Semper Solaris

Samuel H.

I started my solar process September 2021.Bob King was my sales rep and he was great. It took 8 months for Semper to install my system. The equipment has been installed for over 3 months and it's still not operational. Semper failed the fire inspection because they didn't install a smoke detector in my garage for my battery backup. They failed the county inspection because they installed the wrong breaker. On top of that after the county inspection I discovered Semper never completed the install. 2 boxes didn't have breakers installed. I asked the county inspector if we passed? She chuckled and said ""not even close."" Semper should be embarrassed since they advertise they are a veteran owned company with high standards.

I've had numerous conversations with my project coordinator Kemrie. I switched working days to accommodate Sempers installation process. After Semper failed the fire inspection I asked Kemrie what needs to be completed to get my Solar operational. Her response was I only need a smoke detector installed in my garage. The day of the county inspection I had a Semper employee at my residence the whole day to ""ensure we passed the inspection.""

If anyone is looking to install solar, I would look into a different company. My process started almost a year ago and I still do not have working equipment even though I have $70,000 worth of equipment on my property.

I enclosed a few pictures of the incomplete work.

Thomas L.

I am having a terrible experience as a customer of Semper Solaris. I contacted Semper Solaris in January, and after speaking with agent Alexander Thomson-Corrao, I decided to get solar panels and 2 batteries for my house. Installation with the solar panels went smoothly, but the batteries have been a nightmare. After waiting months for the batteries to become available, they were finally installed in June 2022. However, there were problems as soon as the workmen arrived. The original plan was to install both batteries on the east wall of my house. This plan was approved and permitted. However, the workmen suddenly noticed a gas meter in the middle of the wall (it was always there, and very obvious, but was missed during Semper Solaris's inspections). They immediately installed one battery on the east wall of my house and one battery on the west wall without changing the plan or permit. However, because the batteries are on opposite sides of my house, they do not communicate with the controller. From what I gather, the operations manager (Arthur Honore) was under the impression that the batteries communicate via WiFi and installed a WiFi booster to try to get the batteries to link. Turns out the batteries communicate by bluetooth and this wasted about a month. Next, I was contacted by Semper Solaris with a new plan: Since the electrical connections were up to code for the one battery on the east wall, they would seek inspection approval even though the batteries were nonfunctional. Following approval, they would then move the batteries to a location where they would function without seeking a change to the permit. The inspection was scheduled, but, at the last minute, it was cancelled because apparently someone realized that this approach was illegal. Finally, after weeks of ignoring my emails and calls, I finally got in touch with Rachel Korp, who pressed the engineer and Arthur for a new plan. Three weeks ago, they determined that they would move both batteries to the west wall and install an extender for the controller so that both batteries would be within range. However, despite promises from Rachel that she would update me every week, I have not heard from anyone since, and no one returns my calls or emails.

To make matters worse, I still don't have the electric company's permission to operate my solar panels. I was assured by Alexander that the solar and batteries would be separate, so that operation of the panels would not be dependent upon the batteries. However, this was another promise broken by Semper Solaris. Somehow, the solar panel and battery project became linked at the electric company (LADWP), and I have learned that I cannot get permission to operate the panels until both projects pass inspection. Meanwhile, I have been paying my full electric bill plus the loan payments on the solar panel and battery projects since June. I just want this nightmare to end, and am begging someone to please finish my battery project after more than 8 months of broken promises and excuses (but never any responsibilities taken or apologies). I look forward to this happening in the next couple weeks.

Carol C.

Semper Solaris is a well oiled machine! They installed a new energy efficient roof, gutters, and solar panels. From start to finish, the construction manager Miguel and his team were on time, accommodating and super organized. He communicated to me daily and I knew exactly what to expect. I highly recommend them.

Joe B.

Carol gave us a class on solar equipment available and discounts available. Starting the process on solar with batteries. Thank you!

Ilene U.

Carol Hoese is very punctual, profesional and knowledgeable. Thank you for walking us through the Semper Solaris process. We cannot wait for our battery and Solar panels. I would highly recommend her #nobrainer

Joe I.

Every person we came in contact with from Semper Solaris was courteous, knowledgeable and professional. There isn't any aspect of the company I can complain about.

Adding solar to any home is a lengthy and expensive process. However, the people at Semper Solaris kept me informed every step of the way and...their prices are very competitive. Remember, you get what you pay for!

Sarah G.

Absolutely pathetic service.

A technician came out to perform an inspection and then informed us of the service that is needed. It's been over a MONTH and I've called every day for two weeks and they have still been unable to respond in any way shape or form, let alone with a quote for the work. Eddie is the manager who is supposed to be calling me back but is apparently useless.

What a complete waste of time.

UPDATE:

My original post finally elicited a response from the business. We got one step further in the process and the communication devolved again.

After another three weeks of waiting/calling/emailing for a call from a salesperson (to quote the new equipment they said we need), I finally got a call from someone else saying that if I didn't remove the review the salesperson wouldn't call me. I explained that I'm still experiencing the same issues which prompted the review in the first place so I saw no reason to remove it. I told them that I would remove it if I received the call that I had been waiting on and they refused. Oh well.

Save your time and energy and go elsewhere.

Michael B.

Overpromised and significant under-delivered. Sales rep came in touting the Marine Corps ethos as the values for the company, but it has been anything but USMC-like. Communication about the project was horrible. Solar team didn't go over their plans for placing solar junction boxes, so I arrived back at home one day to find two huge silver junction boxes affixed TO THE FRONT OF MY HOUSE. Project manager had no ownership on the mistakes. Debris from work was left all over work site. Over 20 holes punched through my roof and into my 2nd floor ceiling during the solar install process because of them just guessing where the beams were. No real accountability when I made complaints... very sad to see. Should be stripped of the name implying that it operates anything like the Marine Corps.

Ramona M.

We had Semper Solaris replace our roof in Idyllwild, CA this June. We were originally going to have them install solar as well, but to their credit, after their Sales Consultant, Ross Berman, came up and thoroughly inspected our roof and surroundings, he determined that solar would not work well for our house and location. He could have sold us an entire solar system that would not have worked and instead, did not take the business, because Semper Solaris is actually ethical! Wow - that's a rare thing these days. Ross did set us up with their roof replacement team, as we needed to get that done asap for insurance reasons. Their crew, led by Miguel Reyes and Jaime Alto, were awesome. They worked with us quickly to establish a quote and get their crew on the job well prior to our deadline. Their entire team (huge crew) came up to Idyllwild and stayed there for ~3 nights, getting the job done in ~4 days, 1 day earlier than they had originally projected (it is a very large roof in a complicated wooded setting). They did a fantastic, highly professional job - it looks great - and they were all very nice and extremely respectful of our house, the surrounding property, and even the little gee-gaws we had hanging around the house (carefully removed, tucked away for safety, and re-hung when the job was done). Although the work was pricey, as is everything right now, I do feel as if we got our money's worth. The roof looks fantastic, they replaced 2 of our old sky lights and they look beautiful, and it was a LOT of work to get us to that point, so with a hearty spirit, I would 100% recommend Semper Solaris for roofing, and for solar (even though we didn't end up getting solar), as I know they are a class act and will treat you ethically and with respect.

Kyle G.

It took them 7 months to add 4 panels to my existing system, which they installed 3 years ago. Complete incompetence and failures at every step. I wanted to like them because of the veteran aspect but truth is, very few employees are actual veterans and their quality of work is among the worst.