Complete Solar

In December of 2021 I contracted with Core Energy to install a solar Energy system on my property in Angels Camp Ca. During the delayed 6 month install process I discovered they did not obtain the proper permits from the city, did not install breakers so the install could not be approved by the city until May 2022.

Since August 2022 I have been trying to get them to fix a system that was only working at 50% effective. They finally came in Aug 2023 claiming the problem was just loose wires but the tech said there was a broken panel and 2 under performing ones and they would return the next day to change out these panels. It is now December 2023 and they still have not returned.

They do not take phone calls or reply to text messages that their answering system demands. I have filed a complaint with the California State Contractors Board.

I signed a contract for a $97,333 off-grid PV system with a battery backup system 3/1/21 to be installed by 5/30/21. Solar panels and racks were placed on my roof 6/14/21.

The hardware to test the panels working usability was not included nor was anything else (~60% incomplete). They refused to return my calls after that.

I got an email from the loan company 10/28/21 stating my first payment was due on 11/15/21. Per my contract, payments don't start until 90 days after install is 100% complete. When I threatened to call the loan company and cancel on 10/28 I was immediately put in touch with a "retention specialist".

She said they would write me a check to cover my monthly bill to the loan company and would get the project completed by the end of the year. She said the holdup had been due to a "small issue" with the permit. Note, they have never reimbursed me for my payments.

Upon investigation, I found out they only applied for an off-grid permit on 10/1/21. The permit was denied on 10/5/21 b/c off-grid systems aren't allowed in my county.

I also found out the loan was due because on 8/13/21 CS stated and provided evidence that the work was 100% complete. It is illegal in CA for a contractor to ask for and get paid for work not completed.

D

I told CS and the loan company to rescind the project on 11/22/21. The loan co. will cancel the loan and refund me as soon as CS shows proof of completion or agrees to cancel.

On 12/10/21 they told the loan co. they fixed the permit issue, on 12/24/21 they said I agreed to complete the installation and to rescind my cancellation. Both are lies.

It isn't my fault they promised an off-grid system prior to permit application. Nor is it my fault they did work prior to permit approval.

I can't agree to continue work without a permit. I don't want a different type of system. I don't want panels I can't use. They need to admit they're wrong and approve the cancellation.

They misrepresented being able to install an off-grid system, they lied to the loan company to get paid, they tried to keep the money by telling me to keep paying the loan and they would reimburse me until the project was ACTUALLY completed, they lied about having a permit, they lied to the loan company over and over about everything to negate my cancelling the loan.

And through all this I have not heard from my project manager since August 2021 or the retention specialist since December 2021. I haven't even gotten into them losing my $26,000 rebate which makes this system unaffordable in any case.