Top Hat Energy

Top Hat was the company I really expected and wanted to love--I chose them over a less expensive competitor. The people are very friendly, and it's a local business, which I try to support. However, if I had to do it all over again, I would not choose Top Hat and cannot recommend them to anyone. CONS: - Communication was lacking from Top Hat to me and between Top Hat employees. The crew disappeared from my project for a month without ever telling me they'd be gone or why they weren't coming back. I told one member numerous things I wanted done, but that wasn't communicated to the work crew, so many things were done opposite of what I asked. They also don't keep their word--I discovered a problem at the end of August. Twice they've told me someone would come out to fix it, and nobody ever came. It's been over a month and the problem still exists. - The crew is genuinely horrible at cleaning up. They left construction debris and drinking bottles all around, which I repeatedly cleaned up throughout the duration of the project. - Attention to detail is lacking, overall. This was evident in wires left not zip tied in my solar array, mounting locations of boxes (my generator plug box was wiggly), and the overall condition they left the site in (debris, trash, and ruts). - Every time I mow my property, I am reminded of how Top Hat left my yard in worse condition than they found it as my lawn tractor slams into the ruts and channels they left behind from their trailers and trucks being driven all over the front of my yard. This could have been mitigated by laying plywood on the ground before driving and parking on the dirt or parking at the top of the driveway. They only smoothed out their trench in one part of the yard, leaving me to do the rest of the yard by hand. - The company was verbally responsive when I raised my complaints, but, ultimately, the actions did not improve in the subsequent months they were on my property doing work. PROS: - They installed a solid system that produces many kilowatts of energy each day. I love feeling free from PG&E bill-shock! - The solar array just looks cool. BOTTOM LINE: When all is said and done, Top Hat installed a system that delivers the power they said it would. However, I feel that ANY solar company can accomplish this. The process of getting solar installed by Top Hat was sub-par and very frustrating for me, and now it seems they aren't standing behind their installation. If I had to do it over again, I would not have chosen Top Hat and cannot recommend them to anyone.

Top Hat Solar in Redding CA. is an outstanding company. From start to finish they have been professional and attentive. Unfortunately the inverters I bought have had problems. All of them have had to be replaced, but the good news is that I bought them from Top Hat Solar and fortunately for us, all their customers, they honor their warranties. All 3 inverters have needed to be replaced ( I was offered an upgrade for pennies on the dollar from the manufacturer ) after 7 and a half years and Top Hat has handled every aspect of the exchange. My inverters were a fluke problem. Unusual and I'm lucky that I'm a Top Hat customer. They won't ignore you after the install. They treat you as a valued customer. All I had to do was let Jeremy at Top Hat know I had a problem and they handled it from that moment until completion. The panels look great, the inverters look great and the employees are all great to deal with. This system is incredible. If I had to do it all over again I would definitely deal exclusively with Top Hat Solar of Redding. Also, on a side note, the value of my house rose by the cost of the installed system so If I were to sell my house I would get every dollar of the cost of the system back plus the money I've saved over the past 7 years of not having an electric bill.... AT ALL.... AND I've done my part to lower my carbon foot print. Win win win win!!!! I wanted the system oversized so when my gas water heater goes out I can install an on demand electric. I can supplement the gas space heating with electric and lower my propane bill. Oversizing my system was the right choice for me. I've never had an electric bill in the past 7 years. Thanks Top Hat Solar for your 5 star service.

I am new to solar power and the people here really took the time not only to explain their products fully but also empower me with knowledge about solar science! They went above and beyond both when I called on the phone and when I stopped in to the shop. I'm very happy I went to Top Hat and I so appreciate their help.

We have used Top Hat for 6 years. Any problems have been resolved in a timely manner. Top Hat is locally owned. Jeremy is very helpful and knowledgeable. Paul and Anne Allen

I first heard Jeremy Hufft being interviewed on a local radio station in October of 2016 and was impressed by his knowledge, candor, and by his responses to questions posed by both the program hosts and callers.

It was bad from start to finish inverter installed by bad electrician lots of unkept promise

From the initial evaluation through completion the staff at Tophat demonstrated their competence and determination to get everything right. In addition to the roof top panels , inverter , complete main panel upgrade. Critical needs sub panel , generator link they also installed a Grundfos solar well pump with its own panel mounted on a super looking rack. The challenge of threading a float switch wire through buried and blocked conduit was particularly difficult. They got it done saving me the expense of re trenching

I have to say that this is probably one of the better decisions I've made in the last few years. First of all, the payback at ten percent p/year will return what I spent for my system in about six years. Additionally, realizing that I will no longer be held hostage and subject to increasing costs by my utility company is very rewarding. Second is that Top Hat was the best choice hands down to do the work. Besides being the low bidder, and having the most positive reviews on the web was just additional justification for my choice. The work began at the worst time of the year but their crews worked in the rain and mud to get the job done. In short, I highly recommend this locally owned company over the many others out there.

In my opinion, you could not find a better solar company in the Redding area. I was really satisfied with the whole process, from getting the quote to finalize the install. They took care of all the permit paper work.

Top hat solar did a professional job in installing my solar. They helped me through the whole process of getting permits, helping me decide how big my solar array should be and following through with any questions I had. Great job.

Great service at a good price. I recommend Top Hat. They are Top Notch !

We had Top Hat install our system. It was our first solar system. A fantastic experience. Great customer service, absolutely no issues or problems. System is working great and Top Hat was always available to answer questions or concerns. I couldn't recommend them any higher. Great local company.

Top Hat Energy built our ground solar system in October of 2018. Jeremy was a top man in assisting us and educating us in what we wanted and needed. He was professional, quick in returning all phone calls and emails and answering any and all questions we had. He is a knowledgeable, honest and personable man of his trade. His team was a very very timely group of clean, friendly neat looking professionals and they always kept our property looking clean and neat. We never saw any signs of construction at the end of each day. They came in just as quickly and quietly as they left each day. My husband loves to watch and ask questions and his concerns were always answered friendly,professionally and knowledgeably. We have used numerous contractors in our last 25 years in Shasta County but none have compared with the quality of work we received from Top Hat Energy.

Top Hat installed our panels December of last year. We were very happy with their customer service and workmanship. They were always prompt in returning our calls and very professional. I would highly recommend this company.

Top Hat Energy was Top Notch. They were very professional and installation was quick. Ben and Jeremy are great guys and always there to answer any questions. I had a panel stop working a few months after it was installed and they came out the next day and replaced the part. I couldn't be happier with the guys at Top Hat! I've already recommended them to my family and clients (and their bid was $10,000 less than the other bids they were getting). If your looking for solar, look no further!

Very affordable and knowledgeable!

Top Hat Energy designed the solar system for my house. Although this was my first solar installation, I acted as the general contractor as I have extensive construction experience. I purchased 33 solar panels and DC-AC voltage converters and interconnects from Top Hat Energy. They drop shipped everything at my house so that my electrician could install their product. I had not problems with any of the equipment they shipped and their pricing was very fair. The system has been active for nearly 4 years now with no problems. I would recommend this firm for solar materials.

I was impressed by both the speed in which the installation of my system took place, and by the affordability that Top Hat had to offer. Jeremy was very courteous and considerate of my needs, and maintained open communication even beyond the installation process. Now I'm producing tons of green energy, while enjoying my A/C more than ever.

We had solar installed by Top Hat Energy in 2016, and could not have been more pleased with the customer service provided to us throughout the process. This includes the answering all of our questions, permit process, installation and solar monitoring/tracking system. It was a pleasure to work with Jeremy and the Top Hat Energy team!

We are just beginning our solar journey, but so far Top Hat has delivered an over the top experience. I would highly recommend them

I didn’t think we really needed solar-boy was i wrong. Top Hat made it so easy! They handle everything and so professionally done. I never worried about permits or rebates they did it all. Top Hat is number 1 in my book.

We purchased the system through Top Hat Energy. We found them to be very professional and very knowledgeable. They worked with in our schedule and gave us a super deal on the system price and installation. We would highly recommend them!

Top Hat Energy was recommended to me by a neighbor. Though I did make additional calls, our first impression of Jeremy and his staff was outstanding. Our project was thoroughly discussed, the ROII proved very accurate, site prep and installation was very clean, organized and completed as scheduled. This ground-level system has performed very much to our satisfaction. One minor warranty issue with an inverter was resolved within the same day of the phone call.

Jeremy, Brandon, David and Ben are the best in the business! Very personable, answered all my questions, and handled the entire system! I didn’t have to do anything! It was the best! They were happy to explain things in “plain English” since I’m not very mechanically inclined. They have so tibiusly checked up on me an made sure I was completely satisfied! The best!

After reviewing offers/estimates from 5 different solar companies we chose Top Hat Solar. I went to the warehouse and Jeremy took me back to see the actual inverter and panels he would use. Not only was their pricing better than any of the others but I loved dealing with a family owned and run company. Their installation system was fantastic and they went the extra mile to make things look as curb appeal friendly as could be possible. We have been "online" since Jan 2018 and the system has worked perfectly. Absolutely the best solar decision ever!! Thank you Huffit brothers!!

We had Top Hat install a solar system to supply 100% of our power this year. They gave us a great deal on high density panels, completed the design and install in a highly efficient and professional manner. Communication was great. We looked into seceral other solar companies and Top Hatbgave us the best deal and the highest quality. The system has been working great since day one. I would highly recommend Top Hat to anyone and appreciate supporting a local family owned company.

Of all the local solar companies that we contacted and received estimates for solar panel installation, we chose Top Hat Energy,Inc. We researched the various solar panel manufacturers,stats,independent experts within the field and felt well versed in being able to have a knowledgable discussion with the company reps. Top Hat Energy,Inc staff were the first to respond to our inquiries,visit our home and provide an itemized estimate of materials and labor. Most helpful to me was that they also provided the cost per watt.This was most important as a few companies will try to sell you on panel efficiency to justify their ridiculously high prices. Do your homework, get your estimates and you'll probably come to the same conclusion as we did. We were extremely pleased with the whole process from start to finish.

I am a retired researcher and have a tendency to "over think and check out" statements made by a company that claims to be voted number one. They never disclose here the information came from, who is saying they are the "best", can they back up such a claim and so on. When I decided to go solar, I began to research many of the local companies, as well as, a few out of Sacramento. I ended up with more questions. For example: * rent/lease vs ownership. Some companies stated they would install all of the equipment for free and reduce my PG&E bill. They never said by how much and other details of the contract. Beware if they want to know how much you pay each month for your gas and electricity. It seems they need a baseline as to what they can charge you each month and still be "less than your current PG&E charges." Ownership. By purchasing my system out right- I received the 30% rebate from the federal government as well as credit each month for the extra energy my system produced. (I chose to link with PG&E so I could get a "payback" the ones that rent equipment from a company do not seem get payment for the excess power their system creates, nor do they have the possibility of a zero PG&E bill each month. Partnering with PG&E may prove to be a mistake. I may regret being connected with PG&E on any level seeing they now wish to control my system via random and increasing charges. Going off grid may be the best choice. Shoot without my generator, like everyone without solar, I lose all power when PG&E goes out. I found Top Hat Energy in the phone book and made an appointment. They never asked how much i pay now, they asked how I see my farmstead in a few years. We talked about energy needs as my farmstead grew. How someday I may want to grow a feed crop for my goats and horses. They gave me an exact price per watt and not a "well we can..." like so many other did. The used American parts as often as possible. They explained some items were just not made in America. I liked the idea of buying America, supporting my country even in the smallest way, gave me a sense of pride of ownership. The price included all of the paperwork, permits and prep. They showed up each day on time and I never worried about a thing. Even when PG&E came to inspect the system, Top Hat was there to answer their questions. This was a really large system compared to regular residential systems. I was also hooked to a generator that was programmed to start up within seconds of power failure. A very comforting option as I grow older.