1st Light Energy review

Positive reviews:

“The staff at 1st Light Energy is the best. Thank you Jennifer, for explaining to me the process I was going to encounter. The installation was finished much faster than I thought it would be, and I was totally impressed. The installers showed up when expected and were professional and courteous. I thought the town permits and SCE Permission to Operate would take forever. I was wrong. I’m generating electricity much faster than I could have imagined. Thank you 1st Light Energy, Weston and the 1st Light Energy Team. Job well done!” – cheryl.suzuki ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ August 3, 2018

“We purchase a 2200 sq ft, two story, Central Valley California home in July of 2015. Because of the sweltering hot conditions, our electric bill peaked over $550 a month which was way over our budget. I contacted 1st Light Energy and they quickly set us up with a unit that suits all of our individual energy needs. I’m very pleased with the customer service, professionalism, and savings that 1st Light Energy has provided my family. Going solar was the best decision ever- for our budget and for the environment.” – terirenee19 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ August 2, 2018

Negative reviews:

“Solar panels not working and know one will answer the phone or call you back and there only 8 years old and not working .This company is a bunch of scammers !!! DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY THEY ARE FRAUDS!!!! PAID 33,000 dollars and they are junk and one of the biggest scammers in the industry.Does anyone know how to file a lawsuit against these criminals!!!” – brimoore300 ⭐☆☆☆☆ September 23, 2025

“This company has abandoned all of it customers in the Northeast. Leaving those with solar panel issues to fend for themselves. Not holding up to their 10 year workmanship warranty. we have panels not producing bit I’m expected to pay my loan of 70k for a system that isn’t working properly. Was advised to contact a local company. Thus, leaving me to pay out of pocket for a system that is under warranty. You should be ashamed of yourselves for scamming people out of money and having us all fend for ourselves. I expect a class action suit against this company to make good for us customers having issues with our system. I won’t hold my breath in hopes of having someone call me to make things right.” – Cdistefano3019 ⭐☆☆☆☆ January 19, 2025

Positive reviews:

“Ive always wanted to go solar. I didn’t think I could afford it until I learned that you could break it up into installments. 1st light helped me withe the whole process. It took 8 weeks to get installed. Ive seen my bill reduced to the basic service charge and couldn’t be happier. I used to pay $200 a month now I’m saving over $55 a month.” – SusanL ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ February 11, 2019

“I was very skeptical when it came to solar. Had two friends who both went solar. Both with different companies who I had sat down with. I didn’t get a good feeling from both and rightly so. Both friends ended up having problems with the company. I got in contact with 1st light through another friend of mine who had worked with Penili. He was able to answer most of my questions and was very honest and not pushy like the other companies. He explained everything very thoroughly and everything ran exactly how he said it would. The company has been great. Had my panels up just a few months and definitely loving the savings. I still have a small basic charge from Coned like he explained I would. Great job to him and the company. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking to go solar.” – Carol P ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ February 11, 2019

Negative reviews:

“They promised me that the system I got was more then big enough to cover my power bill. Come to find out they put in a small system and has not saved me any money what so ever. When I call, they are telling me that even though the system is small it is doing what it’s suppose to do. I have made very little energy. Now I have not only a solAr power bill but also a power bill. My $300 power bill is now $600 with everything. They have been no help and can offer no solutions. Worst investment ever made. In SC area.” – WTurner ⭐☆☆☆☆ March 25, 2020

“I Was told I was getting federal rebate check for $12,000.00 and State rebate check for &4,000.00 in a lump sum payment from each so I could apply the rebates to the loan to pay it down sooner. This turned out to be a total lie!!! The federal money is a tax credit, not a lump sum rebate!!! The state is paid directly to the contractor, also not a lump sum payment, but the solar company has to apply for that before anything is installed

Positive reviews:

“I called one of the owners (Justin) after a recommendation from a friend who had his solar system installed by 1st Light. From the start, no pushy but contrarily very cautious about whether the system would offer enough payback that I was seeking, etc. Local guys did the install of my 3.43KWH/14 panel system were friendly and efficient. The first PG&E bill I got with only 8 days of solar was 54% lower than last January. I had solicited estimates from every solar company in the Stanislaus County area of CA. Only this one was able to offer a system with a 10 year payback. I recommend this business.” – Chris O. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ February 5, 2014

“I have never been so satisfied with a company as I am with 1st light. We decided we wanted solar and started meeting with multiple companies. 1st light blew us away and it was a no brainier to go with them. However, I was nervous choosing them considering all of the negative yelp reviews but we didn’t experience one hiccup with this company. They must have read the reviews and taken them into consideration because we were updated every week. We started the process may 22nd ish and our panels are already installed and ready to go! Fast process! Every person we came in contact with was awesome. They gave us 31 panels when solar city said they could only install 17! And the install was faster than any other company! They have a 12 year loan and a 30 year loan and after that u own the panels. I hope this helps!” – Danielle H. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ July 3, 2015

Negative reviews:

“People do not purchase solar panels from First Light Energy and from Solar Mosaic company the are liars, thieves, scammers. Im leasing the solar panels from Solar Mosaic and make monthly payments and First Light Energy services the panels since I had the panels for 5 years they never came to clean them and the the system hasnt been working for a few years and I have reached out to Daniel Hargus from First Light Energy and he is going to charge me to come look at it and charge me again if he has to come back and again if he has to fix it. I am on a fixed income and retired and a disabled senior I don’t have money to do that I feel that I’m being taken advantage of and it ain’t fair. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME on you.” – Eda T. ⭐☆☆☆☆ April 9, 2025

“BEWARE!!! They sold me solar 10 years ago with the promise of no more PG&E bill. Well, I’ve had a true-up bill every year. This year??? $3700.00. Be sure to ask alllll about the true up. I was never told of it. I have had other solar companies come out and tell me we don’t have enough panels. lol. Great. What a waste of money. Do your homework. Just not with these scammers.” – Michelle S. ⭐☆☆☆☆ March 10, 2024

Negative reviews:

“I ordered and paid for a service call back in April 2024. A month later, the service call was cancelled and rescheduled and when the 2nd date for the service call was here, the service represented had to cancel the service. The company required that I pay in advance, so I sent them a check to their headquarters in *******, **. I have called twice to get a refund but still nothing.Do not do business with this company.” – Gary C ⭐☆☆☆☆ May 29, 2024

“October 2019, we purchased solars from 1st Light Energy. Since then we have had a few issues, with the capping of the solars etc and after months of arguing the issues were finally completed. Since November 2022, we have had massive leaks in our home; after calling several roofers, it was agreed that the problem stems from the way that the solars were bolted down into the roof. An agent from 1st Light came in early December 2022, who confirmed that our brand new roof is damaged from the way that the solars had been installed. Since then, rain,sleet, and snow have caused the damage to our roof to worsen, spreading down the ceiling, bay window and window sill of the interior. They have set up 2 appointments with us, but each time no one showed up to take the solars off so the leaks can be repaired. The leaks have gotten to the point that the interior wood has rotted and mold is beginning to spread in between the rafters! 1st Light guarantees their work and had agreed to pay for the roofer cost. However, they NEVER Show up and we have had the roofer on stand by each time! Furthermore,the damage to our window, wooden window sill and ceiling should also be repaired, at 1st Lights expense, as well as the mold completely removed from the rafters, so that our home could be safe again. My husband, myself, our 2 children and my 83 year old mother who have lived in the home for 17 years should not be exposed to this health hazard any longer!” – Helen M ⭐☆☆☆☆ April 19, 2023

Positive reviews:

“This is a great place to work. While the company is quite large and in several other states, you still feel valued and you can speak directly with the owner if needed. They try to accommodate as many needs as possible. They provide holiday pay, sick pay and health benefits. They are flexible on start times in the morning. There are opportunities for growth if you want to learn.” – Controller ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ March 13, 2024

“great staff and customers. I really don’t like to give reviews but I am being forces to write some thing. Very fast work day much to do. M-F typical office hours.” – Project Coordinator – Community Development ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ March 14, 2020

Negative reviews:

“Very toxic work environment and a very disorganized company. high turnover of workers because of the miserable toxic atmosphere that you work in. The leads are bullies who will verbally-abuse you and use their power over you. Run away from this place, plenty of other solar companies out there.” – Solar Technician ⭐☆☆☆☆ September 15, 2024

“They have offices all over, so your manager usually is not working in the same office as you. There is no room for advancement and your often stuck in your current position. They also constantly change your job title and pile on more of a workload without any added compensation.” – Project Coordinator ⭐⭐☆☆☆ April 28, 2022

Positive reviews:

“1st light is by far one of the friendliest and most professional vendors we come across at Public Storage . They are efficient and did I mention fast ! thought this project was going to take months and they were finished before I even knew it if I could give 10 Stars I could!!! And did I mention Kyle, Juan,Ryan and Hjalma all very polite and seem like they work together very well. Definitely recommend” – Nicole O’Neill ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ November 2023

“I would recommend 1st Light Energy to everyone. From first contact through installation everything was done very efficiently and professionally. The best part is that I haven’t paid more than $88.00 A month in over 18 months and this includes my lease payment.For the past 6 months my payment has just been the lease payment of $68.00. Love it !!” – Paul Battisti ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ November 2017

Negative reviews:

“People be ware!!! Do not use this solar company and Mosaic solar company bc they lie nothing is covered under the lease and only take your money and don’t do any My system broke and when I reached out to Daniel Hargus he told me I have to pay for looking at the system and pay if they have to come out again and pay if they have to fix it. I’m very disappointed and disatified.” – Eda Thompson ⭐☆☆☆☆ April 2025

“Have called for over 6months to no resolve, and have had nobody return my call in over 5 months! the solar installation has ruined a huge portion of our roof and included interior damage to multiple rooms- their response, we will give you 10% off of your solar panel removal so that YOU can fix the roof. Steer clear!” – Carla Jauregui ⭐☆☆☆☆ November 2024

Average Performer

1st Light Energy gets the Average Performer badge and works in 12 states, but their third-party ratings don’t go above 4. Local community trust isn’t their strong suit either – their score is 3.0 in our evaluation. This badge means they are somehow reliable, but you need to pay more attention to what they have to offer. While 1st Light Energy may not lead the pack, they are certainly recognized for their capacity to meet a broad range of solar installation needs with commendable customer satisfaction. When considering this solar installer, you can add 1st Light Energy to your list as a lower priority and one that requires additional research before you decide to work with them.