NRG Clean Power

Would not recommend if you are on a schedule, mind sub-contract

Would not recommend if you are on a schedule, or depend on rebates - you pay a lot and I still had to manage and push the project (barely made Tax deadline, missed a 6.5k/battery rebate) —— Found NRG Clean Power (LA based, supposedly office in San Jose near me) through EnergySage. Had the lowest quote of 7, but the only one that didn’t include a gateway for solar+batteries (Tesla Powerwall 3) so red flag #1, red flag #2 is they sub-contract the install (not great in my case). Their sale Stephania was amazing and did a great design trying to fit as many panels as possible on my best facing roof (unlike Tesla, still cheaper, who put all panels on the worst NE facing roof even after push back and onsite visit payment - avoid them like the plague). Told me I was eligible for 13k SGIP PGE rebate (only got 11k) so signed contract in end July. Well that when things started going wrong. I didn’t get initial (bad) design for 10 weeks after onsite visit, after repeated ask. Tons of errors, and things like putting all house backup switch (with 120A full wiring loop) 100+ft away instead of right next to service! Even installer couldn’t believe 30-40ft re-design and put it right next to meter. Duh. I was told normally 5 months (so should fit by Dec 31st Tax deadline) but expected less since a) already had their panel layout b) had a complete design from Tesla c) my city does very fast permit in 1-2 weeks. Another red flag is they sub-contract the install (who sub-subcontracted the solar panels - thankfully more knowledgeable). Due to late night rush install, 1 set of wire was incorrect causing 1/3 production loss. Being en engineer I noticed that issue in TeslaOne app next day (they never verified system) and it took them 6+ weeks to finally correct it (main sub are not good). NRG sat on my permit for 4 weeks (took my city under 2). I pushed and pushed and still just barely made the deadline - my system was installed on Dec 27th only because my inspection was on 28th - really rushed job when they had 5 months to ‘design’ and 2 weeks permit wait. Then they took time to ask for PGE PTO after install, who also dragged their feet for couple months (just got conditional PTO), so I MISSED an additional 6.5k/battery rebate from 3CE by just 2 weeks!!!! I couldn’t believe it. So pissed and stressful for the last 8 months I would have been better getting owners permits, save a ton even if I can’t apply for SGIP rebate. Lesson learned. Sales was also not correct in quoting 13k SGIP rebate (battery portion - 30% fed x 70%) and wouldn’t correct. Another 2k lost.

Would not recommend if you are on a schedule, or depend on rebates - you pay a lot and I still had to manage and push the project (barely made Tax deadline, missed a 6.5k/battery rebate) —— Found NRG Clean Power (LA based, supposedly office in San Jose near me) through EnergySage. Had the lowest quote of 7, but the only one that didn’t include a gateway for solar+batteries (Tesla Powerwall 3) so red flag #1. Their sale Stephania was amazing and did a great design trying to fit as many panels as possible on my best facing roof (unlike Tesla, still cheaper, who put all panels on the worst NE facing roof even after push back and onsite visit payment - avoid them like the plague). Told me I was eligible for 13k SGIP PGE rebate (only got 11k) so signed contract in end July. I was told normally 5 months (so should fit by Dec 31st Tax deadline) but expected less since a) already had their panel layout b) had a complete design from Tesla c) my city does very fast permit in 1-2 weeks. Another red flag is they sub-contract the install (who sub-subcontracted the solar panels - thankfully more knowledgeable) Well that when things started going wrong. I didn’t get initial (bad) design for 10 weeks after onsite visit, after repeated ask. Tons of errors, and things like putting all house backup switch (with 120A full wiring loop) 100+ft away instead of right next to service! Even installer couldn’t believe 30-40ft re-design and put it right next to meter. Duh. NRG sat on my permit for 4 weeks (took my city under 2). I pushed and pushed and still just barely made the deadline - my system was installed on Dec 27th only because my inspection was on 28th - really rushed job when they had 5 months to ‘design’ and

Only go with NRG if you are willing to wait

I chose NRG after evaluating multiple bids. They seemed like a competent company and the sales rep was knowledgeable. Also, their pricing was competitive. But 5 months into my solar installation, I wish I’d gone with a single local contractor, even though it might have been more expensive. NRG’s system of handing things off from department to department means that you have to reeducate ~8 different people on your project. If one thing goes wrong (in my case, the permitting department applied to the wrong office, even after I told them the right one), it will delay your project for months. I have had to send dozens of emails following up to move the project along and get simple issues fixed. The 3rd party installers are a crap shoot, and if there’s any problems on the installation it will take weeks to fix. I would recommend using someone local and single sourced, even if it’s a bit more expensive

Solar installations with panel upgrade and EV plug

Company had a competitive price with good panels and microinverters. Needed a small panel upgrade and decided to add EV plugs for future electric car purchase. NRG agreed to take care of it all. On the day of the install, the electrician for the company did a no show and SDG&E needed them present to shut off power but they agreed to come back in a couple hours. One of the crew for the install showed up later and had qualifications to do electrical work so when SDG&E came back we were able to get going without the electrician that was supposed to be there. Installers needed electrical access for their tools but I had none because of the shut off for the install. Thankfully I have nice neighbors and allowed the company to run an extension cord. Install progressed but they installed the new main electrical panel too high and the inspector made them add a concrete pad/step below the panel. Pad makes accessing my back yard difficult. System was completed on time and activated shortly after. Solar system has been working well for a couple years. I recently bought an EV car but when I started charging it using the installed plug there was overheating issues with the plug. I contacted the company and they got back to me quickly but because the EV plug was only warrantied for a year it was not covered. NRG offered to send someone out to look at and assess what needed to be fixed for a $400 inspection fee. I passed and will now need to search electrical companies in San Diego for estimates to fix the electrical issues with the EV plug.

Grateful for Exceptional Support from Mr. Eduardo Santoyo

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Mr. Eduardo Santoyo for his dedication and outstanding customer service. His quick responses and patience have been invaluable during our recent challenges with our solar system. The Facts: Our solar system, installed by NRG Clean Power, includes a Solar Edge Control Unit, Solar Edge Inverter, and LG Battery. Mr. Eduardo Santoyo, from NRG Clean Power, has been our primary support contact. On April 25th, our solar system stopped generating power. Solar Edge's monitoring system promptly notified us of the failure. We contacted Mr. Santoyo, who swiftly identified the inverter as the issue and coordinated with Solar Edge to create case #4790153 around April 30th. Despite Solar Edge's establishment of an Enhanced Service group, their response was slow and mostly limited to emails. Mr. Santoyo continuously pushed for updates and kept us informed. By May 3rd, Mr. Santoyo informed us that the RMA service was approved, and a replacement inverter was expected to arrive by May 9th. However, due to delays from Solar Edge, the inverter did not arrive until May 21st. Mr. Santoyo persisted in ensuring we received the inverter, maintaining constant communication. Even after the delivery, it took nine more days for Solar Edge to send a technician from Sunnova to replace the inverter on May 30th. Unfortunately, the new inverter had issues communicating with the LG battery. Mr. Santoyo again took charge, working with Solar Edge to find a solution. It took 12 days for Solar Edge to respond with a fix, which required a complete system power cycle. Mr. Santoyo provided detailed instructions and a video to guide us through the process. Overall, it took Solar Edge 48 days to resolve the issue, causing us significant financial losses. We highly recommend consumers planning to purchase a solar system to carefully verify the quality of the products and the reputation of the service teams of both the component suppliers and the installation company. While we have been disappointed by the poor product quality and service from Solar Edge, we are grateful for Mr. Eduardo Santoyo's relentless support and exceptional service. Thank you, Mr. Santoyo, for your unwavering commitment to helping us through this challenging period.

Stay away! Poor customer service/communication-Taking too long!

Updated 3/30/23 After this review was released and NRG notified, I was immediately notified by Nicole Corona, Installation Manager at NRG. Nicole took over the project and got it back on track. The project was completed by the end of February. The project took 7 months and a complaint to get over the finish line, but I am happy with the work and the muchly improved communications from NRG. I have changed my after-sales support score from 1 to 3, along with the overall score from 1 to 3. ---- Original Review: I signed a contract for 6kw system with battery backup at the end of July 2022. During the sales process, I was told the average installation takes between 3-4 months. Here it is January 2023 (6 months later), and the project is still not completed. The project stalled when it was time for the actual work to begin. My project coordinator (which I've had 2, so far) kept telling me they are not hearing from the (sub) contractor and so could not give me a date when the work will begin. Finally, I'm given a date, but nobody shows up. Again, same conversation! When are they coming? We don't know, as the contractor is not getting back to us. A new date is finally provided, and they show up, at noon, and then tell me they are going to lunch! They spend the next two days installing the panels. Great, finally getting somewhere! For the next 6 weeks or so, I keep asking my project coordinator what the next steps are and when will someone be coming to finish the project, I want this switched on before the end of the year! I get the same response as before, they are not hearing back from the contractor, so they can't give me an update! Come on, these are your contractors! What's going on here!? November, then December comes and goes. Repeated requests from me to get an update from a manager, get ignored. Nothing! Finally, get an update, someone is coming in January (2 months after the initial solar panels are installed) to start working on the next phase, battery backup installation. The date comes and goes, nobody showed up. Granted, it is raining here at this time in Southern California so I understand, but I never heard from NRG or anyone that there is another delay. Repeated requests for an update and I get nothing from NRG. A couple of days later, two guys show up at noon, wahoo! They work until 5, return the next day at 11 and leave at 4. They just left, didn't let me know they were leaving, and never returned the next day! It was like they just walked off the job! What was started by them, was not finished. There is also a hole in my stucco below the electrical box from the work they did and of course, it's raining again! Another email to my project coordinator results in no updates, other than another apology. I feel like I'm going to get screwed for 40k, and this project will continue to be a nightmare. Other reviews on this site share similar experiences. Please, please don't get caught in this nightmare. Stay away from NRG!

Sad it's still not up almost a year later.

*Update April 2023 Equipment is now functional and running perfectly since 1/18/23 (over a year to install!) In March I generated 1.1 MW hours and exported 806 kW hours to SCE. My house is 95% off the grid on most days. Love the Enphase equipment and the final result. Just beware that battery systems are not easy installs. And now that NEM 3.0 is in place you are not going to get the same payback. However, just the fact that I’m only 5% reliant on SCE makes me satisfied. So ultimately worth the pain and frustration.

Horrible start, reasonable finish, crossing fingers

Our experience with NRG was pretty bad at first. After signing the contracts and paying for most of our project up front we had very little communication from the company for several weeks and it was clear that we weren't going to be close to meeting the timeline advertised. Emails and phone calls went unreturned on a regular basis and the first two project managers assigned to us either quit, were fired, or got reassigned. Overall communication from the company was not at a level you would expect from a professionally run operation. To make matters worse, the electrical contractor hired to do our job was extremely flaky. His team didn't show up when they said they would (many times), didn't sequence work and utility inspections appropriately and made basic installation mistakes. Finally, after a very frustrating 8 months NRG assigned us a competent project manager who then was able to bring in a good contractor to finish the job which took an additional 3 months or so. It was like night and day. Having people who know what to do and who plan well and follow through is very important with this kind of project. Had my entire experience with NRG been what it was like during the last three months of the install I would definitely be leaving a 5 star review. NRG did provide a reasonable discount on our final invoice to account for the delays in the project which is a commendable business gesture for sure. We had a large system installed for a house, 28 panels going through one inverter and 12 panels going through a second inverter. Unfortunately there seems to be an installation issue with the larger section of the system and I have initiated diagnostic and service requests with NRG. Although I got an initial quick response from a service representative it's now been a couple of weeks of no communication and no response to emails or calls. I will update on my experience with their service team once the problem gets addressed.