First came heat pumps and an EV. Having our solar system installed was the last step in our transition to becoming an electric home with its own power source. Along the way we had plenty of time to research rooftop solar and local contractors. First Response Solar stood out from the very beginning. It was clear that they understood why they used each piece of hardware and how these pieces related to each other and to our needs. We chose them over three other proposals and could not be happier! In addition to doing top notch workmanship, Chaz and Dylan are easy to work with. Our system performs exactly as they had described it to us. Obviously it is a big step to invest in a solar roof and we feel that we now have a system that is well designed, perfectly installed and fully operational. We cannot recommend First Response Solar highly enough. read more

First response solar did a great job on my solar install. Communication was great and everything went smoothly. I'm happy to support a small local company. read more

The owners of First Response Solar, Chaz and Dylan, have been simply incredible throughout the solar panel installation process. Definitely the BEST contracting experience we have had, and we've had many through the years. Their communication is incredible, both timely and informative. The follow through was amazing--they did everything exactly as they said they would ay every step of the way. Their expertise and professionalism were exceptional! My wife, Debbie, and I highly recommend First Response Solar for all of the reasons listed and more. read more

We are extremely happy with First Response Solar. They are efficient, honest and reliable. They go the extra mile for you. Our solar was installed within two days and the whole process went so smoothly. No surprises. They explained everything so clearly and were always available if we had questions. If there were ten stars they would get a ten. We really recommend using them for your solar. You will not be disappointed. Nancy and Tom Sideris read more

I am so glad I happened upon First Response Solar. They came recommended as a company with high standards and expertise, integrity, honesty and flexibility. They were all these things and more. Warm and kind and approachable. I recently had my roof replaced and needed the solar panels to come down, then go up again. Dylan and Chaz worked with the roofing company to time the process so I would be without panels for a minimum time. However, due to rain and other unforeseen events, the roofing was delayed and I was forced to find a different roofer. Through all that process, and the need to reschedule the panel replacement several times, Dylan and Chaz were so accommodating! They always responded IMMEDIATELY to my emails and questions, which was so gratifying, and worked with me to ensure the process went smoothly. I felt taken care of. At one point during the roofing process, my giant African tortoise was trampling over the brackets that Chaz had carefully set aside on the ground. When I told him, he quickly came and moved the brackets (a lot of them!) from the back yard to the front. They used quality materials and if they ran into any problems, they didn't tell me! They worked quickly, quietly and neatly and were so pleasant along the way. My only regret is that I didn't use them to install the panels originally, which was 12 years ago. When I am ready to expand or make changes to the system, I will go to them. I can't recommend this company enough. They were worth every penny. I advise you to go straight to First Response Solar when you are ready for your solar system. read more

I cannot recommend this company enough. I was recommended First Response Solar by a coworker. Dylan and Chaz are incredible to work with. They are unlike any other solar company I've talked to. For some context, we installed our system in early 2025-under NEM3 conditions with PGE. We decided to go with First Response Solar instead of Tesla installation, even though Tesla was cheaper--because we wanted a company and people we could trust to work on our home. Starting with my initial meeting with Dylan--he is the only person in the solar business who spent most of his time during our meeting educating me on the basics of solar--understanding equipment, product types, outline pros and cons of every system. He took the time to get to know our goals. And frankly, was the only person in the solar business who I didn't feel like was trying to upsell me on bigger more expensive systems. Here I am trying to add MORE panels, and Dylan was careful in explaining to me that in an NEM3 world, bigger isn't necessarily better! Chaz oversaw our panels and battery installation. He was supremely professional, and even made an effort to coordinate with our young child's nap schedule. He and his team were so respectful throughout the installation. We managed to get our system in a full month earlier than originally anticipated. I like the fact that Chaz does the installation himself. He is present, on site everyday, instead of using subcontractors. As an owner of a new-construction home, I've learned the hard way that proper contractor oversight is worth every penny. Permitting and inspections were a breeze and Chaz/Dylan made it so we didn't have to lift a finger to get things done. In my side research since working with First Response Solar I've learned more about just how good of products they sell/offer to clients. They offered me top notch panels and quality mounting hardware--and that is confirmed by other professionals in the industry that I've read about online. This adds to the peace of mind that these guys stand by their work and what they install on people's homes! Overall, if you want solar installed in Sonoma county, go with First Response Solar. Even if it's just to learn about solar, all the way to designing and optimizing your system, and finally installing--Dylan and Chaz are so great. Trustworthy, skilled, professional, conscientious. A joy to work with read more

First response was honest and gave all available options for solar which allowed us as the customer to decide which product was best for us. I felt like other companies had already decided which products were best. They answered all of our questions and were helpful and speedy in the process of buying and installing our system read more

I recently had a new roof put on my home and needed to have my existing solar installation removed and reinstalled. First Response Solar worked closely with my roofer and delivered exceptional results. The solar panels were removed with care, stored onsite and protected while the new roof was installed. Three days after the roof was completed, my solar array was reinstalled and working perfectly. Overall, very happy with the cost and the end results! read more

First Response Solar - Solar panels with critter guard. - Solar Installation Near Me - Sebastopol, California

I cannot say enough about my experience with Dylan and Chaz. They interceded when another company dropped the ball. They installed a new 200 amp electric panel and full roof top solar system in Bodega Bay. From our first meeting I could tell they understood the challenges of a corrosive coastal environment. They were very thoughtful and detailed with the bid, they provide superior customer service, they are clear communicators and meet milestones. They worked well with PGE and Permit Sonoma. They have established relationships with the right people, which smoothed the path of this project. The entire installation went great. I'm thrilled with the whole experience. I don't say that lightly. In my career, I work with contractors daily. And great contractors are hard to find. These fellows are top notch-- integrity, honesty, high standards. I recommend First Response Solar with no hesitation. Plus, they are really nice guys. read more

I just finished having a brand new solar system with battery installed at my house by First Response Solar. This company literally "checks all the boxes." If you're considering working with them on an existing solar system or new solar build, trust me when I tell you that you need not (and frankly should not) look any further for a solar company servicing Sonoma County. Local Responsive/Communicative Approachable Genuine Professional Reasonably-priced Transparent Honest Timely Respectful/Considerate (of me and my property/time) Attentive to detail Thorough They claim to "treat every installation as if it were their own home and go above and beyond to do what's right to make sure their customers are happy and taken care of." This isn't just something they say. They actually live it, and demonstrated this principle in their work on my new system despite extra time, cost, and energy at their sole expense. Owners Dylan and Chaz Mathias operate a company that lives, breathes, and genuinely understands true customer service. I can, just off the top of my head, think of four ways they far exceeded my expectations in ways they were under absolutely no obligation whatsoever to do, and did just to take care of me as their customer. Trust me when I tell you I'm not the easiest to deal with and have extraordinarily high expectations for work in my house. I am incredibly happy with the system they designed and installed!! It was a bittersweet goodbye because I genuinely enjoyed the process of working with them and they made what could have been an incredibly stressful project actually enjoyable. Their install work was flawless and there isn't a single aspect of it that I am not 110% satisfied with. In fact, they even accommodated my install 2 1/2 months earlier than scheduled at my request. I cannot recommend First Response Solar enough. They are simply the best. 10 out of 5 read more

In 2022, When looking for a solar company, we had shopped a few different companies First response was the first group to sit and explain everything to us (including true up) The other nice thing was they were local and not a 3rd party hire contractor We have had the panels in for almost 2 years now and our true up was minimal (around $3) while our power bills have been bare minimum! These guys really know what they are doing and their service cannot be beat read more

Just want to say that, without question, First Response Solar is the best contractor we have ever worked with. Dylan and Chaz are exceedingly thoughtful and detail oriented, and really, actually treat your project as if it was their own. This is extremely rare for contractors, in my experience. We got a few quotes, and I was relieved and thankful that First Response's proposal was on par or slightly less expensive than other options. They were incredibly communicative in every step of the process and were always available to answer any questions or reassure any concerns we may have had. The actual installation was flawless, with every minute detail considered and resolved beautifully. If we need any more solar work, or if anybody ever asks me for a recommendation, First Response will no doubt be my choice. read more

Dylan and Chaz were just a pleasure to work with from the very beginning initial proposal to install a new solar system at our new home to their complete and thorough follow through on installation and every subsequent aspect of getting the system installed and connected. We feel that we were so fortunate to select this company for our solar needs. Dylan and Chaz were always very knowledgeable, helpful, and extremely responsive to our needs. They were so helpful and diligent in getting thru the quagmire of PG & E and getting our system up and running. We highly recommend this company. read more

So incredibly impressed with this company!!!! They were so responsive from our very first meeting. In the sleazy world of solar companies and their bait-and-switch techniques, Dylan and Chaz were the exact opposite. They made the whole transition to solar, clear, concise, and non-technical for those of us not in the biz. They were on-time, courteous and always communicating with us throughout the entire process. We like that you deal with them directly and not some big corporate entity that shoves you off to some distant support department. The best part is they handled all the approvals, permits, and dealings with PG&E. If you are thinking of adding solar trust me when I tell you we interviewed so many companies and were so grateful to meet Dylan and Chaz. I can't recommend them highly enough! read more

If you are considering putting in solar, the only right choice is First Response Solar. Dylan and Chaz walked me through every step of the process (often multiple times) and ensured I understood everything before moving forward. They kept me updated regularly. We ran into some issues with PG&E, and Chaz and Dylan went above and beyond to find solutions to every obstacle PG&E had put up. We were also having a new roof put on, and First Response Solar worked seamlessly with our roofing contractor to coordinate the two projects. First Response Solar installed the brackets (to hold the solar panels) once the old roof was off. Being willing to coordinate with the new roof installation allowed us to keep the new warranty intact. No one else was willing to do this. They returned when the new roof was done and completed the solar installation. Once everything was approved to turn on, they returned and taught us how the software works and how to manage the system. We were impressed not only with Dylan and Chaz but also with all of their employees. read more

We have had multiple contractors and vendors with our new house remodel. FRS have been the best of all we have dealt with. Professional, knowledgeable, responsive, timely, trustworthy--absolute pleasure to work with. We researched/interviewed several, and there was no question we made the right choice, which was a huge relief. I would have no hesitation recommending them (which usually I tend to do so sparingly, as everyone and every situation is so unique and different, but not with these guys). read more

Not only did First Response Solar do a first-rate installation of my solar system, they also have provided post-installation care. The electrical outlets in my garage stopped working and I asked them to trouble-shoot when they were in the area as I wanted to be sure the outage wasn't related to the solar installation. They came by while they were working on a job nearby and discovered the source of the problem was a burnt out GFI plug and replaced it at no charge. Deeply grateful! read more

First Response Solar was the most highly recommended company we interviewed before installing our solar system. Dylan and Chas were both completely responsive, took the time to make sure we understood exactly what we were getting and what our choices were. They assisted us in understanding the differences in panels, batteries, quality and output so we could make the decision that best suited our needs. Completely professional, on time, attention to detail and brilliant in designing and implementing our system. I simply cannot recommend them highly enough!! read more

First Response installed as many panels as possible on my limited roof space. The installation crew was efficient and knew exactly how to do the installation, and how to clean up the grounds when they finished. My electricity bills have gone down significantly. At the end of the year PG&E owes me money, although they push for legislation to reduce what they buy from me. I have been very satisfied. The panels have been in place about 4 years and I have no complaints about them or First Response. read more

We decided to go with First Response Solar about one year after they installed a system on our neighbors' house. Dylan and Chaz were great to work with. They started by giving us a clear expectation of what to expect, including an honest timeframe and cost estimate. We were lucky that they started our job sooner than expected. The work was flawless. They treated our home with respect, leaving zero mess. The Enphase system and new service panel they installed look very clean on the side of the house. I would recommend First Response to anyone in the area. read more

From start to finish our Solar installation project with First Response has been STELLAR. Their professionalism and communication is above and beyond industry standard. They care about their customers and gave us all the education we needed to make informed decisions about our project. They are prompt, communicative, and always have a smile on their faces. Thanks so much for helping make our home run more efficiently! We thoroughly enjoyed the process (and who can say that about home improvement projects??)! read more

I had a new solar system installed by First Response Solar last year and they outdid themselves with quality and customer service. Dylan walked me through the installation and provided support for all aspects of the process including assistance with applying for tax credits. Chaz did an exceptional job with the installation. They also provide ongoing monitoring of the system and reach out of there are any blimps along the way. I recently had an issue with the reporting system and a part needed replacement. I was in France but Dylan jumped on it. The part was ordered and replaced without a hitch. Over the last two years, I have worked with a number of contractors for various projects and the First Response team is at the top of the list for quality and service. You can't go wrong with First Response Solar. read more

We just completed our system installation with First Response Solar. They were professional, responsive, and reliable from the first interaction. I met with both First Response and another well-reviewed larger installer and both were very kind and knowledgeable. But I noticed that First Response didn't only rely on mapping software to estimate energy production but also went up on the roof to measure light at different points. They were really easy to work with when we wanted to reduce the number of panels slightly from their original estimate. They also checked in during the period between signing up with them and installation, and actually were able to move us up in timing by several months because we had flexibility. The installation of 18 panels took only 2 days, and they completed it without us having to be there. They scheduled the inspection for the following week and again completely managed it end to end without us. It's very cool to see the production from the panels in our app and also see that we are covering all our PG&E usage with a little extra production on top! Would highly recommend First Response Solar to others who are looking for a very clean installation as well as great communication and reliability. read more

Top-notch work and customer service. From our very first meeting to following up after our big solar project was done, Dylan and Chaz were consistently clear, on time and friendly. Their work was very high quality, they clearly care a lot about the end result being excellent. They're true professionals in every sense of the word - I wish they'd clone themselves so we could hire them to do other work too! read more

Cannot say enough good things about these guys!! They did a great job- the owner actually showed up to do the work- reasonable pricing. We called them when we bought our house which had solar panels installed on the roof- it's our first experience with solar so we weren't sure if we wanted to have the panels cleaned. We spoke with Dylan and asked him to follow up in 6 months......and he did so we decided to have them cleaned because we could see from the ground that they looked dirty. Very happy with the results!!! Will definitely use them again!! read more

Dylan was the most responsive solar company I contacted. He called me back right away, was able to schedule my project within a few weeks, and was polite and professional. He and his team showed up on time and got the job done as promised, plus a few added tasks that were not anticipated. More panels than expected needed to be removed and he did not charge me extra. Honestly this company surprised me and I highly recommend using them! excellent customer service all around. read more

We had a system installed by First Response in November of 2022. Chaz and Dylan were a pleasure to work with from the initial contact, through installation and follow up. They answered all of our questions thoughtfully, and communications with them have been clear and timely. Recently, one of our panels started producing less than the others. A text to Dylan resulted in a visit that afternoon (!) and replacement of the faulty panel within a week, at no cost to us. I cannot recommend them highly enough. They are honest and reliable. read more

Dylan and Chaz have installed solar on each of our two homes. We added batteries to the one on the coast and we could not happier. Their communication and dedication to doing a clean and efficient system goes far beyond. It is their company, their reputation and they take it seriously. We highly recommend them. read more

I have worked with Chaz when he worked for his Dad at Synergy Solar, so needles to say I was very pleased that he came to our home to service our panels with his own business. Chaz brings years of knowledge and experience to his business and always with a smile. I was able to also ask Chaz about some additional work we were looking at doing. I appreciate his honest response and direction. Like others have stated his company iis a very professional, responsible and efficient with competitive rates and very easy to work with. I cannot be any happier. We highly recommend them. read more

Dylan and Chaz are AMAZING! They attended to every detail, were very patient with our questions, organized in scheduling our job, and we were happy with their service and advice. Such professional, diligent, and honest guys! We're so happy we found them for our solar project. Look no further! We would hire First Response Solar again without hesitation. read more

My wife and I hired First Response Solar to install solar panels and battery backup more than a year ago. I am writing to follow-up on my wife's review of this company. We received strange reports from our Enphase application, which were immediately followed up by First Response Solar. Chaz showed up at our home 10 pm on a Saturday night to figure out the problem. Dylan and Chaz immediately followed up with Enphase and one of their representatives came to our home a day later. The system was reset and we needed to hire an electrician to replace burned out circuit breakers. However, there were still problems with the electricity in the house even with all of the repairs that had been done. Chaz and Dylan continued to follow-up until the problem was resolved. Their diligence is stunning in this day and age where promises are made and regularly broken after goods and services are provided. To make a long story short, Chaz and Dylan determined there was a problem with the wiring in the house, which they immediately diagnosed and repaired. We tried to pay them for their time and effort to no avail. My wife was able to give them homemade baked goods, which was absolutely insufficient thanks for their efforts. I can't thank them enough for the installation of the solar panels and battery back-up and the continued follow-up when the system indicates a problem. If you are considering solar panels, this is a local company that provides unparalleled service and takes care of their customers long after installation of the system. read more

We just completed a new home build and could not be happier with First Response Solar. When I was receiving multiple bids from solar companies, First Response was truly the "first responder" to satisfactorily answer all my questions. They were very proactive, communicative, flexible in working with the GC, and true to their word regarding scheduling of work. Their panels and inverter are high quality and First Response provided the best warranty on hardware of all the solar companies I interviewed. I know I sound like a paid endorser of this company but am honestly just a very satisfied customer. read more

First Response Solar installed a 17 module, 5kW system on our roof in August 2021. So far it has worked as expected without any glitches or service calls. We are very happy with the system and FRS in general. Positives - FRS is based in Sebastopol, and their service area is basically Sonoma County. - They have a lower-pressure approach than other installers I dealt with. - They were up front about the system design and willing to modify it according to our input - They were very responsive to calls & emails. - Their electrical work supporting the system was high-quality. - They handled all the city permitting and interactions with PGE. - They finished the job when they said they would, cleaned up well and were respectful of us and our neighbors as they worked. Negatives - No real negatives. Since they are a small-sized family business, I do wonder if they be around to address warranty issues in 10-20 years. You could ask this about any installer, of course. The solar industry sees a lot of churn. Advice - Be aware that they install Enphase exclusively. - Have a good idea of your current & future electricity use so FRS can size the system correctly. - Consider whether you can afford to replace your roof before putting up solar (we did) - Be aware that an upcoming change to the Net Metering program in California (called NEM3) will reduce the value of the electricity you export to the grid. You will want your system functioning before NEM3 takes effect. That will probably happen mid-2022. read more

Installing solar panels using First Response Solar was one of the easiest customer experiences I've ever had. Dylan and Chaz are professional, knowledgeable, responsive and fast. The actual installation was quick and seamless. The only drag of the whole thing was getting it connected with PG&E (who were not at all fast or responsive) but Dylan stayed on top of it and got it done. I don't have a single reservation about hiring these pros. read more

First Response Solar is Amazing! I would recommend them to anyone (and have). They have been professional, knowledgeable and courteous throughout the entire process. Dylan just returned to follow up on an upgrade that became available after the installation. Dylan and Chaz have been available for any questions I have had and I feel extremely confident with the level of their products and service. read more

We were so pleased with our experience with First Response Solar. They were extremely professional. The whole process was very smooth and easy! They finished the job very quickly and we are very happy with how it turned out! Definitely recommend if you're in the market for solar! read more

Dylan and Chaz were responsive and friendly. They finished the job sooner than I expected, and the work was completed professionally, while they kept me posted on their progress. Great customer service. I would definitely recommend First Response Solar! read more

Very positive first experience with First Response Solar. We upgraded our microinverters on our photovoltaic system through an incentive program with Enphase Energy, and contracted with First Response to do the work. Chaz was responsive, knowledgeable and easy to work with from beginning to end. He came out to do an estimate and make sure there were no special issues, explained everything to us, coordinated with Enphase, showed up on time, and completed the swap in a professional matter and at a reasonable price. I had received another quote that was quite a bit higher, so would definitely recommend them for PV system maintenance based upon the professionalism and competitive pricing. read more

Great work! Communication was great through out the whole process. Super happy with my installation. Thanks so much Chaz and Dylan! read more

We have used First Response Solar for the last two years to clean our solar panels. GREAT SERVICE! On time, polite, hard working. Last year when we scheduled their service Chaz quoted me a price over the phone based on the number of solar panels we have. When he finished he lowered the price became it didn't take him as long as he thought it would. This year he charged the same price. I appreciate that! We will definitely have them back again next year. read more