ConsumerTechAdvocate | Tucson, Arizona | 06/01/2018
Great Service+Fair Price, beating national installers in $ & kW
Highly recommend Custom Solar & Leisure. Their system Price & Size of system beat both SunCity(Tesla) & SunPower. After several months of intensive research: 1st bid from SunCity(almost 60% negative reviews) which had terrible contract/agreement=Refused to spell out details(panel make & model#) of system for which I was to pay a ($1k+) premium for High-End Panasonic Panels & several thousand $$ more for a 1.15kW smaller system. 2nd was SunPower(oldest & currently troubled according to industry news article) which wanted over $6k more for their 0.15kW smaller system. Both companies included inverters with just 10year warranties. 3rd CustomSolar&Leisure(highly rated 5Star) gave me the system I wanted, including moving all single-pole(110V) breakers inside the garage into a new sub-panel, leaving double-pole(220V) breakers in original outside panel. Now if I trip a breaker I no longer have to get dressed & go outside in the dark or rain, but just go into the secure garage to reset it. I opted for the LG Neon High-End Panels & Enphase Microinverters, both with 25-Year Warranties. RESEARCH indicated that Solar Panels are MOST efficient at 77degrees & each panel therefore has a thermal coefficient associated with it. As the temp rises above 77degrees, they produce less power, so those panels with the lowest/smallest thermal coefficient(temp penalty) produce the most power at higher temps compared to cheaper panels. Best panels as of Feb-2018 are LG-Neon, SunPower, & Panasonic(model specific) with 0.029-0.030 thermal coefficients. Microinverters are worth the added cost as they have warranties that are 2.5 times longer(25years) than standard inverters(10years) & allow for individual panel power output/generation monitoring. In addition microinverters allow for continued operation of all remaining panels if one panel goes bad, as each panel has it's own microinverter attached to the back of the panel. Along with the new electric sub-panel I had the monitoring panel/equipment installed inside the garage to hopefully extend it's lifespan as it won't be exposed to the elements(rain & high 100-117 degree Tucson summers). CustomSolar&Leisure was very accommodating with my request for garage sub-panel & microinverters, whereas the other two were more take our high-priced system as is or we will charge you substantially more if you want any customization. PLUS Custom Solar & Leisure is a locally owned company with all the benefits accruing to our local economy.
isip | Tucson, Arizona | 03/19/2018
I Highly Recommend Custom Solar and Leisure
I give Custom Solar and Leisure my strongest recommendation. When starting my solar project, I got estimates from 6 different Tucson solar companies. I did my research. First, I was impressed to learn that the owner of Customer Solar, Jeff Shoemaker, served on the Southern Arizona Regional Solar Partnership committee. This shows his personal dedication to the solar field. Jeff has been in the solar business more than most, so he has lots of experience. He runs a small family business, which I like to support in our community. During the estimate process, Custom Solar was professional, knowledgeable and flexible with my project needs. For example, they went the extra step of installing the inverter in my garage, at my request, even though it required extra work. They did not charge me extra for this. When Custom Solar came to do the work, everyone on their crew was great. We did run into a couple minor hiccups but they were resolved to my satisfaction immediately. As for price, I doubt you will find a better price than Custom Solar, in addition to their high quality work. I could not find a better price in all of Tucson, believe me, I tried! My project was for 24 panels. If you thinking of doing a solar project, contact Jeff and Custom Solar, you will be happy you did!!!
Tanque Verde Homeowner | Tucson, Arizona | 03/13/2017
Very Pleased
I had a 32-panel 8 kW system installed on my home in 2013. Custom Solar did all they said they'd do, when they said they'd do it, at a very competitive price.<br /><br />By 2015 we had sold that home and once again Custom Solar put a rooftop system at our new home. In 2016 we had them expand that system,<br /><br />Again, they were conscientious, courteous, did what they said they'd do when they said they'd do it at a very competitive price.
