I rarely leave reviews like this, but after nearly three months of trying to get my solar system…read morerepaired, I am beyond frustrated.
Alternate Energy installed our 36-panel system about 12-13 years ago. For years, we were happy with it. Our electric bills were incredibly low--even occasionally around $17 despite running A/C constantly. When we've needed help in the past, Alternate Energy wasn't always quick to respond, but they ultimately got the job done.
Unfortunately, our recent experience has been completely different.
I noticed our electric bills climbing and eventually checked the solar app and realized something was wrong with our system. Our electric bill in April was $321.33. By May it had increased to $458.66.
June 3: An Alternate Energy technician came out and diagnosed a bad inverter. We were quoted $500 for the first hour of labor and $300 for each additional hour. The inverter itself was covered by the manufacturer, but we were responsible for labor.
June 30: The technician returned and installed the replacement inverter. Great--or so I thought. I checked the app afterward and the panels still weren't showing that they were working correctly. I called and was told to give the system a few days to reset and call back if the problem continued.
It continued.
After more calls and difficulty connecting with Shyla, the person handling our service, I was told the technician needed to come back, get on the roof, and diagnose what was wrong with the panels.
The next available appointment was July 30.
The technician arrived. I expected him to inspect the panels on the roof. About two hours later, I realized I hadn't heard anyone on the roof, went outside, and discovered the technician and truck were already gone. No one had knocked on the door or explained what had been done.
When I eventually spoke with Shyla, I was told he had worked on the inverter.The brand-new inverter that had just been replaced a month earlier.At this point I was completely confused, so I asked for something very reasonable: please email me a recap of the work performed so far, what has been found, and where we stand. Shyla agreed she would send it.
I still haven't received it.
I was then told the technician would need to be scheduled AGAIN after Shyla spoke with the solar panel company. Since then, I've made multiple calls and left multiple messages for Shyla trying to find out what is happening and what the plan is.
Today, August 28, I called again. I was told Shyla was at lunch, and the person I spoke with assured me she would have Shyla call me back. I explained how frustrated I was and how long this had been going on.
By 3:20, I still hadn't heard anything, so I called again. This time I was told Shyla was on another call and I could leave another message. I asked to speak to a manager and was told Shyla is the manager. I asked for her manager and was offered the opportunity to leave yet another message for someone else.
No one called me back by the end of the business day.
And while all of this has been happening, here are our actual electric bills:
April: $321.33
May: $458.66
June: $615.96
July: $947.98
August: $877.61
That's $3,221.54 in electric bills in five months.
I understand that equipment fails. I understand that a 12-13-year-old solar system may need repairs. I understand that parts have to be ordered and technicians have busy schedules.
What I don't understand is why, after starting this process on June 3 and having Alternate Energy technicians at our home THREE times, I still don't have a clear explanation of what is wrong with our system, what needs to be done to fix it, when it will be fixed, or even the written recap of the work I've already requested.
We've been Alternate Energy customers for more than a decade. I shouldn't have to repeatedly chase down a company we trusted with a major investment just to find out what is happening with our repair.
I'm sure Alternate Energy is very responsive when someone is interested in purchasing a new solar system. I wish their service after the sale made an existing customer feel equally important.
At this point, I don't need another apology or another promise that someone will call me back. I need someone with the authority to take ownership of this situation, explain exactly what has happened so far, and give me an actual plan to get our system working again.