AC Solar Solutions

Wow is about all that I can say (seems that this company now/​also goes by 1 800-​solar-​usa). I wanted a quote for a rooftop solar system and the «energy consultant» wanted to sell me a whole home efficiency package that was «free». Words simply cannot describe how bizarre the conversation/​situation was. At one point, I had to stop the sales guy and ask if they even installed solar panels. Even though I made it clear that I was only looking for a solar panel install, he kept telling me how great their home energy package is and that an energy audit was required for me to get solar installed. I have a new home that does not need an energy audit – which the sales guy missed even though I told him more than once. I finally told the consultant, «time is up you have to go.». In the last two minutes, he told me that the system I am requesting could be installed for the low $ 4+ per watt range, which is sky high for the size system I want installed (comparable systems would be $ 2.75 to $ 3.25 per watt installed). It felt like a con-​sale instead of company trying to give me a quote for a solar system.

Sketchy telephone sales pitch makes it sound like you may have been selected for a special program being offered to a limited number if homes maybe by the city (they are vague) but, in fact, they are just selling solar panels. They don’t say right away who they are or that they are selling anything. Underhanded and I would never do business with a company that has to trick you into even listening to their product information. Also, they do not honor the national Do Not Call list so why would they honor anything? Nope.

For months post the disaster of an appointment, I would get calls from this company. First, they were can we reschedule calls. Then they would be «follow» up calls on had we made a decision, could they answer any questions, etc. I found this laughable. Really you want to know if I have any questions on a presentation I have never seen!!! Wow! Finally after about six months the phone stopped ringing. Then today I get a note from someone at this company stating, I was treated fairly and can I please remove my reviews. That they have made improvements and this review no longer represents them. How do you see that I was treated fairly? Why would I remove my review? It states the facts. Are the facts hurting your reputation? If you made improvements would it have to be because of the review? I still do not «buy» your story of what happened to me. In the era of cell phones, emails, etc. It doesn’t add up. I really hope you have improved and if you have word of mouth will help your tarnished reputation more than me removing my review. Even though I still verbally tell everyone to stay away from your company. Honestly, I had sort of forgotten about your company until you contacted me today. Unilocal is working as it should. It leaves people that have multiple reviews and puts people that only have one praising review for your company at the bottom. People can still read those reviews. However, when there is only 1 review by that person and no picture of the reviewer it is a questionable review at best. Oh but since you did contact me. I have the same review on other sites that homeowners needing repairs would trust a bit more than Unilocal.Unilocal is one source but there are others for homeowners. Best way to improve your company do not cheat and lie to customers not asking reviewers to remove their honest reviews.

First off it’s actually not very easy to find information out about AC Solar OR A/​C Solar Solutions. Yet due to my experiences, research and my trek down the solar path with A/​C Solar I felt I would help to save time for others that are considering solar and have either called or been visited by A/​C Solar. First off let me say that Will was a cool guy and took time to visit us and walk us through the ins and outs of the «Study Home» program. His sales process wasn’t exactly high pressure but there was a component of «hey we only look to have one study home in a given area and if you don’t make up your mind in the next 2 days and we get a call from someone else in the area then you will lose out… We are offering you all of this free stuff…»
We ended up moving ahead with A/​C Solar after calling a few of the references, however after having a very interesting conversation with one reference and having them inform us that they «were happy with AC Solar but we should look around as they aren’t really offering a super great deal…» We took pause… However, we figured that their deal must have been different from ours because, «the free insulation and free windows… is great, and all for just being a reference and sending them copies of our power bill after we have solar installed…»
Well, after looking in detail at what they were giving and calling around to suppliers and solar installers, and efficiency providers I realized a few details.
1. The stuff that they are offering as «Free» for being a study home isn’t really free.
2. If your home is less than 10 years old the «Austin Energy requirement for efficiency improvements» that A/​C Solar tells you they give for «Free» aren’t required.
3. Even if your home is more than 10 years you have options about what is required
4. The panels they offer aren’t the «Best Panels in the Industry worthy of the hefty price tag», and the windows aren’t either.
About (1), the price of over $ 6 per watt they are charging for panels installed is actually an inflated, «bundled» price. If you go to the solar installer directly to get the exact same install (panels and micro inverters) then it is closer to $ 3.20 per watt. The energy assessment can be obtained direct from the efficiency company for $ 0 –and who even knows how much insulation you may need added if any. All that other
About (2), Austin Energy doesn’t require anything other than a few signed contracts for the rebate if your home is less than 10 years old and the solar installer has to be on their list of qualified installers and the installer HAS to submit everything. What this means is no matter who you go with for the install they will deal with submitting all of the required paperwork so were A/​C Solar positioned this as a service above and beyond that they were providing, it’s not. Also, if your home is less than 10 years there is no way that A/​C Solar is for you with the bundled pricing.
About (3), take a look at the rebate requirements. For example you don’t have to do new windows, you can do solar screens. I didn’t need insulation so given that insulation varies from home to home use the free energy assessment and find out exactly what you need and the price to get it installed. It is possible that the $ 6 price tag may be worth it for you if you will be spending $ 14,000 ($ 2.80 dif with 5KWatt system) on insulation and door sealing.
About (4), from talking with multiple solar companies about different panels, the Aleo panel were stated as being some pretty good panels but again 3.20 installed with mico inverter. One of the best panels out SunPower have the highest efficiency and most output per panel and these are only about $ 4.50 or so installed. A/​C Solar hadn’t even heard of what is considered one of the best panel companies out, with better warranties and they are US made… But to their credit it’s because there installers aren’t authorized to install SunPower panels. There is only a hand full of companies in the Austin area that are.
And doing research on the windows that they were offering for free you will quickly see that they aren’t worth installing. I couldn’t find more than one positive review on them with countless negative reviews. Evidently, the windows come with a warranty, however the windows seals fail and you have to pay someone to uninstall the failed window and try to work out the warranty issues, return the faulty windows and pay for a reinstall. And this process is super expensive and money out of your pocket.
In summary, if your house is old and in need of major efficiency updates it may be worth a discussion with A/​C Solar, however even in this case I would price out the individual components to see if it is worth it for you.
If interested in Solar and you want to know of a great company, I’ll be posting a review for the company I ended up going with After A/​C Solar a little later… (Freedom Solar).