Navigating the world of Energy Service Partners for your home solar installation can be fraught with challenges, and unfortunately, some experiences turn into outright nightmares. This review serves as a stark warning based on a customer’s deeply negative encounter with a company identified as ESP, seemingly short for Energy Service Partners. Their ordeal highlights critical issues to be aware of when choosing energy service partners for your renewable energy projects.
From the outset, communication with ESP was described as virtually non-existent. For a staggering twelve months, the customer has been trapped in a cycle of unanswered phone calls and ignored messages. The promise of solar panel installation remained just that – a promise, never materializing into actual progress. This lack of responsiveness is a major red flag when evaluating energy service partners. A reliable partner should prioritize clear and consistent communication throughout the entire project lifecycle.
Adding to the frustration, the customer reported dealing with three different project liaisons within that year, each proving equally “ineffective.” The recurring phrase, “I’ll pass this on to the team,” became a hollow echo, devoid of any tangible action. Even involving the initial salesman yielded no better results, highlighting a systemic failure within ESP’s customer service structure. This paints a concerning picture of internal communication and accountability within energy service partners.
Compounding the communication breakdown was a significant logistical blunder. The customer discovered that over $40,000 worth of solar panels and installation materials had been delivered to their backyard and were sitting untouched on pallets. Astonishingly, ESP seemed completely unaware of this equipment delivery, raising serious questions about their project management and inventory tracking capabilities as energy service partners. The fact that “someone had to have paid for this equipment – no one even knows about it!” speaks volumes about the internal disorganization.
Further complicating matters, the review mentions that “EverBright pulled the funding,” possibly due to a “breach of contract.” While the specifics remain unclear, this detail introduces another layer of concern regarding ESP’s financial stability and contractual reliability as energy service partners. Crucially, despite being notified of this funding issue, ESP allegedly failed to inform the customer or the contracted installation company, Solar Doctors LLC.
When Solar Doctors LLC finally arrived to begin the installation, scheduled for four days, the situation deteriorated rapidly. They arrived with “broken and inadequate equipment,” signaling potential issues with ESP’s vetting and selection of subcontractors or their provision of necessary resources. The installation attempt resulted in significant property damage: “over 18 holes in our yard measuring up to 3 feet wide and over 4 feet deep.” This unprofessional and damaging initial phase further underscores the lack of oversight and quality control expected from reputable energy service partners.
A Butte County Inspector intervened, granting a final chance for rectification. However, subsequent actions only exacerbated the problem. A trench, described as “approximately 100 feet long, 12+ inches wide, and 3 feet deep,” was dug across the driveway and house entrance. This trench, a significant disruption and hazard, was then simply covered with a flimsy “1/8 inch ply wood” board as a makeshift bridge. This abandoned, unsafe setup, particularly exposed to the elements and becoming “extremely slippery” with rain, transformed the customer’s property into a dangerous environment.
For elderly homeowners, aged 78 and 66, this hazardous trench became an “EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD!” The review emphasizes the potential “Legal Liability for Personal Injury” that ESP seems to disregard. This blatant disregard for customer safety and well-being is unacceptable for any company claiming to be reliable energy service partners.
The entire ordeal, involving multiple companies and culminating in a dangerous and incomplete installation, is aptly described as a “senior couple’s incredible nightmare!” The review concludes with a strong warning: “STAY AWAY from ALL!” and the customer’s decision to seek legal counsel, indicating the severity and unresolved nature of the problems caused by these energy service partners.
This detailed account serves as a cautionary tale for anyone considering energy service partners for solar installations. It highlights the critical importance of thorough due diligence, checking reviews, and ensuring transparent communication and reliable project management before entrusting your renewable energy project to any company. The lack of customer service, project mismanagement, and creation of a safety hazard detailed in this review should be a serious concern for potential customers of ESP and a reminder to carefully vet energy service partners before making a decision.
