Sierra Pacific Solar Review: Costs, Quality, Services & More (2024)

Sierra Pacific Solar Review: Costs, Quality, Services & More (2024)

In this review of Sierra Pacific Solar, we’ll answer:

  • Is Sierra Pacific Solar a legit company?
  • What does the installation process look like with Sierra Pacific Solar?
  • Is Sierra Pacific Solar expensive?
  • What do customers have to say about Sierra Pacific Solar?

 

 

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Sierra Pacific Solar is a division of Sierra Pacific Home & Comfort, Inc., started in 1984 in Rancho Cordova, California. Along with solar power systems, It offers an array of home improvement solutions such as solar pool heating, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) services and whole-home generators.

This review of Sierra Pacific Solar takes an in-depth look at the company’s costs, customer service, pros and cons and other important details.

Is Sierra Pacific Solar a Good Solar Company?

Sierra Pacific boasts exceptional experience, having been established almost four decades ago. According to the company, it employs well-trained experts who are skilled at energy efficiency upgrades for homes and offices. Sierra Pacific uses equipment from excellent brands, such as Panasonic and SolarEdge, and is arguably one of the best solar companies in California.

What Should You Know About Sierra Pacific Solar?

Sierra Pacific describes itself as a locally owned solar and home improvement company. The company has completed thousands of home improvement projects over multiple decades and serves select areas of Northern/Central California, including Sacramento, Rocklin, Lincoln, Loomis, Auburn, Davis, and Vacaville.

Sierra Pacific has won the Folsom Telegraph’s Best of the Best Award three years in a row. The company’s tagline is “The Guys In The Big Red Trucks” and it maintains a reputation for reliable consultation, logistics, installation and customer service departments.  

Sierra Pacific Solar Fast Facts
Year Started 1984
Service Areas California (greater Sacramento area)
Services Offered Solar panel and battery installations; HVAC services; maintenance and repairs; generators; electrical work; general contracting; solar pool heaters and energy efficiency audits
Types of Solar Equipment Offered REC Solar, Panasonic, SolarEdge, Generac
Certifications ISO 9000 and ISO 9001 certifications; accreditation by the Better Business Bureau
Better Business Bureau Rating A+
Badge icon

Sierra Pacific Solar

Solar Veteran

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Pros

  • Many years of experience
  • Comprehensive service offerings
  • All-inclusive warranty

Cons

  • Some reported communication issues
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Sierra Pacific Solar Services and Installation

Sierra Pacific provides a wide variety of home services – from solar systems and pool solar systems to solar attic fans, HVAC systems and large generators. Solar pool system installations and tune-ups place the majority of Sierra’s work in the swim season.

For solar panels, check out our brief overview below of what to expect when you hire Sierra Pacific to install a new system for you.

Solar Installation Experience

  • Once you’ve reached Sierra Pacific with your contact details, you’ll submit your past electric bills. Based on an initial consultation, your energy usage information and satellite imagery of your home, Sierra Pacific will determine if solar is suitable for your home and give you a preliminary layout and cost. 
  • If you decide to proceed with Sierra Pacific, its team will collect more details about your home, possibly even with a site visit. Based on all the compiled information, Sierra’s design team will put together a final design.
  • Before the actual installation begins, the company will submit applications for the necessary permits and any solar incentives that are available to you. 
  • Once the permits come through, Sierra’s installation team arrives in its red truck and installs the system. Based on the system size, this should take anywhere between a day and a week. 
  • Your jurisdiction/utility will conduct a final inspection and once that is passed and your system is approved to be switched on, it takes just a minute to begin enjoying your free and clean energy.

Sierra Pacific Solar Customer Service

Despite a few unhappy customers, Sierra Pacific’s customer service has been for the most part outstanding. Its customer service department is staffed with friendly professionals who are available to address any concerns or answer questions. The company president Jason Hanson often addresses customer concerns himself.

Sierra Pacific Solar Costs and Financing

The cost of a solar system could arguably be the ultimate deciding factor for most customers contemplating going solar. Sierra Pacific’s use of premium-brand products such as Panasonic and SolarEdge might suggest that it has high costs, but the company’s pricing is comparable to the average cost of solar panels countrywide.

We’ve given a rating of 4.0/5.0 stars to Sierra Pacific for its solar panel systems. Given the service and product quality, the company’s costs justify calling it affordable and making going solar worth it. The company also offers financing options through some of California’s reputable financing agencies.

Financing Options Through Sierra Pacific Solar

Below is a comparison between cash purchase and solar loan – the two purchasing options offered by Sierra Pacific.

Cash Purchase Solar Loan
System Ownership
Upfront Cost
Added Property Value
Eligible for Tax Credit
Payment Due to Solar Installer Loan Provider

Although Sierra Pacific offers just two buying options, other companies may also offer leasing or PPA (Power Purchase Agreement). Take a look at our solar financing guide to learn about all the options and their pros and cons. 

Sierra Pacific Solar Solar Panel Warranty

Thanks to Tier 1 solar equipment, Sierra Pacific is able to provide an industry-leading equipment warranty. Its Panasonic panels, for example, come with the Triple Guard warranty with product, performance and labor components.

Sierra Pacific does not have a 25-year workmanship warranty on its systems. However, considering its outstanding workmanship quality, this might not be something customers need to worry about.

 

Sierra Pacific Solar Reviews

The multitude of positive customer reviews for Sierra Pacific’s services is a good indicator of the company’s quality and reliability. Although there are a few negative reviews about the company’s non-responsiveness, most reviews are positive and describe a professional organization with excellent customer support. Take a look at a few examples below.

Positive Sierra Pacific Solar Reviews

“[Sierra Pacific] was very professional and explained every step. They were courteous and took great care of my home during a complex installation. They explained the operation of the unit completely and left all necessary paperwork for warranty and inspection in perfect order. I’d definitely use this crew from Sierra Pacific again!” 

– Joe M. via BBB

“Just experienced the best pool solar system service and most knowledgeable service technician in over 20 years. The technician, David Techam, was right on time, very pleasant, knowledgeable and very thorough and detailed in his inspection. He also took a few minutes to show me a few things about my pool equipment that I didn’t know about and [that] were useful too…”

– Robert G. via Review Buzz

Negative Sierra Pacific Solar Reviews

“Spent over $5,000 on a solar system for our pool. Three years later it stopped working. Called for service and they said it would be at least 2 weeks before they could have someone look at it. I asked why so long and they said it was the ‘spring rush’ when people turn their equipment back on and it happens every year.  If they know this, I would think they would be staffed accordingly. When I mentioned I would try someone else, the representative hung up on me.” 

– Tim F. via Yelp

“Sierra Pacific installed my solar electric system years ago. I lost an inverter at the beginning of Covid and they were unable to respond because of staffing issues. Since that time I have started having issues with the Sharp solar panels they installed on my house. For the most part Sierra Pacific is non-responsive in dealing with customer problems. They are unable to keep staffing. They have made several promises and failed to deliver on those promises.” 

– Kirk H. via Google

Solar Energy Provider Comparison

Here’s a comparison of Sierra Pacific Solar and select competitors:

Sierra Pacific Solar NRG Clean Power Semper Solaris
EcoWatch Rating 4.5 4.5 3.5
Year Started 1984 1987 2012
Services Offered Solar panel and battery installations; HVAC services; maintenance and repairs; generators; electrical work; general contracting; solar pool heaters; energy efficiency audits Solar panel, battery, EV charger and solar roof shingle installations; system monitoring Solar panel and solar battery installations; roofing services; HVAC services
Service Areas California California CA, TX, FL
BBB Rating A+ A+ A+
Payment Options Cash, loan Cash, loan Cash, loan, lease, PPA

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have specific questions that aren’t answered here, reach out to our team of solar experts at solar@ecowatch.com.

Blog author image
Article author
Aniket Bhor is a solar engineer who has spent nearly a decade studying and working in the solar power sector in the European, Asian and North American markets. He recieved his Master’s degree in Renewable Energies from Germany at Technische Fachhochschule Wildau. He has since worked in the industry in a variety of capacities including Solar Energy Consultant, Business Development Head, Solar Entrepreneurship Trainer, and more recently writing for solar organizations including Venuiti Solutions, Green Integrations, Solengy, Ecotality.com. Overall, he is a climate enthusiast and avid cyclist, and he also loves to lose himself in books and cooking.
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Expert reviewer
Andrew Dunn is a veteran journalist with more than 15 years of experience reporting and editing for local and national publications, including The Charlotte Observer and Business North Carolina magazine. His work has been recognized numerous times by the N.C. Press Association and the Society of American Business Editors and Writers. Andrew earned a degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as a certificate in business journalism and a minor in Spanish. He's also an avid outdoorsman, an Eagle Scout and volunteer leader in the Boy Scouts of America. He lives in Charlotte, N.C.