Sun Light & Power LLC Overview
About Sun Light & Power LLC
Sun Light & Power LLC is one of California’s longest-running solar design and installation companies. Founded in 1976, the company has experienced incredible growth employing between 75 – 100 staff and generates in the region of $ 18 million annually.
The employee-owned company is able to cater to all types of solar installations, including residential, commercial, and non-profit organizations, basing its business model on generating new business through continued referrals and maintaining existing customer relationships.
Solar Panels and services offered by Sun Light & Power LLC
Specific Solar Panels Offered
Sun Light & Power uses only established vendors’ highest quality PV panels. Here’s an overview of the solar panels that are available from the company:
REC Solar Panels
REC’s solar panel quality is supported by stringent internal testing, third-party certifications, endorsements, and an industry-leading low warranty claims rate. With around 26 million panels produced, REC has become the largest European brand of solar panels, a solid foundation, and has a bright future in the solar industry.
SunPower Solar Panels
SunPower ranks as the number 1 solar panel in terms of efficiency, making it the most powerful panel currently available. In addition, as a leading solar panel manufacturer, SunPower boasts one of the largest ranges of PV panels and batteries globally.
Trina Solar Panels
Trina Solar’s residential panels offer home and business owners reliable power paired with great aesthetics. These panels are generally available with black or silver frames and deliver a sleek visual profile, backed by Trina Solar’s quality guarantee.
Specific Types of Solar Offered
Sun Light & Power offers two categories of solar systems: residential and commercial.
Residential Systems: Residential solar systems are the main service provided by Sun Light & Power, having completed over 3000 residential solar installations across the state.
The company aims to tailor each system to fit its customers’ goals and needs by using well-known solar panel manufacturers with extensive ranges of solar systems.
Commercial Systems: Sun Light & Power provides end-to-end solar services for commercial and non-profit businesses throughout California. The company has worked on a variety of commercial projects that differed in size and complexity, including housing, healthcare facilities, warehouses, and restaurants.
Sun Light & Power understands mission-driven businesses because they are one. As a certified Benefit Corporation, the company was dedicated to social good and non-profit companies long before the Benefit Corporation designation became an option in California.
Sun Light & Power has served many non-profit organizations and encourages its staff to volunteer with their favorite non-profits each year, giving them paid time off to do so.
Additional services
Customers of Sun Light & Power are also able to make use of the following additional services offered by the company:
Solar Canopies- Sun Light & Power is able to design and install solar canopies and carports that are typically ground or roof-mounted steel structures topped with solar panels. They are a smart way to produce energy from large sun-exposed surfaces while providing covered parking for drivers or shaded rest areas for people.
Battery Storage – Solar batteries are the ideal energy storage solution for homeowners who want the peace of mind that an emergency backup power source provides. Sun Light & Power serves its customers by installing high-quality home solar batteries from leading brands, such as LG Chem RESU.
EV Charging Stations – With the rapid adoption of electric vehicles, customers are able to have a charging station in their homes designed by Sun Light & Power’s qualified engineers. Businesses can apply for a rebate of up to $3,000 on Level 2 chargers for the workplace or their customers.
Solar Thermal – Sun Light & Power also offers its customers solar thermal (hot water) systems that can greatly reduce the energy needs of a business or family property that relies on a large volume of hot water.
Installation costs and process
Costs
Sun Light & Power requires conducting a free, no-obligation estimate to all potential customers in order to provide its exact pricing based on the project at hand. As a B Corp, the company intentionally balances purpose and profit by weighing the impact of its decisions on people, the planet, and profit to be a force for good in its community.
The company informs all customers about the potential tax credits and offers no less than five financing options, each designed to meet the needs of its customer’s differing financial situations. A refer-a-friend benefit is available to existing customers, allowing them to earn cash for successful installations completed from their referrals.
The company has received 36 reviews across three sites and has managed to maintain an overall rating of 4.7*. Among the reviews are several mentions of the company being competitively priced when compared to other companies. Here’s an example:
| “We had a solar company come out to diagnose the problem; they advised us that Sharp was no longer making inverters, parts were not available, so we should either live with it or have it replaced. Cost of the diagnoses was $325. Based on a tip, we called Sun Light and Power and they were immediately optimistic that it could be fixed. After a quick visit, the failing fan was ordered, and in a week they cam back and installed the part.
Voila, no more problems, an easy fix, and the cost was a fraction of what it would have been to replace the inverter. The engineer was as competent as he was friendly, in contrast to our prior, expensive and curt estimate from the other company.” |
Legitimacy
Sun Light & Power LLC is legit. Here are some of their key accreditations:
| Sun Light & Power LLC has been registered with the California Secretary of State since the 6th of August 1976 – ID #: 776034. |
| The company has successfully completed over 3000 solar installations across California since it commenced business over 40 years ago. |
| The company is NABCEP certified, BBB accredited, and holds several manufacturer installation certifications, such as with REC, Q Cells, and LG. |
| Sun Light & Power LLC is transparent and provides its contact details, address, live chat, text message service, and a contact request form on its website. |
In addition to its already impressive array of accreditations, Sun Light & Power was one of the first 15 Benefit Corporations in California.
Maintenance
- The company uses its own extensive network of contractors to perform its services and does not outsource any of its work.
- Their PV systems are covered by a 25-year manufacturer’s warranty, while inverter warranties are valid for 12 years.
In addition to general repair services, the company also offers its customers additional maintenance, such as solar panel cleaning services, which helps reduce the loss of electrical energy production due to dirt and dust collecting on the surface of the modules.
Among the customer feedback were 2 reviews that received ratings of fewer than 3*; however, neither was due to poor maintenance service.
Customer Service (Review Analysis)
Based on the customer reviews, the vast majority of customers have expressed excellent customer service levels by the company, and this is emphasized by the business owner personally responding to each customer review.
Notably, there are several mentions of the company helping customers to improve old and outdated solar systems, as illustrated in the review below:
| “The company from which we purchased our solar panels went out of business and apparently took our 15 year warranty coverage with it. I searched from a company to service the system, and Sun Light and Power came through. It’s never fun to pay to fix something you thought wasn’t going to cost you a cent, but Adam at SL&P was engaging, explained how the system operates and why it fails, and was diligent in fixing the problem until I was back on line.” |
The SolarEmpower View
SolarEmpower views Sun Light & Power LLC as a company that has risen to the top tier of solar companies in California over its 40+ years of existence. In addition, the company has assembled an impressive portfolio of successful project completions to justify its legitimacy and ability to meet its customer’s expectations.
| Cost: 9/10 | Legitimacy: 10/10 |
| Quality: 10/10 | Customer Service: 10/10 |
