Solar Technologies

Great customer service from the beginning to the end — very informative and worked hard to ensure that all my questions were answered and we were happy can comfortable with the end product. Highly recommend.

Excellent customer service! Nick was very helpful and knowledgeable. Solar panels installed in timely manner.

We live in Santa Cruz and we were extremely happy with every aspect of the service: the sales person, the paperwork, the installation, and now the panels! Everything went extremely smoothly and we had no problems at any stage in the process. It is thrilling to have your power come from the sun, and to know that you won’t be paying those huge PG &E electric bills in the future. It is cost-​effective and good for the environment. We highly recommend Solar Technologies, and will try to convince our friends and neighbors that this is a great way to go.

ST just completed an installation of 11 SunPower panels on my home in Greenbrae. Having spent a frustrating 6 months going through the marketing ‘gauntlet’ with two large online solar retailers, been told numerous things that were blatantly incorrect, and finding their documents both misleading and poorly drafted, I nearly gave up on solar. But I decided to give it one more go after seeing recommendations for ST on a neighborhood website. I called Nick Bahrenburg and was immediately impressed by his knowledge of the product and the industry. He took the time to walk me through the technical issues, the installation process and a host of other questions — very nice guy — and I felt no pressure. I was comfortable with him from the get-​go. You pay a bit more for the SunPower panels, but I think their efficiency and useful life will offset the added cost.
I couldn’t recommend them more highly!

Solar Technologies delivered on all their promises. I selected SunPower solar panels and SunPower microinverters because I have repeatedly heard including on NPR that they make the best equipment. My sales person James Hamill-​Stout was both professional & friendly. Justin Pietras the installer was wonderful. Explained everything that was happening, was respectful of my property & cleaned up thoroughly. I couldn’t be happier.

They’re knowledgable, prompt and good value. We’re completely updating a house in SF and Nick Bahrenburg, after assessing what we’d need in a somewhat foggy area, worked with our contractor to have all of the panels installed in a timely fashion. We highly recommend Solar Technologies.

We decided we wanted to go solar in June and started doing our research on panels and local solar companies. We networked with all our friends and family who have installed solar and made a few determinations on our own.
We felt the Sun Power Panels were the most suitable for us based on efficiency, quality, and sustainability. We reached out to 3 highly rated companies, 2 of which carried Sun Power, and a third highly recommended local company in Martinez so we could see the recommended alternatives.
In all this research we had to assess our 23 year old roof, which still had a few good years, and make a valued judgement. In the meantime we met with the 3 solar reps, all 3 very professional, respectful, knowledgeable and informative. We learned more from these kids; how to expand the tax credit towards installing a new roof, how to make the most of our roof array, and the surprise was finding about ‘energy star cool shingles’. All this made our decision to re-​roof and to go with the cool shingles a very sensible, economic, and eco-​friendly move.
Next was to choose the installers and roof contractors. We chose Solar Technologies for the Sun Power Panels, their fair price (less than their competitor), they were closer to us (we are in Walnut Creek), and for all the service reviews we could find, like Unilocal.They were consistently praised for their quality service, punctuality, and professional staff. This was so evident from our first contact with Jan on the phone and Nick showing up and staying with the project throughout.
The installers and Jason the electrician, and EZ, the technician with the final hook up… were fun, informative, respectful, and very detailed. Even the building inspector, who was the same gentleman who inspected our new roof, was impressed, and the inspector’s background was an electrical contractor!
I do hope this makes the review, as I also wrote the other 2 companies Clean Solar in San Jose and Repower Solar Universe in Martinez and thank them for their reps and their courteousness in their dealing with us.
In all, a very pleasant, fun, satisfying experience… we be happy!

We had a great experience with Solar Technologies and are excited to have 20 new Sunpower panels on our roof. Solar Technologies bid was the best between the 2 other Sunpower supplier bids we received. They were easy to work with and figured out the best placement of our panels and rates for our home (and electric vehicle).
The installation process was quick and relatively painless from our side. They hooked us up to the Internet so now we can see the production in realtime. Excited to go solar and the process was about as easy as we could hope for.

We worked with Jeff at Solar Technologies. He was very friendly, knowledgable and great to work with. I would highly recommend them.

After doing three years’ worth of research, sitting through at least a dozen on-​site presentations, and comparing as many estimates for both leasing and purchasing of solar systems, we contracted with Solar Technologies to install 38 SunPower panels on our roof. We could not be happier with the outcome of this project.
From the beginning, our Solar Design Consultant, James Hamill-​Stout, was extremely well-​informed, and very patient in explaining all aspects of our electrical usage and proposed system design, with the goal of designing a solar system to meet our needs, and maximize our energy savings. James went the extra mile to help us find a financing company with excellent terms, and who was easy to work with.
James never rushed us, and we never felt any sales pressure throughout the entire process. He let us proceed at our own pace of learning and researching all options, system specifications, project costs, and lender terms, until we felt comfortable moving forward with the project.
After kicking off the project, the engineering team worked very closely with us to produce a design plan that was customized for both our site, and for our specific roof design. We had the opportunity to review all engineering designs and to get answers to all of our questions. The design plan met our goal of offsetting 100% of our electricity usage, without having to install any solar panels on the west side of our roof, which is visible from the street. The final design plan was impressively comprehensive and detailed.
During the installation of the solar panels and mounting racks, the installation crew followed the plan and explained every detail of the installation process to us. The crew was professional and friendly, and in less than three days, the work was completed, and we were producing electricity.
Within two weeks of project completion, we were interconnected by PG&E. Our electricity usage plummeted from an average of $ 550 per month to zero. Of course, we will be making monthly payments to the finance company to pay for the cost of the solar system, but these payments are considerably less than our average electric bill, and after ten years (or less if we choose to pay it off early), we will be paying nothing for electricity at all. In the meantime, PG&E’s electricity rates will continue to increase.
Solar Technologies president Jeff Parr has built a highly professional and trust-​worthy team that we cannot praise highly enough. Besides James Hamill-​Stout, we also interacted with VP-​CEO Jeff MacBean, who supervises and schedules the installation crews, and handles all of the permitting issues. They all work together to make the process as smooth and seamless as possible. When we hit a snag with the Locus monitoring portal, which was required by our lender, Jeff Parr interceded immediately to install a SunPower monitoring system for us, which we are delighted with.
To sum it all up, we could not be happier with our choice of Solar Technologies — they’re a highly professional and reputable local business with extremely competitive pricing, knowledgeable and responsive design consultants, professional and courteous installation crews, and excellent customer service. We would highly recommend this outstanding company to anyone who is considering installing a solar system on their home.

After having a tough time working with a salesman on their staff I was contacted by the sales director from Solar Technologies and was given strong assurance that this is not how they do business. I was very impressed at the sincerity and by the follow up from the sales manager which to me demonstrated strong orientation to customer service and so I have changed my previous review.
My advise to anyone looking to put solar on your business or home is to be very explicit about what you want to get out of the installation. Double check and make sure you are getting what you asked for.
Solar Technologies is among several very qualified companies in the Bay Area that can deliver a project that will more than meet your expectations — just be clear about what you want to get our of a project and they will make it happen.

I had been wanting to get Solar for my house for sometime and had done a lot of research with many companies. Finally in Dec 2014 I decided to proceed with Solar Technologies. Nick Bahrenburg was very helpful at explaining everything and despite some challenges with the location for the panels and the need for additional electrical work, he stuck with us. Supervisor Jeff MacBean also came through when there were challenges with the electrical. Once the preliminary things were done to prepare for the solar, the Solar Technologies installation team were great. They worked quickly and efficiently and explained everything and cleaned up.
Nick came back to go over everything.
Pricing was competitive.
All in all I was very satisfied with Solar Technologies and would highly recommend them!

Solar Technologies go beyond just being an installer of solar panels. They really help advise and manage the entire project. They put in a system for us as part of a house remodel. And because our project kept getting delayed, they were incredibly flexible in changing their scope, timing, etc. We worked mainly with Nick B. and he was outstanding. I highly recommend Solar Technologies and Nick B.
We are very happy with the system and look forward to enjoying the benefits for years to come.

*****Solar Panel System Implementation Made Easy*****
We chose Solar Technologies to install a SunPower system on our roof in October 2014. Our neighbor used ST for their system earlier in the year, and highly recommended the firm. Nick Bahrenburg, ST’s rep, did a great job on articulating the various system options during the sales process with us, and after we committed/​signed, stayed in touch with me until the system was approved and install occurred. Even afterwards, when i experienced some minor-​internet related monitoring issues, Nick came by our house to help track down and resolve the issue.
The install team itself was very professional, and even though i worked from home, I could hardly tell the guys were working above.
I couldn’t recommend the firm more highly. I’d definitely choose them again if I had to!

You cannot find a better provider than ST.
I was especially diligent when getting solar for our house. I had 8 different vendors come to our house, and solicited bids from all 8. I went through the negotiation process with all of them.
ST was not the cheapest, but they offered a very competitive Sun Power package and so we went with them. And I am thrilled that we did.
Zweili is excellent, as is his entire team. They were responsive, professional, and courteous throughout the process. And we now have a business class solar technology system installed at our home which is generating higher than expected energy production.
If you are getting solar, you should consider ST and Sun Power panels. They are amazing. Good luck!

Had a 7 kw system installed last October and could not be happier. Process began with a gentleman named Zweli who came out to the house (at our convenience) and explained the whole process including every option available to make the system affordable as well as efficient.
Although we had to wait a couple months for the installation, the process went smoothly and was completed in 4 days!
We interviewed and researched 3 other companies and found this company able to provide the entire package. Highly recommend them.

Solar Technologies installed 11 SunPower panels on our roof in Oakland in July, 2014. I did a fair amount of research on solar systems before deciding to go with SunPower and Solar Technologies, including reviewing several other bids from other solar installers, including Solar City. Several months into having the system running, I’m very confident that we made an excellent choice. I’m very happy with our system, and working the team at Solar Technologies (sales consultant Kevin Cooney and the amazingly efficient install crew) was a pleasure. Their prices were very competitive, the whole process was edifying and hassle-​free, they deal in an honest and straight-​forward manner, and I am recommending them to anyone considering solar.
I want to note that in reviewing solar options, it seemed to me that I was really only choosing between «good» and «better» options. Everyone we talked to would have saved us a lot of money on electricity. With solar prices where the are, and with Net Energy Metering allowing solar customers to use the grid as a battery for free, if you use a reasonable amount of electricity as we do, you can save considerable money with solar.
Solar Technologies won me over with their superior product (SunPower) at a good price, and with their service and experience. Kevin was the first solar representative to introduce me to the way in which PG&E’s time-​of-​use rates could zero my electric bill even with a system that produces less electricity than I use (far less). How often do you get convinced by a salesman you need to buy less than you thought?
We paid for our system up-​front, which for us seemed to make the most financial sense. Out of the gate, based on forgone electric bills, we’re getting an 8−9% rate of return on our investment. Solar Technologies had access to lease (through SunPower) and finance options (though a credit union, if I recall), but we did our own financing, so I can’t comment on that aspect of their service.

This review is for the bidding process only. I had Solar Technologies give me a bid due to reputation on Unilocal and that they were a Sun Power dealer. The process didn’t start off well, had to leave a message for James who eventually called me back to schedule a meeting with estimator (all other competitors emailed me an initial bid the same day before coming out using PG&E info and then came out to inspect to confirm that bid).
James called me back and said he could schedule something later that week. I told him i would email him to confirm date that worked. I emailed him the next day and never heard back. I called back a week or so later and spoke to the estimator Zweli. He came out a few days later and gave me an initial estimate but said he needed to inspect roof. He spent awhile on roof and then checked electrical box. He said due to my set up it would probably cost an additional $ 1k to tie into electrical box but needed to confirm. (interesting as other competitor included cost and only had to change out fuse and easily tied into box).
He took all that information and I waited for a revised bid and or follow up. I never heard from him again either. I had even told him initially I was making a decision within the week. I ended up going with a competitor buying 28 Sun Power panels.
This was certainly a missed opportunity on their part due to a lack of follow up and lack of communication. There was no sense of urgency during the entire process.

After flailing around with three «reputable» solar companies (suffering outright fraud with one of them), I chanced on Solar Technologies. Sales rep Jarrett McGuckin was a no-​nonsense fountain of information, spooning it out in a way even a technological ignoramus like me could understand. We purchased a system outright, in order to enjoy the tax benefits, as well as certain advantages such as paying off the system in a few years and being better able to sell our home, when we decide to, without encumbrances, such as a solar panel lease. We turned the system on this week, and our Internet connection allows us to monitor our savings by the hour.

I researched, interviewed, and got bids from many solar installers, and these guys were by far the best. Professional, customer-​oriented, and economical. They beat the others on apples-​apples bids by a really significant margin. Very happy to be working with them. Pricing is especially good right now, as they phase out last year’s equipment.
Nick Bahrenburg is the guy I worked with. He’s a great listener, knowledgeable, solicitous, and overall really a pleasure to work with.