Vivint Solar

I will start by saying we had panels installed 2 years ago and had no issues. We recently agreed to have them install more panels to help absorbe more of the electrical Bill. They came out and i. stalled the panels over 3 months ago minus the electrical portion. The electrician that was here that day explained that we need a panel upgrade and they would have to reschedule once they had the part. A month later a new manager calls to introduce himself. Assuming these people communicate with each other i went ahead and scheduled another installation. I took they day off of work (no pay!), they arrived and had no idea about the panel and had to rescheldule again! I was furious! They told me the manager would call me to reschedule. Not only did no one call me for another few weeks but when they finally did it was another new guy! I explained the entire situation to him and he assured me that he would take care of it. We went ahead and rescheduled the electrical installation for this past weekend. Believe it or not a crew shows up again with no idea what to do! They left and said there boss would call me. I sent him an email right away letting him know you frustrations and still no call, no response at all! Needless to say I would never do business with these people.

Changing my previous rating from 5 to (if I could less than) 1. What a NIGHTMARE! Short story — Vivint miscalculated our energy needs and I was not happy when I received a true-​up bill of over $ 800! Called, finally decided I would spend several thousand dollars to add a new power box to an out building (I was going to do that in a couple of years) for Vivint Solar to expand my service. After all, the initial experience with them wasn’t too bad.
This experience was AWFUL! After spending close to $ 7,000 (a 100 ft ditch with new line, a new circuit box, etc.) in Feb and Mar 2015, these jokers NEVER GOT THE SERVICE up running until the end of FEBRUARY 2016!!! This was after hours and hours on the phone with them «we are behind», «I PROMISE we’ll get this fixed», the promises and excuses went on and on and on. I’m not going to bore you with all the details (but am more than willing to if you ask), but when the City Inspector sends you letters saying there will be penalties as you are out of compliance as the permit has long expired with NO WORK, you know you went with the wrong company. When you have to get angry with them to get them to show up, it is just frustrating. So … I think it’s finally all done in December, only to find out they never turned the service ON!!! And my next true up was $ 1100.00.
OK, so I am pissed. Then I move in Mid March (that’s when we realized it was never turned on). And … I got an $ 80 +/​-​bill for a SERVICE NEVER TURNED ON! When I called they explained they «approximate the bill when they don’t know how much to charge». I never got an answer on how they can APPROXIMATE WHEN THE SERVICE WAS NEVER TURNED ON.
It gets worse. The title company sent the transfer documentation to VIVINT Solar when I sold the house on January 13^th. «They never got it» (so they claim, I have emails showing where the Title company sent at least three different times). Week after week, month after month I keep calling — fix this, please! Shall I tell you I just got charged ANOTHER FRICKING MONTH for May 2016???
These people, as nice as they may want to be, are inept. I am STILL PAYING for someone else’s electricity and am now getting ready to file a small claims suit against them. NO ONE THAT HAD PROMISED TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM has effectively taken care of it.
Now I am looking to install solar in my new house … you can bet I WILL NOT BE USING VIVINT.
If VIVINT contacts you, run the other direction, BAD, BAD, BAD experience.

About the only solar company with a fair rate that isn’t trying to rip you off! No cost for installation or anything. Just cheaper power.
Some other companies are charging more than 30% more and aren’t as reputable. Talked to a few other happy customers in El Cajon area.
Judging from some of the negative reviews, it seems some people just don’t cover all their bases first before jumping on board. Ask more questions and make sure everything is in writing and you’ll be fine.

I don’t even know where to begin. Vivint Solar has given me so much frustration over the 3 years that we’ve been dealing with them. We began this process early 2013 and we are now over 3 years into this and still do not have a functioning system, have not saved any money, which was the intent of this system and actually have an increased payment since we have gone with them. In addition, the timeless attempts to get assistance from someone, anyone actually has given me so much headache, that it’s not even worth it. The right hand never seems to know what the left hand is doing and therefore we never know where we are at in the process. They continue to send technicians out to «fix» one problem after another and for one reason or another, they can never seem to correct the problem. They show up when they are not scheduled and DO NOT show up when they are scheduled causing multiple days of having to miss work because of our «scheduled time» never being met. It’s taken attempt after attempt to get someone to help me and try to get some answers and everyone says they «understand» me, yet still have no resolution to date. I’ve finally been able to reach a Supervisor, Tali Ngatuvai in Fleet Services and although I thought he would be able to finally give me some answers, it happened once again… today was a scheduled appointment, which I had taken the day off work for and he did not email me nor call me, despite my request to call me on my cell phone to confirm this. My appointment has been rescheduled once again. I’m quite surprised that a Supervisor does not have a VALID working phone number for customers to reach him at. I did bring this to his attention and didn’t seem to be concerned, yet still displays this number on his email signature. How are customers suppose to get answers?
Half way into this, Vivint said they made a mistake and didn’t put enough panels on our roof, which is why we were still receiving a bill from SDGE, so they said they were going to put more panels on for our benefit. Our entire roof now is filled with panels and no one mentioned or explained to us that we would have two operating systems and therefore would receive two (2) bills from Vivint each month. They just happened to forget to mention this to us?
I am beyond upset with their customer service, communication, professionalism and their product that they are representing. I have lost countless hours, time away from work, and have accrued more bills from Vivint because they continue to bill me every month for their product which has NOT been working for years.
I am still looking for answers and reimbursement. I would not recommend Vivint to anyone.

Vivant installed my system and it worked well. When I called to see if they could add more to it as my usage had increased, they did and I am now totally covered. They have been very supportive and informative. I have read several of the poor ratings and I think they do not understand that due to weather conditions dates may have to change for installs, revisions etc. This tends to throw their calendars off totally. Running a business this large amidst all the governmental requirements, local requirements and SDGE requirements is difficult at best and requires several appointment changes if responses from the above are slower than predicted.
Amidst the challenges, they have been wonderful. Walk a mile in their boots before you complain! It is the best deal on the market!
I am not related to any of the owners or staff and have no other reason for this review other than my complete appreciation for their time and work.
Carole S

Loved the idea of lowering your energy bill with nothing out of pocket. Referred several people to them and had mixed reviews. Some were happy, some not so much. Selling can be a little tricky with the solar attached, when you don’t own it. Now there are several companies that let you buy with zero down, so you get the reduced payment and eventually own it too.

I wouldn’t even give one star to this completely unprofessional company. We’ve been waiting on a technician for over a month and a I just got a call that my window of 8 – 11 is being bumped up to who knows what time because a regional rep has to join the local rep. This company put the «newer» form of panels on our home without having the appropriately trained techs to repair them so when it went down there was no one to fix it. There was one person for the whole of San Diego that disappeared??? The reaps on the phone greet you with «hey» not hello. There never seems to be a manager available. The list goes on and on with things they do terribly!!!

I’ll start by saying that I have their system on my roof and I have no problems with the system itself after almost 2 years.
However this is without a doubt the worst run company I have ever dealt with and to say that their customer service is bad would be too kind to people who provide bad customer service.
They promised to upgrade our electrical panel in order to get me to sign the contract. Then after the contract was signed said that there was no need to upgrade my panel. Yet after they were finished I had to pay an electrician almost $ 3k to upgrade my electrical panel.
The first appt they had to install my system they showed up with the wrong feet for the panels and could not install the system. It took them 2 more appointments and 3 months to install the system. At this point the agreed in writing to reimburse us for the first 3 months of our bill. Almost 2 years later and we have received less than half of what the agreed to pay.
As it turns out when they did finally install the panels they did not use flashing on 21 of the feet and because of that our roof had major leaks. I hired a roofer to install a new roof, but before you put a new roof on you have to have vivant come back out to remove the panels. For which they charge $ 499 before they will even schedule the removal. It took me 3 months before they would schedule the removal of the panels and then on the day they were scheduled to remove the panels they did not show up and did not bother to call me to say they had canceled the appt. Who cares right? Just another one of the many days I had to lose a days pay for their mistake. Once your roof is fixed you have to call them to schedule another appt to reinstall the panels. Which I did last monday and was told that they would be here on 4÷13÷16 to reinstall the panels. Yet yesterday I get a call from their fleet performances department telling me that they had great news. They could now reinstall my panels on 4÷19÷16. Yay!!! Great news, we’re gonna screw you again customer and we don’t care… I told the girl that they had already scheduled it for the 13^th and she tells me she’s gonna put me on hold and talk to her supervisor and be right back. 10 minutes later I had to hang up because I was at work figuring she would call back. Wishful thinking. I had to call again today just to be told that it will be on the 19^th. Sure it will, assuming they decide to show up that day.
This by the way is the readers digest version of my story. I could go on for a long time about being placed on hold and left there and a laundry list of other broken promises. But I think you get the idea.
If you’re looking for broken promises and to be treated like dirt, then this is the company for you…

If you want your Solar turned on any time soon don’t go to them. My Solar contract was signed in August 2015 and I still do not have Solar in March 2016. Any time I need to schedule any kind of appointment they are booked 2 weeks. I wish I could cancel my contract with them.
I cannot comment on their actual Solar service because I am yet to get a single KWh generated by the panels that have been sitting on my roof for over 6 months.
I would not recommend this company.

AVOID VIVINT Like the plague! This company the the WORST EVER! We purchased a home in Ramona in Oct 2015. There were panels on the roof but nothing in the sales agreement that we would be required to take over the solar lease. It took until July 8^th to iron out a purchase agreement. The previous homeowner and the person that had a lease agreement with Vivint canceled the credit card on file with Vivint in September of 2015 a month before we purchased the home. Now I own the panels. On Jan 30^th 2016 the Vivint panels stopped working. I contacted Vivint trying to get support and was told since I bought the panels they would not provide service or support; even though California law requires 10 years of support including labor. I was told to do a Google search for help. It turns out that Vivint turned off my panels remotely because the previous homeowner/​Lessee had been sent to collections 25 days trying to get them fixed only to find out Vivint turned them off. So far I have not been able to get Vivint to compensate me for 25 days of no production.

I am absolutely appalled at the lack of communication this company lacks! I have multiple problems and none of them have been resolved! Save yourself the problems and go with a different company

As of right now we competed installation. Our Sales Rep. Amanda G. is walking us through step by step and is always available if needed. The Installation team was outstanding there aren’t words to describe the professionalism of this team they pull up and mean business, but also have a comradery only a well trained team would have thank you Gregory J. (Foreman), Noah G., Mario C., Adam G., & Mike S. for the work & professionalism. 19 panels and electrical was installed in 4 hours. Next step hook up, City inspection & SDG&E. I will write a review for the next steps to come. As so far we are impressed and looking forward for a long time relationship with Vivint Solar and recommend them highly.

This company is the WORST. I have never been this infuriated with a company nor did I think a company would EVER take advantage of an older couple the way this company did. They installed their panels which damaged the roof and caused massive leaks which ruined the inside of the house.
Did they own up to it and fix it? No. They are greedy liars that are only looking out for their profit and their own well being. I wouldn’t recommend this place to my worst enemy. Now that we are out thousand of dollars to fix the leaks and damage… they are not owning up to it not taking ANY steps to fix it.
Do. Not. Use. This. Company.
Unless you want to ruin your life long investment (your home)

Worse experience of my life. Seven months in and still have not got my panels turned on. One excuse after another. Neighbor went with another company and 3 months later they were up and running. This company has come up with excuse after excuse, the contractors that they use are horrible and unprepared. Had to provide my own supplies for them to replace my siding. Will not recommend this company! Definetly will be notfiying the BBB about this company!

My rep is Erica P… she is amazing! She was on top of everything and with making my transition from non-​solar to solar. Im saving hundreds of dollars every month and loving every second of it. When you decide to make the jump ask for Erica P she will hold your hand the whole way and I have heard nothing but wonderful things about her as a sales rep in general all around town and through the solar community. You wont be disappointed make the jump

The worst, most unethical company I’ve ever dealt with. The sales rep, Rob, sat in our home & flat out lied to us about the contract. We asked «what happens when we sell the house?» He told us «you pay $ 500 & we’ll pick up your system & move it to the new house. We’ll redesign a new system if necessary.» In reality, compete fabrication. We sold the house about 6 months later, which we planned on doing to begin with. We didn’t force the new owners to take the contract, since we were told it didn’t matter. Vivint forced us to pay about $ 15k to purchase the panels, which are the cheapest panels on the market, in order to break the contract and sell the house. They couldn’t get the paperwork right for the purchase agreement, tried to talk us out of it, would not come to a mutual agreement with us since their rep flat out lied & delayed the closing of the sale due to their inability to figure out their own power purchase agreement.
Since separating with vivint, I’ve received monthly bills for 8 straight months. Called customer service & was told not to worry about it. Had a negative on my credit report for not paying the monthly bills that i was not obligated to pay anymore. I attempted to be nice & called customer service requesting to be removed from email correspondence along with trying again to correct the billing issues. No luck.
1.5 years removed from this & still getting emails from the district manager for San Diego. This company is unethical, incompetent & clearly run by idiots. Do your research before signing with these geniuses. Just purchase your solar power. Great loan rates & high roi for you home.

Yes it is true. We CANNOT activate your panels without SDG&E’s approval. We have the means to install them within a week of your first meeting with us, but unfortunately we can’t control permit times and SDG&E is in no hurry to lose a customer. Unilocal doesn’t work on them but they have been whipped into shape by the state, due to our (our means ALL solar companies) more… aggressive form of complaints.
Now some homes are being connected within a few days of installation but the AVERAGE time is closer to three weeks IF your electrical panel doesn’t need an upgrade. But hey, that’s free too.
We have thousands of customers in San Diego and a few bad reviews, a few good, and a few that are fake. I would say the odds of you having a BAD experience are only slightly greater than winning Powerball. Most of the bad reviews aren’t even from customers and those that are should be targeting SDG&E!
To those two with holes in your stucco, message me and I will be on that like white on rice. It makes me sad to think your sales manager wasn’t managing their sale because he/​she should have been making all those phone calls.
For the others, to move the process along faster, meet with your sales manager as soon as you can after your design comes back. They are required to wait for your authorization before they can submit for a permit.

My true up bill just came from SDGE and I only owed $ 52 for a years worth of energy!
Yes, we had a delay last year in installation but it was well worth it. I didn’t fork out any money for the cost of the system and will not for future maintenance. I think it’s the best deal ever. I don’t mind paying Vivint instead of SDGE. It’s all about the rate and it’s waaaay cheaper.
I feel sorry for you guys who have delays and feel your frustration but in the long run it saves you. Their resources must be maxed out given the great deal. This is a super fast growing company. Would you rather wait in frustration or just buy your system outright? That’s what I thought!

Worst service and follow up I have EVER experienced.
Construction started almost 1 YEAR AGO and my system barely started working 2 months ago, only to have them still «promise» to have someone come fix a hole by the electrical panel that Vivint made. They have the nerve to ask me if it’s stucco or dry wall knowing they made the hole! Just a small example of the details they neglect with project management skills. I never ONCE complained but this nice person is tired for putting up with their shenanigans.

My installation was done in March of 2014, and they keep promising me that it would be on no more than few month, in the mean time friend of mine got his panels install by solar city in September and he was up & running in November, now we’re
In January 2015 and they keep delaying us. My wife spoke to one of the rep the other day and she was told it would be on by feb 3^rd. W’ll see .
They never showed up for one their appointment with city inspector, I will updated my review if they turn it on as promised .
In the mean time my next call will be to BBB.