Astrawatt Solar

Astrawatt of Mahopac, NY (which is somehow related to or part of County Comfort, or maybe vice versa) performed an install of my solar panels in 2023. I've been waiting to write this review until I got through the full process. (I'm writing this in paragraphs, but in case it gets compressed I'm putting in "~~~" to indicate breaks.) ~~~ They were nice enough to deal with, but the job took far longer than it should have. The contract specified 2 months from signature to completion, with install taking 3 days, but in reality this wasn't even close to correct. Promised completion date in the contract was Nov 8, 2023, but the system wasn't installed and functional until mid-December and wasn't switched on until January 2024. ~~~ The original design had some major mistakes that I flagged to the designer – panels facing west were put in the system as facing north, which significantly reduced their estimated output. (I'm not a solar engineer. Why was I the one to find their errors?) I assumed this was just a simple mistake, but given the production guarantee I'll talk about at the end, I now wonder whether this was intentional. ~~~ The initial measurements of my roof and joists were wrong, resulting in delivery of the materials on schedule but inability to install them. I lost use of my garage for 4 weeks while I waited for them to correct the designs and start the installation. ~~~ Communications throughout were terrible. I continually had to follow up to find out whether people were coming as scheduled, and had to rearrange my schedule multiple times to accommodate when they showed up without notice. There was one Saturday well after the promised completion date when a single electrician showed up to work on the circuit panel, and I needed to help him for two hours by calling out which circuits he was turning off and on. (Yes, I could have said just come back with another worker another day, but I wanted to get the damn project done.) ~~~ Installation looks good overall, but I keep finding little pieces of the install on my grass – plastic caps, the wires that hold the critter guards in place. I've started to wonder when I'll start finding larger pieces, and whether their 25 year guarantee will actually be a reality. ~~~ To their credit, Joe did agree to a price reduction given all the problems I listed above, and they installed an extra (older) panel for free to try to increase production. Joe also sent me a car charger extension cable for the time I couldn't use my garage. And their workers were pleasant and professional. ~~~ But finally, estimated production was 14% higher than what their panels actually produced last year – a difference of about 2300 kWh, which is pretty significant. The Astrawatt contract specifies a production guarantee: if production falls below 90% of the estimate in any given year, they will reimburse the value of energy below 90%. Production the first year was about 86% of estimated, so I asked for the reimbursement and calculated the amount they should reimburse at $241. They acknowledged they'd failed to meet the estimate, but then stopped responding and have not sent a check. I had to take this to the BBB and the state Attorney General. Still no resolution and today the BBB told me they've not replied to the complaint. It's been months since Keith or Joe have replied to my messages. ~~~ I am happy to have a solar panel system in place, but I am massively dissatisfied with the experience of working with County Comfort / Astrawatt. I assume I'll need to make a claim yearly to collect their contractual obligation, and I assume they'll be equally defiant every year, and I assume I'll have to continue wasting my time to collect. ~~~ So: I would STRONGLY recommend against trusting this company with your solar install.

Joseph and the install team just finished installing our system. They did a fantastic job making sure the array and equipment looks great. They were very professional and answered all of my questions. The plans were for a single array that spans the entire roof and the team took extra time to make sure everything lined up and everything looks fantastic!! They even went the extra mile to clean up the property and make sure I was happy with the install. I would definitely use Astrawatt and their install team for any solar projects. Very highly recommended!! Sales: Working with Scott was awesome. He didn't pressure me into solar, he just provided the facts. He also answered all of my questions and worked with me to design the best system for our needs. Project Management: Bianca has done a great job in getting all our permits and scheduling our job. She also answered all of my many questions. The whole team is fantastic!

I first met with Bryan, who did a great job answering all of my questions. I had more questions after the fact, and he was very responsive, one time even recording a video of himself answering the questions. The install crew was professional and did a great job. No issues there. I did have one small problem that took a few months to resolve. One of the panels wasn't outputting quite as much as the rest. But they were able to get the problem resolved. It was an issue with one of the inverters. They worked with enphase on my behalf to get it fixed. I haven't had any issues since then. Overall, couldn't be happier! This is a quality company in an otherwise fairly scammy industry.

My Solar System 6 months In After the Freeze last February, I was desperate to find a solution for our electrical outages in the Texas Grid. The problem was I live in all electric neighborhood, with strict deed restrictions. This eliminated a generator and made solar the most viable option. The problem occurred when looking for the best installation option. If you’re looking at solar, you have probably discovered there is no limit, to the companies that will slap panels on your roof and be gone tomorrow. It is incredibly complex process, that needs a team of knowledgeable individuals. There are city permits, homeowner association approvals, and most all feasibility measurements. What I wanted was an experienced company, with specialist in critical areas, and a credible relationship with all of their vendors. I found this in Astrawatt Solar. Astrawatt Solar took measurements of the Sun on my roof and used a software program to compute the potential Solar output from my roof. I really admired the fact, that Astrawatt would not sell a system that could not produce adequate solar energy. The most remarkable thing was that the owner of the Houston site, and the owner of the company took a personal interest in my installation. They were incredibly concerned that I have power in case of an outage. They really wanted me to be able to get an adequate battery set up and have the Solar power to run it during outages. Systems are designed to fit the greatest needs of their customers. They bent over backwards to make sure 2 5KW batteries were affordable to give me a more than adequate backup system. For less than the price of a generator, and none of the maintenance cost, I have enough reserve energy to power my house for days of outage. It was so nice to have them explain which panels they would use and why, and which batteries would work best for me. The best part of this process was that they explained all my choices, and what costs would be involved. The results is I have a beast of a system that has great production, and I have an incredible back up system for a power outage. I chose to get a Lumin panel that will allow me to control my usage during a power outage, and get the most from my available power. I not only got these things but the software and training to use them to their maximum potential. Let us talk about why I really like my decision to go with Astrawatt. After the installation one of the panels was bad. There speed of repair was amazing. I was included in an email to the vendor and kept apprised of each step to get my panel in and installed. The new panel was installed and working before my system was commissioned. Before leaving after commissioning, I was given a laminated troubleshooting sheet and a phone number to contact in case of any problems. The system has been working for 6 months now, and they always respond promptly to my questions. We also hit a major snag when my old electrical box did not meet current code. This was an endearing moment when they offered to replace the box at close to their cost. I know this because I researched what another electrical company would charge to replace it. My bid was less than 60% of the other companies price. You don’t get this kind of service unless you have a local connection with a true investment in the community. The last thing that impressed me was each one of the companies that had to give approval, had a representative that the project manager was on a first name basis with. Needless to say, I got a high quality install, with the security I need and a 3.5% to 5% return on my capital investment. The bonus of having advice on how to tweak the system to get remarkable preparedness for coming power failures. What most people are curious about would be how does the beast work in Houston climate. I was commissioned on November 2, which could not be a worse scenario, for a Houston home. My first bill was $8.00 followed by $85.00 and $158.00. What I was seeing was I got into the shortest days of the days and the inefficiency of electric heat. Starting in March the bills were -$0.89 and $9.05. Currently I am using between 15 and 20KW from the grid and exporting between 25 and 30kw a day. The summer months will definitely give more than enough surplus to pay for the winter. This is the most important part, if we get rolling blackouts during the summer heat, or long term outage from storms we will have an incredible amount of power. In the oppressive heat the system produces between 8 and 10 kw hrs and I am using a maximum of 3Kws an hr. During peak usage I am sending enough electricity downline to power 2 other houses. In summary, I got a huge prize for my investment. It is enouh energy to offset my electrical usage for a year. It takes a strain of my neighborhood, during peak usage, and it pays me more interest than if I had left the money in the bank. I also get the peace of mind, that my wife will be comfortable during any power outage. Most importantly, if I need warranty work, I am confident Astrawatt will be there and give me incredible service. It is good for the country, kind to the grid, gives me security, and is an incredible capital investment.

RisingSun Solar installation of solar panels at our house was done with the utmost professionalism. They were honest and provided all the vital information for us to make an informed decision on the system that best suited our needs. Their customer service is also impeccable. They responded to questions quickly and properly. I will definitely recommend them for your solar installation project.

From beginning to end I had great service. Centerpoint dragged their feet as expected but Rising Sun Solar did everything within their power to make sure eveything was taken care of. The owner came over to my house personally to ensure that my wife and I knew how the entire systems works and he also reassured me that they will continue giving us the best possible service even after after they've installed my solar panels and they're uup and running. This is a legit review from a customer in Magnolia TX btw.

As I previously wrote, there was issues during installation! Those issues are know fully corrected to the highest standard. Management made corrections and crew carried those out overwhelmingly. Couldn't ask more from a company to respond in a cooperative, quality manner after recognizing the problem. Outstanding, If I had another need for solar I would not question the integrity, quality and honesty of this company. If you use Rising Sun you won't be sorry on your decision.

I decided to rewrite this post, as RisingSun reached out to me regarding some concerns I had and took steps made them right, and I am much more confident that I made the right decision to go with this company. I went with RisingSun because they had the panels I wanted, and the price was excellent. I took several bids, and the value for the price was excellent here. Communication with the salesperson was somewhat poor throughout the process, although after my discussion with RisingSun, it seems that this was not reflective of the company itself and was probably somewhat isolated. The project was contracted out to GreenLight Solar in Dallas, and after a few hiccups, the system was up and running. The install was pretty rough on my yard, and RisingSun took care of that for me as well. The system has been excellent over the first six months, and there have been no functionality issues, so I am pleased with the final product, especially at the price point I got. The system even survived a massive hailstorm last month, which was quite impressive. To sum it up, I had some initial concerns with communication and some hiccups with the install, but RisingSun's willingness to address my concerns and regain my confidence even after I had already fully paid for the system says a lot about the company and how it values customers. In retrospect, even though a few things did not go smoothly, I am very pleased with the quality of the product as well as the price I paid, and I would not hesitate to recommend RisingSun to anybody who may be in the market for solar power.

Tyler at RisingSun Solar was awesome. Very professional, knowledgeable and pricing was very favorable compared to other bids. During his presentation he explained solar and how the system would interface. He provided a timeline of what and when everything would happen, and this was updated upon our acceptance. Handling of HOA and Centerpoint approvals and certifications a Big plus. Project came in 2 weeks ahead of schedule. Communication during and after the project was very responsive and informative. Would definitely recommend RisingSun for any solar project

I had gotten 3 quotes for my PV system and Tyler really stood out as a real good guy. I'm so happy that turned out to be true. He is responsive even a year after installation. He totally made good on something he said at the initial meeting. Stand up customer service! I talk y'all up whenever someone asks me about my system.

Scott and the technical support team was there for us from the beginning to the end of the installation minimizing issues. Keep up the great support even through this difficult COVID pandemic. Thanks again for everything.

I had a fantastic experience with RisingSun Solar. After a quick Google search, I contacted RisingSun about possibly conducting business with them for my newly purchased home. Within days, Tyler visited my home to talk to me about the process, how much it would cost and what exactly I was getting myself into. Before I spoke with the RisingSun, I had contacted different solar panel companies, but I was completely satisfied with the honesty and professionalism that Tyler delivered the moment he approached my front door. The entire process from beginning to end was easy for me, especially the part where they dealt with the HOA on my behalf. I highly recommend RisingSun for your solar panel needs, and if given the opportunity, working with Tyler, whose professionalism and transparency is highly appreciated, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

When we started looking into installing solar panels, I put together a list of five solar companies doing business in the Houston area. I talked with representatives of the companies and received quotes for all five business. I graded them on the solar panels they provided, the cost of the project, the knowledge of the people, and their responsiveness to follow up questions. I chose Rising Sun Solar because the products were good quality, in my budget window, and the company representatives were deeply knowledgeable and helpful. helpful, the local Representative is Scott Robertson and we found him to be truly knowledgeable. He spent time discussing solar panels and what benefits we would gain by adding solar to our home. He was very responsive to our phone calls, text messages, and emails that we sent asking more questions. One of the owners, Tyler Tucker called and talked with us on the occasions that Scott was not available. Our project was hampered somewhat by Corona Virus outbreaks and business shutdowns. Scott and Tyler worked with us to get the system installed safely and expediently during the pandemic. Rising Sun Solar took care of every aspect of the project including getting the homeowner association and Center Point Energy approvals and installed the system on the promised dates. Scott has been extremely helpful in helping me gain a better understanding and system that was installed. We received our first full month bill for the electric company, and it was a third of what the electric bill was last year at this time. Our system generated a little over 1 Megawatt hour of power last month and 517 kwh was sold back to the power company. I am incredibly Happy with the system and would highly recommend Rising Sun Solar for your solar projects.

Mr tyler is very professional person he is honest and very good man

Selected Risingsun due to Scott Robertson and your product.

During my solar search i encountered a lot of extremely pushy people that appeared to be more interested in the sale than the end result and my happiness. RisingSun Solar was not those people. They constantly were asking for times that accomodated my schedule and worked around online quotes instead of in person quotes. They respond to communication extremely fast as well which really made the experience feel better. I really only experienced a single snag in the entire operation when it came to inspection and connection to electric company, but those issues were caused by either the city or the electric company. The RisingSun people were doing everything in their power to get the tasks accomplished.

From the beginning to the end, it was a great experience. Communication is key. I was informed every step of the way. Either in person, a phone call, text or email, my questions were answered and always told what was going on. There are tons of Solar installers out there and I went through the process of contacting them and listening to “pitches”. I had 4 in home visits and multiple email offers. Rhody from Rising Sun was above my expectations. He listened to my needs and wants and communicated that to his team. A few companies did not listen. They tried to sell me on tax incentives, property value increase and incorrect energy savings. I was interested in sizing the system correctly, placement, and price per watt. He listened. He was the only one of all the companies that sized my system just right. He took into account my home, property and my needs and came up with the perfect system. When I pressed other companies on the size of their solar bid, they eventually came back and said that Rising Sun did correctly size the system and they did not. Kind of scary when you are talking about an investment of such a large size. It would be like going to a dealership looking for a basic truck to haul some items and they try to sell you an F-350 SuperDuty. I am glad that Rhody knows his solar, listened to my needs and knew my home energy usage exactly. This is the reason I went with Rising Sun, but this is not where my fantastic experience stopped. I was kept in the loop every step of the way. Communication about site visit and placement was key for me. I had an idea of where I wanted my ground system, but was unsure of how it would work. Desmond was able to walk my property with me and identify placement and ensure me of the success. I had drainage in the ground, a septic system and trees that he was able to help identify so that the install team would have no problems. It was exactly what I was looking for. The install team was fantastic as well. I was communicated with when materials would arrive and when they would start the process. For something so large, to get it done in 3 days is amazing. It was done with care and precision. When you have a project in your mind and then when it is complete, sometimes it looks different. Not this. This system is exactly what I had envisioned. It was in the perfect place and it looks like it belongs there. Along the way Rising Sun communicated with me effectively . With Megan, the project manager dealing with communication and addressing any questions. She was quick in responding and made sure everything ran smoothly. The President of Rising Sun also was available to call and email me to ensure my expectations were exceeded, and they were. Whenever you make an investment of a large size it can be scary. I did my research, read a lot about solar and educated myself on everything I could. Again, still a little scared. Risingsun executed and completed everything perfectly.

We heard about RisingSun Solar from a family member and decided to give Tyler Tucker a call to discuss. We scheduled a meeting and Tyler came out and thoroughly explained the solar process from install to the actual generating of solar power. Even though there were minor issues after install, Tyler resolved the issues and answered any questions and concerns very promptly. Tyler made sure we were taken care of through the entire process and we know he is just a phone call away if needed. I would highly recommend Tyler Tucker and RisingSun Solar for your home's solar energy. Give Tyler a call and start saving on your energy bill!

Angie Mccomb has been helping us deal with another solar company that came out here and took advantage of my 95 year old Father. They confused him and ran his credit, signed documents without his consent and have charged a credit card to the tune of 22k on 2 different accounts. Angie has been so great at trying to sort this mess out with us, along with one of the Owners of her company. I would recommend Angie to anyone considering solar. She will go above and beyond for your family and she is very honest!

RisingSun is the best company to work with interviewed a few reps and companies, but I trusted Angie M., they call her SolarGirl I trusted Angie and she did well by me.

I interviewed several reps and companies but I really trusted Angie M., they call her SolarGirl. I trusted Angie and she did right by me. Now I am referring all my friends and family to her. My last power bill was $3.00. I have never been so excited to see a power bill.

I had 5 separate appts with local solar companies in Houston and RisingSun Solar was by far the most knowledgeable and professional. They had the best price for the system they recommended and their personnel kept me in the loop every step of the way for my installation. The panels were installed 32 days after the contract was signed and centerpoint just came and inspected the system and said the install was perfect. I would recommend them to everyone I know!

I think they were the better company that we interviewed.

I started my research regarding household solar solutions a few months back. I was impressed with Rising Sun early on in the process. Keith was willing to work with our schedule to help us understand more about solar and the process of installation. Throughout the process of decision making, surveying, and installation Keith and the staff at Rising Sun have been helpful and patient with our questions. The installation process took 2 days to complete (excluding time for permits and inspections) and once it was completed I was impressed with the neatness of the work completed. From the panels, conduit and labeling of the electrical panels, all was professionally done. In short I would recommend Rising Sun for installation. They have been professional and courteous throughout the entire process.

Very easy to work with. Had all our questions answered. There were minimal problems/delays. Quality of work was exceptional. Concerns were always addressed.

Would reommend.

We interviewed a number of companies before making the decision to use RisingSun for our residential installation. Their price was competitive, but in the end we chose Rising Sun because we felt most comfortable with their level of experience and the honesty of Keith Murphy. The friendliness and conscientious of the whole team was there throughout the whole process and they handled every detail.

Before selecting RisingSun EPC to do our solar installation, I had interviewed and received several other quotes from larger companies in the Kansas City area. I decided to go with RisingSun because of their expertise and thoroughness in quoting and designing our system. They did a detailed analysis of our energy usage to make sure to size the system right for our usage (a very important detail!). Their price was also extremely competitive. The installation of the system was flawless. They did a professional job with attention to every little detail to ensure it was perfect. The installation took about a week and they kept me informed each day about was was being done. Our system is now up and running and we couldn't be happier with our decision. Keith, Sabrina, and the whole installation crew were outstanding. They always did exactly what they promised and were fantastic to deal with. I would highly recommend RisingSun to anyone thinking about installing a solar system.

Easy process from start to beginning. RisingSun and their team kept in constant communication and clearly defined the entire project. I vetted 4 other solar companies and RisingSun proved to be the best overall value with price, quality, options and installation.

Met with several installers, but Rising Sun was the most knowledgeable and professional. Very pleased with my decision to go with Rising Sun!

You won't find a better price, better solar panels, more knowledge or better service than Rising Sun EPC. I talked to three other solar panel installers around town and their quotes were all higher than Rising Sun EPC (for the same sized solar panel system) - one was almost $10,000 more. Additionally, some of the other companies only use cheap Chinese polycrystalline panels (instead of the high quality American made monocrystalline Solar World panels) and still wanted to charge more for the same sized solar panel system. Knowledge wise, Rising Sun EPC easily beat out all of the competition. As a mechanical engineer I did a lot of research and was constantly sending Rising Sun questions, which they quickly answered by email or phone (and their answers always checked out with the research I had done). With the other solar panel companies I usually got conflicting information (when compared with the research I had done) and they took their time in replying or just didn't reply at all. I was very impressed with Rising Sun's customer service throughout the entire process – they were never too busy to answer any of my questions and they were always accessible. Additionally, Rising Sun's knowledge and experience allowed them to sail right through the permitting process with the city of Overland Park, which I thought was going to be a nightmare since there are not a lot of solar panel systems in Overland Park and the city has been known to have higher than average requirements. Remember when Google Fiber came to Overland Park (OP) and OP had so many requirements that Google Fiber suspended talks and went to other cities around KC instead? This is why we are just now getting Google Fiber while many other cities have had it for a year or two now. Once we got through the solar panel permitting process with the city, Rising Sun scheduled our install right away and had our new solar panel system installed in two days. Again, as an engineer I watched over everything during the installation process just like I would for a project at work. Overall I was very satisfied with the install because everything was installed properly to meet code, they took their time to double check everything they did, they were safe and met all OSHA requirements, and everything was straight, flush, secured, labeled, etc. - very professional work. After the install was complete we had to wait for KCP&L to switch out our electricity meter (which took a few weeks) but what surprised me was that Rising Sun kept in constant contact throughout that entire time and was prepared to hound KCP&L if they didn’t get their new meter installed within 30 days as is required. If you are thinking about going solar (and not having an electric bill ever again) you should contact Rising Sun EPC. You will not be dissatisfied and you won’t find a better price, better panels, more knowledge or better service.