© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.
The Better Business Bureau lists 352 customer complaints.
Photo Credit: iStock
After spending more than $129,000 on rooftop solar — almost $100,000 more than the state average — a Virginia resident says the deal has not produced the savings he expected.
Marcus Evins told 8News that the environmental benefits and lower utility costs made solar panels appealing, but after installing a 45-panel system on his Richmond home through a company called Top Tier Solar Solutions, the promised savings never materialized. Instead, his electric bills hit $400.
Records reviewed by 8News suggest other customers have raised similar concerns: the Virginia Attorney General complaint database shows 21 complaints involving Top Tier Solar Solutions, while the Better Business Bureau lists 352 customer complaints. 
“This is not at all been what I expected, and if I had the opportunity to do it all over again, I probably would not have gotten solar panels,” Evins told 8News. 
Want to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers in your area.
To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner.
He also provided the station with documents showing that his solar provider estimated he’d save 80% to 90% every month, with his electric bill hovering around $40 or less. 
For homeowners, going solar can be one of the best ways to save money on home energy — but only if the installer, design, and financing terms hold up under scrutiny. 
While solar panels are legitimate tech, it’s important to do research by getting multiple quotes and looking up information on the companies, such as their Better Business Bureau reputation and any customer reviews online. 
One of the best places to use is the comparison shopping site EnergySage, which is like Expedia for solar panels, to get free solar installation estimates and compare quotes without giving your contact information to anyone unless you decide to move forward.
FROM OUR PARTNER
Want to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers that can help you save as much as $10k on installation.
To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best local options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner.
Evins said his family did not immediately panic when the bills stayed high. 
“We trusted the process, we gave it some months and in probably about four to six months we started asking questions,” he told 8News.
As the mismatch continued, Evins said he sent a demand letter to the installer and its financing company raising concerns about the companies’ communication, his understanding of the agreement, and the lack of savings. He said he was also told the system was operating correctly and that noticeable savings might take a year to appear.
Evins said he requested a technician’s diagnostic report explaining why his utility bills did not reflect the anticipated savings, but he was not given one.
💡Go deep on the latest news and trends shaping the residential solar landscape
In a statement to 8News, the financing company, GoodLeap, which was not directly involved in the installation, said, “GoodLeap has stepped in to help thousands and thousands of homeowners where contractors have gone bankrupt and systems need to get to full installation, all done at no cost to the homeowner.” 
The lender added that 12 of Evins’ panels are not working and that it is coordinating repairs with the installer while discussing compensation.
If you’re considering a solar system for your home, the Better Business Bureau says that solar customers can protect their investments by understanding roof conditions, household energy use, and warranty terms. It also recommends getting competing estimates and exploring available incentives and financing options. 
With EnergySage‘s help, the average person can save up to $10,000 on solar purchases and installations. EnergySage’s solar map shows the average cost of a home solar panel system by state and details solar panel incentives for each state, helping homeowners get the best price on rooftop solar panels and access available incentives.
Adding battery storage to a solar setup is also one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, save money on energy, and go off-grid. Homeowners can explore EnergySage for information about home battery storage options, including competitive installation estimates.
Evins’ experience shows how quickly the math on rooftop solar can get murky. 
• A new homeowner was stunned when the bill hit $420 after installing solar.
• After hearing customer-service horror stories, one homeowner sought advice on avoiding solar scams before signing.
• Former EnergySage COO Charlie Hadlow broke down the mystery of solar costs for cautious homeowners.
• Rooftop systems can lose performance when owners overlook cleaning and repair basics after installation.
• In the Philippines, researchers identified the trustworthiness of providers as a major barrier to home solar.
Get TCD’s free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.

source