Solar Direct

Verified profile
Updated: 07 May 2020
Installer

Installing solar since 1986

Solar Direct logo

3.42 from 39 Reviews

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Solar Direct reviews


Breakdown of consumer reviews

Sales Process

4.0

Price as quoted

4.0

On schedule

3.6

Installation quality

3.2

After sales support

3.5

Latest good review thumbs up

Christian H | Sarasota, Florida | 06/13/2020

Eight 4x12 Vortex solar panels

Our old Fafco solar pool heater panels were in rough shape. I called Solar Direct to have them replaced with Vortex panels. We couldn't be happier. Kelly handled everything from the office like a superstar. She answered all of my questions and was a joy to speak with over the phone. On install day the guys showed up on time, were very professional and had the new panels installed in no time at all. Thanks again Solar Direct.

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Latest bad review thumbs down

Greg | Arcadia, Florida | 03/01/2023

I have also experienced the total lack of professionalism with solar direct when it comes to customer service. I'm not contacting them for social reasons, I'm contacting them because my system isn't working properly. They don't answer phones, they take weeks to respond to emails and apparently are quite clueless as to what is going on. They DON'T seem to care, period. They should NOT be in business. Avoid them at all costs.

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1 comment >
Reply from Solar Direct: Dear valued customer, We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the delay in our response to your request. We take your feedback very seriously and we are sorry to hear that your experience with Solar Direct has been less than satisfactory. We understand how important it is to have a functional solar system, and we regret that we have not been able to provide you with the level of service you deserve. We have been experiencing a higher volume of inquiries than usual, which has caused delays in our response times. However, we are actively working to improve our communication channels and ensure that all inquiries are addressed in a timely manner. We want to assure you that we do care about our customers and their satisfaction is our top priority. We would like to work with you to resolve any issues you are experiencing with your system. Please reach out to Sarah in our service department PH#941-263-7694, Email: service@solardirect.com with your contact details and she will make sure that your concerns are addressed promptly. Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. We are committed to providing the best service possible and we hope to have the opportunity to make things right. Best regards, The Solar Direct Team

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Greg S. | Valrico, Florida | 05/07/2020

Great Service

We were looking to update our 15 year old system that the previous owners of the house had installed. After contacting a few vendors, we settled on Solar Direct based on the positive reviews throughout the Internet. They certainly did not disappoint. They were able to get my system changed out in a fairly quick length of time and walked me through everything that had changed. I am a very happy customer and highly recommend them.

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Victoria | Sarasota, Florida | 09/09/2019

Great Company to do Business With

We just had 28 solar panel system installed and had a great experience with Solar Direct. We did our own research on different panels and inverters before deciding to go solar. From day one, we were treated very respectfully and all of our questions and concerns were answered. (Thank you Dale & Oliver!) We were given a complete description of how the process takes place and a projected timeline. Everything was completed in or very close to that timeline, the only delay of a couple of days caused by an abundance of rain for a few days. (Thank you Frank!) After the install was complete, we had to wait for FPL to install the NET meter, which was within a week, even though we thought it would be postponed due to Hurricane Dorian. Once the NET meter was installed, I was contacted and instructed on how to sign on to the website and install the app to monitor the system. So far, all seems great and it was a pleasant experience dealing with Solar Direct.

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Coty Keller | Freeport, New York | 07/23/2019

Great products, terrific service

I'm a DIY homeowner working with Solar Direct for 12 years and cannot be happier with the product choice advice, sales and follow up support. They literally walked me thru the installation and maintenance of a solar domestic hot water system that is working as well today as it was 12 years ago.

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mikesyl27 | Kissimmee, Florida | 06/25/2019

Great Solar installer

I have installed 15.3kw solar system which consisted of 45 340w TallMax panels. From the time of the order throughout installation the response was great from SolarDirect. I am a pest of a customer and have lots of questions and request frequent status. With a Tier 2 system it adds another level of complexity with insurance and agreement with the utility. Was provided a clear timeline and was able to keep in touch throughout the process. I even had to upgrade my main service panel to handle a line side tap. The installers were great and were not bothered by me being on the roof to ask questions and take progress pictures. This gave me a better understanding on what was being done and how everything tied in. This was even accomplished in one day and tested before they left. They answered everything and showed me the inverters and tied to main service panel. Since the agreement was in place prior to installation I only had to wait a couple business days for the utility to install my meter. When the system turned on one of the inverters crashed after about 50 minutes. Their service team took care of getting a replacement shipped and installed quickly. System has been performing really well and glad j took the plunge into solar.

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solarguy27 | Boynton Beach, Florida | 06/06/2019

Since 1986 & A+ Rated on BBB

Solar Direct seemed to be the right choice based on their A+ BBB rating and also because of their 33 years in business. I gave them a try because of this and everything seemed to to be right about this company. My installation is clean and the job was done in less than 60 days. I didn't need to call them very much but always did receive prompt email replies when I had a question. Oliver is a great Sales Manager and Dale is a fantastic owner. I highly recommend Solar Direct for all your Solar needs.

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Bigromo in Edgewater FL | EDGEWATER, FL | 03/26/2019

Not the closest, just the best!

I went solar in Aug 2018. It was something I wanted to do for a long time. I spent a couple of months learning and reading and signed up for some estimates when I thought I knew enough to do that. I went onto an online site and put in my info and it made my info available to solar companies to provide bids to me through them. I wanted to eliminate my bill for energy, but learned you don't want to size larger than you need as the excess is paid for by the power company. I selected 3 to talk to. 2 were relatively near me and had good reviews, but one (Solar Direct) was in Sarasota FL, almost 4 hours from my home in Edgewater FL. Solar direct started out as the underdog due to their distance from my property. But eventually my salesperson Dale earned my business and I went with them, despite them starting off as the underdog. I am happy that I did. They gave me a competitive price and excellent service and my system turns out to be sized perfectly without deficit or excess. My materials are high quality and the installation is neat and professional and passed inspection first run. We had a problem with one part of it when installed due to a manufacturing defect, so they got the opportunity to demonstrate great service when they made 2 trips from 4 hours away to diagnose and resolve the problem replacing the component at no charge. I could not ask for more. I am glad I gave them the opportunity and am very happy in every respect. I highly recommend them, and if they are not close by, don't rule them out.

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Powered by the Sun | Punta Gorda, FL | 03/24/2019

A Good, Caring Company

Solar Direct has more than thirty (30) years in the solar industry. I chose them over other companies in part because of that experience and because of their commitment to their customers. I visited their HQ, spoke with company principals and left feeling confident in their ability to complete my project on my required scheduled.

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Upset and Irate | Liverpool, New York | 01/14/2019

Do not do business with these people

These people use unsolicited telemarketing calls from a call center in India to drum up business. Calling you at all hours of the day and night and when you ask to be placed on the do not call list they hang up on you and call back an hour or so later and then every 4-6 hours after that for several days until you're forced to make an appointment or block the 20 different phone numbers they use to call you. I eventually just mad an appointment for a fake home i don't own (because they're too cheap to do any verification before they call) and wasted a sales guys' time.

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1 comment >
Reply from Solar Direct: Solar Direct does NOT use telemarketing. This person has use confused with some other company. We did do telemarketing in-house 5-6 years ago, and at the time we were registered with the Florida Department of Consumer Affairs, and have a spotless record with them for honoring the Do NOT Call list. If this was a real legitimate complaint, then the person should report it to the Florida Department of Consumer Affairs, and then we would be exonerated when they investigate and find no valid claim.

Jessica V. | West Palm Beach, Florida | 01/03/2019

TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!!!!

I would NOT even give this company 1 star. I was a Customer Service Manager for over 10+ years dealing with complaints, damages and other issues with a company that has outsourced providers. So I have had to deal with both customers and vendors in my day. So I have seen my fair share of good and bad companies out there. This company has to be one of the WORST out there. As others have written in their reviews here too....very quick to sell you and up to the point of install things seemed great. Then once installed non-stop issues. Have failed inspection 2 times, no updates on anything, emails and phone calls with no responses (from both Oliver & Frank), no explanations, etc. In their contract agreement in black and white) it states that they would reimburse you for expenses if there is a delay. When I included verbiage from their own contract an my email, with no response until after 2 weeks but "we are working on it"... they don't even hold up their own language as written in a contract. In their proposal, website and other documents including their project timeline report they include the word "commitment". They do NOT even know what that word means. <br />I have written several emails, including one quoting the contract, copying the Better Business Bureau and even advised that I sent separate copy of the email to the finance company as well; and not even an apology for the delay. We began the sales conversation with this company in the Summer. The actual panels were installed in October 2018. The timeline they provided said that even including the permits, inspection and FPL meter change processes that the panels should be on and functional by end of November. Here we are Jan 3rd, 2019 and still no end in sight or updates on status of anything. Apparently meter cannot be changed until inspection is passed. And I am receiving a $400 bill from FPL that they haven't paid the FPL invoice for the new meter yet (which can affect my account/credit/deposit with FPL). Palm Beach County Inspector has been here twice for inspection and they failed both times. <br />Using the holidays is not an excuse because they could at least schedule something with us, the owners, in the meantime for repairs to be ready for when holidays are over. And NOTHING!!!!!!!! <br />When you contact the main number at Solar Direct, a female defends Frank and Oliver. She only tells you to contact the owner (Kirk) and provides his email and washes her hands that way from the situation. Doesn't even offer to escalate it to someone higher, someone that can help, etc. Useless as the rest of the incompetent people who work here. What happened to the customer??? I don't believe that the customer is always right from my experience but I do believe they would not be calling or reaching out in writing unless they have been BURNED in some way by the company. And this company has not only burned us but has cost us additional expenses due to their delays. We are now paying the financing payment for the panels that don't even work yet. On top of an electricity bill I should not even have anymore. So I am spending at least $300 more a month than I should be or as "promised" that I should not be spending once this was completed. This company cant even return a phone call. They make mistakes, they make promises and don't deliver. I will never recommend this company to anyone. I have contacted the BBB and reported them again.

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Frustrated-Customer | Hollywood, Florida | 10/26/2018

Soalr direct costumer service is Terrible !!!

I am trying to give this company a Negative 10000 rating but cant..<br /><br />Do not , I repeat.... do not use this company.. This is the worse customer service I have ever seen in my life !!<br /><br />"Frank" is the lone person handling customer service and is soooo bad" <br />I dont know how this guy still is employed ! <br />everyone in the company says.. "he is overworked" ,,,, <br />he doest answer his phone..says the best way to contact him is by email, but then doesnt reply to emails.... you may get a response in two weeks...or you might have to send an email in two weeks .. then you have to call the 1800 number to get someone else , to find this guy!!<br /><br />I had some panels installed, turns out it was not installed well at all.. Tons of roof problems as a result.<br /><br />Just in case you missed this warning.....Dont get solar panels from Solar Direct !! <br />if you do,,, and you have problems..that is on you, because you read this message..<br />Me personally wish someone would have told be to take my business elsewhere !!

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Service types


Residential solar - Grid tied

Commercial solar - Grid tied

Solar hot water sales and installations

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About Solar Direct


Solar Direct hosts the Internet’s top visited e-commerce destination for solar and renewable technology products. Looking toward the future, Solar Direct is committed to accelerated growth, providing an advantageously informed and truly inspired purchasing experience for consumers, and fostering new relations by partnering with others in the environmental community. Solar Direct now has another new location in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Office locations


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Florida - Sarasota

6935 15th Street East Suite 120, Sarasota FL, 34243

Florida - Sarasota

6935 15th St E, Sarasota FL, 34243

Florida - Jensen Beach

3788 NW Mediterranean Ln, Jensen Beach FL, 34957

Contact Solar Direct


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Head Office
6935 15th Street East Suite 120, Sarasota FL, 34243
Website
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Solar Direct