Sunrise Solar Solutions

I often try to be critical, if deserved, on a review but I have to say my relationship with Sunrise Solar has been exceptional. Before contacting Sunrise and other companies that would offer a solar solution for us, I contacted a relative in the Midwest who works in the industry. He was able to evaluate Sunrise and another competing company that gave us a proposal. I spent much time with Lee from Sunrise who graciously and intelligently answered all my questions. His patience and approach to making me comfortable in this decision stood out. I would then forward his comments to my family «expert» and he agreed that Sunrise Solar offered the best in state of the art technology value, as well as the design of the system. First impressions are often the most important impressions, and having Lee walk me thru my options, made my decision of using Sunrise Solar quite easy.

We are very satisfied with the solar system that Sunrise Solar Solutions installed for us. We have an 86 panel system on a mostly south-​west facing roof (some south facing). It has been generating a significant amount of electricity and cost savings for us.
We got proposals from a few companies. In terms of pure economics, it was difficult to evaluate proposals because there was an apples-​and oranges component. We wanted all black panels so they would blend into the roof, and we wanted maximum efficiency. One of the key selling points was the system that Sunrise proposed, which basically permits one to determine the efficiency of each and every panel, and also to determine whether there is a problem in any one panel. (We have had the system for three months, and there have been no problems). Sunrise explained that this type of system was a bit more, but would produce more electricity, and be easier to maintain and upgrade. In addition, we have used Sunrise Building (their affiliate) to do a substantial renovation of our home, as well as replace the roof, so we knew them to be reliable and trustworthy.
After agreeing on the design, specifications and contract, it was necessary to get a zoning variance, in addition to the usual permit. The reason for the variance was because Briarcliff Manor has an old law limiting the maximum square footage of a solar system, and our proposed system was more than double the maximum size. (Solar panels used to be quite ugly, but not anymore). The contract with Sunrise required that they obtain the variance, and Sunrise was able to obtain it for us.
Because of the time taken to get the variance (not Sunrise’s fault, and we knew about it at the outset), there were new and improved panels, and Sunrise and we agreed to go with new-​and-​improved (and aesthetically better looking), and they just charged us the additional cost (with no mark-​up).
The installation process went smoothly, as well as coordination with Con Ed, and the building and electrical inspectors to get everything approved and installed. I have attached a few pictures showing the finished product, and some of the monitoring.
Special thanks to Lee (who was the original representative), Matt & Doug (who dealt with design, contract and permitting and overall supervision), Sam (the project manager) and Conte Electric (which did the electric work).
We would highly recommend Sunrise Solar Solutions for your solar needs. I have included a few pictures — it is the long ranch house.

Hard to get the top raring from a critic like me but in this case — the risk of investing 30k to save that over the course of 5 years (not to mention the 15k in tax breaks the first year) is not an easy one to take. Dealing with Lee S. L. from Sunrise was a pleasure. He was knowledgeable and patient responding to questions and concerns. The workmanship is not the issue as all the local contractors that do this are experienced roofers — what is most important is the one on one connection with the salesperson and the feeling of absolute trust. Only negative if you want to call it that was they predicted a 30% savings in my highest in the nation Con Edison electric bills over the course of a year — they were not correct — it is more like 40%!!! Hey, we took 36k from savings which we will not touch anyway and got 15k back from state and federal and the rest is being paid back in reduced Con Ed bills n 5– what can be a better investment than that!

Sunrise Solar installed solar panels on my roof two years ago. They have since come through two harsh winters unscathed. I am writing this review now mainly to comment on how the panels have been working as planned, supplying the annual electricity needs of our house and electric car. I think the key to this was the effort Sunrise Solar put into the technical design, business case, planning and preparation prior to the install. Based on this experience, I highly recommend them for solar installs.

My solar panel system was installed on Dec 16, ’14 and I was supposed to have my Operations manual dropped off 1 – 2 weeks after the mid January ’15 building inspection. It’s now April and I still don’t have it despite emailing Sales Rep, Lee and Production Coordinator, Matt back on 2÷26÷15 and again to Lee on 3÷25÷15.
In late February, Lee responded: «OK Cary — I’ll look into it and get it to you. It’s a binder with a few different things for you.»
Also, in my late March email, I mentioned that I had 4 «production issue» email alerts from Enphase during the first week of March but no one from Sunrise Solar contacted me or came out to check on things. No response from Lee.
Now, I question if I chose the right solar firm as Sunrise is supposed to proactively monitor and service my panels and I am now stuck with them for any future problems with my system for the next 20+ years.
With their recent marketing campaigns; Let’s Solarize Cortlandt/​Croton, Bedford/​Mt. Cisco and Mamaroneck/​Larchmont, I guess they’re more concerned with developing new clients vs. servicing existing ones. I wonder how responsive and proactive they will be with a bigger client base?
Also, twice, there were mistakes with the figures in my contract so luckily I checked before signing.
I probably should have gone with a national company, like Verengo Solar or NRG Solar, the route my neighbors are taking.
In fact, my 17 panel system’s best producing day has been 28.7kHw whereas my nearby neighbor’s 18 panel solar system, using a different installer (Green Energy Hybrid Solutions, White Plains, NY) produced 35 kHw. Moreover, despite my getting a ~ 10% discount and opting for the less expensive 5 year warranty over the 25 year one on my system, my neighbor’s better-​producing 18 panel system with no discount only cost him a couple of hundred dollars more than mine. So, without any discounts/​reductions, my system would have cost more and produces less less than my neighbor’s.
Last thing, I’d only give so much credence to «Hilary M’s» 1÷16÷15 Unilocal review…
Update: Lee spins it that he didn’t respond to me because he was waiting for gift tote bags to come in… un huh… not a very trustworthy person so don’t be fooled by him.
Last piece of advice: have your electric provider make your year end reconciliation date to be early Spring (eg., April) so that you don’t wind up paying for any electricity during winter months when the panels produce the lowest kHw. If you start your cycle during the winter and the panels underproduce, you’ll wind up paying for the any electricity your provider puts out. My neighbor’s solar company gave him this advice not Sunrise Solar…

We are very satisfied with our experience with Sunrise Solar. Lee, Matt and their team were extremely efficient, responsive, and answered all of our questions as novices in solar energy production. The financing was easy and Sunrise walked us through each step, making the process much less intimidating. Moreover, the installation happened quickly, allowing us to begin making energy as soon as possible. We have already noticed a decline in our energy bills and are really quite thrilled knowing that we are leaving a smaller carbon footprint on the environment. We really appreciate the personal touch, and they made us feel like we were all partners in the project. We highly recommend Sunrise Solar.

Sunrise Solar has been adding solar to our new and existing residential apartment communities for years. I got to know them when they completed a solar job on my house in Mount Kisco on a detached garage. I was very concerned with how the aesthetics would look so they provided me with photo-​realistic simulations which which excellent. In the end, the solar looked great and performed better — about 25% above what they had promised, so we were very pleased.
In our business experience with them, Sunrise Solar has been a pleasure. Unfortunately, no two solar jobs are the same, but SS has technical skiils, both from a solar standpoint as well a construction standpoint — not to mention, from a financial standpoint to always be able to figure out how to get the project designed and built in a way that creates a great payback — usually 6 years or less.
We could not recommend Sunrise Solar more.

I initially heard about Sunrise Solar through a local family friend. At that time, I was already considering other national company solar options from Sungevity, One Block off the Grid, and Solar city. Compared to my conversations and interactions with these all other companies, Sunrise proved to be much better in their communications and explanation of the entire process.
Once the process got going it was great to be able to depend on their local service and deal with someone just miles away vs a call center halfway across the country. The installation was also seamless, and I’ve been in regular touch about making sure my new coned bills are correct.
I would highly recommend Sunrise over any other provider in the area!
Oh yes… everyone who works there is very nice too!

We used Sunrise Solar over a year ago and the entire process was seamless and professional. In addition, Sunrise exceeded our expectations on the ease of the transition to solar. The estimate was 100% accurate as well as the initial tax credits. They took care of all of the necessary paperwork and permits, and, double-​checked that our roof and exposure were compatible for solar panels. The installation only took a couple of days to install the 28 panels and ancillary equipment which essentially consists of a couple of small boxes in the garage. The panels are aesthetically pleasing and now that we are past a year into installation we have seen the electrical cost savings that they projected. Overall an extremely positive experience and we would recommend Sunrise Solar to anyone considering installation of a solar system.