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Kristen Shares Her SunPower by Eco Solar Hawaii Experience

I’m going to gush, so this may sound fake or at least exaggerated–but if you read the other reviews, you’ll realize my experience is right in line with other people’s.

The TL;DR version is: WOW! I met with Michael French on Monday, June 14th and my solar panels and Tesla batteries were installed and working on Monday, June 28th. (Yes, two weeks later–I am absolutely blown away at the efficiency and professionalism–they weren’t cutting corners, they were just incredibly capable.) The panels are producing like crazy; the installation looks great; I am a very happy customer.

The whole long-winded story for those who are curious about the details follows:

I had SunPower panels at my former house on the mainland, and was really happy with their performance, so I had a strong bias toward SunPower. I did some searching online to find out who offered them in Honolulu, and Eco Solar came up right away. I wanted to get a few quotes for comparison, though, so I sent off late-night emails to Eco Solar and another company. Both responded quickly, which was encouraging, but after all, it’s the sales process, so companies are bound to treat you well when they’re hoping to land your business.

Michael called to set up an appointment with me and came out on the following Monday. I met with a representative from the other company later that day. I asked both to give me a rough idea of how long it would take to get the system installed. Michael said it could be as fast as three weeks (I was skeptical, but he struck me as a straight-shooter, not a glib over-promiser); the other guy said they could probably do it in about four to six months. Six months would mean not getting the tax credit for 2021, which I’d told them both was important to me–I could see the schedule potentially slipping. Also, the new place is big, and I’ve been stressing about the electric bills, knowing HECO can get really expensive.

I texted Michael the morning after our meeting to find out when he anticipated getting the quote to me, and he said he was working on the previous day’s sales calls and would have it to me that day. He met that commitment–his email came in at 10:10 a.m. And just as I was started to check it out, he called to let me know he’d sent the email–nice! The quotations–he planned out two different approaches for me–were well-thought-out and thorough, and the email had all kinds of additional information about Eco Solar, about SunPower, about their warranties, their customer service, and what to expect as far as the ongoing production over the life of the panels. There was no competition. I rarely feel as confident about making a decision as I did about this one.

At the same time, I realized these things often don’t go as smoothly as expected, and figured three weeks could easily turn into two or three months. I gave Michael the go-ahead that afternoon, and received the paperwork to review and sign Thursday morning. Another commitment met–I could get used to this! Andrea checked to see what info HECO would need, Ben checked out the roof on the 17th, and on the 18th, I was receiving copies of emails from Hawaiian Electric thanks to Chris getting things moving with them.

I figured it would be a few weeks before they could do the installation, but I was feeling pretty darned pleased with how responsive and pro-active Eco Solar had been so far. Then Michael called me on the 23rd to let me know they’d start on the 28th–exactly *two* weeks since I’d first met Michael to talk about what would work for me. How exciting!

The team showed up on time, and Gavin told they expected to finish that day. 25 SunPower panels, 2 Tesla Powerwalls–I was ready for three or four days. The team members were friendly but focused–they all hustled! Ben checked with me about two different approaches for running the conduit, explaining the options from both practical and aesthetic considerations, and before 3:00 p.m., they’d finished. Gavin walked me through the system, explaining how I’d need to keep an eye on any excess power going back into the grid after the batteries were full, because until I have a new meter from HECO, they won’t differentiate between power used and power given. (Yikes–my panels are soaking up the sun!) Michael followed up the following day, and reiterated Ben’s explanation, plus he brought his drone so I could have a video of what it looks like.

So I’m four days into the installation, and I am a very happy customer. I feel absolutely confident in Eco Solar’s ability to provide support for the system as needed. They had shockingly optimistic time estimates, and they beat them. How often do you marvel at a company for under promising and over delivering? I’m obsessively checking the production, chortling at how much power the system is generating; the app is easy and informative.
I can confidently and wholeheartedly recommend SunPower by Eco Solar.

25 sleek low-profile SPR-X22-360 WHT-AC panels with integrated micro inverters using InvisiMount racking system (edited)

Kristen C. -Urban Honolulu, HI
7/3/2021

We’ve all seen the worrisome headlines about the economic news this year – inflation, supply chain woes, the pandemic, oil shortages, and more. Unfortunately, you’ll also probably see your electric bills continue to rise due to growing expenses for fuel. Did you know that we’re already paying between three and four times the average cost for energy compared to the average price on the mainland? That’s the highest electricity prices across the nation, so rising costs is unwelcome news for all of us in the Aloha state.

What if we told you there was something you could do to combat these increasing costs, all while increasing your home’s value and helping to preserve precious natural resources? Not only do you save money each month, but there are quite a few other ways to save by going solar now:

1. Save More: On your monthly bill, your tax rate, the best warranties and more. You probably already know that harnessing the power of our sun to provide clean energy is an excellent way to lower your electric bills. But did you know solar panels are more valuable in Hawaii than just about every other area in the country? Because we receive so much direct and intense sunlight, it’s much easier for us to harness energy and transform it into savings every month.

   A wise and faster return on your investment, the average payback period for home solar systems in Hawaii is just 6 years, which is half the national average of 12 years. Most homeowners in our state start realizing a return on investment as early as 3 years.

   If you purchase a home solar system in 2022, you’ll see 35% of the cost come back as a credit at tax time thanks to Hawaii’s Renewable Energy Technologies Income Tax Credt, in addition to the Solar Investment Tax Credit of 26% available this year. 0% down, low-interest loans are also available to assist you with your home solar investment.

2. Save the Planet: Climate change is happening all around us, causing wildfires, dangerous storms, and record-breaking temperatures around the planet. Clearly, the world needs cleaner energy, yet only a small percentage of U.S. homes and businesses are choosing solar over dependence on fossil fuels like natural gas and coal. While Hawaii has been the most petroleum-dependent state in the past, it also has immense potential for transformation to renewable resources.

   In fact, Hawaii set a deadline for achieving 100% electricity sales from renewable sources in 2015, becoming the first US state to make such a commitment. Besides the high cost, this goal is now crucial due to the war in Ukraine, as the U.S. banned all imports from Russia, who was supplying Hawaii with up to a third of its oil resources. The Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI) brings together business leaders, policymakers, and citizens to help the state meet its goal of achieving 70% clean energy by 2030 through renewable energy and energy efficiency. 

   By choosing SunPower by Eco Solar, you’re investing not only in your home, but in your local community. Our trusted experts live right in your neighborhood, and are familiar with the unique climate conditions of Oahu. We know just the right products, strategies, and services to help make saving the planet with solar the best choice for all of us. Save money and save your carbon footprint – too good to be true? Not with SunPower.

3. Save your Sanity: Need the latest information and resources to help you choose the right energy savings solution for your home? SunPower by Eco Solar makes it easy and we help simplify the often confusing process. Our work together starts with an Onsite Consultation and evaluation of your home electric bills. We take this information to help create your Custom Home Solar Design. Then, our team handles all Permitting and Approvals for you to ensure a smooth transition. The last step in the process is our Expert Installation. It’s solar, simplified!

   From service to battery backup, we’ve got you covered. Because, let’s face it, power outages are simply part of our world these days. Adding Tesla Powerwall to your SunPower solar system stores your clean energy on site so that your home and family are prepared for the next time your power goes out. It’s got enough power to cover the average two-bedroom home for a full day. Powerwall is flexible and it charges your home from the grid or solar as needed. This investment also opens up your options in building a standalone electric car charging system or to power off-grid buildings too! How’s that for peace of mind?

4. Save Time: While adding solar to your home or business is a large investment, you’ll be amazed at just how quickly you can be up and running with solar. By choosing SunPower by Eco Solar’s 14+ years of local expertise combined with SunPower’s 36+ years of dedicated solar experience, you can have your system up in running in just two weeks! Save time upfront by choosing the most efficient solar panels you can buy—backed by the industry’s most comprehensive warranty.  Our 25-year comprehensive warranty means you can invest without worrying about declines in your performance, labor, or parts.

Ready to start saving more with SunPower solar? Get started now.