Hi-Power Solar LLC

Superlative performance! On time On schedule On budget Clean and courteous workers

Hi-Power Solar Beware! <br /> I had been considering adding panels to my photovoltaic installation and in October, 2010 met with Ron Romero of Hi-Power Solar to have 17 solar panels added to the existing array.  When signing the contract Ron said that they were busy but that if I paid in full they would try to complete the installation before the end of the year.  Ron seemed trustworthy and as Hi-Power was recommended by an acquaintance in the business, I wrote the check on December 2, 2010.  The end of the year came and went but Hi-Power was unable to meet Ron?s commitment.  After pursuing Ron further, he promised to do the job as soon as possible after the start of the New Year.  Despite having paid in full for the job, and despite Ron?s assurances, it seemed my turn was repeatedly delayed.  Finally the installation was completed March 3, 2011, 3 months after we contracted and paid for the work.  During installation the mounts were attached by simply drilling lag bolts through the shingles into the roof and sealed with caulking.  I noticed that similar penetrations on neighboring homes were flashed. When asked about the long term integrity of the caulking, Matt Adams (Ron?s partner) assured me that he had done many installations and that this sort of seal would easily last the foreseeable life of the PV system.   I felt that I had hired experts so deferred to his judgment.  <br /> In August 2012 a leak was discovered inside the house that appeared to originate from the PV installation.  I attempted to contact Hi-Power but would not receive a return call despite leaving voicemail as well as email for Ron Romero.  To my frustration, a letter from my attorney demanding a callback and resolution of the leak was required.  When Mr. Romero contacted me he was angry and <br /> abusive but agreed to have Matt come to determine whether the leak originated from their installation.  Upon <br /> inspection, Matt confirmed the leak came from their installation and re-caulked the leaking penetration.  I expressed <br /> concern as the installation was only about a year and a half old and was leaking already. Again Matt assured me that caulking was sufficient but later I discovered that Hi-Power had started using flashing on installations subsequent <br /> to mine.  A call to Mike Chu of MRC Roofing confirmed my suspicion that flashing was not only recommended by the <br /> shingle manufacturer but was a legal requirement per the 2003 building code detailed below. <br /> 2003 International Building Code, Chapter 15 Roofing <br /> Assemblies <br /> 1) Section 1503 Weather Protection  see paragraphs 1503.1 - general <br /> 1503.2 - Flashings <br />                                                       <br /> 1503.2.1 - Locations <br /> 2) Section 1507.2.9 Flashings. <br /> Despite my research Mr. Romero continued to claim flashing was not required, but after he spoke to the Building Industry Association he agreed to install flashing to prevent future leaks. In November of 2012, Hi-Power and M&R Roofing disassembled my PV installation, installed flashing and re-installed the solar panels.  At that point I thought my problems were over.  <br /> About a week later I climbed on the roof to take a look.  To my dismay, the electrical conduit serving the array lay loose on the roof with no attempt made to secure it whatsoever.  Additionally, most of the screws attaching the wiring to the mounting hardware were either missing or stripped, loose installation hardware was strewn around the roof, and one of the panels was secured so poorly it actually rattled against the mounting rail in the wind.  At this point I called Hi-Power to complain about the shoddy workmanship.  When Mr. Romero and Matt Adams came to inspect they were chagrined and admitted the installation was poorly done, at which point Matt started securing the wiring and loose panel(s).  While checking the panel mounts, Marts started crawling over the attached panels which were bending and deforming under his weight.  At that point I completely lost confidence in Hi-Power?s workmanship and suggested to Mr. Romero that I would like another solar company to inspect the array and confirm the integrity of the installation.  Despite the prior problems and the obviously poor job he refused, got angry and started shouting slurs at me. Mr. Romero insisted that I was being unreasonable and demanding extra work from them despite the obviously poor craftsmanship and the illegal original installation.  <br /> At this point I feel my only option is to file a complaint with the Hawaii Contractors Association, Hawaii Vocational and Licensing Board as well as legal action. I strongly recommend avoiding Hi-Power Solar for any type of work.  If further information is <br /> needed, feel free to contact me directly at my email address, scott@lava.net.  Photographic evidence of the shoddy workmanship is also available. <br /> <br /> <br />

They service the entire state. They were very professional. Four of my neighbors have contacted them for work as well.