Albion Power Company, Inc

I had a wonderful, personalized experience with Albion Power.
They designed and installed a solar panel array for my single family home in SF.
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(8) Sharp 250 watt modules
(8) Enphase M215 215 watt microinverters
They had licensed roofers flash all roof penetrations and their team of licensed electricians performed all electrical work on the system. They were able to work with my General Contractor and Architect to make sure the project was successfully coordinated. The solar was part of a bigger remodel project. I enjoyed that I had a core group of folks at Albion to run the entire project and keep me updated on schedule, GoSolarSF rebates and PG&E processes. One reason I chose Albion was that they are a small well-​informed company with dedicated people. Thomas came out numerous times to check on site details and was unphased at climbing on the roof in his office clothes. They have also answered all of my questions since the project was completed.
Cheers

Great people, who did a great job on our residential system in Half Moon Bay!

I started to look for Solar installer early 2015. Between Februrary and April, I talked to at least 3 SF local installers along with 4 other big name installers. I am glad I found Albion Power Company; Thomas Wilde from Albion impressed me with his professionalism and diligence. He explained everything to me:
1. the options in choosing the right number of Solar panels for my need;
2. how the Solar panels are installed on my roof and with the 10 year warranty,
3. how to pick the right converter: micro vs string
4. the availability of the 10 year extended warranty on the SMA string converter (20 year standard+extended warrany!!!).
When Thomas presented the proposal to me, I was impressed with how much detailed and accurate information is in it. At the end, I picked the 16 LG 305W high efficient solar panels; they were installed a month later in May. My solar panels have been producing higher than expected wattage ever since they were installed. In addition, the SF Solar Rebate for $ 2,700 arrived last Saturday; it wasn’t easy since the project administrator, Mary Rodriguez, had to contact GoSolarSF and PG&E to make sure I am entitled to get the rebate check (my name needs to show up in the new PG&E bill and in the Permission to Operate Notice).
I am glad that I picked Albion Power Company to install my solar panels.

We decided we needed to get solar in our home. We got quotes from 2 solar companies, Albion being one of them. We went with Albion because they made it so easy from the very beginning unlike the other solar company that we got a quote from.
Albion came to our home, walked us thru every step in the process from starting with the quote to final installation. My husband and I have a General Contractor business in San Francisco and being in a similar business as Albion and clients expecting what they pay for, the quality of work performed on our roof was excellent.
We wanted to utilize all of our roof space. Albion were able to do this. Their team were able to customize the design with our input and maximize our system and space. We installed 10 SunPower 327 modules and 1 SMA Sunny Boy 3000 Transformerless Inverter. Our PG&E bill went from over $ 300 a month to less than $ 10 a month, and we also got a tax write off.
We know we made the right decision in working with Albion because even after our installation when everything was up and running and we had a question about anything, they responded immediately. We are so happy we went with Albion. We really didn’t expect to see such amazing results. It feels good to be saving so much money and also the benefits of using solar for our planet. Thanks Albion for a fantastic experience.

We needed a new roof and investigated getting solar at the same time. We talked with Albion based on the terrific Unilocal reviews. They did a terrific job helping us select the system that made most sense for us, partnering with the roofing company, helping us sort through what percentage of the roof could be included in the future tax write-​off (since the old roof did not have plywood underneath-​just wood shingles on slats), and taking care of all the details with PG&E. One of the better contracting experiences we have had. We are grateful for the earlier reviews!

Albion engineered and constructed a 37 kW DC-​STC system at our multi-​story, 100 year-​old brick and timber commercial building in the Showplace Square/​Potrero Hill district of San Francisco. The system uses Yingli 230 watt modules and Fronius inverters, and has consistently over-​performed our expectations; it looks to pay back our investment 20% faster than projected.
We interviewed a number of companies before selecting Albion. Charles and his colleagues are extremely knowledgeable about solar installation and sensitive to the needs of their clients. Albion Power displayed flexibility and diligence with regards to our solar installation. In addition to their engineering abilities, their team successfully managed resolution of PG&E issues relative to street transformers for our building, precise seismic blocking corresponding to structural attachment points above our tenant’s businesses (some of this work above very fragile product displays) and helpful follow-​up on rebate and grant programs specific to our installation at the time.
I expect to use them again on future projects.

I got quotes from 4 different Solar Companies in the Bay Area and sat down with three to talk about their systems and different processes. Right off the bat, Albion shown themselves to be responsive and gone above and beyond in terms of building us a plan that fulfilled the needs of our home. We have a third story to our typical sunset home and we wanted a system that is large enough to fill both our current and future needs.
We had a couple of good interviews with other companies but our sales representative, Thomas Wilde, at Albion was the only one that suggested we should look inside our roof to ensure it can support 24 SunPower panels. I have two little girls and nobody else said they will look inside my roof. Their safety is paramount. So it was with great relief when Thomas told me that Albion would not only look inside the roof but have their in house architect put his or her stamp of approval on the plans to ensure our roof is safe. I was sold.
We have many options in terms of how to design our system. We could have gone with a lower end panels with a bigger footprint or a more premium panels that took up less space. Thomas and Albion was extremely flexible and gave us many different options and ideas. They drew up two different plans and we discussed the pros and cons of all the different configurations. Thomas seems genuinely happy to help. For that, I am extremely grateful. It is not everyday that you get that kind of customer service.
Afterward, Albion performed exactly as they promised. They were diligent, professional and did excellent work. Thomas was there every step of the way and was not afraid to rolled up his sleeve on a daily basis to ensure everything went as planned. I was blown away by their communication and professionalism. I would not hesitate to recommend Albion to any friends or family I have if they ever need to build their own solar system.
I had my system fully functional now for 5 months and it is still over performing by around 10%. My $ 300-​$ 400 power bill during the winter months has gone to zero. At this rate, I plan to recoup my expenses in 7 years. Talk to any financial advisers and they will tell you that an ROI in 7 years is excellent. It is a no brainer and well worth your initial investment to get that kind of return. In closing, getting solar is a very personal decision but if you had to choose a company, be sure to give Albion a call, you won’t regret it.

Albion Power Company recently installed a SunPower system on my home in Bernal Heights. Albion is a skilled company and their management has overseen many commercial-​scale SunPower installations, so I was comfortable with them managing the installation at my home. I also appreciated that Albion Power Company has a network of industry experts for every aspect of the project.
We had Albion Power Company install SunPower 327 watt modules with an SMA inverter. Their installers customized everything we asked for and used premium materials like heavier insulation on wiring (PV wire), thicker gauge metal racking for structural longevity, NRCA approved waterproofing, etc. Albion Power also relocated vents on our roof to allow for a contiguous array that was aesthetically pleasing and optimized for energy performance.
As an engineer working in the solar industry, I also appreciate that they refuse to sell leases. Albion Power states a commitment to distributed generation rather than the leasing model. This likely makes a difference in the staff and product they are able to provide.
I am extremely satisfied with my system and the customer experience I had at every phase of the process.

I can’t speak highly enough of Albion Power Company. My home is in a «planned unit development» which pretty much means it’s an attached house like a condo, attendant homeowners association included. When I put a PV system on my roof 9 years ago, one of my HOA’s stipulations was that I remove my panels in advance of the next re-​roofing project then reinstall them at my expense. Fair enough.
Unfortunately for me, the company that originally installed my system changed hands in the intervening years and after a few interactions with their service manager I lost confidence and cut them loose. So, with only weeks to go before the tear-​off team was to start pulling shingles off my roof, I was without a solar contractor and desperate.
I asked around and a friend suggested I get in touch with Charles at Albion Power Company. We made an appointment and he arrived on time to take a look at my system. He found a number of problems with the original installation that would complicate the reinstall. Without talking down to me or painting a scene of doom, Charles explained the nature of the issues and we worked out a plan to address them as cost-​effectively as possible.
Albion got my panels off the roof and safely in my garage before the scheduled start of the re-​roofing. And they stuck with me, despite having to coordinate with the inept roofing contractor that my HOA hired, as the project dragged on for months. As the problems created by my former solar contractor and the HOA’s roofers mounted I very nearly lost hope, but Albion’s staff displayed dedication to my project, professionalism, and positive attitudes that got me through this ordeal with my PV system intact.
A couple weeks ago, I threw the switch on my rebuilt system. Everything worked perfectly on the first try.

I am very delayed in writing this review but this delay has nothing to do with the outstanding service I received from Charles Adams and the team at Albion Power Company — but has everything to do with procrastination.
About a year ago we decided it was time we made some changes to our home and one of the major changes we decided to make was to move to solar energy.
We met with multiple solar companies — six in fact. Some of the companies were ok, some of the companies I wanted to kick right out my front door after they walked in, but the minute Charles Adams walked into my home, I knew we had found something different. Charles was patient and kind enough to really explain to us what it meant to go solar. He also took the time to ensure we really understood what benefits we were receiving and the very best options for our house and our specific situation. Charles endured numerous Emails and phone calls from us as we were making decisions and he handled every single question with patience and information that helped us to decide that Albion Power Company was the right company for us.
Our specific project was not an easy one as it included coordinating with other contractors while we had additional work being done to our home — most importantly a re-​stucco of the entire exterior of the house. Charles and his team were so patient and worked directly with our other contractors to make sure that the entire project moved forward in a timely manner.
Ultimately, Albion Power Company provided our Daly City home with a renewable energy project consisting of an 8.5 kW solar installation, a new modified bitumen roof, and a 200 amp electrical service upgrade. The entire team from Albion Power Company was invested in getting our project done in a timely manner and did so many things to go the extra mile — in fact Mary even spent time sitting at City Hall waiting until the permit would be approved.
The entire team continually went the extra mile to ensure that everything was covered from beginning to end. Since we also needed a new roof it was seamless to work with one company whereby all of the work was done professionally and having one project manager to work with for the entire project made it simple and painless for us as the homeowners. Whenever we had any questions we could call Thomas and he would take all the time necessary to answer all of our silly questions. The entire project team that included Charles, Thomas, Mary, Brian from WestCo Roofing, Andrew who handled the electrical and the team that actually did the installation on our home was outstanding.
I could not say enough about the services of Albion Power Company and recommend them to anyone that is looking to do a solar installation. I have done multiple remodels on my home and have never worked with a team that was so efficient, professional and experienced.
The solar system is currently producing well beyond what we could have expected and I personally feel this is all due to Charles and his amazing, amazing team.

I am a broker and developer who hired Albion to install panels at my building. I have worked with many contractors over the years and Albion is one of the best I have ever worked with. They did a high quality job at a fair price on a very accommodating and efficient schedule. Their skills are excellent and their service level is very high.

After receiving bids from three solar installation companies, I chose Albion Power. I waited to write this review until the system was completed installed and operational, and I could also test the on-​line program that allows me (and Albion) to monitor the amount of electricity production by each solar panel (daily, if I want) — a kind of early warning system if anything should go wrong. At the same time, I replaced the roof on my building using a company recommended by Albion, called WestCo Roofing in Oakland.
I can say that I am extremely pleased with the solar system and the professionalism, attentiveness, thoroughness, competence, honesty, and friendliness of the four main people I worked with: Charles Adams, head of the company, who spent time with me explaining how the system worked and the installation and post-​installation processes; Thomas Wilde, who was a general go-​to person when I had questions, who paid attention to details (such as clean-​up), and who persevered in attending to one issue until it was resolved; Andrew Toft, the very skilled and helpful electrician; and Mary Rodriguez, the Operations Manager, who seemed to be the main organizer of the project.
Projected timelines were kept; updates on the status of the installation were regular; questions I had (such as about the type of solar panel, the array on my roof, the desirability of overproduction of electricity, the interaction with PG&E, the payback period, and countless others) were answered promptly and fully; and the installation went very smoothly. Albion is a small, local company compared to many very large ones, and this may be the reason they give such personalized attention. I give them my highest recommendation. And as a side note, WestCo Roofing, the company that Albion works with often, was also first-​rate.

I had a very positive experience with Albion Power Company on a 5.5 kW residential solar installation for my home in San Jose, CA.
The company has skilled roofers who were able to relocate roof vents so that my array could nicely fit in one location. They also provided heat welded waterproofing around the solar array attachment posts to prevent any leaks.
Albion Power was staffed by electricians experienced enough to relocate my electrical service and upgrade my electrical panel from 125 amps to 200 amps. This involved familiarity of grounding, safety, disconnects, wiring, building code, etc. The task also required a great deal of coordination with both PG&E and the City of San Jose, both of which were handled smoothly. All required inspection passed on the first visits.
Worth mentioning that Albion Power upgraded the initially agreed-​upon system free of charge. The original design consisted of 21 Sharp 250 watt modules, but later after Albion reviewed the project once again they added one more module of the same type free of charge because their ownership felt it was a better fit for my production.
The project was well managed at every step. I felt that the company cared about the project and my home. My wife teaches after-​school classes from our house and Albion was able to schedule the installation so that it does not disturb the classes.
The owners of the company were present for construction and took care of all documentation required.
The staff was all very pleasant and professional. Overall the company was capable of blending all of the necessary skills to provide a great project.

Albion Power Company provided excellent solar engineering and construction services for our South San Francisco warehouse PV Testing Lab in 2013, which occupies a 12,000 sq. ft. warehouse facility. They installed a commercial rooftop solar array, a large ground mounted array, a solar tracking system, and a new roof. The projects required varied and sometimes complex activities, including electrical construction and utility interconnection, structural and electrical engineering, concrete/​soils/​foundation work for the ground mounted arrays, and the installation of a new roof. That we were able to get all of these benefits in one company was exceptional. Securing all of these benefits through a single company proved to be a tremendous advantage at each stage of the project.
The entire project was well-​organized, smoothly coordinated, and professional. Our company appreciates Albion Power Company’s attention to technical details, best construction practices, and aesthetics. Albion’s management team was able to handle all aspects of permitting and interconnection seamlessly. They have a belief in constructing solar as power plants built to last twenty-​plus years — their commitment to excellence and quality shows.
Charles Adams has a long history in the renewable energy industry and we definitely recommend him and his team.

Charles Adams has developed a quality, multi-​talented team for a comprehensive renewable energy installation. We are pleased with all aspects of our experience with Albion Power. They were well coordinated, professional, and paid attention to the details. We’re very pleased to finally be using solar so that we can generate emissions-​free electricity — while lowering our utility bills. Having our rooftop serve as a small power plant makes good sense from both an environmental and economic standpoint. For anyone contemplating installing a solar power system, know that Albion Power is a formidable renewable energy company with solid credentials and experience. They are extremely well-​managed, use quality products, and deliver phenomenal results.
March 10,2015 I wish all contractors were as competent as Albion.