Terribly unresponsive when issues arise

I contacted Certasun at the beginning of April to have panels installed. The panels were installed with a couple of hiccups, the biggest one being that, once installed, the system was sending an error message in mid-July that Certasun still hasn't come to the house to address. They have been incredibly unresponsive in general, but especially with respect to this. They finally booked a time to come out but then rescheduled for a week later, saying the work order had been assigned to the wrong team. The system problem must be addressed before the utility interconnection can be established so that I can earn kWh credit from ComEd. At this rate, it won't be until October before I can start to accrue energy savings. I work in ComEd's clean energy group and am often asked for solar vendor recommendations. I won't be recommending Certasun, based on their lack of responsiveness.

I contacted Certasun at the beginning of April to have panels installed. The panels were installed with a couple of hiccups, the biggest one being that, once installed, the system was sending an error message that Certasun still hasn't come to the house to address. They have been incredibly unresponsive in general, but especially with respect to this. They finally booked a time to come out but then rescheduled for a week later, saying the work order had been assigned to the wrong team. The system problem must be addressed before the utility interconnection can be established so that I can earn kWh credit from ComEd. At this rate, it won't be until October before I can start to accrue energy savings. I work in ComEd's clean energy group and am often asked for solar vendor recommendations. I won't be recommending Certasun, base on their lack of responsiveness.

Updated

After posting my review last week, I was contacted by an executive concerning my experience. He informed me that ComEd had changed the rules for the rebate from the time I was quoted and when the installation had completed. Initially, my rebate was approved for payment before ComEd went back and rejected it. Certasun had been trying to get ComEd to reverse their decision with no success. The main issue was the total lack of communication from Certasun, which the exec assures me will be changed. In order to make me whole, Certasun has sent me a check to cover the rebate.

Beware of what they promise

I used Certasun to install my solar back in 2021 and my Tesla Powerwall3 system late last year. From a technical standpoint, they are good. But it's the business side that's left me feeling scammed. They called me last year to sell me on the Tesla Powerwall3 system. They said with the federal tax credit and a ComEd rebate program, my net cost would be around a 1/3 the full price. I've worked with them before, so I trusted what they quoted. I got the federal tax credit for last year, and was waiting for the ComEd rebate check. I checked with them back in May, and they said I should get the check by early July. It's August, so I emailed last week and Jennifer said she should know by tomorrow. And I haven't heard anything from her since. She's ignored my emails and calls. Today, I decided to call ComEd directly to get the status. I was informed that my application was rejected because it only included the battery storage and that my solar was installed before 8/2022. They sent the rejection back to Certasun, so they've known for months and didn't say anything to me. They should have known the parameters of the ComEd rebate program. I don't know if this is incompetence or out rights lies, but they haven't tried to make it right. They're just ignoring it and hoping I'll just go away it seems.

Things started out well, with proactive communication and the company taking the lead on getting us through the process; they were even able to make installation happen mere days after our permits were approved. As much as we loved the quick turnaround, though, things got sloppy once crews got on site--holes in wall, carpets stained, cut wires, trash strewn over our property--and it became difficult to get timely responses from the Certasun office in order to resolve these issues. System works fine; we haven't needed the company since the initial slip-ups.

Great service, great experience

I'm a picky electrical engineer and the overall process was great. Getting batteries installed added complexity in locating them, and we went through several iterations figuring where to put the batteries and where to run the conduit. I also insisted on using all the MPPT inputs on the batteries, which meant a little more labor and material costs, and they accommodated my request. They worked to keep the installation clean - no conduit on the roof, only one exterior conduit run.

I had an amazing experience with Certasun. Their pricing was amazing and service was top-notch. We are really enjoying our Solar system!

SOLAR INSTALLATION

We are thrilled to have our solar up and running. Certasun delivered ahead of schedule every step of the way .I would highly recomend Certasun to anyone thinking of getting solar. the install only took 1 day and the crew left the job as clean as if they were never there . Peters family Gurnee Illinois

Certasun, in my opinion, way overpromised in getting me live before the Federal Tax Credit expired. I signed with them July 2025 and got installed March 23, 2026.They did credit me several thousand dollars because I went forward with installation once it was clear I would be losing out on the $14K expected tax credit. I definitely experienced months of stalling tactics that were just flat unnecessary before even starting prep work. (installing smoke detectors inside my house and a costly move of electric mast by 6 inches) As others have stated, communication is well below satisfactory levels. I had good communications from one project manager, however she left the company right when Certasun showed up to finally install. Her replacement is off the charts poor. Installers were fantastic except for they really failed to commission the system with me present to understand what to expect going forward. The system seems to work well 3 months in, but I still have not gotten a thorough follow up to check on things right now and to plot out future rebate timeline. There are plenty of regulatory steps along the way, and I can give them credit for managing that process with ComEd and State of Illinois. I was impressed with them during my research phase, they won me over right as I almost signed with another company. From there, it was delay, delay, delay. Installation is excellent, communications and providing realistic timeline - unacceptable.

After talking with many companies, CertaSun not only had the best prices, but the friendliest and most professional staff. End to end it all went very smoothly and efficiently. System was installed WAY before estimated, even with some storm damage to repair that delayed the install a few weeks. They even repaired an inverter issue we noticed when activating the system within a few days. Definitely recommending them to others, and also will likely use them to add an EV charger and/or heat pump in the future.

very satisfied

Certasun did a great job putting up our solar panels and EV charger. The design team accommodated my requests and some from our HOA. The day of installation was professional. Two things that have stayed with me from the process. They took care of all of the permitting and approval. They coordinated with the utility and city. I never had to schedule anything. They took care of all of the application for the state and local tax incentives. They filled out all of it correctly. We just received our check from the city of Naperville. The install crew is local, unlike the other companies we interviewed.

Decent system; poor office support

Bottom line: We have a solar system and it seems to be working just fine. Getting to that point, however, was quite a struggle, due to the company’s disorganization and poor communication. I believe Certasun sells a good product, and knows their business. Our sales person was great and the installation teams were hard working and generally polite and respectful. While they tended to show up about an hour after we were told they’d arrive, they often stayed late—even after sunset—to finish their day’s work. BUT—and it’s a big “but”-- the back-office and operations planning teams were really sub-par. We bought our system in the summer of 2025, during the crunch to get solar installed before the tax credits expired. We got the impression that the company hired a whole lot of new people to deal with the heavy load, and were in no way prepared to handle it. I’ll be charitable and say that our project manager was probably a new hire and poorly trained—rather than simply incompetent—but the result was the same: important details were dropped, communications seemed lacking, and all this led to multiple delays. Three weeks after our site visit we were told of major electrical work that was needed. Why couldn’t this have been flagged immediately? We were all in a time crunch and those three weeks meant our installation ran into the snows of an unusually early winter. In other cases we were telling her how to do her job (responding to communications from ComEd, for example, about forms that needed to be filled out, which she seemed ignorant about). Also, nobody in the office ever answered the phone: literally every single time we called we got a voice mail, and then a callback or email hours later. The worst part of this whole process was that on the day the panels were supposed to be installed, we were told that our roof was too steep for the design and they couldn’t complete the installation. Now there had been a site visit three months earlier at which this was never mentioned; why not? And we have a Chicago bungalow with a pop-up addition, not an unusual structure for the area. The subsequent scramble resulted in a redesign that reduced the number of panels on our roof and, of course, another delay. They finished installation literally on new year’s eve, the deadline for the tax credit. But, they did finish (although some final details weren’t completed until into the new year). And in the last couple of weeks they gave us a new project manager who seemed to know her job much better, and to be a better communicator. So. I think this company would be fine if you purchase in the spring, and if you live in a suburban neighborhood with traditional house designs and big lots. For tight city lots and if you're in a hurry, I might look at other vendors.

Certasun completed our solar/battery (Franklin) install this winter and while the process was not 100% smooth... I think the company does a great job. The sales process was super smooth and frankly their installs look the best, we got competing offers and drove around to look at the work companies had completed in our neighborhood, Certasun stood out as clean and neat plus they were the most open to keeping all of the galvanized steel tubing out of sight. The prep/design work was fine, we went back and forth on the battery placement a lot but ended up putting it in our garage to keep everything out of the weather. When it came to installation the teams were organized and neat, they had to contend with some challenging routing for conduit but it came out looking great... a very professional job. The panels themselves just kind of melt into the roof, you hardly even notice them without the bright silver tubing. Post install was a bit tougher, we failed our first inspection because our garage is attached and unfinished. The city had approved this plan but ultimately failed the inspection, frustrating... but I can't blame Certasun for that. Certasun worked with the city to determine what they really needed to pass the inspection and conveyed that to me. I really wanted the battery so I ended up dry walling/finishing my garage per the city's requirements. Certasun covered the cost of the drywall and supplies while I provided the labor. It was great to see a company step up and help make a bad situation that was out of our control better. And with that we passed the inspection! The solar production has exceeded my expectations and the battery has been amazing at reducing my grid dependency at peak cost times. One person really stood out on the Certasun team, our coordinator Holly was just the best... super responsive with all of the back and forth after the inspection failure. I just always felt like I knew were the project was at, what was next, and that if I needed anything Holly would be there to happily answer my questions.

Excellent Service

From initial estimate through implementation the Certasun team performed superbly. The team was well coordinated by Holly, the PM. All on-site personnel, including rooftop installers, battery installers and electricians were professional and respectful of property. I recommend them for anyone considering solar and / or battery storage services.

Solar Panel installation - Algonquin

Excellent experience in installing. The way they went about in installing was great. The status monitor from every stage was also good. The pricing was good and appreciate the professionalism during design to delivery stage.

No problems!

I started my solar investigation in the spring of 2024 and the project was finished at the end of June 2024. I "interviewed" many companies, but Paul was my first and last sales person. Certasun did an excellent job making their way through the long process to get my system installed and hooked up to Comed. Suggestion: when looking for a solar company ask for the differences of different brand/type of panels and all the different financing choices.

Great overall, with 1 large exception

The sales process, site assessment, and installation were all excellent, with all of my questions & concerns quickly, easily, and earnestly answered. However, 3 weeks after the inspection the program manager informed us that we'd need a new electrical panel since ours needed to be more than 100 amps and therefore we wouldn't pass inspection. Our panel & wiring were 125 amps, and when I repeatedly asked what was the problem with the panel, I couldn't get a reasonable answer. There were ancillary issues that were detailed - proper grounding & a new meter enclosure; but when $4,000 in additional work is reduired, I think proper details are required, especially when some of their assertions were incorrect. We used our own electrician to do the required updates, who charged a fraction of the estimate and was incredulous of the project manager's assertion about our main panel. This delayed the project by 2 months, which was a reasonable trade-off rather than paying the inflated price for the additional work. As stated earlier, we're very happy with the sales process & installation quality, while we can only hope that Certasun will handle the processing and return of the utility and REC rebates according to schedule. The after sales support is still TBD, so a star rating hasn't been done for that section.

Smooth Solar Installation from Start to Finish

Just had my solar panels installed by Certasun and I couldn’t be happier! They made the whole process super easy, took care of everything from the city permit, ComEd rebate, SRECs paperwork, and even the net metering application. I didn’t have to deal with any of the hassle myself. The team was professional, friendly, and kept me updated every step of the way. They answered all my questions along the way. If you’re thinking about going solar, definitely go with Certasun. They know what they’re doing and make the entire process smooth and stress-free.

End to end excellent!

Every single person in the process was exceptionally kind and competent! Your money and home will be in good hands, go with Certasun.

Prep, installation, and completion were fantastic. The office was very helpful until after turn on. I have asked twice after turn on the status of the Illinois Shine Program. It’s been three weeks without a response.

Solar Panel Installation

First and foremost, I appreciate the comprehensive and detailed information Certasun shared about the solar panel system. They patiently addressed all my questions and concerns throughout the process, from the initial consultation to the completion of the project. Their transparency and willingness to educate me about the system stood out. The installation team was exceptional. They performed the installation with precision and ensured that all necessary steps were meticulously followed to pass the inspection. Their professionalism, expertise, and attention to detail were truly commendable. Kudos to the entire team for a job well done! One of the features I truly enjoy is the ability to monitor the system via a user-friendly app on my phone. It allows me to keep track of the devices and analyze the data conveniently, which adds a lot of value to the experience. The entire process was smooth and professional, and I am thoroughly impressed with the service provided. Overall, Certasun is definitely a great company to work with. They deliver on their promises and ensure customer satisfaction at every step. I am already recommending their services to others and will continue to do so. Thank you, Certasun, for an excellent experience!

Thorough

Very good installation process. Both the Electrical and Solar installers were very professional and very informative. There was very little debris that I had to clean up when they were done. Everything was explained and completely very well. My only complaint was that it took 2 months from the install to the inspection.

Certasun unreasonably delayed work and then abandoned us

My spouse and I are incredibly motivated to purchase and install a solar system at our single-family house in Chicago’s Bowmanville neighborhood. The roof of our house is new and has a large portion that faces south and gets great sun exposure. We also have sun-exposed garage roof space sufficient (with the south side of our home’s roof) to support 9-12 solar panels. We have plans for many high-efficiency electric appliance upgrades and to purchase an EV or plug-in hybrid vehicle, and we hoped to defray the anticipated additional cost for increased electricity usage with a solar system (and be better stewards of the environment). We were particularly driven to get a solar system installed before December 31, 2025, when the federal Residential Clean Energy Credit is now scheduled to end for residential solar systems. ComEd, EnergySage and several competing solar companies all determined in early July 2025 that our house would support a solar system, and we received multiple bids through EnergySage for such a project. After discussions with polite and seemingly knowledgeable Certasun representatives (Holly and Paul), we decided not to pursue other bidders and signed contracts with Certasun to install a solar system and fast EV charger in our garage. At the time we signed our contracts (on July 11, 2025), Certasun's representatives noted we would need trenching from the garage to our house's circuit box to support the garage panels and EV charger and a charge for this trenching was included in our contract. We were approved for financing and promptly made upfront cash payments (on July 15, 2025) to Certasun to start the work. That's when the trouble began. Despite Certasun's promise that it would move quickly on our project and written and verbal commitments to complete our project prior to December 31 (which would be required for the federal tax credit), and despite our immediate response to all interim correspondence from Certasun and requests to submit required information to them and ComEd (for the interconnection agreement), Certasun did not schedule a site assessment until August 28, 2025 (more than six weeks after we signed our contract). The site assessment determined that we would need to move some landscaping features to allow for the trenching from the garage to the house and that our electric panel needed to be moved due to ensure code compliance. The trenching obstacles were no surprise and were known to Certasun at the time we signed our contracts (and we had a landscaper lined up and waiting for information from Certasun to clear the path). The requirement to move the circuit panel was unexpected, but we also had our own electrician ready to promptly do this work as soon as Certasun confirmed the required scope of the electric work. Despite this, and notwithstanding our promise to clear all obstacles to installing the solar system and pleas during a phone call with Holly to allow us just two weeks to complete all work to clear the identified obstacles, Certasun abruptly and without recourse cancelled our contract and returned our payments on September 3, 2025. By this late date, all the other companies that had bid on our solar project in July had filled their installation calendars. In fact, when we submitted another request for bids on EnerySage following Certasun’s abrupt and unreasonable cancellation of our contracts, none of the prior bidders rebid on our project and we received no responses. This late abandonment by Certasun therefore cost us any chance to complete our solar project by December 31, 2025, meaning that any future solar system installation we complete (and we are still interested in installing solar!) will be significantly more expensive. We are confident that our own contractors could have removed all obstacles identified by Certasun quickly (we had even identified an appropriate new location for our circuit box that would have been a quick fix), and, unfortunately, we believe that Certasun used these relatively easy-to-address obstacles as a pretext for abandoning our project because it was smaller and would be less lucrative than larger projects that they may have in the works. We also think it is likely that Certasun over-committed to completing projects prior to December 31, 2025, and decided to use pretextual reasons to jettison smaller homeowners like us so that they can complete the larger projects on their calendar. This was an extremely disheartening experience for us that we believe was entirely avoidable by Certasun (either by more promptly scheduling our site assessment or by allowing us to use our own contractors to address the identified obstacles). For these reasons, we cannot recommend Certasun to potential future customers.

CertaSun made the whole solar process super easy for us. They took care of everything—from designing the setup and installing the panels to handling all the permits and paperwork, even for our incentives and rebates. We didn’t have to worry about a thing. Everyone we worked with was really professional and friendly. They showed up on time, got things done efficiently, and made sure to answer all our questions along the way. Overall, it was a great experience, and we’re really happy we went with CertaSun. Highly recommend!

Great installation!!!

Certasun showed us where they would be placing our solar panels and asked us how we wanted the piping to travel. They took care of all of the paperwork for our rebates and city inspection. Easy-peasy, and they’re saving us a ton of money in our electric bills.

Great Start Poor Finish

Certasun did well during the install process. However, after their relationship with SunPower ended because of bankrupty of SunPower they have started treating us like strangers. Don't answer questions truthfully, give you the run around and poor response. Per the Contract THEY are responsible for the warranty of the system. They sold SunPower panels to us. In fact, they called them the BEST and They need to stand behind it. The APP to monitor the one's system is now being charged at $99 per Year. Ridiculous fr Certasun to say that is part of my ongoing cost. I am not paying for something that I have given over $50K for. CertaSun WILL NOT stand behind you based on my experience SO please save yourself some trouble. The CEO is a Booth graduate and should understand what Customer Service should be like. A dissatisfied customer will talk to 10 other people about their experience.

I'm writing this review 2.5 years after install. I was very pleased with the quoting/consulting stage of the process, as all of my questions were addressed well, and the financing stage was very flexible in their offerings. Permits took a bit of time. Trying to coordinate the project manager with the city didn't happen efficiently, but it was completed 100% by Certasun. Once on the schedule, the installation was a one day process. The team was organized and cleaned up afterwards. Tying in to the power for the house required going into my attic, this was done quickly. The installation of the computer for reporting the system status was also done neatly, the challenge here was the computer itself was bad. A warranty exchange took some time to be completed. The system was operating a couple months after installation because of the delay. Illinois had state incentives for installing solar panels, and Certasun took care of most of that, and stood behind their promises at contract signing regarding timing of payment. I would recommend their services to install solar panels, just make sure to vet the manufacturer of the total solar panel solution themselves. The one they installed for me went out of business. I'm trusting Certasun to stand behind my purchase.

Professionally Done and Works Great!

Everything was communicated very professionally, and the entire project completed without any problems. Would recommend to friends and family!