EmPower Solar - OOB

Best firm! Best team!

I hired Empower Solar to install a solar panel system at my home last October, and I couldn't be more satisfied. Mr. Lobel was incredibly kind; he truly listened to my needs and provided a highly competitive estimate. During the process, Mr. Clement articulately explained every procedure and addressed all my questions. If he didn't have an immediate answer, he ensured I was connected with the right person for clarification. The installation team, led by Foreman Mr. Gerald, was diligent, reliable, and meticulous. The team arrived promptly and executed the installation with exceptional attention to detail. Mr. Gerald personally inspected every component and took the time to walk me through the system and what to expect next. Empower Solar is very competitive compared to other firms, especially given their superior quality of work. I highly recommend them!

Sales/Install was Stellar. Service/Support suffers

System Installed November 2022 I had a stellar experience with sales, professional services and installation. Since install, I have had to contact support 3 times. The first time (2023) was resolved very quickly and I spoke with a live person (problem with monitoring app) The second time (2025?) was resolved on my own as I couldn't reach a live person. Eventually, someone called and left a message with instructions that I had already figured out on my own. (problem with monitoring app) The third time (now- 2026) my system has not been producing power reliably for 8 days - some days there has been zero production and my home is being powered by the grid despite clear sunny days. I have called their service number 516-837-3459 during business hours several times. There is no live person and it doesn't let you leave a message (despite the website says you can) and the call ends abruptly with the automated message directing me to submit a form from Client Corner. https://empower-solar.com/en/client-corner/ I have submitted a form on Client Corner and twice have sent an email to service@empower-solar.com. I have yet to get a response or phone call. Essentially, the level of support has deteriorated since installation and I believe that aligns with the closing of offices, including the Island Park location which is where I got my installation from.

Roof Leaks

I had my system installed by Empower in Aug 2023. Initially I was pleased but the warranty is a scam. My roof passed their inspection and had never leaked until their installation, yet I had to call back twice about roof leaks after my system was installed. The first callback they charged me $700.00 even though the water was dripping from their mount screws, they blamed it on a suddenly appearing, strangely placed nail under a shingle that was downhill from their screws. Water flows uphill now I guess. Second call back, many more mounts were leaking, all from their screw penetrations. This time they couldn't sweep it under the rug and had to replace them all, for which I wasn't charged for. Clearly their mounts were defective, the new mounts were a different design. I feel like I was mugged, I reached out to Tara McDermott at Empower for a refund for the original callback but no luck.

Sub par experience

I felt imperative to write a review. The experience I had with Empower was sub par and I wouldn’t use them again. I was promised a timeline which they missed, they didn’t follow the plans, installed conduit where I had the builder run the wire inside the walls (of which they met with the builder to instruct what to do) and the 2 day installed turned into 4+. In short, if you are willing to let Empower install the equipment how they want with 0 input they will do a good job. All work was done neatly and tidy. The install crews were fantastic however most of management was not. When I complained about power walls being installed in the wrong spot I overheard one of the owners on the phone talking to his employee about me and said “this f**** guy” because I complained about another of their mistakes. This company treats their employees poorly. I had two different install crews tell me that management would find a way to blame them when these mistakes were clearly at the management level. The one member of management that I have come to respect is Tara McDermott, Director of customer experience. Although we didn’t always see eye to eye she was fair and when gave her word she made sure it got done. Before signing a contract I would recommend doing your due diligence.

Empower Solar installation on Long Island - Summer 2024

After a chance encounter with a door-to-door solar salesman in April 2024, I began exploring solar options for my Long Island home. I had recently gotten a Tesla Model Y which increased my power usage, and with our already high local electricity costs plus my concerns about future energy demands from AI and EVs, it seemed like a good time to consider solar. I researched several providers and ultimately chose Empower Solar. Their sales rep Jeff Cohen really impressed me with his expertise and thorough consultation process. I went with a 15.3 kW system using 36 QTRON panels with Enphase IQ8 microinverters, which cost about $46,000. Through financing with a $25,000 NYSERDA loan at 6.99% plus federal and state tax credits, I only needed to pay $2,318 upfront. After signing the initial contract, I decided to add two Powerwall 3 batteries for backup power. Having gone through Hurricane Sandy's 9-day outage, I realized it would be worth the investment. This brought my total project cost to $67,508, with an additional $10,712 out of pocket. We had to install the Powerwalls on my south wall - not ideal aesthetically, but it was the only option given the placement requirements. The whole process took several months. I signed the initial contract on July 8th, had the panels installed October 7-8th, and the Powerwalls went in on October 10th. The system finally went live on November 8th. I've connected it to my HomeAssistant setup, which lets me track everything - power generation, grid usage, and Powerwall charge levels - in real-time with detailed charts. Looking at the ROI, my PSEG bills had been averaging between $282-330 monthly. While it'll take a while to pay for itself, I believe it's a solid investment given likely increases in electricity costs, plus I really value having backup power. That said, I always tell people to consider how long they plan to stay in their house when calculating ROI - it might not make sense for someone planning to move in the next few years. Overall, I'm really happy with my decision to go solar. Empower's team was incredibly professional throughout the entire process, and Jeff Cohen's ongoing support even after the sale was particularly impressive. The system's performing great, and I have no regrets about making the investment. Full blog post - with drone flyover: https://evanhoffman.com/2024/11/11/my-experience-getting-home-solar-spring-summer-2024/

New solar customer

My experience with Empower Solar has been overwhelmingly positive, from the initial presentation to the installation of the panels. There was a slight misunderstanding regarding knee walls, but it was promptly rectified, and to our astonishment, Empower covered the cost. Without a doubt, I will enthusiastically recommend Empower to my friends and family.

Very rude customer service and they don’t stand behind their institution when panels are placed wrong. I would have given them a zero rating but was not an option to do so. We have a large tree that has been in our yard for 50 years and they put 7 out of 13 panels in the shade of that tree. Please call a different company when getting solar. This company is just happy to get paid for their wrong placement of our solar.

Do not use

After months of delay, Empower tried to install 7 solar panels on our newly gut-renovated Brooklyn townhouse. The technician clearly did not know what he was doing. In order to make room on the electrical panel in the basement for the hook-up, he combined several wires haphazardly into the same breakers. Before my eyes, the entire panel box started to smoke. Rather than shut off the main electrical switch, the technician ran out of the basement and called the fire department. The fire that resulted from his error, along with the damage caused by the fire department’s water hoses and pick-axes, completely destroyed our basement and some of our ground floor. This was a new renovation with an entirely new, upgraded 200amp electrical system and panel board, and we had just moved in. I understand that mistakes happen. But Empower’s consistent refusal to acknowledge any wrongdoing and to compensate us in any way for the damage to our new house, for the insurance deductible, for the cost of rewiring the basement, for the cost of reinstalling a security system, and for the inconvenience that they caused us three days before Christmas is inexcusable. I should say that even when our system was hooked up a month later (we needed to install from our own pocket a second breaker box for Empower to use), they forgot to submit the paper work for the property tax break, so I have yet to receive that. What is more, for the two years that we’ve had the system, our panels have produced less than half the kWh predicted for us. As it is, I am paying considerably more each month for the loan than I make from the solar panels. Do not use.

Was happy until…

Was very happy with the company until the leaks started. They said the roof was in good enough shape to put panels on. Now there's water POURING into my house and not only are they are saying it's not their fault, but that there were holes there before they put them on. So why did they not mention that before? They are now charging me hundreds of dollars to take the panels off to replace a roof that passed THEIR inspection less than a year ago. I am so surprised by the customer service for an issue I thought would be a non issue. You gave an inspection, saw no issues, but now say the holes were there and that’s not your fault? Water pouring in your house is incredibly stressful and I expected more.

Pleasure to Work With

Tara, Gen, and everyone else who helped bring bring my solar project into reality are wonderful. I at no point felt like I was being "sold" on a product; I was presented with information clearly and concisely, with prices and justifications made obvious from day one. I cannot recommend them enough. I had received quotes from four companies before meeting with EmPower. For price, system warranty, and ease of accessing people, EmPower beat the other three companies easily.

Great Solar Panel project & installation

Empower Solar is a great solar energy installer. I liked that they have installed both residential and local large businesses with good reputation. The salesperson, design, home roof/power inspection, and actual installation were very professional. Everything went smoothly. On the day installation was completed they showed me on an App the solar energy capture by the panels was working: that was amazing! The installation team were really excellent and good communication about the process.

Great crew Good job Thank you

Top Notch Installer

EmPower works with SunPower, that matters, but the quality of installer matters more. On that point, EmPower has been first class. About 4 months from initial assessment to completion. Every step clear, professional, and responsive.

Exceeded my expectations

Just coming up on one year of our solar install, our system was sold to us by their sales team member Mathew Brill who was knowledgeable, polite and responsive to my needs, questions and concerns. Our system which I requested to be slightly oversized for our energy needs due to possible growth of home/energy needs and degradation of panels over time is rated at 135 percent of power needs and will be wrapping up our year just over the 150 percent mark. System has been flawless since install, and also the instal was done beautifully with no conduit showing on the roof whatsoever. Also took my monthly electric bill of $147 balanced down to $71 Solar loan (15 years at 0.9%) plus the grid connection fee that can’t be avoided and that’s around $14 so basically cut our bill in half. Overall extremely pleased with our set up and looking forward to paying it off completely in about 6 years to say goodbye to any electric bills!

Great Customer Support

I have had solar for a year now and since my first contact with Matt with Empower has been great. Matt wasn’t a college kid looking to make a sale. He has knowledge of the entire process and was not push at all. The install team worked with my needs to get the system exactly the why I wanted it on the roof and the new 200 amp electric panel. After install I had 2 minor issues that the support team helped with right away. It was a great experience all around.

Empower Solar

We lost power this past Christmas weekend during the big storm system that came through the US. The system Empower Solar installed worked incredibly well!! Thank you

Good experience

Quick and professional Installation

Honest - a pleasure to do business with

These guys were great and I have no problem recommending them. They were very straightforward and direct during the sales process, walking me through several scenarios. The actual installation team was a pleasure to work with - the guys were courteous and, most important, careful. Three months in, the system is working as promised and seems to actually be producing a bit more power than expected.

Very professional and personable!

Everything went well with the installation. I really appreciate the communication, education, and support throughout the process. From deciding whether to go solar up to the installation process, I felt confident things were going to go well. As I am new to this, I hope I can continue to rely of Empower to assist me with questions and problems I have I have in the future. Matt, Alexandra, and Jared. Thank you guys! Anthony

Great great experience

I really appreciate all the hard work by the entire Empower Team. It was a great smooth experience done by all. The install team was amazing, the electric team was phenomenal, Sales and Project management were outstanding.

Extremely pleased with the whole process from start to finish. They were very thorough and professional. Made a number of visits to the house prior to install to make sure every thing was in order. All personnel we delt with were friendly and professional.

Install in 2009, addon in 2022, using EMPOWER all the way

In 2009, I had 29 Sunpower panels installed by EmPower Solar in Island Park, NY - they have been overproducing for the last 13 years on the south side of the roof [I did this instead of buy a new car]. In 2022, I added 13 more panels to the north house roof, and the two systems are overproducing. I just love it. I was recently in New York City for a 4 day conference and used "mySunPower" app to monitor the system. All in all, still a great quality system and their service and support are great. I just had netting installed on my older 2009 system to stop birds from nesting underneath. When I chose EMPOWER in 2009 they were my 2nd choice of a company to do this work - BUT I AM so glad I bypassed my 1st choice and went with Empower - my 1st choice now forever!!!

117% Powered By The Sun! We Love This Company!!

We are so excited about our Empower Solar System. After years of prep work, investigating solar panel efficiency, and customer satisfaction reviews, we decided to go with Empower Solar. What a great company!! From beginning to end, the process was made easy by prompt informational emails, courteous and professional install teams, and a beautiful finished system. We are now 117% powered by the Sun! I can't recommend Empower enough!

Excellence

I was very pleased with the entire process. The communication all along was key and made us less worried about this whole experience. From Kyle our salesperson who was patient with all the details we requested, to Byron who did his best to move our installation date forward to accommodate our travel plans and finally to the crew who came to install the system for us. Darrell, Justin, Joey and Billy were very kind, respectful and professional. The only suggestion would be an improvement on the installation timeline and collaboration with town of brookhaven.

Outstanding experience

From start to finish, EmPower has been outstanding. Their sales team was polite, informative, and patient with me. They never pressured me into choosing their services. Once I signed the contract, they were patient with my timeline for installation. They proceeded to complete the paperwork and permits quickly. When I was ready for installation, they were again prompt and on time. They completed the project on our home in two days. The roofers were kind and informative, all while conducting very technically difficult work on our angled roof. We are excited to be up and running. I'd highly recommend this company to any prospective customers. A++.