Sugar Hollow Solar

Sugar Hollow Solar

Sugar Hollow Solar Reviews

Sugar Hollow Solar Customer Reviews

4.3
4.3 out of 5 stars (based on 10 reviews)
Excellent80%
Very good0%
Average0%
Poor10%
Terrible10%

Sugar Hollow Solar Reviews

Company Overview

Since 2011

Years in businesss

4,9

Expert rating

NC. SC

State availability

25-year warranties for their solar panels, 10-year workmanship warranty, 1-year complimentary service guarantee

Warranty

Mission Solar Energy, Qcells, SunPower, Enphase Energy, SolarEdge, Tesla Powerwall

Solar brands

Solar Loans, Incentives

Financing options

Local Expert, Experienced Installer, NABCEP Certified

Acknowledgement

Experienced installer

Expertise

No information

BBB Rating

3.75

SolarReviews rating

Quick Summary

  • Overall Rating: Sugar Hollow Solar has a 5.0 star rating.
  • Years in Business: Sugar Hollow Solar has been in business for 13 years.
  • State it Serves: Sugar Hollow Solar serves in western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina.
  • History: Sugar Hollow Solar was founded by two cousins, Phelps Clarke & Doug Ager. They have been helping homeowners, businesses, and government go solar since 2010.
  • Mission Statement: Sugar Hollow Solar is about powering your life in a thoughtful way. Everything they offer is designed to bring you more comfort, security, and savings—all while lowering your carbon footprint.
  • Warranty Options: They offer 25-year warranties for their solar panels and micro-inverters, a 10-year warranty for Tesla Powerwall, 10-year workmanship warranty as well as a 1-year complimentary service guarantee.
  • Solar Panel Options: Sugar Hollow Solar offers rooftop or ground-mounted solar systems.
  • Payment Options: They offer financing for up to 100% of your system cost.
  • BBB Rating: The BBB rating for Sugar Hollow Solar is not explicitly mentioned in the search results.

*Please note that this information is based on the latest available data and may have changed.

Company gallery

Customer reviews 

April 10, 2024

Sugar Hollow Solar just finished the installation of additional solar panels for us. It went extremely smoothly and was accomplished in the time frame they had outlined. The coordination of the individuals doing the work was seamless and their attitudes toward each other and us was most pleasant. We highly recommend them!

Randall Johnson
Verified
April 10, 2024

I’m in the middle of a solar panels and batteries installation. Thus far, Sugar Hollow has been way less than stellar. 1. After site visits and multiple calls and emails, we agreed on where the batteries and inverters would go and where the electrical conduits would run. The day the installers arrived, it was like nobody had communicated any of the above information. 2. The master electricians stated that, by code, the inverters needed to be within 6 feet of my outside electrical box. Nobody on the site visits or email/phone conversations said anything about that. The pre-installation personnel and I spent a few hours looking at half a dozen potential locations for the inverters, when (if the electrician is correct) only next to the outside power box was an option. 3. The installation electricians had the incorrect side of my garage as the location for the battery installations. When I told them where we had agreed the batteries would go, they said that location did not meet code for a 30 inch clearance. 4. The outside of the house electrical conduits were to be routed for minimal visibility on our outside deck. The installation electricians had no knowledge of that agreement, and wanted to route the conduits in the fastest and most visible way possible. He was quite resistant to routing them in a less unsightly route. 5. The second day of our install was forecasted to be rainy. The installation crew chief said I would receive a call first thing the next morning to let me know if they would be coming. No call to me was made. After I made two calls to Sugar Hollow’s office, I was informed that the solar panel crew was not coming, but the battery installation crew was coming and would arrive “between 9:30 and 10 am”. At 11:15 the battery crew arrived, and seemed surprised at the earlier arrival time quoted. “9:30-10 am?? We were still in the shop at 9:30, and you’re 90 minutes away” was the battery crew chief’s account. Thus far, it has been a comedy of miscommunication, which might be funny, except the joke is on me. I don’t expect perfection, but this experience has been way less than expectations. At a minimum, the pre-installation personnel should know the pertinent electrical code for where the components need to be located and what clearance is required. In addition, a summary with drawings of the pre-installation discussions should be handed off to the installation crew. Finally, consideration of the clients’ time should be on the radar. If I need to take time off from work to be present for crew arrival, then I expect accurate and timely estimates of when the crews will be at my home.

Christopher Viscomi
Verified
March 10, 2024

Update: these systems are expensive. 2 years, in one of the panels went down and needed a part. I notified them in October. The part was received and repair scheduled for November. They got here and didn’t want to get on my roof. I have followed up multiple times and no one calls me back. I’ve waited through winter and It’s now MARCH. If you installed a $50k+ system and people can’t maintain it themselves, you need to take care of your customers. I will be calling AGAIN today. Our experience with Sugar Hallow was overall, extremely positive! Late last year we had the solar panels installed and just recently we decided to add battery packs. The team was responsive, professional, understanding and considerate.The installs BOTH went extremely smoothly despite living in a relatively remote area. The only thing that I may recommend is to request support with monitoring system phone apps while the guys are on site. No instructions are provided, which I think would be helpful to leave with customers. Overall would HIGHLY recommend Sugar Hallow for anyone considering solar systems locally!!!

Nic Pollifrone
Verified
March 5, 2024

Sugar Hollow did an excellent job with the installation on my mom’s house in early March. So far she has been very pleased with her Enphase system. From John to Sam to Aaron to Katti and all of the other team members as well, were easy and pleasant to deal with, knowledgeable, professional, and responsive. The process went relatively smoothly and they did a nice job installing everything and cleaning up. They also installed a SolarEdge system on my house back in 2021 and it has been working out well for me. They were a big help with the Duke rebate process and also connected me with a great electrician to relocate my meter to a more inconspicuous spot. Both my mom and I hope to install battery backups at some point and plan to use Sugar Hollow for that. I recommended Sugar Hollow to my mom based on my experience and she now highly recommends them as well!

MT Lee
Verified
January 10, 2024

Had an awesome experience with our rooftop solar install team: Tony, Mac, Alan, Eli, RJ, Collin The were on time, worked incredibly hard, patiently answered my questions and provided information about what was being done and how to navigate some challenges that arose because of some of the unique challenges of our ancient existing electrical metering. Really nice folks, and their positive attitude made the whole experience pleasant and fruitful for us.

Bruce Patterson
Verified
December 10, 2023

I had a couple different companies come out and give quotes and opinions on the best setup for our roof. Sugar Hollow was competitive in the pricing and had a far superior setup. They worked hard at making sure we utilized the best parts of my roof whereas the other company was placing several panels in areas that made little sense and wasting some of the best real-estate I had on the roof. I had to wait more time then desired to get the install started from signing the contract but I fully understand it was because of the high volume of new customers during the NC law change. Sugar Hollow made sure to keep up communications during this longer wait time and assured us they were training new staff to meet the new demands. When they did come out for the install, everyone was awesome. Fantastic communication all around! Bright and smiling faces and it seemed that everyone was happy to be out here working! Seriously, they were great! When there was some questions/concerns about how to access a conduit in my attic that I had placed for our new construction house they spent as much time as was needed to formulate a plan to make sure we didn’t have to penetrate our new metal roof and found the conduit. I supplied them with color matching marking pens for any scratches on the roof that were created and they happily used them to assure the roof lasts. I’m super grateful we went with Sugar Hollow and I have already recommended them to multiple neighbors and friends!

Robert Stephens
Verified
December 10, 2023

This is an update to my initial review: Sugar Hollow did get back to us. They reviewed our solar production and spent considerable time explaining the process Duke uses to accept the kWh we contribute. Apparently, part of the problem was that Duke restarted the crediting process at a time when we had contributed more than we used, but because it was right at the end of Duke’s fiscal year, we weren’t given that credit. So, the problem was really with Duke. It is what it is, but not the fault of Sugar Hollow. In fact, Sugar Hollow was awesome to take so much time explaining it all! They are local, and they are excellent. I’ve never had a company take so much time looking at the information I provided, analyzing it, and explaining it in terms I could understand.

Carol Mccrory
Verified
November 25, 2023

My solar panels were installed in November before the holiday. Crew took 2 days and were very friendly and professional. They seem to enjoy their work and were conscientious. I asked questions before and during and all were answered completely. I love monitoring the solar panel production being produced on the Enphase app. Everything went smoothly and placement of the panels were discussed ahead of time and look great on my nearly 100 year old home.

Chip Drake
Verified
September 10, 2023

We got quotes from every local and several national solar installers last June and went with Sugar Hollow both because of their great reputation and because their price was among the lowest. We were a little disappointed that they did not install the system during the summer as they had originally told us, but once they came out in September the system was installed quickly and now is up and running perfectly. We love looking at the app and seeing how much electricity we’re generating! Everyone at Sugar Hollow was responsive, friendly and knowledgeable. The install crew was respectful and neat. We are very happy.

Barbara MacDonald
Verified
February 27, 2022

I am extremely impressed with Sugar Hollow Solar. For years, I thought about solar power and talked to a couple of local providers. I chose Sugar Hollow over my second choice, as they explained the process much more clearly (the other company ‘lost me’ right away). Sugar Hollow cost me a little less, and a real advantage was that they could come sooner than the other company. Great bunch of guys did the install; smart, polite and trustworthy. I’m producing more energy than they predicted, and, so far, I have no electric bill, even in winter, with the shorter days. I’ve had the panels for just 3 months, and have set a new kw high record every few days.

Michael Fredericks
Verified

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Expert review

Sugar Hollow Solar has a strong online reputation with positive customer reviews. Here’s a summary of what customers are saying:

  • Overall Ratings: Sugar Hollow Solar has an average rating of 5.0 stars.
  • Customer Satisfaction: Customers highly recommend Sugar Hollow Solar for their thorough proposals, reliable service, and overall positive experience.
  • Service Quality: Customers have praised the company for their professionalism, dependability, friendliness, knowledge, and competence.
  • After Sales Support: The company has been commended for their remarkable after-sales support.
  • Installation Quality: Customers have expressed satisfaction with the quality of installation.
  • Sales Process: The sales process has been described as transparent and efficient.

Experience and Expertise

Sugar Hollow Solar has significant experience and expertise in solar installations:

  • Experience: Sugar Hollow Solar has been helping homeowners, businesses, and government go solar in western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina since 2010. They specialize in the design, installation, and maintenance of solar arrays, battery backup, and EV chargers. Their building permit records indicate that they have worked on at least 504 projects over the past 3 years.
  • Staff Qualifications: The team at Sugar Hollow Solar is highly qualified and experienced. They have four (and growing) NABCEP certified solar experts who lead the organization in installing solar systems to the highest professional standards. The team includes a variety of roles such as CEO, Co-founders, Chief Operating Officer, Director of Operations, Director of Sales, Commercial Sales and Design Manager, Commercial Energy Consultants, Energy Consultants, Commercial Project Manager, Lead Project Manager, Construction Manager, Purchasing & Warehouse Manager, Warehouse Assistant, Site Surveyor, Administrative Assistant, Utility Interconnections Specialist, Permit Specialist, and Solar Craftsperson. Each position is integral to the company’s success.

This indicates a high level of expertise and commitment to quality in their work.

Customer Service and Support

Sugar Hollow Solar offers a comprehensive range of post-installation support and maintenance services:

  • Dedicated Service Team: Sugar Hollow Solar has a dedicated, on-staff service team that is quick, kind, and knowledgeable. They are ready to help you with any issues that may arise after the installation.
  • Maintenance Services: They offer one-time and yearlong maintenance services for all solar panel owners. They also have a specialized service team that primarily supports their solar electric customers.
  • Service Requests: If you need help with your system, you can make a service request directly from their website. They also provide help in finding a technician if you have a service need that they can’t take on.
  • Other Services: Their service team offers a few other services such as replacement of battery back-up systems, removal and replacement of an existing solar system for re-roofing, and installation of off-grid solar electric and battery systems.
  • Customer Service Reviews: Sugar Hollow Solar has received positive reviews for their customer service. Customers have praised their service both before and after the sale. They have been commended for their excellent install, meticulous site cleanup, and extremely knowledgeable staff. They have also been praised for their immediate and excellent help several months after the install.

This indicates that Sugar Hollow Solar prioritizes customer satisfaction and is committed to providing high-quality post-installation support and maintenance services.

Local Knowledge

Sugar Hollow Solar has a deep understanding of local regulations, rebates, and solar incentives:

  • Local Regulations: Sugar Hollow Solar is well-versed in local regulations. They have been proactive in supporting their clients in navigating the evolving solar energy market in North Carolina, especially in response to significant changes proposed by Duke Energy Progress.
  • Rebates: Sugar Hollow Solar is familiar with the Duke PowerPair rebate program. Homeowners in North Carolina can receive a rebate of up to $3,600 for solar and $5,400 for batteries when installed together, totaling an impressive $9,000 in savings.
  • Solar Incentives: Sugar Hollow Solar is knowledgeable about various solar incentives. They provide information on the Federal Tax Credit (Investment Tax Credit or ITC), which allows you to get back 30% of the installation cost of a solar energy system as a federal tax credit. For South Carolina residents, they offer an additional 25% tax credit for residential and commercial sectors.
  • Tax Credits: They explain how tax credits work and how they can dramatically reduce the net cost and payback period of a solar system. They also inform about the state property tax exemption for solar in North Carolina.

This local knowledge and familiarity with regulations and incentives significantly enhance the efficiency and legality of the installation process, making Sugar Hollow Solar a reliable choice for solar installations.

Installation Details

Sugar Hollow Solar does use in-house teams for their installations. They are a full-service solar energy company offering design and installation services in Western North Carolina. Their team is comprised of various roles including CEO, Co-founder, Chief Operating Officer, Director of Operations, Director of Sales, Commercial Sales and Design Manager, Commercial Energy Consultant, Energy Consultant, Human Resources Manager, Project Manager, Construction Manager, Purchasing & Warehouse Manager, and various crew leaders and installers. This suggests that they handle the entire process from design to installation, which aligns with your point about in-house installation often leading to better quality control and accountability.

Reviews

Positive Reviews

  1. “Remarkable service. Our Solar Water heating system was installed by Sugar Hollow four years ago. This weekend we had no hot water and no power to our programmable control box. A first. Phelps answered my call for a help on a Sunday afternoon – Remarkable! Not for Phelps, who is quick to return calls, but for service providers in general. He walked me through resetting the program and we had hot water again! What a relief.”
  2. “Really great local solar company!!! They came in after Thermacraft botched a solar hot water installation and did a fantastic job repairing it & making it work! So glad I found them! Will use them for any future solar work I need! Very conscious of your home, leave everything spic & span clean. Highly recommend!”
  3. “Great company! Everything about Sugar Hollow has been first-rate, and we highly recommend them to anyone thinking of adding solar to their home. From our initial contact through final installation, they’ve been professional, dependable, friendly, knowledgeable and competent. Cleanup was perfect each of the three days they were here.”

Negative Reviews

We couldn’t find any negative reviews about Sugar Hollow Solar. It seems that they have a very positive reputation in the community.

*Please note that these reviews are based on the latest available data and may have changed. For the most accurate and up-to-date reviews, I recommend visiting the respective platforms directly.

Source

Areas served

The company has a presence in North Carolina in Asheville.

Services Offered

  • Residential Solar: They provide solar panel installation services for homes.
  • Commercial Solar: They also cater to businesses, helping them transition to solar energy.
  • Battery Backup: They offer battery backup solutions, which can provide power during outages and reduce reliance on the grid.
  • EV Charger Installation: They provide installation services for electric vehicle (EV) chargers.
  • Tesla Solar Roof: They offer the Tesla Solar Roof, an innovative product that combines solar panels and roof tiles.

Brands Sold

Solar Panels: Sugar Hollow Solar provides solar electric systems, which can be either rooftop or ground-mounted. The specific types and brands of solar panels they offer are not explicitly mentioned on their website. However, they do mention working with manufacturers like Mission Solar Energy, Qcells, and SunPower, which suggests they may offer solar panels from these brands.

Inverters: The electricity produced by solar panels is direct current (DC), but our homes use alternating current (AC). Therefore, the power produced by the solar array needs to be converted from DC to AC. This conversion is made by a device called an inverter. Sugar Hollow Solar likely offers inverters from Enphase Energy and SolarEdge, as these are among the manufacturers they work with.

Batteries: Sugar Hollow Solar offers battery backup systems to increase energy independence and potentially lower power bills. They specifically mention offering the Tesla Powerwall, which is a rechargeable home battery system.

Licenses & Certifications

State Licenses:

  • Sugar Hollow Solar holds a Heating Group 1 Class I license and 2 other licenses according to the North Carolina license board.
  • Their license was verified as active when last checked.

Industry Certifications:

  • Sugar Hollow Solar has four (and growing) NABCEP certified solar experts. The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-recognized certification in the renewable energy industry. To become NABCEP-certified, installers must pass an exam, sign a code of ethics, and possess at least one year of installation experience.

Insurance Details: We couldn’t find specific details about Sugar Hollow Solar’s insurance policies from the available sources.

Warranty

Sugar Hollow Solar provides strong warranties for both their products and installation work, offering peace of mind and protection for your investment:

Product Warranties:

  • They offer 25-year warranties for their solar panels and micro-inverters.
  • For the Tesla Powerwall, they provide a 10-year warranty.

Installation Work Warranty:

  • Sugar Hollow Solar offers a 10-year workmanship warranty. This means that if for any reason something goes wrong with your equipment in that time, they’ll take care of it without any charge to you.
  • In addition, they also offer a 1-year complimentary service guarantee.

Payment & Financing Options

Solar Loans: Sugar Hollow Solar offers financing for up to 100% of your system cost. This allows you to fund the purchase and installation of solar panels. However, it’s important to check the terms closely as not all loans are created equal.

Incentives: With the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022, the Federal Tax Credit for solar is now 30%. This is a dollar-for-dollar credit, so if your solar system costs $30,000, you’ll get $9,000 back as a tax credit. This incentive is available to households, businesses, and non-profits.

Contact Information

Phone Number(s): (828) 776 9161

Email: hello@sugarhollowsolar.com

Local Office Address: 2 Miller Rd East, Asheville, NC 28805

Headquarter Address: 2 Miller Rd East, Asheville, NC 28805

Our Recommendation

In the rapidly evolving world of renewable energy, finding a reliable solar installer can be a daunting task. However, for residents of North Carolina, Sugar Hollow Solar emerges as a strong contender. This Asheville-based company has been serving the community since 2010, and their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction is evident in their customer reviews and business practices.

Customer Satisfaction: Sugar Hollow Solar has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from customers. With an average rating of 5 stars from 25 reviews, customers have praised the company for their remarkable service. They have been lauded for their prompt response to service calls, even on weekends. Customers have also appreciated their conscientiousness in leaving the installation site clean and tidy.

Certifications and Licenses: Sugar Hollow Solar holds a Heating Group 1 Class I license and two other licenses, ensuring they are fully qualified to install solar systems. They also have four NABCEP certified solar experts, a certification that requires passing an exam, signing a code of ethics, and possessing at least one year of installation experience.

Warranty and Insurance: The company offers strong warranties, providing a 10-year workmanship warranty and a 1-year complimentary service guarantee. They also offer 25-year warranties for their solar panels and micro-inverters, and a 10-year warranty for the Tesla Powerwall.

Payment and Financing Options: Sugar Hollow Solar offers financing for up to 100% of your system cost, making solar energy more accessible. They also help customers take advantage of the Federal Tax Credit for solar, which is now 30%.

Based on these factors, we highly recommend Sugar Hollow Solar to anyone living in North Carolina looking for a reliable solar installer. Their commitment to customer satisfaction, coupled with their industry certifications and strong warranties, make them a trustworthy choice for your solar energy needs.

Head Office Location

Sugar Hollow Solar
2 Miller Road East, Asheville, NC 28805

Local Offices

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