Very happy with the results | Laguna Niguel, California | 06/10/2018
An honest and technically sound company
We have been searching for quite a few years for a perfect solar panel company, a perfect time to get them, the best performing and most reliable product. Three companies came to assess the roof, review our usage, and gave sales pitches. The estimates were all over the place and no one seems to be very knowledgeable. To learn more, I even helped my friend install his own solar panels on his roof. He's a structural engineer and had done a number of major solar farm installation for big companies, basically he knows his stuffs. <br />The people from the 3 companies didn't have deep technical knowledge, slow to respond or did not listen well. None could clay tiles and said that they'd introduce roofers to take off the tiles so they can install the panels. Before giving up, I asked my structural friend and he connected me with his ex-colleague Brad Friesen, head of engineering at the structural firm, who started his own solar installation company called EarthChoice Solar. I met with Brad and his team Marcus and Van. They laid out everything, from panel technology options, to the mounting technology, to the installation steps, to the permitting process and timing and of course the cost options (the lowest cost compared to all other companies). For the first time, I finally understood the entire process before we even start. Brad is agnostic to the solar panel manufacturers and uses sound engineering and science. And very importantly his company does clay tile roof (no need to get a roofer) and clearly said that there will be a few broken tiles but they will pre-purchase spares and replace the broken ones as needed. It turns out that we had a number of broken tiles not related to the installation and his team replaced them for me without even being asked. Some of these broken tiles were far away from the installation site and along the high edges of the roof that was not easy to do.<br />I told him that I plan to get an electric car and we discussed the details of my usage. He came back with 3 options for me to select. He did all the paperwork including drawings and application to HOA and the City. I did nothing except reviewing the plans with him. Instead of just submitting the application, he hand deliver them along with hardware to the HOA meeting to show the reviewers the quality of the product. The last time I had Home Depot install my windows, it took HOA 2.5 months to approve. Brad got approval by HOA on the same day and 2 days ahead of schedule approval by the City. I asked Brad to install electrical outlet for my electric car in the garage, they came and designed the entire circuit and installation and they were all clearly laid out on the drawings. <br />I found a charging station and asked if Brad could install it. Hid team researched and was able to purchase for me at a discount with minimal cost to install. The week before installation, I decided not to install the station, only the outlet. Brad and his team had to adjust the drawing and got the City re-approval again quickly. Never once Brad was reluctant to listen and help or show any frustrations. <br />His team installed and got all the panels up and running in one day – the meter started running backward. We were generating power! The team set up electrical/control panels, made adjustments and installed the high-performing inverter, connected an extended WIFI and app to track and monitor the energy generation. His system allows us to see individual panel performance, not just the entire roof, in case there's a problem with any particular individual panel. <br />Brad and his team then got SDGD paperwork and everything done. Again ahead of schedule. Brad and team continued to monitor our panels and kept me informed days and weeks aftward. <br />We encountered problem with our pool motor, the pool guy and his electrician came and couldn't figure out what's going on. I asked Brad if he could help thinking that maybe the solar installation might have something to do with this. Again Brad and Marcus were at my house in no time working on a day that was raining, soaking wet the two of them finally figured out what was wrong. Nothing related to the panel but more about the incorrect pool wiring. Marcus followed up with the pool electrician to educate him of the issue so they could fix it. Not a dime charged to me.<br />Throughout the process Brad responds to my text within minutes. We've been very happy with the solar performance, could see the daily energy production on my phone, and the system outperforms expectation. Given everything had gone so well I wish I had a few more panels, which I understand is the common sentiment. <br />In short, I'd say Brad and his team were exceptional in their customer service, product quality, more knowledgeable about the technology, process and all the regulations, and most importantly completely under promise and over deliver on everything. <br />I highly recommend Brad and his company EarthChoice Solar.
