Empower Home, Fresno CA

Wow…did they pay people to write good reviews? My experience has been horrible and I would not recommend this company to my worst enemy.

Briefly: panels went up quickly, but the install team had no knowledge that I needed a main panel upgrade (MPU) Did not pass inspection, as a result. The sales rep, Richard, promised me a check to compensate me for the delay, after which he ghosted me. The scheduler told me that PG&E could not approve a MPU over a water spigot, and recommended that I just cap it off and then uncap after the inspection. I hired a plumber to move the line, which costed $1,600.00. Now they can purportedly move forward to schedule the MPU, which could take months…project coordinator is listening, but I have zero confidence at this point.

I’ve spared a few other details that reflect their incompetence, but my main message is use someone else for your solar needs.

I’ll update if things miraculously get better…. Likely I will be contacting the BBB as my next move.

I don't recommend you guys because on the beginning everything was fine torched the end super bad specially the mikel

The installation of the solar panels went fairly smooth. We were frustrated with trying to get answers of how to add the wife’s name to the contract so she (me) can get the tax credit. We spoke at length to five different people and it still didn’t happen. Tammy was very timely in her responses with us per email and friendly. She could only do so much because of the dept.she worked in.

Today, we spoke to Tonya from the customer service dept. She was friendly, kind, efficient, understanding, and VERY patient. She answered all of our questions, sent us what we have been asking for during the last three months of communicating back and forth with all of the others. We signed it electronically (Gabby assisted her), and then we made a copy. She also had a guy named Jose? To physically drop off an official copy of what we had been seeking within 1/2 hour! We are very impressed her her skills and efficiency! We were so close to canceling and having the solar panels removed! I hope this company realizes what a golden employee Tonya is! She said she hadn’t been working with them too long, but she could have fooled me with her knowledge, ability to team play with others to get things done, and efficiency! And, she is very calm, patient and pleasant.

Alan has stage 4 cancel and is going through so many grueling treatments. He is in pain so he is now more impatient and lashes out quickly. His cancer is terminal, so he is trying to get things done so he can have peace of mind. Before the cancer, his personality was calm, friendly, and he was a gentle soul. He still has those qualities but reacts quicker and more angrily when stressed. Tanya was a perfect person for us to talk with. She is an Angel! Thank you Tanya! We appreciate you!

Our installation had some management challenges however once Empower’s employee Tanya stepped in, she was worth her weight in gold being instrumental in making things right. Excellent product.
- Mr. Peeters

My experience with Empower was really bad. What was supposed to be a one day install turned into a several week debacle. The day of install only two guys showed up to my house they asked if they could leave the panels and material inside the gate and I said sure because they were suppose to return the next day to finish. Guess what no persons ever showed and on top of that never got a call to cancel or reschedule. So I called and talked to another person and we set up another day a few weeks later and take a guess what happen. That’s right again not one person showed up, now keep in mind both of these appointments were confirmed ahead of time and also a day prior. I literally stored 25 massive panels next to my house for a month and had to pick them up several different times since i live in a windy area which only made matters worse. It took another couple of weeks and some aggressive phone calls to get everything done and I really had no choice since they had already started and removed a hand full of my roofing tiles. Overall I wouldn’t recommend this company but like I said that was my experience while it looks like others have had better luck.

1) installed panels on roof in June.
2) Company inspector and City inspector came on July 8.3) Box on house not passed inspection by City.
4) I called Empower over a week ago to find out what is the delay.
5) As of July 21, no call back, no reschedule for fixing the box.
6) Called 800 number three times, phone rings and NO ONE answers and it does not revert to voice mail.
7) Called one person whose direct phone number is at Empower - no answer - left an irritated message.
8) If anyone actually addresses these issues in a timely manner and gets this connection working, then I will post a better rating.
9) If this goes for another week with no response, then I want these panels REMOVED from my house.
10) This is ridiculous to allow this ELDERLY, DISABLED household to be this stressed out and having to pay huge electric bills while waiting to use the solar.

UPDATE: 8-12-2021:
1) It took until 8-9-2021 to get the entire system installed correctly and running.
2) I totally understand why the delays are happening. It is true that there just are not enough employees to keep up with the demand. And working on roofs in this EXTREME heat has got to be a game changer for some people.
3) I have been very happy, finally, that all is taken care of.
4) Jeff, a manager who came out TWICE as there was no other crew available, inspected the roof, made corrections and fixes, stayed at the house to meet with the City inspector TWICE in the same day to make sure it passed. They apologized for all my previous complaints and bent over backwards to get it all done. Our family has extreme medical issues so the Solar is very important.
5) I very much appreciate it when a company takes responsibility for all errors, apologizes, keeps me informed, and does what it takes to complete the job. I am now satisfied and hope this summer is not nearly expensive as in the past. I am giving 4 stars now, not 5 only because of the initial issues.
6) I also very much appreciated a call back to a technical question I had today. JEFF is most knowledgeable and the nicest guy - thank you! Also MANDY in the sales office did a great job of coordinating the services and trying her hardest to get all of my issues taken care of. This is not an easy business to satisfy customers: Not enough crews, City Inspectors and So. Cal Edison are all in the mix.

I understand that the summertime is the busiest; however to ensure you receive the best business, which is to provide full communication from the beginning to the end. Telling us you would follow up by this day but when that day arrives and passes, we do not hear from you. This does not help with the business. All we ask is that you communicate and follow through on what you say you will do instead of letting time pass with no word then make excuses. We do understand that sometimes things do come up, but do not abandon us (the ones who give you business). If I knew in that beginning what I now know, I wouldn’t have signed or approved anything. All we ask is that you communicate and use integrity.

I began installing extra solar panels at my house with Empower at the beginning of April. At this time, I’m still waiting for them to get the job done. I’ve been getting all kinds of excuses and they don’t comunícate with me what’s done, what’s needed, why the city doesn’t approve their work etc. If I don’t call them or reach out to them for questions they could care less. The only calls from them I get are to ask how satisfied I am with the work when they all ready know how tired I am of waiting for them to get the job done. I got a call on Monday about the same thing. I need for someone to call me to let me know when the project will be completed. Today I reach out to the sales man who no longer works for them to help me get some answers. They’re now saying it’s going to be 2 or 3 more weeks. I begin making payment on the loan this month and the job isn’t even done. This is a horrible way to do business. If you’re deciding to go with this company be prepared to wait longer than 4 months.l was promised it will take no longer than 3 weeks.

I am very satisfied with this company. They were prompt, very courteous, knowledgeable and over all I would give them an A. From beginning to end. Thank you Empower Solar.

This is an awesome company! So professional and easy to work with. Everyone that works there knows what they are doing and I felt like they were being as honest as possible with me. When it comes to sales people I usually don’t trust them but MPWR is definitely trustworthy and awesome! If you are looking for solar panels, call MPWR

Panels has been on my house for nearly 2 months. To date system has NOT been inspected by city. To date system is not operational. I would NOT Recommend this company to anybody. HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE SUPPORT AND PLANNING.

It has been a great experience with Empower! They were very helpful & educational. Everything almost seemed to good to be true but it makes sense why my neighbors all have solar. The representatives Blake & Zach did a great job at explaining the benefits of solar. Very transparent and straight forward with every question me and my wife had. I couldn’t be more happy with the results, the installation team had my home up and running in no time and now we are saving so much money on our electricity bill.

I have Been in the solar business for 7 years never have I worked for a company who values their employees. Company takes pride in their work along with the morale. We call it the solar coaster as its ever changing so you need to roll with the ups and downs or you might crash. Good Job Empower!

If you have any problems remember to ask for help from the people who are actually able to do what needs to be done and you will get a quick response. Make sure you understand what to expect. They will help you do this.

I’m very satisfied and happy with the service and information I received with Emporer Solar for my system. I checked out 3 other companies prior. From the beginning the sales person Landon was honest, took his time to explain the system to me. (Senior with no knowledge, me). The system was installed promptly and professional. Also the follow up after the installation was wonderful. Truly, I can recommend Emporer Solar to anyone without any hesitation. I’m grateful and happy to have my system.
Sincerely
Annelie Correia

Where do I start, Empower Solar pushed to close to install on December 31,2020. Since installation for a entire 3 weeks no response. Finally, someone responded and said city inspector would show soon in upcoming weeks. After the inspector came a month later, the Solar panels did not pass because of some lack of efficiency from the first installation team. 2 weeks later they sent a new team to come fix Solar panels. After a entire day they said they were complete and wait for the city inspector in another 2 weeks. The inspector passed the Solar panels installation from Empower BUT.my panels were not operational because had a blinking light that was suppose to be solid for communication to system. A tech came out a week later 3/11/21 and said still could not troubleshoot and finally said the Controller was Bad. Today is the 3/24/21 and no service or response. I have been paying two Bill's, My SoCal Edison and Solar Loan Company. This is the WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE EVER.

John Dunston did a great job setting me up for the install and Empower executed the job quickly and professionally. Overall it was a great experience!