RevoluSun Solar — Local services in Honolulu

Update October 2022:

Alright, so three years later and a bag of bad feelings, the worst happened. I noticed my Solar wasn’t working. I went to check it, and noticed the inverter was switched off. I did the online recommended trouble shooting, basically turn it on and off at various levels, but no dice.

Despite the less than stellar initial experience, I knew I’d have to call revolusun as they had all the info and warranty on the product. I was certain three years wasn’t a typical shelf life for such a critical component as the inverter!

Thankfully, revolusun really was in the ball. I got back with our sales person point of contact, and he thought much of the issues I brought up had been resolved two years prior.

I will give some grace as the hang up was he thought a piece of paperwork was delivered but had not. Then Covid hit and obviously, communication, and follow-up was lost.

Nevertheless, after this initial contact, revolusun actually took the opportunity to makes things right.

Someone came out within the week. Saw the inverter was essentially fried. They installed a new inverter in a surprising turn around and with much more seamless communication. Even with issues with inverter supply, they were able to make it work.

So for those who have had problems, don’t give up! I now really regret giving up after no follow-up. And, I now know how to make things more seamless on everyone’s part.

I used to contact our sales person for updates, but then he’d just have to ask the scheduler. This added an extra person, and we’d be playing phone tag with sales, they’d be trying to get scheduling, and then scheduling would have to chase install/electricians.

Now, I’d just call revolusun and ask for the scheduler directly. Also, what makes things hard is the installer isn’t always an electricians. So, the electrician installed the inverter then the solar specialist linked the inverter to the system. So, this all takes time and multiple visits.

There was a chance for miscommunication, as the office didn’t realize the solar specialists wasn’t able to hook it up after the electrician was done, but just calling scheduling direct was able to resolve the issue pretty quickly.

I’m happy I followed-up and implore others who haven’t had the best experience to call back, as revolusun actually did want to make it right.

I’d still have to give four stars as the original issues can’t be forgotten, but the turn around time from finding out my inverter was cooked to back up and running was less than a month. As many may be aware of there are unbelievable supply issues going on, I was pleasantly surprised.

Whether communication has simply improved, or I had bad luck the first time, I’d say give revolusun a chance. I’m happy in the end, and they seem to stand by their product and will resolve issues that do pop-up down the line.

Original review 1-star, abridged for character limit:

I had a pretty terrible time with this company. I understood the long wait for approvals from the state and there were issues with timing of the construction of our house. However, the lack of contact and responsiveness from the company was so abysmal, we had tons of problems. We were recommended the wrong inverter size after increasing panels. They didn’t communicate well, and didn’t install our panels in time for move in despite tons of lead time.They turned on our system but didn’t check the meter, and we got charged for energy sent to HECO!

They tried to “make it right” promising all sorts of things, but, again, never followed up on any of their empty promises.

In the end, I really regret not going with another company. Even though revolusun were so slow to contact us, we kept on thinking we put so much time and energy into this company we can’t go back. But , that’s dumb and their terrible performance in the beginning should’ve been a big red flag at the start. Don’t let sink cost fallacy make you regret this because EV panels cost us over 50k. Find someone else to assist you with your...

June 2019: "Ew. You sweat when you breathe." "YOU sweat when you breathe!" "What? Is the AC broken? Ohhhhh f**k!!"

It was 88 degrees at 7:30 a.m. on the second floor and we already smelled like feet because the AC died and the weather didn't care. I could get the unit but I didn't know who to trust for install--a bad installation could void the warranty. So I started calling companies I knew and trusted. I called Revolusun. And the people I worked with 7 years ago, THEY'RE STILL THERE. Woot woot!

EASY SETUP: Emailed Scott & within a few days of discussing what we needed & clearing pre-inspection, he supplied us with two PDF quotes for different size AC units, including placement, electrical diagrams, and discussion for AC unit size based on room size, electrical output, and when we'd use the AC. Crazy good work by super smart folks who understand what it is to try to sleep in 90 degree heat--Scott & Charlie moved fast but made sure that our system could safely handle the electrical load & checked for optimal unit placement. Not only that, they got the AC unit from the same exact place I would have--but at a better price. And their installers are the their own, no subs. We like that. A lot.

KILLER INSTALL: Kyle, our AC installer, was amazing. Called before he came (on time, in a clearly labeled work truck, with ID), introduced himself and shook my hand, took off his shoes before he came in the house, laid down drop cloth under the unit, and worked super clean and steady through the morning-- removing & disposing of the old 2ND STORY condenser and AC, and reinstalling, working with an electrician, testing, cleaning up & removing all boxes, showing us the manual and how to work the AC remote, ALL in under four hours. That's no small feat, considering that the heavy, old condenser unit was bolted, glued, and wall-mounted on the exterior second floor. Yes, brother did this job in the air, in over 90 degree heat with the humidity. Like a bad-a** Cirque du Soleil performer but with actually useful skills. He even noticed that when he removed the old AC, there was a small section of wall that needed to be painted under the new AC and asked if we wanted to paint so he could pack up the drop cloth & ladder last. Wow!! We were able to quickly touch up that long narrow strip under the new AC, and have it all looking perfect before he left. How's that for thoughtfulness? Not only that, he was respectful, personable, funny, and professional the whole time.  Yeahhhhh Kyle!!

NOW WHAT?: It's been over a week, and the AC is running like a top. Revolusun only asked for half the payment before the job to purchase the materials, and accepted half only after the job was done and we were satisfied. We paid the company directly, no money changed hands in any other way. We like that security also. Accepts check, cash, or credit. Extra discount if you can do cash or check.

Are you sweating, like, right now? I know, right? And it's July soon. Don't smell like feet. Call them.

We've been working with RevoluSun since 2012 on a variety of projects. We have not had any problems. Expertise counts, and we recommend Scott at RevoluSun, if you can get him. We are NOT contractors or "Real Estate professionals," like other reviewers. We are just your average Hawaii family trying to get the most value out of PV, save money on the electric bill, and live a little better and...

Steve Mazur originally came out to our home to discuss what our initial goal was and what we wanted and needed. We thought we needed a certain amount of panels and Steve instead of selling us what WE thought we needed he explained we didnt need that many and why, he easily could have sold us what we thought we needed which was significantly more money, instead he did the opposite. It wasnt about the money of a sale it was about providing us the customer with exactly what we needed rather than trying to sell us more. Unlike any other sales person who once they get their sale their part is done. That wasn't the case with Steve. He kept in regular contact throughout the entire process. The permits here isnt a fast process but they kept on it and updated us regularly. The placement of the various electrical equipment panels that go on the side of the house and the tesla batteries was rather complicated and limited as our home has the most exessive and ridiculous amount of windows possible on a home. However Steve worked with the system designers who despite their challenges with the extremely limited options they came up with a design that worked. Again Steve was in constant communication with us. When it was time for instalation the installers were polite and professional. They were extremely efficient and meticulous with the work they did. Not only did we want solar but we needed AC installed not as a luxury but out of necessity due to a serious medical condition. Despite that being a completely separate side of the company, Steve spoke to Charlie Greene who came out to our home. Not only only did he look at and discuss the various options and then best option to provide efficient AC throughout the home, which has a very unusual layout He also spent a considerate amount of time on the placement of each unit avoiding them being an eyesore in the rooms. They took the medical situation very seriously and worked on getting us in quickly. Like the solar installers they were efficient and meticulous with their work, professional and polite. The lengthy part was the permits from the city which is out of Revolusuns control and seems to be a tedious process for anyone trying to obtain a permit for anything. I'm extremely greatful that all of that was handled by Revolusun, including frequent follow ups for updates. I highly recommend Revolusun, they are a genuine company with employees who care about their customers and their needs. A very rare quality that most companies these days don't have. The small houses they've built and provided for displaced families on Maui is proof this is a company is so much more, their main goal and purpose is about caring and helping people. You won't find a...