Golden West Energy

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,After dealing with another solar company, we fired them and went with Golden West Energy.  Their engineer Hal came out and assessed our needs, we gave them our KWH usage for the year and they went back and promptly emailed us with a drawing of how the solar panels would be placed on our roof, how the electrical would hook up to our panel box, and the cost. It was quick, honest and very detailed.. WE HAD NO SALES PITCH WHICH WE GOT FROM EVERY OTHER SOLAR COMPANY WE INTERVIEWED. I was concerned about the tile roof. Scott, the owner, determined that due to the possible breakage and the fact that the underlayment of the existing room was 30 years old the tile would be removed, new tar paper and composite shingles would be laid down. Once that was done, the brackets for the panels were installed then the panels and then the tile were put back around the panels,so there is complete continuity of tile work with a new roof underneath. The panels look totally integrated into the tile. <br /> Once that was done, they hooked up the electric to our panel box which required some rearrranging. Again, Scott and his crew did a terrific job of running lines in flexible conduit and then painted it to match the tile and the walls of our home. It is barely noticeable. <br /> Once completed Golden West arranged for the city inspector to review the work, it passed with flying colors.  <br /> We had to wait for SDGE to reprogram our system, which took a couple of days but once done, they told us to flip the switch which we did and  our meter is running backward, plus I go into the SDGE web site and see the graph showing our savings.  <br /> I have recommended Golden West to three neighbors in our complex who are interested in installing solar energy.  <br />  One of the supervisors in our complex used Golden West eight years ago for solar energy and he was very pleased with his results. <br /> I liked the fact that Golden West Energy has been around since 1985. That is a great track record, <br /> Golden West is the only company I would use for my solar energy needs. <br /> <br />

Professional, Professional, Professional? did I mention <strong>Professional</strong>. I was and am extremely happy with the solar system provided by Golden West Energy. Scott and his crew paid attention to the details and cleaned up the job site every day. Permits and inspections happened quickly. I had a friend who contracted for solar panels on his house 3 or 4 months before I even gave Golden West Energy the approval to get started. My installation was up and running with all approvals 3 weeks before his system was allowed to be turned on. If you are looking for a professional installation I would not hesitate to recommend Golden West Energy as one of the companies to give a shot to. If I had to do it again - they would be my choice?. <br /> They turn the Golden Rays of the sun into power - <strong><em>Go Golden West Energy</em></strong> - Thank You?. <br />

He said: <br /> <blockquote> From the beginning of the survey of our electrical use and needs to comparing cost and return on investment, Scott was courteous, punctual, and thougtful in the construction and clean up.    He stayed on schedule.  We have no reservations in recommending Scott and Golden West Energy for all our friends and family.   Scott thoroughly explained options, provided alternatives of size, number of panels, and location along with a variety of purchase, lease and financing plans available.  He assisted us in exploring all tax credits and incentives available and how having our own solar plant works with the electric company billing. <br /> </blockquote>She said: <br /> <blockquote> I liked Scott and his crew.  He is the owner of the company and he is on site with his crew and works alongside them.   It is very impressive.   Their work is thorough and detailed and each client is handled with the utmost respect.   I am glad that we chose Golden West Energy as our solar installer and warranty maintenance.   They are trustworthy,  competent and worked with us to our expectations, and within required specifications.  They are a stellar organization and I recommend them highly. </blockquote> <br />

Golden West Energy was quick to respond and gave me the best solution at the lowest quote. Compared with the other companies Golden West Energy seemed much more knowledgeable about the newest solar inverters and solar panels.  Scott Sherman with Golden West Energy came out and checked out the solar inverters and panels for a minimal fee and made arrangement to replace the inverters within a few days. Our solar system was up and running again. They even cam back a week later to check on the system and add an emergency outlet for the inverters free of charge.  Scott and his staff at Golden West Energy have great knowledge in regards to repairing and installing solar systems and provide excellent customer service. I recommend them strongly and would use them again without reservation.I needed 2 solar inverters replaced for our residential solar system and contacted several companies. Golden West Energy was quick to respond and gave me the best solution at the lowest quote. Compared with the other companies Golden West Energy seemed much more knowledgeable about the newest solar inverters and solar panels.  Scott Sherman with Golden West Energy came out and checked out the solar inverters and panels for a minimal fee and made arrangement to replace the inverters within a few days. Our solar system was up and running again. They even came back a week later to check on the system and add an emergency outlet for the inverters free of charge.  Scott and his staff at Golden West Energy have great knowledge in regards to repairing and installing solar systems and provide excellent customer service. I recommend them strongly and would use them again without reservation. <br /> <br />

I interviewed multiple solar companies before selecting Golden <br /> West Energy to install our electric solar panels. I was impressed by the fact that <br /> Scott (the owner) personally supervised the entire installation. Once we had <br /> permits, the panels were installed within the timeframe quoted. Scott?s team <br /> was professional and reliable. I would not hesitate to recommend West Coast <br /> Solar to our friends and family. Once SDG & E approved our Net Energy Metering we started seeing the <br /> savings that was quoted by Scott at Golden West Energy. We found Scott to be <br /> very professional & honest, he lived up to our expectations. He really <br /> knows the process and explains in great detail how the process works. We are <br /> happy with our solar electric system and are glad we chose to have it installed <br /> by Golden West Energy. <br /> <br /> <br />

Scott did more than I expected and everything was done in a timely manner.  After completion of the work he called back to make sure everything was working well and to see if I wanted to take advantage of an extended warrantee offered by the manufacter of the product <br /> This is a first class company and I will use him anytime I have a solar problem.. <br />

I just purchased a new roof and I was a bit concerned about putting holes in a new roof.  Scott was very friendly and took the time to help me understand the process of securing the solar panels to the roof.  Answered my questions and if he didn't have an answer, he did the research and followed up with me.  I was completely comfortable with the whole process.  We signed the contract and Scott drafted up engineering plans.  I was able to make changes to the layout.  For no additional costs, Scott was able to order panels with a higher watt rating then in the original quote.  Installation took three days and Scott was onsite all three dates working and supervising the installation. Scott also helped me out with the rebate process by giving me step by step instructions on what to do.   <br /> I am very happy with the results. <br />

I had wanted to install a solar system for years but I figured I couldn?t afford it.  I contacted a few solar companies and most of them tried to get me to lease the system rather than purchase. I researched and found that leasing wasn?t something that I wanted to do.  I finally decided to go with Golden West Energy. Scott Sherman was able to finally get me to understand how a solar system works, how to get the rebates, and how the tax breaks work.  I tried on my own to get a loan for installing a system but the interest rate was really high. Scott used San Diego Metropolitan and they have great rates. I liked the reviews Golden West had on Angie?s List and then in December I decided to proceed with installation. The system was installed while I went on a two week vacation. I came home to a completed system.  Scott even repaired my roof for a reasonable cost before installing the solar panels, painted all the parts to match my house, and even hung up my cables that weren?t part of the project-the cables had been dangling since the painters finished painting my house almost a year ago. <br /> I love my new system.  I have a small payment to the credit union now but virtually no payment to SDG&E anymore.  I?m very happy with my system and I have highly recommended Scott to my family, friends, and neighbors.  Thanks Scott! <br />

Scott Sherman was amazing. He beat everyone's estimate by at least $5,000. He went above and beyond expectations in every phase of this project. He fixed broken tiles on my roof that were not his fault or responsibility. The crew he used were very clean and fast. The quality of the work is excellent.. Scott even trimmed a very tall ash tree that was shading my panels for free. <br />         Scott you are a pleasure to work with, you take pride in your work and it shows. I am recommending you to all my friends. <br /> Thank you sincerely, Greg Schmid. <br /> <br />

He demanded nearly 100% payment or he'd stop work and leave me still without power, running water (toilets even), hot water, or even most of the expensive parts of the solar system he contracted to install.   When I refused to pay him his blackmail money, he walked and now pretends he's willing to talk calmly to get this resolved and make me satisfied.  I've proposed other contractors be used to complete the work and they get paid from the contractual money he's been paid but of course am not going to let him determine the cost of those services, in part because he estimates removal of the X'd avocado trees will cost $300 and he's decided that moving the mobile home and deck which he said would be $13k, he gets credit for $11k of it for moving the home that was on a steel frame and wheels, but leaving the deck that is as much sq ft of living space but connected to the ground, is only worth $2k.     He has a chance through Angie's List to get this done properly and it's sad if his financial troubles made him act in this extortionist way with me and it's backfired but I don't have a lot of faith that he's going to come clean.  His Angie's list's reviews look suspicious to me because they are refunded Big Deals and two recent reviews from the same member with very similar work and very similar language but no reference to his having done prior work  I know this is a second review from me, the same member, but I am adding to detail and respond to Scott's lies, not trying to pretend I am another reviewer.  I have pictures to submit but can't see how to add them here.  Pictures of the cracks in my house, the deep ruts in a level road he was supposed to fix, part of the trench he hasn't filled that obstructs access, the deck he says he can't move even though it's obvious he could have seen what he now says is inadequate workmanship when he proposed moving it..... <br /> <br /> UPDATE: Scott's rendition is outright dishonest. I've requested no change order and have had to repeatedly acquiesce to keep it on budget.  He contracted to move the propane tank, new slab and generator in the original contract and then came back to me to tell me that it would be an additional $9000 because the propane company was asking for the cost of a new tank and the slab would cost more than he thought and he wanted a Home Depot $5000 shed to put up over the invertors and batteries he hadn't accounted for.  The original inquiry was for just solar power but he acts like within a week I added all the extra work--HE'S the one who came out and talked me into moving the 11 by 33 foot single wide trailer and deck to the view site on the property, adding the extra contract that he is implying shows my changing things and making me hard to please.  He stood on the deck, signed the contract and said he'd permit everything and NOW says the deck isn't structurally sound enough to move and he can't get permits.  Isn't he the one whose supposed to evaluate that when he makes the bid?  The pictures I submitted show how the deck is over 2 ft off the ground and easily able to be evaluated--so how can he claim inability now?  He's trying to hide his tracks for the bottom line--he blackmailed me to bring the total payments to $30,500.00 out of a total contract of $33,000 or he would leave me on the spot, with no water, no power, no toilets, no permits, no moved deck, huge cracks in the walls of the single wide he moved, a nearly non negotiable driveway, a 600 foot long trench cutting the water lines and running across my main driveway such that FedEx and UPS and even Home Depot won't deliver, no water heater, no functioning septic, and he Claims he's 96% complete which is a ridiculous lie.  Nothing is working, over half of the solar equipment isn't even on site--nothing is permitted even his solar work.  The deck is half of the home move, it's not done and he says he can't do it and wants to knock off $2000 of the $11000 that was bid for the moving which also means the total contract would be $31000 and he was demanding I bring the total to $30,500 or he'd walk off the job, which is what he did and the reason this has gone to Angie's list, BBB and State contractors resolution procedures.    Further lies, almost too many to counter.  I was not told about the permit problems or Scott's decisions about the deck until a week after they supposedly occurred, when I arrived in person.  I purchased the place in September; the permit situation was outlined at the closing and I communicated this fully to Scott when he made the original bid and he said he'd take care of it and most of the work was new anyway.  Per his statement about contacting me immediately--a LIE; He didn't call me; I arrived in person to find the deck not moved and then he told me.  When I asked why he hadn't told me a week prior he said, "I'm sorry, I just didn't know how to tell you."  He says I live in Seattle--maybe just an oversight but I have never lived in Seattle, I live in Portland, but it further shows how NOT on the ball this guy is.  He says he contacted me in Seattle, NOT true and he didn't contact me in Portland either.  He says I didn't have water when he met me.  That's a lie.  I had water and everything worked at the old site.  The September closing and home inspection prior to that proves it.  There was a water leak to the unwatered grove that he charged me $250 to fix which is laughable because he cut all the lines in the grove with his trenching and walked off the property with none of them repaired except the main line, which I had to have fixed because Scott used the wrong connector (pictured in the photos).  I have bills for the fixed water, the fixed electric generator back up and a voice mail from Scott hours after he left the property admitting that he left without the water or electricity working (and therefore of course no toilets) to prove Scott is lying when he states I had water when he left.  Scott is lying repeatedly to cover up his giving me the ultimatum.   I don't know what financial mess he got in to that he thought I could resolve by paying him his final before the work was even close to finished but would anyone expect me to trust this man to complete the work and as he says make me a satisfied customer.  I have invited Scott to write to me and propose a solution so I could have it in writing, and he has not done so.  I have refused to discuss the situation verbally because I know he can't be trusted for his word.  I need it in writing if there's something he can propose.   Bottom line, he tried to blackmail me saying he'd stop all work, leaving the property in a state of non functionality, no water, toilets, power, driveway access, ability to get deliveries even from potential solutions like Home Depot, unless I brought payment up to $30,500 which by his own calculations is more than I owed him because he unilaterally decided to subtract things off the contract at prices he decided things were worth that had never been singled out (like he says removing 40 dead avocado trees is worth $300 when I've obtained separate bids that both ask $4000 for that work, and $2000 for not moving a deck that has more square feet and is anchored to the ground as the single wide mobile home on a steel trailer and wheels--combined price $11000 but he gives himself $9k for moving the trailer and subtracts $2000 for not moving the deck) AND NOW he says he wants to do whatever is required to make me a satisfied customer.   That statement has as much veracity as all the other statements he's made.

Great cooperation and attention to detail by Scott and his crew. Very professional and willing to accomodate every aspect of the work performed to my satisfaction.  System works great.as intended.

<p>Golden West Energy was a pleasure to work with.  We sat down together and looked at the pros and cons for different size systems.  We went with the larger system (4 kW, 18 panels) since we're planning to buy a plug-in hybrid car in a year or two.  Scott was very helpful right down to the last detail...design, scheduling, placement, financing, etc.  No pressure, just helping us find the best way to get what we wanted.  They took care of the plans, the exhaustive rebate process, and permits.     They were especially accommodating when I told them I wanted the inverter inside the garage.  In order to run the wiring from the panel to the garage we had to move some large wooden (full) cabinets.  No complaints or extra charges.      And now our 18 panels are outperforming their estimates.  Of course, these are long days and mostly sunny, but we're generating 30 kWhrs/day (that's 900/month)...and on our most overcast day (7/12) we still generated 12 kWhrs!      If you're a number cruncher like me, you should know that the $26.9 k is after the CA Rebate and before the $8000 Federal Tax Credit.      Golden West really wants to grow their solar business and they are anxious to make happy customers.  I wouldn't hesitate to recommend these guys.</p> i.

Very professional doing excellent work.  Detailed and clear about the engineering design which gave us confidence in the workmanship.

The job went quite smoothlly, all things considered. Scott handled the one permitting problem had practically overnight. Several days after the job was finished, We experienced a series of circuit breaker problems and called Scott back. He spent several hours of hiss own time tracking the cause of the problem (which, of course, had nothing to do with the solar installation), and then refused to bill me for time spent on a problem he had no actual responsibility for

We had solar panels installed for our home and for a well that irrigates our grove. This company worked with us answering all our questions over a year long period.   They never minded answering all of our engineering questions and went above and beyond in trying to accommodate our needs.  We finally decided to have the work done and they were very punctual and clean and neat.  I never had to ask any of the workers to pick up anything.  They left my home as perfect as when the started.  They also went above and beyond in their trying to please me in the positioning of the meters and wiring.  I would highly recommend this company.

I could not be more happy with the way that my system was installed, the precision that was utilized by the workers, the professionalism that was exemplified every single day on the job, the appearance of the employees, and the end product that I do not once regret investing in. The system was installed with speed, yet safely. They took every precaution to ensure that no error was made, no corners were being cut, and no risks were being taken. They appeared like they knew what they were doing, and did not hesitate in moving on to the next thing. I was impressed with the professionalism with which they conducted themselves. They always had something polite and respectful to say; not once did I hear any of them use foul language, and they always went the extra mile to see to it that they left my property every day leaving it cleaner than when they had arrived that morning. <br /> <br /> I have a well, and this solar system was the missing puzzle piece. I have wanted to be off the grid for some time now, and now that I have this system, not only do I not pay for water, but now I have no electric bill. When you look at the big picture - I am basically paying myself for a short while until it's paid off, then it is literally money in my pocket. Golden West Energy has helped me get off the grid and I could not be happier about that. They are the green solution to power, and I could not recommend a better company to go with. They will beat any price out there, they have been in business for decades, they are as professional as they come, and they have my vote if you are even slightly considering going green.

These guys were professional and knew their trades.   Friendly and never any fowl language.  Flexible. Easy to communicate with. Fixed stuff that the previous contractors messed up or missed. Skilled contractor. Know's their stuff.  I would recommend his work to anyone.