Top Hat Energy

Great Local Solar 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.

Top Hat Energy ~ excellent work and follow through

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.