Solar SME, INC.

I had an overall great experience with SolarSME - they offered highly-competitive rates, sales POC Amir was very informed, engaging and respondive, and the project manager Kevin did a truly fantastic job of moving my project to completion - once the design was set. Just know going in that solar isnt a "done next week" project. Overall process took longer than I had wanted with 2 design changes decided upon (scale-up, then adding Critter Guard) during the planning-placement cycle. During this phase I went through 3 project managers during the course of 4 months (after 3mo delay due to my own HOA approval process), and my placement desires (to install more panels towards the less-efficient/less-noticeahle rear of my home) were not captured on 2 occasions, sending the design back to engineering/drafting for another week or two each time - and more HOA delays. Also, the part of country that I live in is notorious for squirrels and birds nesting underneath the solar panels and that forced yet another modification to the contract (to add Critter Guard) that took a few more weeks. Critter Guard should have been a part of the initial sales/desgin process. Once the project got set and the design was finalized Kevin stepped in and he was one of the most responsive project manners on any major project that I have done for my home (patio, deck, bath remodel). I would call/text and if he didn't pick up immediately he would be calling back within an hour (often weekends too!). I would ask about permitting and licensing and he would give me a detailed response and even provide points of contacts for me to follow-up with. Overall I felt that he was definitely advocating for my interests to move the project forward despite a mountain of regulatory paperwork and he did a truly excellent job. Sunnary: there's a lot of regulatory paperwork involved and the process at SolarSME seemed to slow significantly with some mid-course design changes I made - but the price SolarSME offered was highly-competitive, and the project management - once the design was set - was fantastic. SolarSME is hungry for business - a great thing - and SolarSME delivers I am very happy with this project and would definitely use SolarSME again.

Long review but it might help you make an important decision. I will continue to share my experience going forward as well. I live in NE Maryland. So far, so great!! Truly meeting and working with the installation team is where all the worries went away. I can’t take away from the sales, design, and the countless helpful people involved to make this experience more confident and we are almost done and turned on. This was a large and important decision for me, I’m a numbers guy and I love my home. I didn’t want to mess this up and I was worried what I needed would look awful. I was purchasing - little over 27.14kwh system. After 8 years of pricing out, over thinking solar, I had given up making sense of doing it in fear that I would ruin my home. Sales team was super helpful in not making me feel in competition with them on pricing. They worked hard to provide education or perspective where I had questions/concerns. They beat all of or matched the 15 other companies that I had priced over the years for the equipment I wanted. They did so politely and expediently. I pulled the trigger finally and signed. There will be hiccups in the design process, as many different and changing regulations have to come into play for your design to look the way you want and be within code, plus I am picky. Also, my bank thought the check I had written was fraud, so they stopped check. It was weird, I was frustrated, but it got resolved immediately because I knew I had to be just as responsive as they had been. It will come together when you meet the installation team. Hands down I might be lucky because I think I got the best one at SME. Logistically they had it down. I randomly got messages that I was getting a delivery. It was the panels. The team showed up 10 minutes before that fedex truck arrived. I’m not saying that’s even possible, maybe my luck. They started immediately and didn’t stop. I made a point to get to know the project manager, Mohammed. What an incredibly smart, humble, helpful and accommodating professional. His leadership is that of which you can’t find and I have been coaching and building leaders my entire career in financial services. His team, Rakan, Jose, and Udwan(other Mohammad) . Were the hardest most cohesive crew, start to finish. They are outstanding humans. truly looked forward to seeing them each when they were here. They were all seen as guests of my home and trusted them being there when I was not. I tried to arrange my schedule to be around the best I could, things happen. They were all extremely nice, polite, and fun. The house looks beautiful to me. I’m excited when some additional light renovations happen in the spring. I’m pumped for the returns on this investment over time. My inspection is next week sometime. I will keep you all posted on this experience from there. Do it.

So I used engerysage to help my decision on a solar company and happy I did. There were three to choose from and SME solar was the best choice. SME assigned Kevin Martin project manager he gets 5 stars as well. Every step so far he has informed on the progress of the installation. He explains in detail the steps that has to happen to complete the solar install. So ask for Kevin Martin for project manager he good so SME Solar is a great company to work with.

So far it's been great: First our salesman, Danny Russell, who patiently and thoroughly answered all of our questions. And then our project manager, Kevin Martin, who did not make Danny a liar and was very communicative and supportive throughout the installation of our solar panels. Everything has happened on schedule and has been very seamless. We are not yet up and running because there are a couple of inspections ahead of us. But based on the past two months of working with Danny and Kevin @ Solar SME we would do it again any day!

Go with someone else! They are very slow in getting things done. I would wait a week or more to get an update on the status. Always some excuse why things take forever. They told me it will be 60-90 days for an install. I’m 76 days in and they are still gathering documents to apply for an install permit. Who knows how long they will delay after to order panels, to schedule install and then schedule an inspection. The only thing that they were very fast about was sending invoices. Go with anyone else!!

It took them 6 months to actually order and send technicians to see what was going on. Their project management is a joke, they cannot orchestrate times and even dates when their technicians show up. They came today all their equipment they needed was ordered and waiting, and surprise surprise they brought the wrong ladder to do the job so the solar panels are still not running. I would pick any other company in the area to set up panels over this mess of a company, you yourself could probably do a better job.

I had the pleasure of working with Danny Russell as my energy consultant, and I highly recommend him. Danny’s expertise and professionalism were evident from the start. He took the time to assess my energy needs and provided a customized solution that exceeded my expectations. What sets Danny apart is his ability to explain complex energy concepts in a simple, understandable way. His recommendations were practical and actionable, helping me optimize energy efficiency and reduce costs. Danny was always responsive, reliable, and dedicated to finding the best solutions. Thanks to his guidance, I am poised to see a significant reduction in my energy costs and gained a better understanding of my energy needs. If you're looking for an energy consultant who delivers excellent results with genuine care, Danny Russell is the one to call!