Solar Bear

system do not perform as promised

DO NOT USE SOLAR BEAR FOR ANYTHING First it took forever for themto comeout and install the system (the only good part) thenthe rewired my dryer wrong twice. when you complain they will balckhole you faster than you can believe. THEY DONT RESPOND TO PHONE CALLS EMAILS AND I AM STILL WAITING ON A TEXT DONT USE THEM

A walk in the park

Solar Bear completed every step as promised and in a timely manner. Having each department be both local and in house was paramount for us. Communication from the salesperson and the project manager made me feel safe. You get what you pay for.

Great Service, Great Product, Great Experience

i started exploring purchasing solar panels in December 2023 when I heard that Duke energy prices were increasing 12%. My plan was to get 3 estimates. The first estimate, the salesman tried to size my system at 75%, (I later learned the same company initially sized my neighbor at 150%). The second company I met with was Soar Bear. Erica V. was my sales rep. Erica was great to work with. She was able to answer all of my questions and let the product and reputation of the company sell itself. I canceled my 3rd appointment and signed a contract with Solar Bear. Amir and the Gold team did the installation ~3 weeks later. The 15 panels were installed quickly with no issues. Getting through the City of Clearwater inspections and Duke energy approvals took ~5 weeks. From signing the contract to being operational the overall time frame was ~10 weeks I was originally a doubter on solar panels, but since the middle of February through 4/15/23, I've net exported 680KW. I'm sold. I highly recommend contacting Erica V at Solar Bear and use Solar Bear as your solar contractor.

Solar Bear panels and foam.

Very happy with Solar Bear. Brian Sanford was very helpful with the education. Andrew and his install team were professional and expeditious. Foam Bear did a fantastic job cleaning up the attic and applying the best insulation on the market. Hugo was very clear during the exit survey and activation that of my system. Already referred several friends. Thank you Solar Bear.

Will was very nice and helpful he went out his way to fix my issue I had with my consumption monitoring. I am very grateful for him and solar bear

Great experience

Good Value, proffenssipnal experience. Would definitely recommend.Brain, Logan and Hugo did a great job.

Unkept Promises/Won’t even respond

Installed in 3/8/21 -Was quoted for a CHILICON system to interact with my Generac -Emphases system was installed instead - After questioning the capabilities of the emphases system, the quoted CHILICON system was installed months later 4/2/21 issues to address CHILICON system - Everyone blames the salesman (culture of the company) - 6/27/21 received email from John Moncada (salesman) stating Chilicon inverters have shipped. - 8/30/21. Email to John Moncada expressing dissatisfaction with install not completed. - 10/7/21 received text from 727-202-5441, not sure who this is any longer. “Hi Mr. Ogas, just wanted to reach out to you to let you know I have not gotten an answer on the chillicon system that you need. I apologize, Brian the electrician has not been working due to family issues. As soon as I find out I will get in contact with you! Thank you and have a good night” - 10/21/21 system switched to CHILICON 7 months after identified by Bo Mcglaughlin - After install, numerous issues. - Not all panels were recognized - Array was out or order on display - Was not commissioned correctly - 10/22/21 Brian Cote plan was to split inverters up and pull wire from roof to combiner. Rain delayed to 10/25. - 10/26/21 Brian Cote showed up. Got most panels to produce but was short 3 panels. Opened case with CHILICON and set up a telephone consult next week. - 11/2/21 text Brian for status: Response - Hey, sorry, Friday, believe its 10am-12am. Friday 100%. Look at email when off road and confirm times. We are bringing a tablet and doing virtual troubleshooting with manufacturers - 11/8/21 Bo Mcglaughlin out to fix panels not recognized; ran over bush in flower pot. Provided receipt as instructed but not reimbursed. - 11/18/21 text Brian for status: Response - New inverter is ordered. Hopefully will be in tomorrow or Monday. Soon as in will get Willie out to install - 12/6/21 requested update: Hey Brian, it's been almost 3 weeks. Any status on the parts install and completion? No response. - 1/7/22 requested update: Hi Brian, this is getting ridiculous. I sent this text over a month ago and have called multiple times to the front office. You told me to contact you direct but you fail to respond. What does it take to get customer service out of Solar Bear? - 1/10/22 Willie working to resolve now. - 1/11/22 text Willie letting him know: Hey Willie, Dan Ogas here. Just letting you know two more panels showed up for a total of 33 out of 35. - 2/14/22. James now working on system. Text Willie to ask if he had the Chilicon map for James to work with. Willie text back with map but recommended James survey for a new map. - 2/18/22. Chris requested last 3 months of my electric bills for reimbursement. Never received any compensation. - 2/25/22 James Ok. I am gonna get the layout made for you. I'm not sure if I have to come back to your house to do it or if I can use an app. I will get with CHILICON and go from there. Then we will be able to see exactly what is and isn't working and know where the issue is if any. I will get back to you on Monday with my findings. - 3/1/22 James: Hey I'm sorry I did not contact you yesterday I did not have the opportunity to get with chillicon but I will have time today for sure I will get with you by the end of the day - 3/7/22 James: Ok I'm gonna get you put on my schedule now. - 3/9/22. James shows, no results ordered parts - 3/31/22 text James for status. Response- I will have to get with my scheduler and see if that part came in yet. I'll get back with you tomorrow with more info. No follow-up - 4/6/22 text from James with response from Chilicon that part did not show up. Ordered once again. - 4/28/22 text to James for status. Response - Yes sir. I will email them again right now. - 5/3/22 Text to James for status - 5/6/22 Text to James for status: Response - I'm trying man I reached out to chillicon and I'm waiting to hear back from them again this is the third time I've contacted him they do not have seem to have their things in order over there. Every time I call it's the same exact guy who answers like he's running the show out of his garage and never had answers for me. Maybe if you call as a customer you can get a little further it's been days now since they were supposed to call me back - 5/17/22 text James for status update: Response - No sir. I will speak with Blake and let him know the situation and see how he wants to handle it. I will get back to you. I got authorized to purchase a micro inverter for you. I will call my supply house and get it put on will call and have my girls in the office schedule you for install and I will text you as soon as I have the date for that service. - 5/25/22. James installs new inverter and system is finally at full potential. 1 year and 3 months later. - Multiple visits from techs that didn’t understand the system (wasted resources) - Communication is a huge issue. No one talks to each other. Notes aren’t passed on and the next guy has to start from scratch and blames the last guy. (Culture) - New problem started when I had a new roof installed - Panels were removed in Sep and had to pay $3500 to have panel reinstalled. Was overcharged according to contract. - Panel came off 8/26/22 and were put back on 9/23/22. Nothing worked after reinstall - Called and requested support numerous times. - 10/25/22 finally came out and with CHILICON support was determined system wasn’t recommissioned correctly. Installers fault. Solar Bear agreed to install something they know nothing about just to get the business. Connected to AC power before inverters fully booted. Was able to get 3 of 35 panels to work. - 11/9/22 After numerous calls for status update, came out again unannounced while I was in AZ. Tech didn’t know any of the issues and said he was sent a text message the night before to go out and fix my issue. He showed up unannounced and didn’t know why he was there. I had to explained as best I could and he did what he could but because CHILICON is 3 hours behind, wasted resources again. Nothing solved. Not techs fault, management at fault for sending tech out without knowing the issues. - 11/21/22 after numerous calls finally got through for status update. Was told someone would be out on 11/22. Another unannounced visit had I not called for update. (Culture). I reminded Chris to not send anyone out before 11 since CHILICON would not be open. Like that was my job to remind him. - 11/22/22 Tim Coffey shows up (different guy) and again starts from scratch. Says he’s the fix it guy and will have me up and running. When I tried to explain some of the issues, he was dismissive. He eventually worked with CHILICON customer support after assessing the system. Nothing was solved. It was at that time CHILICON asked for pictures (Case number 00194468 from previous attempts to fix) - Was told by Tim they would escalate to engineering at CHILICON. Tim gave me his number and told me I was to work with him and to allow some time to get something done. - 11/29/22 Tim text me asking for my address. - 12/1/22 I text Tim requesting an update. Never responded. - Called Chris, office manager, no answer and cannot leave voicemail (typical) Reached out to the office to request refund on panel install per contract. Spoke with customer service and said refund will have to escalated to owners and should be in a form of a check. I asked if Chris was there and when asked to speak with him he said he didn’t want to tie up the main line and would call me from his cell. Still waiting on that call so I reached out to John Keith an owner as well as Blake Ambrester. - 12/2/22 Reached out to John Keith through email. Will S called me yesterday around 7pm. Asked how he could help as John Keith reached out to him after he got my email. - Also got an email from Keith after he received the email and then got a text from Blake Ambrester owner 727-542-8929 - 12/3/22 Spoke with Blake Ambrester on issues and said he would make it right. Will bring in a CHILICON expert; will refund lost expenses. - Emailed Will S notes - I got my phone records to research how many times I called Chris L. - 12/5/22 spoke with Chilicon and verified nothing has been done with them since last call 3 weeks earlier. - 12/7/22 Text Blake for status that was promised on 12/5. Responded same day: he is expecting a call from Chilicon same day. Par for the course on response. - 12/13/22 Tim Coffey Determined Dead inverters with Chilicon. No neutral from hub on roof back to box. Incorrectly installed. Chilicon say they need neutral to communicate. Regardless if no lights then inverters are not working. Ran neutral back to box and rebooted. Same two inverters recognized. Tim said SB locating enphase inverters; 25 in warehouse and finding the remainder. First time up on hanger roof. Verified new panel was installed. Noticed roof damage took pictures and let installer know. Said shingle had laid back down and sealed. 12/21/22 Called left message with Chris on refund. Spoke with Lori front office. Asked for status of refund. She emailed person who handles (Aurora) refunds for status and will call me when she has status. She also informed me there wasn’t anything in the notes about a refund requested 12/1/22. Spoke with Lori customer service. Asked for Chris after hold, was told Brent would reach out for me next week for install. Chris didn’t get on the line. Asked about refund and was told was submitted last week and is taking 2 weeks to process so should be another week before I see something. 1/11/23 Patricia said Aurora was out of town for the past two weeks and maybe just getting to the refund. She just re-requested a refund for 3500 and will need to email her direct for the electric bills to reimburse as the owner Blake promised Emailed electric bill from sept install and also previous 3 sent to Chris L. 1/18/23 called and left message, spoke with Patricia. She received the bills and are going over them. 2/2/23 called left message for Patricia about refund status. 2/7/23 no response from Patricia as of this date. 2/8/23 emailed Patricia, responded with it takes 30 day minimum for refund approval. 3/3/23 emailed Patricia for status and asked about panel wash. No response 3/7/23 called and spoke with Lori. Scheduled panel cleaning, see text message. 3/10/23 received email from Patricia check was mailed out. 3/11/23 received check. 3/13/23 sent email to Patricia questioning the amount as it did not include electric bill reimbursement for loss of use as promised by Blake Ambrester (owner). When questioned she stated she was only doing what she was told. I pressed her to look into it but as usual, they will wait to see if I go away. I left a voicemail for the owner Blake Ambrester. Will update as needed. What a nightmare company. I do not recommend but am stuck with them now. You don’t have to be. Next step is arbitration as that is part of their contract and will not allow law suit

Will, Director of Customer Relations, instructed us on how to use the app. It’s easy to use and very informational. Love it!

Eight months and the verdict is still out

Solar Bear sold us a system last year which was finally installed in August. I had the good fortune of buying the system from Gabe Pimental, who said he would be available every step of the way - and he has. One thing I particularly like about SB is that they include installation of foam insulation over all living areas, so the house needs less energy to begin with. That way you can get by with less panels. Everyone I have been in contact with at SB has been communicative and helpful when they come to provide service. However, besides Gabe, I have a difficult time reaching their office or getting any response, so Gabe has had to intervene. Of note, the insulation missed a portion of our house and another team had to come out finish the job. What I am still not clear about is whether the panels are a good deal. You take out a solar loan, and part of that is signing the solar tax credit you receive from the government over to the lender. The value proposition with solar is that you still pay the power company during the summer months when A/C is through the roof, but you "bank" credits with Duke Power during the Winter and Spring when it is sunnier and you are using less power. My experience so far is that I have banked nothing, and still have a bill. That begs the question of whether I will "break even" with the system. I am told that I am running into the best producing months - Spring to early Summer, but I am still waiting for the results. I will update this review when that happens.

Everything has been great with Solar Bear. We are very pleased on how we were treated from all the staff and all the workers and we are glad we finally made the decision to go green again. This is our second time going solar, and we are very happy we did very very pleased with solar bear.

Blessed with new solar and roof

I am extremely grateful for the final outcome of our new roof and solar panels. We especially would like to offer our gratitude to Brian Sanford, O’Neal Cuff, and Hugo Da Silva who took the time to explain everything to us and made us feel comfortable during the whole process. Thank you!!

Samantha Ball...Awesome

Contacted Samantha about reinstalling my solar panels after Hurricane Ian removal for roof repair. Lickety split, it was scheduled and completed. Not the forstb time I've worked w Samantha; every interaction has been great. Best advertisement for your company.

Excellent expert happy overall with my decision to choose solar bear.

Good work but no follow through.

Great work installing my system although the installation crew did leave a bit of a mess and Solar hasn't given all I paid for they still haven't converted my electrical panel from 150 amp to 200 amp service and have not gotten any information when this will happen maybe I should see my Attorney about Breach of Contract

Vinny made me feel comfortable he explained everything in great detail. Very happy to have gone with solar bear.

My negative impression of Solar Bear.

Your product and prices are in keeping with the industry standard. Your customer service after the sale is the worst I've ever had the displeasure of working with. Every time I had a question or concern, it took several calls before I was able to break through the wall your receptionist built around your staff. When I would finally get through to an answering system I was handed off to a different "project manager" each time, none of which were of any help, except Samantha. The story was always the same. "We're looking into that and will get back to you", which I would receive in the form of a text. No one ever did anything except pass me along to a new project manager. Again, except Samantha. My salesman, Joe, promised to be with us every step of the way. He disappeared when the sale was complete and would not answer calls or texts after that. The only person at Solar Bear who was willing to help me was and still is, is Samantha. She always responds promptly to my inquiry and repeatedly does her very best to help me with my challenges. She is my hero and I can't express enough how much help she has been or how much I appreciate her assistance.

Everything was good all the way from the sales guy to the installation to the closeout. Everyone was very professional, knowledgeable, and helpful. And explained ever In detail.

My experience with SolarBear of out Tampa Florida has not been the best! If it wasn't for a young lady called Samantha Ball, who was my project manager. Samantha Ball, went above and beyond in more ways than one. Her work ethic and commitment to detail is second to none. She was the only person that reach out to me as I was tail spinning. My message to Mark Tosoni and Blake Charles take a leaf out of Samantha Balls book! You did not have the manners, time nor consideration to reply to my letter. As to recommending SolarBear to my neighbors, only if Samantha Ball is their project manager! A few other staff members were helpful, but Samantha Ball is 5 STARS. Thank you, Samantha.

Samantha was my project manager she helped keep the project on track. Things did start off a little rocky but once Samantha got involved things got a lot better. Thank you solar bear

Happy with new Enphase storage

We just received a new Enphase 10i solar battery to add storage to our Enphase solar panels. It only took and hour and a half and we were storing our solar power. We are very pleased with the installation and our new cost savings.

What an awful company!

I had this company come on a friend’s recommendation. Started the process as I was moving in. There were glaring red flags, upon reflection, that had I not been so busy I’d have caught and stopped the process in its tracks. Missed appointments, no call backs, information not being relayed correctly. Just a myriad of simple details. Well, I had issues since they’ve turned it on and I can’t get a response or follow up. I finally emailed the finance company and told them if they wanted to get paid, I need a contact. Enter Samantha. Whoever this person from Solar Bear is, finds it impossible to follow through on anything. Thankfully, Enphase and the finance company are in the loop and are helping to find another solar company. Don’t use this company. If you do and your sales rep is Jeff, close the door and start making other calls. I have enough issues with Hillsborough county picking up trash regularly. I don’t need another garbage entity in my life. I wish I could give a 1/4 star. Even that would be over representing my disdain for this company.

Very happy

Excellent service and our guy Will was very thorough and a real riot. Answered all questions. Yayyyyy we are up and running thank you!!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Still getting double billed and no support from Solar Bear

Feel like we got scammed. We are paying double (still paying the utility company) for 3 months now and no support from Solar Bear. Everyone is playing the blame game. I DO NOT RECOMMEND TO ANYONE

Best deal, best warranties, never to lose power again!

Troy Yarborough is super knowledgeable in the Solar Industry and had an answer for every concern for solar panel system and new roof warranties and spray foam insulation. We are building new construction and signed up for all three (roof, spray foam & Solar panels) guaranteeing us 50 year roof warranty. One group in house handling all aspects. Solar Bear has an awesome reputation because of people like Troy who held our interest above his or his company and gave us the best deal out of all the solar companies out there. We never want to go through another storm and lose power again and now we won't.

Everything Has been great with solar bear I am very happy overall with the process and very happy that my system is now on and producing