What customers think
Carolina Solar Energy III, LLC has a mixed online reputation based on the available reviews and feedback:
- Positive Feedback: Customers have appreciated the company’s helpful staff, high-quality offerings, and fair prices. On the Chamber of Commerce website, the company has a 5.0 Star Rating from 2 reviewers. One reviewer from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, mentioned that they were extremely pleased with all the work that Carolina Solar has done for them.
- Negative Feedback: Some customers have voiced concerns about the company’s delayed response times, unfinished installations, and lack of clarity in their interactions. However, it’s important to note that there are no customer complaints filed against the company on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website.
- BBB Accreditation: The company is accredited by the BBB since 1/27/2022, which indicates that the company meets certain standards of business practices.
Experience and Expertise
Carolina Solar Energy III, LLC has extensive experience in solar installations:
- Solar Installation Experience: The company has been pioneers in bringing solar energy to the Southeast for more than 15 years. They built the first utility-scale solar energy project in the Southeast in 2007. They develop utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) solar energy projects across the Southeastern US. Over 950MWdc of solar projects are operating or under construction.
As for the qualifications of its staff, they have a team of experienced energy experts:
- Carson Harkrader (CEO): Carson leads Carolina Solar Energy’s business strategy, forging partnerships in new markets. She has recently guided the company into new projects in Kentucky and Louisiana, and in 2021, 2022 and 2023 made Business North Carolina’s list of top CEO’s in Energy. Before joining CSE in 2012, she led teams at GE Energy on worldwide projects. She holds a BA in Political Science from Brown University, and a MBA from New York University and is the Vice Chair of the Carolinas Clean Energy Business Association.
- Tyler Caron (Solar Developer): Tyler focuses on site selection and project management including interconnection applications and state permitting for new development projects. He also manages Carolina Solar Energy’s intern program. He received a BS in Environmental Technology and Management from NC State University.
- Vann Joines (Business Development Director): Vann manages corporate landowner outreach, gulf south market development, and due diligence in Louisiana and other states. Before CSE, he worked in commercial real estate development, financing and building multifamily & commercial tax credit financed projects throughout the southeast. Vann holds a Masters in Sustainable Real Estate Development from Tulane University.
- Benjamin “Benny” Finch (Outreach Director): Benny joined the team in 2010. His responsibilities include early outreach to landowners, community relations, and event planning. Benny joined CSE after a career working in economic development in North Carolina.
- Richard Harkrader (Founder): An architect emeritus, building contractor, solar installer and real estate developer, Richard founded CSE in 2004. Through his leadership, CSE built the first utility-scale solar energy project in the Southeast in 2007.
Customer Service and Support
Carolina Solar Energy III, LLC offers a range of post-installation support and maintenance services:
- Maintenance Services: The company ensures that the solar installations are well-maintained and operate for their expected life. They deliberately install solar panels on driven metal pilings rather than concrete, which allows for easy removal of the solar panels and pilings with little trouble. This suggests that they may offer services to maintain the structural integrity of the installations.
- Longevity of Installations: The solar farms installed by the company may remain in the field generating power for 30-40 years. This indicates that they likely provide long-term support and maintenance for their installations.
- Customer Service: The company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since 1/27/2022, which indicates that the company meets certain standards of business practices, including handling customer complaints. As of now, there are no customer complaints filed against the company on the BBB website.
Local Knowledge
Carolina Solar Energy III, LLC has a strong familiarity with local regulations, rebates, and solar incentives:
- Local Regulations: The company advocates for effective policy on utility-scale solar with local governments. They have been part of the push for solar energy in North Carolina and beyond since 2004. They also help grow energy solar energy markets in Virginia and Kentucky.
- Rebates: In North Carolina, residential customers receive 40 cents per watt, which can result in an average of $2,000 in savings for a typical 5 kilowatt (kW) system. Commercial customers get 30 cents per watt, up to a rebate of $30,000. Nonprofit customers get 75 cents per watt, up to a rebate of $75,000. Duke Energy also offers a PowerPair rebate, with a maximum amount of $9,000.
- Solar Incentives: In North Carolina, if you install a residential solar panel system by the end of 2032, you will receive a federal income tax credit equal to 30% of the system’s total cost, including equipment, labor, and permits. In South Carolina, there are incentives including tax credits, grants, and rebates designed to encourage the use of renewable energy in the state.
Installation Details
Carolina Solar Energy III, LLC appears to use a combination of in-house teams and local workers for their solar installations:
- In-House Teams: The company has an experienced team that brings expertise and experience to their collaborative solar projects. They have a team of energy experts, including a CEO, a Solar Developer, a Business Development Director, an Outreach Director, and a Founder. This suggests that they have in-house capabilities to manage and oversee solar installations.
- Local Workers: For their typical projects, 200-300 construction jobs are created for about one year. Wherever possible, local installation workers are hired and trained. This suggests that they may outsource some of the installation work to local workers.
Reviews
Unfortunately, no reviews were found for this company.
*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.
Areas served
The company has a presence in North Carolina in Durham.
Services Offered
- Developing Utility-Scale Solar Projects: The company develops utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) solar energy projects across the Southeastern US, specifically in North Carolina, Virginia, and Kentucky. Over 950MWdc of solar projects are operating or under construction.
- Connecting Partners: Their experienced team brings together landowners, municipalities, and communities to develop successful utility-scale solar projects.
- Qualifying Land: They work with landowners in the Southern region, many of whom manage land owned by their family for generations.
- Advocating Policy: They advocate for effective policy on utility-scale solar with local governments and join with clean energy membership organizations to advocate for state and national policy.
- Community Relations and Event Planning: They have a dedicated Outreach Director responsible for early outreach to landowners, community relations, and event planning.
Brands Sold
Solar Panels: Most of their projects use modules made of crystalline silicon. The crystals are “grown” from a solution made of pure molten sand. However, the specific brands of solar panels they use are not mentioned in the search results.
Inverters: The specific types and brands of inverters used by Carolina Solar Energy III, LLC are not explicitly mentioned in the search results. However, in general, solar systems use four main types of inverters: string inverters, central inverters, microinverters, and hybrid inverters.
Batteries: The specific types and brands of batteries used by Carolina Solar Energy III, LLC are not explicitly mentioned in the search results. However, solar panel systems typically use four main types of batteries: lead-acid, lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium, and flow batteries.
As for brand partnerships, Carolina Solar Energy III, LLC has partnered with various entities for their projects. For instance, they partnered with Ecoplexus, Inc., another solar company, for the Olin Creek project. They also work closely with landowners, governments, and utilities to power communities with clean energy.
Licenses & Certifications
- State Licenses: The specific state licenses held by Carolina Solar Energy III, LLC are not explicitly mentioned in the search results. However, the company operates in North Carolina, Virginia, and Kentucky, and it’s likely they hold necessary licenses to operate in these states. For instance, in March 2020, Carolina Solar Energy became the first solar company to apply for Kentucky state-level permits for a solar project.
- Industry Certifications: The specific industry certifications like NABCEP held by Carolina Solar Energy III, LLC are not explicitly mentioned in the search results. However, the company has a team of experienced energy experts, suggesting they likely hold relevant certifications.
- Insurance Details: The specific insurance details for Carolina Solar Energy III, LLC are not explicitly mentioned in the search results. However, it’s standard practice for solar companies to carry insurance to protect their customers and their business.
Warranty
Carolina Solar Energy III, LLC offers the following warranty terms:
- Solar Panel Warranty: The solar farms installed by the company may remain in the field generating power for 30-40 years. Solar panel warranties are typically 25 years. This means that the solar panels are expected to function and generate power for at least 25 years.
- Installation Work Warranty: Specific details about the warranty for installation work are not explicitly mentioned in the search results. However, it’s standard practice in the solar industry to offer warranties for the installation work to cover any defects or issues that may arise due to the installation process.
Payment & Financing Options
- Solar Loans: Solar loans allow you to finance the entire cost of your solar panel system. This means you own the system, whether it’s mounted on your roof or ground-mounted on your property. The loan can be paid off over a specified period of time with interest.
- Leases: In a solar lease, you agree to pay a fixed monthly “rent” or lease payment in exchange for the right to use the solar energy system and the electricity it produces for a set period of time. Carolina Solar Energy III, LLC has landowners sign long-term, 40-year leases.
- Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs): With a PPA, you agree to purchase the power generated by the system at a set price per kilowatt-hour of electricity produced. The solar company owns the system and takes care of the installation, maintenance, monitoring, and repairs.
Contact Information
Phone Number: (919) 682 68 22
Local Offices Addresses: 2536 Durham Chapel Hill Blvd, Suite E, Durham, NC, 27707
Headquarter Address: 400 W Main St Ste 503, Durham, NC, 27701-3295
