Several years ago I contracted with Able Energy to install a 4kW array on my home. The sales person was amiable. The workmen were friendly. The owner was a problem. He told me it would take a few weeks to complete the project. That was several years ago...and it is still has not passed the required inspections. When I notified him after 6 months that if Able Energy could not complete the project I would hire someone else to finish it the Owner (Mike H[redacted]) attempted to bully me into paying him for the uncompleted project.
Eventually we went to small claims court. Able Energy retroactively filed for the permits required to begin the project so the Judge ruled that Able Energy needed to complete the project to the satisfaction of the building inspector. I think he thought that would force them to complete the project. Although Able Energy has still not done that they HAVE tried to bully me into paying them for the uncompleted project.
The problems began when the electrician installing the inverter showed up reeking of alcohol and I double checked the installation using the inverter installation manual. That manual warned that there was a danger of fire if the inverter was installed on any flammable material. It specifically warned against that yet Able Energy installed it directly on 30 year old cedar siding.It also required that the inverter be installed out of the weather..preferably in a climate controlled space. I had prepared a climate controlled area for mounting it but the electrician installed it on the side of the house without even an overhang to protect it from the rain. At that point I also noticed that the inverter installed was not the inverter originally quoted. Able had changed the inverter on the original quote to a smaller, cheaper one in the contract. I suppose they thought I would never notice the change of a few digits.
When I checked Able Energys reviews prior to contacting them there were no Revdex.com reviews on Able Energy. But there were LOTS of 5 star reviews elsewhere. They turned out to be fake. A few were the owner posing as a satisfied customer. Others were posted by employees of Able Energy. I was able to force Able Energy to remove dozens of fake 5 star reviews on Yelp..Google..and Facebook so others would not be mislead as I was. Currently its positive reviews are posted on a "subscription service" (Solar Reviews) that "vets" negative reviews and promotes its subscribers for a yearly charge.
The estimate of how long the the system would take to pay itself off was WAY off. Based on the actual output of my system I suggest doubling or tripling the estimate they provide for a more realistic idea of how long the return on investment actually is. They (of course) cannot be held liable for providing an extremely unlikely payback estimate..though they DO use that estimate as a strong reason to "go solar" with Able Energy.
Finally..if you have already had a system installed by Able Energy make copies of the discussions/promises they made on "Basecamp". Able Energy controls when those discussions and documents are deleted. In my case they deleted all of that incriminating evidence when they realized the dispute would end up in court.
"Shady" would be the kindest word I can use to describe Able Energys business practices.
I am extremely disapointed and frustrated with the outcome of my dealings with Mike [redacted], owner, and his company Able Energy Co. The salesman sold a concept and a robust Project Management tool called BASECAMP, that Able never performed on. They designed a system, which in my opinion, falls woefully short of what I contracted for. My system was installed and operational around November 1st, 2015. My October electric bill was $203. After install of the solar array and an electric boiler, my November bill was $430!!! I received a $12.00 credit for power produced!
I paid $58,000 for this "So Called" alternative energy system. RUN!!!!
Several years ago I contracted with Able Energy to install a 4kW array on my home. The sales person was amiable. The workmen were friendly. The owner was a problem. He told me it would take a few weeks to complete the project. That was several years ago...and it is still has not passed the required inspections. When I notified him after 6 months that if Able Energy could not complete the project I would hire someone else to finish it the Owner (Mike H[redacted]) attempted to bully me into paying him for the uncompleted project.
Eventually we went to small claims court. Able Energy retroactively filed for the permits required to begin the project so the Judge ruled that Able Energy needed to complete the project to the satisfaction of the building inspector. I think he thought that would force them to complete the project. Although Able Energy has still not done that they HAVE tried to bully me into paying them for the uncompleted project.
The problems began when the electrician installing the inverter showed up reeking of alcohol and I double checked the installation using the inverter installation manual. That manual warned that there was a danger of fire if the inverter was installed on any flammable material. It specifically warned against that yet Able Energy installed it directly on 30 year old cedar siding.It also required that the inverter be installed out of the weather..preferably in a climate controlled space. I had prepared a climate controlled area for mounting it but the electrician installed it on the side of the house without even an overhang to protect it from the rain. At that point I also noticed that the inverter installed was not the inverter originally quoted. Able had changed the inverter on the original quote to a smaller, cheaper one in the contract. I suppose they thought I would never notice the change of a few digits.
When I checked Able Energys reviews prior to contacting them there were no Revdex.com reviews on Able Energy. But there were LOTS of 5 star reviews elsewhere. They turned out to be fake. A few were the owner posing as a satisfied customer. Others were posted by employees of Able Energy. I was able to force Able Energy to remove dozens of fake 5 star reviews on Yelp..Google..and Facebook so others would not be mislead as I was. Currently its positive reviews are posted on a "subscription service" (Solar Reviews) that "vets" negative reviews and promotes its subscribers for a yearly charge.
The estimate of how long the the system would take to pay itself off was WAY off. Based on the actual output of my system I suggest doubling or tripling the estimate they provide for a more realistic idea of how long the return on investment actually is. They (of course) cannot be held liable for providing an extremely unlikely payback estimate..though they DO use that estimate as a strong reason to "go solar" with Able Energy.
Finally..if you have already had a system installed by Able Energy make copies of the discussions/promises they made on "Basecamp". Able Energy controls when those discussions and documents are deleted. In my case they deleted all of that incriminating evidence when they realized the dispute would end up in court.
"Shady" would be the kindest word I can use to describe Able Energys business practices.
I am extremely disapointed and frustrated with the outcome of my dealings with Mike [redacted], owner, and his company Able Energy Co. The salesman sold a concept and a robust Project Management tool called BASECAMP, that Able never performed on. They designed a system, which in my opinion, falls woefully short of what I contracted for. My system was installed and operational around November 1st, 2015. My October electric bill was $203. After install of the solar array and an electric boiler, my November bill was $430!!! I received a $12.00 credit for power produced!
I paid $58,000 for this "So Called" alternative energy system. RUN!!!!