Aimee T | Grand Rapids, Michigan | 10/28/2024
Terrible experience, bait and Switch
Blue Raven Solar uses bait and Switch. They record you the first time a sales rep talks to you and then refer back to that recording, saying " you agreed that the only thing that matters is what we wrote in your final contact. " Anything your sales rep or any other employee with Blue Raven tells you is likely not true and they later say, "we told you so. " Do yourself a favor and either use a different company, or hire a lawyer to make sure you are getting what you hope to receive. Do not trust that what they tell you, even when you ask a direct question, is true. This company uses bait and Switch. I was sold a system that COSTS me money each month. It costs me MORE each month because the system only provides about 25% of my known energy needs, when they tell you it is going to provide all after it averages out over a year. It has been frustrating and terrible working with this company. The communication is atrocious. Our Sales rep quit the company before our job was even installed. They damaged or property and then refused to fix or pay for it. They charge the next customers for all the materials that "disappear " from the job site. I have photos of materials that disappeared during attempted install and when confronted about it, I was reassured that MY price wouldn't change, that the next people that agreed to work with Blue Raven, would have that loss rolled into their price. It is also frustrating that instead of investing in fixing the problems, Blue Raven Solar simply gets reviews deleted and pulled off websites. How can a company that has been around for over 10 years, only have a few Google reviews??? Impossible!
Vishak Seshadri | Plainfield, Illinois | 10/26/2024
3 months in, still not fully functional
I contracted Blue Raven Solar to install solar panels on my roof. They started the installation on July 17th, 2024 and had initially told me that everything should be done on that day. However, an electrician needed to come back on the July 19th for some pending items and that happened too. Once this was all done, my utility company sent me confirmation that my system is ready to operate on July 26th. I was not provided any information on how to setup the account to turn on, so they had to send out another technician on August 19th. At this point, it had already been a month since the install and 3 weeks since I got approval to turn the system on. We did turn the system on August 2nd, but half of the panels were reporting errors. This is where everything started going down the drain. They kept scheduling dates for a technician to arrive and do some work. A couple of times, the technician would forget and come back the next day. He did some checks and mentioned the installers did a poor job firstly of putting too many panels on the strings tripping a couple of the breakers and then later that the wires on the roof were completely exposed and he had to re-do them. He came back about a month later to rewire the panels and with some of them done, left for the day saying he didn't have a tool and never showed up. I only get messages from the work orders that an appt has been scheduled 2 weeks in the future but no-one shows up to do the work. It has now been 3 months since the errors and Blue Raven hasn't yet completely fixed the issue nor are they being responsive enough to talk through it. One of the phone support folks wouldn't even listen to me fully. A lead technician was supposed to arrive on October 24th, but when I called Blue Raven, they said they had rescheduled it to November 12th due to a conflict. There was no notification of this and if I hadn't called them, I wouldn't have known of this conflict or reschedule. They seem to say they have great reviews, but it all sounds like a gimmick at this point.
woodsusa | Oxford, Michigan | 10/15/2024
Great Experience Throughout the Process
Everything was transparent, no hidden cost, the installation was done in a single day. All my concerns were addressed in a timely manner. Blue Raven Solar is well established so I have no concerns about the viability of the company.
Johnathan Williams | Lansing, Michigan | 10/02/2024
Satisfied Customer
Had panels installed last October and my utility company dragged their feet connecting it, but finally did so in early January. After almost a whole year i am happy to say that I am no longer worried about these coming rate hikes because my system covers my bill! Fixed payments for me! Sure my initial payments were a little higher than my average by a tad but it's an INVESTMENT!
Matt M | East Lansing, Michigan | 09/23/2024
Expensive quote and recommending tax evasion
So they quoted about $15k+ higher than another competitor with less system capabilities. Let’s be real here, the material cost of a 7.2 kWh system (enphase IQ8 microinverters, enphase controller, ac disconnect, 18 each 400 watt pv panels, rails, electrical wires, junction boxes, breaker parts, disconnect box) is around $12k max. Blue raven wanted $35k for installed price before tax credit. Thats asking for $23k+ for labor, permitting, design, their business insurance, and overheads. But you’re saving 30% in ITC federal return they tell you. Lastly, they mentioned they can get additional savings by using a credit established by RETE. I then did some looking into RETE and watched a video on their website. It stated they work with CPAs to recommend filing of the tax credit via form 3468 or form 5695, which is 30% federal solar credit. They also mention additional credit which was called out as Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) which is form 4562. I reached out to the CPA I used last tax season. She stated that ITC 30% is for residential and MACRS is for businesses. In my opinion, they are recommending tax evasion of sorts or deploying a bait and switch tactic to get you under contract (as this was not written into their contract).
SV | Naperville, Illinois | 09/15/2024
Excellent overall. Neighbor (an electrical engineer) was very impressed with the work. Cleanup at the end was equally well done.
Wylene | Morrison, Colorado | 09/09/2024
Not taking ownership of installation error
According to specs, panels where to be installed 12 inches back from the edge of the roof. They are only 3 inches. When the snow releases it tumbles down like and avalanche and with much weight. My back porch will eventually collapse because cause of this heavy drop. I spoke with Blue Raven and they stated to get a broom and brush it off. I did not pay to have wrong installation as well as to risk injury to myself by having to go up a ladder and get on my roof during the winter. They also stated to get snow guards; however, if installed right, I would not have to spend more money. They also had no part in helping with finding proper snow guards. I questioned again on the installation not being what the specs were and they refused to take ownership stating the "inspector signed " the papers.
Adam | Cincinnati, Ohio | 08/23/2024
Payment Program Disorganized
Sales service is good, but they are not organized with sending payments out on a program where they take care of the first 18 months. The dates continue to move and all we get is a text stating it's moving, yet are payment due doesn't move. The paper check being sent out should be digital to avoid this in today's age of technology.
Sean Reidt | Clinton Township, Michigan | 08/21/2024
Everything went fast and smooth. I loved how proactive they were to schedule apps and inspections for me. One employee showed up to install the panels in sweat pants and I don’t know which one but one smelt like weed.
Naveen | Elgin, Illinois | 08/21/2024
Quick installation
Team came here in the morning and completed the installation in a day. They made sure it is done properly.