GCI Solar

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Prompt and professional - no problems

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Called these guys out for an estimate. Nice guy but scribbled estimate on a blank sheet of paper. I didn't understand why until I did my homework after obtaining 3 bids. They purposely don't want to provide you the details to maintain a lack of transparency. Their estimate was based on me changing my Edison billing from a tiered billing to on/off peak billing. That may work for some people but it definitely didn't work for my lifestyle......but they didn't explain the options and consequences. Comparatively, their system worked out to approximately $13.50 a watt???!!! Go figure. Use EXTREME caution when comparing bids from GCI with other contractors. They build systems that have WAY less value and put all the dollars in their pockets rather than the customers. They continued to give me follow-up phone called for a year even though I told them I had already had a system installed. I bought my system from Progressive Power Group (PPG) in Garden Grove and have been extremely pleased.

Everything was installed and finished mid-October. We had a large system. I could not praise this company and their workers enough. Jonathan was our original sales rep and he outlined the system and how that was going to work. He had engineers come to make sure that everything would hold up, we have 56 panels. Everyone from this company did everything well. I wished Angie's List would let me give them an A++. They take care of all the cleaning, maintenance and replace any panels if they become damaged. We have recommended this company to friends and family too.

This was completed 2 days after I contacted them about the problem. GCI Solar stands behind their services and products and I will recommend them to everyone that is installing solar.

++++++++Update 2/18/14 +++++++++++ Read the entire review for the whole story. I'm adding this update at the top at the request of GCI. The issue is now resolved. I received a small check to cover the expense of the unnecessary permit, costs that I paid to PGand E while unable to use the installed system, and a small amount extra for the inconvenience. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Original Post: This is the worst company that I have ever done business with. I bought a system that took over 4 months to get connected to the grid! The wait time had nothing to do with my utility company, PGand E. PGand E gave me permission to operate 3 days after receiving all the correct paperwork from GCI. The multiple delays were caused by a series of GCI employees that all screwed up. I signed GCI's Construction contract on 8/30/13, I paid outright for the whole system, and installation happened about three weeks later around 9/20/13. They failed to schedule the inspection on time, I called multiple time to inquire about it. When it finally happened - sometime after 10/28/13, They failed the inspection. Some time later, they sent one of their installers out to make all the required corrections that were cited during the inspections. This included grounding the system to a water line...among other things. I had to reschedule the inspection myself, and meet with the next city inspector without a GCI representative just to get it done! In the mean time, they falsely told me that I needed to upgrade my panel to handle the new system - I paid $240 to the city for a totally unnecessary extra permit because they have no idea what they are doing!!! It turns out that my panel is just fine as it is - it was just some bonus confusion...My husband cut the drywall above our electric panel to install lines for a Jet tub in our bathroom several months ago...because the drywall was cut, and we had pulled a permit for the panel (Only because GCI told up that it would need to be upgraded) - the city said that it looked like a new panel and needed us to pass the inspection on it! We never installed a new panel!!! It just cost us extra money and time. That whole process took me into November. They are horrible at scheduling next step and tracking progress. They told me that I was in line with PGand E to get my system connected to the Grid....I just called PGand E on 1/9/14 (assuming that they were the hold up) and they said that they STILL haven't received a copy of the approved permit from the solar company!!!! Wow. How many times could they possibly drop the ball!?! When I called them, they told me that they had sent it to PGand E in early December, and that it's not their fault...after some time on hold - they backtracked and said that they had actually made a mistake and failed to send it. THIS WHOLE TIME NOBODY CHECKED ON THE PROGRESS???? PGand E even sent the a note back asking for the permit again! Nobody from GCI ever responded to them! What are they doing over there? Nobody is paying attention at this company. I do not recommend doing business with them. They finally sent the paperwork into PGand E on the 9th after my call, PGand E turned it around very quickly - I had permission to operate within a matter of days. On 1/9/14, I spoke with a Manager, David Nguyen. David said that he would speak with his VP about all the trouble and call me back no later than Tuesday, it's Friday and I still have not received a call from him....however, I did receive a call today from their sales department asking if I was interested in installing a system!!! Wow. I also wrote a Yelp review about them on 1/9/14. It was responded to by GCI's William Chen. William must have failed to read my review, because he responded to it by blaming PGand E for the delay while making other false claims about the situation. It has been amazing to experience this complete, across the board, lack of competency.

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They have a problem with keeping the customer updated and appointments

I am very happy with the service thus far. They did what they said they would do. Bill and David (upper management) personally got involved to make sure things were done right.

GCI was extremely professional. They went above and beyond what we expected. From the quoting process to the installation, everything was done in a timely manner. Any questions or concerns we had were answered completely and promptly. We were thrilled with the outcome. On top of all of this, our first electric bill was only $1.07 !!!!

This project went quite well. The sales consultant was very well informed and was able to answer (or get an answer for) all my concerns and questions. The sales meeting included a detailed survey of my needs and initial design of the optimum size system for my situation that also balanced the tradeoff of initial cost and payoff in terms of bill reduction and time to payoff the system in monthly bill savings. This session also included preliminary financing approval should I choose to use the companies financing option. This was followed by a survey and evaluation by the company's engineer to determine if the system could actually be installed and exactly where. There was no final commitment until it was determined that the work could be done. This was followed by the company preparing the architectural plan for the project and submitting the plans for permitting and approval from the Utility and my HOA. Due to timing of permits etc. and my schedule it took about 7 weeks from commitment to finish of installation. My use approvals (city permit inspection, utility inspection and approval to turn on). In my case it took less than a week from from work completion to utility approval. This is a little faster than typical. Typical is 1-2 weeks.

We decided, after a few summer months of enormous electric bills, to check into having solar panels installed. We made appointments and sat down with several different companies since we didn't know much about the process or what was involved. Most of the other companies were pushing the lease option, which we were not interested in. The more companies we talked to, the more confused we were until we sat down with GCI solar. They explained it very simply and even told us things the other companies had not. They had several things they offered that other companies did not, and their wait time was way less than what the other companies were. We signed that first night. We had our first meeting with GCI Solar on October 2nd and they installed the solar panels on November 2nd. We are waiting for the final inspection on the installation and then we will be ready to see how much solar is going to save us. We can't wait to stop paying the electric company their rediculous prices.

Sales person made call and did not pressure us at all, he made suggestions for system and upon signing contract a site inspection was performed by another employee who again made suggestions. After inspection the job order was sent to engineering where all plans and specs were drawn up. The compamy then applied for all local and state permits. Was advised that installion crew would be there on a specific date and time and they were punctual and timely. Was kept well abreast during the installation of what they were doing and when the would be complete.Was asked to be present during final inspeciton which was very professionally done. When job was complete installer asked if it met with all my expectationsand about satisfaction. A appointment was made with the company for a final with a company inspector who again asked about satisfaction and expectations. The operation and maintenance was discussed and the software for montitoring installed on my home computer so that I could see the amount of energy being generated.