My experience with Suncommon was an unpleasant disaster, with the company demonstrating…read moreconsistently poor communications and unprofessional behavior, which led me to cancel an installation planned for months. Through this, I learned the following way to evaluate solar installers. It's clear in retrospect that SunCommon is the bottom of the barrel and you should absolutely avoid them.
After a new search, I learned that NYSERDA ranks solar contractors in several tiers: the top few are designated Platinum and Gold, a larger number are certified as Quality Solar Installer, and a still larger number are simply listed without any comment. https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/NY-Sun/On-site-Solar/Homes/Choosing-a-Contractor
I found SunCommon was in the last and least qualified group. If I had known about this ranking system at the start of my search I would never have even called them.
I originally called SunCommon in March 2026 because someone I trusted recommended them. The sales rep put together an initial estimate for me. We asked about their standing with NYSERDA, the state energy agency, and the rep said they were NYSERDA approved.
A few weeks later I had trouble reaching the rep. After a few emails and calls, another rep contacted me to say they were now covering my job as the first guy left. I found I had to initiate most communication, and it often took a long time to get responses. I had to ask, what is the process, how long will it take, and so on. There was no information shared until I asked for it.
I was given an installation date in June. As it got closer, and bad weather was predicted, I asked if it would be delayed by rain, and was told they would keep the date. The sales rep introduced me to the project manager.
At this time I was applying for the NYSERDA loan and was told the installer would have to complete the loan application. There was a breakdown of communication between me, the sales rep and the project manager. After weeks of back and forth and many inquiries from me, the sales rep told me that I was not eligible for a loan because I was planning to lease the system instead of buying it. It seems they should have known about that immediately.
At this time there was also confusion about the payment. I had already given the office a cash payment of over $9K, but the sales rep and project manager were somehow unable to find this information, and kept asking me how I was planning to pay.
Once the PM finally confirmed that I had paid - he contacted me with the date of the install - without checking with me what dates I might be available. I was not available on the date he gave me, and I asked for other options. We settled on July 8, a few weeks away. By July 7, after numerous calls and emails with no response, I had not gotten a confirmation from the company if and when the install was going forward.
On July 8, I was ready by 7AM, as I was unsure what time they might start. And I waited. I started calling and emailing again by 9:30 AM. Finally the sales rep wrote that he would look into it.
A few hours later the PM responded to my email (without apologizing) that because of the rain they fell behind and my installation would now happen next week. Again, no discussion if the date might work for me, and no apology for not contacting me prior to this day. After staying home waiting for hours only to get this email half way through the day, I was fuming.
This was an unacceptable and disrespectful customer service disaster. I told them to cancel the job and to send me a full refund. I spoke with the sales rep, who did apologize. Then his superior called me. Once I spoke with her and explained, she agreed to my refund. A few hours later the PM called me and was actually quite nasty with me on the phone. We hung up and I emailed everyone I had been communicating with at the company, asking for my refund. No response.
After a few days the sales rep wrote to me, apologizing and offering to move forward with the job with a $1K discount. I refused and asked again for my refund in full. He agreed. I finally got my refund, and now, I'm sharing my painful lesson with you: there is no reason for anyone to do business with SunCommon Solar.