Complaints

This profile includes complaints for Pine Tree Solar's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see Find Local Branches.

close

Find a Location

Pine Tree Solar has 2 locations, listed below.

*This company may be headquartered in or have additional locations in another country. Please click on the country abbreviation in the search box below to change to a different country location.

BBB accredited

Near

Country

USUnited States

Please enter a valid location.

Filter

• 

  Pine Tree Solar

  499 Broadway Ste 123 Bangor, ME 04401

• 

  Pine Tree Solar

  48 Liberty Dr Hermon, ME 04401-1107

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/12/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I paid an $8151.00 deposit to have additional solar panels installed and a back up battery system. ******* ******, owner of Pine Tree Solar indicated he could perform this install within a couple of weeks. After several attempts to contact him to find out when he would be doing the install I checked his company's website & found out he is out of business. We had done business 2 other times with no problems, which his why we didn't check his website again. He stole from us knowing full well he had no business anymore. I have contacted the Attny General in *****, and was informed they would be assigning a lawyer to my case, but have not heard back from them in over a month. (yet) I had contacted Pine Tree Solar (**** ******) on August 29th. He came right out that day to look things over & discuss what we were looking for. He got back to me in a couple of days with a quote of $12,350.00 and stated since he was going to be able to get to this job within a couple of weeks requested a 60% down payment. WE paid him the $8151.00 and we have not heard from him since. Please help us get our money back. This was plain premeditated theft.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 11/25/2024

  I have not heard from the business in response to my complaint.

  I really don't expect to hear back from Pinetree Solar, this was a planned theft of my money. 

  The owner is a thief, plane & simple. He should be in jail. 

  I hope you at BBB looked at the Pinetree Solar Website to see all the other complaints from customers & former employees. 

  Business Response

  Date: 03/31/2025

  We reached out to Mr. ****** last year and settled on a Spring 2025 installation once the weather was better. Thank you. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/31/2025

  Better Business Bureau:I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # ********. Please add your rejection comments below; if you do not provide any details, your complaint will be closed as Answered. 

  [You must provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution.  If you do not enter a reason for your rejection, your complaint will be closed as Answered.]
  
  Businesses and Customers should be civil, courteous and polite in their responses to complaints. It is important to remain professional and productive when participating in the BBB complaint process.
  
  FAQ
  
  Regards,

  ***

   

   

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/01/2024

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Pine Tree Solar informed me that everything had been installed and running. For months I saw no change in my electric bill. I attempted several times to contact the company with no result. I looked through all my paperwork and finally contacted the electrician who signed the certificate of completion. I explain to him that I was receiving no results and he walked me through a checklist of things to check. The result was that Pine Tree Solar never turned on the switch on the outside meter box. I lost an entire year of solar power because they told me everything was up and running and it was not. The electrician was very apologetic for this situation which should never had happened. To this date I have not been able to contact the company. I feel that some compensation is due to me because I was told the system was up and running when it was not.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 09/12/2024

  I have not heard from the business in response to my complaint.

  Business Response

  Date: 03/31/2025

  We spoke to Mr. ******** and his system is up and running successfully. Thank you. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/11/2024

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  We entered into a contract with Pine Tree Solar on 12/28/23 we were told that we would have heard from them by March and likely have work start in April. We paid $16.000 and have not been able to contact anyone at the company.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/22/2024

  I have not heard from the business in response to my complaint.

  *************************

  Complaint #********

  Pine Tree Solar

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/04/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  In September of 2023 I paid Pine Tree Solar (***) about $15,300 as a deposit for a solar array system for our home. The contract we signed stated that *** would install the array within 90 days of a *** net metering agreement. The *** agreement was obtained 10/25/23. Since then, *** has had limited communication about the project. The project was estimated for November, then December, then we were told sometime in 2024. The first week in ******* we received an email 1/4/24 saying the installation would begin on 1/5. This was without any communication about what it meant. My husband and I did not know if we needed to miss work and what they needed. It being a Sunday night we emailed asking for more information and a phone call. *************************** called me, and I explained my concerns about the rushed aspect and the late notice email, and that there was a huge storm coming with high winds and I was uncomfortable with the installation with such a rush before bad weather. I asked them to hold off for better weather. They agreed not to come. In ******* and February, I asked for an estimated install date with no response. Last week I emailed 4 times asking for someone to call me, and my emails kept getting bounced back as blocked. The *** website was gone, and the phone number was not taking messages. I did receive an email on 3/2/24 from *************************** saying I would have an install date by the end of the weekend, but I did not hear back from him. I replied that if I did not get an email, I would like my deposit back and I will hire another company to do the array. I have not received an email or a phone call back after that email. I read an article in the ***************** about complaints against the company and ************** shutting them down. I am afraid I have lost $15,300 to this company with no solar installation in sight. I wish *************************** to refund me my deposit. It is well past 90 days since the *** agreement on 10/25/24, so he has broken the contract.

  Business Response

  Date: 03/31/2025

  Ms. ******** system has been installed and the client is completely satisfied. Thank you. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/13/2023

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  We started the process, in spring 2022, to have solar panels installed at our home. Pine Tree Solar completed a drone fly-over of our house and provided a contract in May 2022 for completing this work. As Pine Tree Solar required, we gave them a deposit of $10,620 on 5/5/22. In early July 2022, Versant Power informed us that we could not install solar panels at our home without significant additional cost to us to upgrade the neighborhood electrical grid. At that point, Pine Tree Solar suggested we install the panels on another property we owned. In late August 2022, that project was approved by Versant Power. However, Pine Tree Solar never developed a workable solar array plan (they drew a plan which was over our property boundaries) and did not complete any installation on that property. We repeatedly called them in fall 2022, to be told for months that another site visit and start of the installation would be in "2 more weeks" or "just a little longer". Then, we did not hear from Pine Tree Solar for months until calling them in March 2023 to request a refund. We considered again resuming the project but made a final decision to ask for a deposit refund (minus any costs), since no installation has occurred in the almost 15 months that they have had our money. Since requesting a refund, Pine Tree Solar has continued promises of just a little longer and lastly, tactics trying to get us to sign a new contract with dubious claims. We are aware of multiple individuals and businesses in the Bangor area, having serious problems with this business. We would like our refund. We are not uploading documents as we have already sent those in a complaint letter to Pine Tree Solar on 6/9/23 which they have acknowledged receiving.

  Business Response

  Date: 07/25/2023

  Ms. ***** signed a contract with Pine Tree Solar, LLC in
  May of 2022. Pine Tree Solar submitted the interconnect on her behalf after the
  deadline passed for contract reversal. The interconnect came back on July 13th,
  2022 and it was determined, by their utility, that there be extensive upgrades
  to the electric network at her home location before the array could be
  installed.The customer was informed of this and they, as well as Pine
  Tree Solar, LLC tried to work with their utility for more than a month to lessen
  the burden cost of the upgrade, for their entire neighborhood, entirely on them
  just because they wanted Solar.An alternate site was found, within their utility district,
  where a ground array could be built in the first week of August. A survey was
  completed, with the customer present. Boundary lines were a concern at the time
  and the survey was completed in depth as a Geographical survey complete with
  tax maps and GIS spatial mapping completed by Pine Tree Solar, LLC.A new interconnect application was completed and submitted
  to their utility for approval at the new location.August 31st their utility passed the interconnect for the
  new location. At this time, the customer was put into the installation que and
  materials were ordered for their installation.The new location involved an array that was ground mounted
  with Screws that penetrated the ground as an anchor for the system. Pine Tree
  Solar, LLC does not install ground mounts in the winter as the costs to bury
  electrical wires is high when the ground is frozen.A late thaw prevented the start of all ground mount
  installs and the customer was advised of this matter on March 24thMay 25th The second interconnect was passed for their
  second site and a building permit was obtained through their town to commence
  installation. Spring and early summer weather (rain) pushed back installations
  as OSHA does not permit installers to work on installing electrical components
  during inclement weather as it’s very hazardous.  We had the customer on
  the schedule for a June installation.June 7th, 2023, customer called to back out of the install
  and demanded their entire down payment returned after Pine Tree Solar, LLC did
  extensive work on their project.We reached out to them to re-apply for the interconnect at their
  original location as there were policy changes with their utility company and
  how they charge customers for upgrades in their neighborhood. Ms.
  *****’s representative agreed to the amount of the refund, in person, at the
  office the second week in July, and we also offered a partial refund and the
  continuation of the project, so everyone wins.  Pine Tree
  Solar, LLC was in the process of re-submitting their original Interconnect when
  Ms. ***** contacted the company and demanded the return of her deposit.Pine Tree Solar, LLC did everything they could to expedite
  the installation of this customer with constant contact throughout the entire
  process. The contract was very clear about canceling and Pine Tree Solar, LLC
  amassed payments out to employees for processing, professional surveys and
  representation for the client to the utility company. We have itemized what was
  amassed and sent it to the customer and they are not satisfied with the
  results.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/25/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # ********. Please add your rejection comments below; if you do not provide any details, your complaint will be closed as Answered.   
  There are multiple inaccuracies in the business owner’s response.  We have never been offered a specific refund by Pine Tree Solar.  We have not received any itemized accounting nor any paperwork regarding a refund.  It is impossible to say we rejected an offer we never received.  From the outset, we have requested a refund minus reasonable costs-we never demanded a full refund.  Also, the business owner is writing his response to my wife and referring to me as her representative-please address the response to the person who made the complaint, not to my wife.You must provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution.  If you do not enter a reason for your rejection, your complaint will be closed as Answered.
  
  Businesses and Customers should be civil, courteous and polite in their responses to complaints. It is important to remain professional and productive when participating in the BBB complaint process.
  
  
  FAQ
  
  Regards,
  *****
  
  
   
   

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/02/2023

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I initially received a quote from Pine Tree Solar to install a solar panel system on our house. After going through the inspection process with ************** I decided to move in a different direction. I was told by the sales person that there was no issue for doing this. I was told that I would lose $300 for the amount paid to **************, which I was fine with. I then received a call from ***************************, the owner of Pine Tree Solar. He told me that there was an issue and that he had a signed contract. I told him that he did not have a signed contract and in fact I had not signed the latest docusign contract that his company had emailed me. **************** agreed to refund the full amount less the $300 that we agreed upon. I have had to go to the home office for Pine Tree Solar several times and confront ****************. He keeps on telling me that the refund is on its way. I have since learned of several other people who are going through similar situatiuons. The total that I have calculated from the 7 people that I have spoken with is about $482,500. The total amount due back to me should be $15,450. **************** is also telling me that his credit card company charged him 3% for the credit card transaction and he is trying to place that charge on me. The amount that he said that he is willing to refund is $14,992.95. I am not sure why he would think it is right to pass that charge to me as I have it in writing that I would only be deducted the $300.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/15/2023

  I have not heard from the business in response to my complaint.  The last that I heard back from anyone was over a week ago.  I received a call from *************************** stating that Pine Tree Solar is in the process of having their attorney draft a letter for us to sign in order to receive a check from them.  I also received an email from ***** the same day.  I have received zero communication since.

  Business Response

  Date: 07/20/2023

  ***** signed a contract with Pine Tree Solar to install a solar array on his property. After several months, he then changed his mind and wanted to go with another company. We offered to match that companys *****, but ***** said that he already signed a contract with them and cannot break their contract, even though he was more than willing to break the contract he signed with us on 02/23/23 at 3:22PM est according to the Docusign document, that we can provide if needed. That contract also states that the customer has 3 business days after signing to change their mind. ***** came to us months after he signed.After several conversations with the owner, ***** was refunded his down payment through the credit card company that he initially paid through.
  
  It should also be known that ***** came to the office and was being very aggressive and yelling at our employees. He also chased an employee and the owner in a vehicle to confront them.
  
  As for the other people that he referred to in his initial complaint, there are separate and unique situations that have nothing to do with ****** case, (as there are in any business or company), that are being addressed and are not related to, nor are they a similar situation, as his. 
  
  Pine Tree Solar tried to work with the customer to be a satisfied customer.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/24/2023

  Better Business Bureau:I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # ********. Please add your rejection comments below; if you do not provide any details, your complaint will be closed as Answered. 

  [You must provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution.  If you do not enter a reason for your rejection, your complaint will be closed as Answered.]
  
  Businesses and Customers should be civil, courteous and polite in their responses to complaints. It is important to remain professional and productive when participating in the BBB complaint process.
  
  FAQ
  
  Regards,

  *****

   

   

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/07/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  We entered a contract with Pine Tree Solar in July of 2022. Following the guideline in our contract, we canceled the contract in the fall of 2022 and requested a refund. Pine Tree Solar sent a refund check for ********, deposited in January of 2023. The check was returned due to non-sufficient funds. We have spent the last three weeks trying to get our refund. Communication is lacking with Pine tree Solar and the owner, ****, has repeatedly lied to us about the status of our refund.

  Business Response

  Date: 02/16/2023

  ******* and *************** had signed an agreement to have a solar system installed on there home.  They later decided to cancel that contract.  We originally sent them a check I believe back in late November or early December to refund their deposit.  They never received this check in the mail.  Come January I personally reached out to ******* and had another check sent out to them.  After a week or so ******* told me that they had not seen that one either but she gave me new address because she felt like the mail wasnt forwarding properly to the new address from the old one.  I had our team reissue another check (3rd) and void the first 2 checks.  Within the next few days she ended up receiving the 2nd check that we voided so she told me she would just void and tear that check up.  The 3rd check finally was received by ******* but there was an issue cashing it, I believe.
  
   
  
  At that point I had them contact our owner directly.  **** has since made an *** deposit directly to them and confirmed with *************** that it was received.  My understanding is that the payment was made on 2/8/23.
  
   
  
  I am guessing this complaint came in between mid/late January when I was working with ******* and 2/8/23 when the *** was made, by *********
  
   
  
  As far as I can tell this should be completely resolved.
  
   
  
  Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help in any way.
  
   
  
  Thanks
  
   
  
  *****************
  
  Pine Tree Solar

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/21/2023

  Better Business Bureau:I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # ********. Please add your rejection comments below; if you do not provide any details, your complaint will be closed as Answered. 

  Though we received the refund per contract, it was 300 dollars less than our promised refund. We were told by ****, and it was included on the refund check which bounced, that he would waive the 300 dollar cancellation fee due to the inconvenience of us receiving the refund so late. The company also neglected to provide us with the $33 charge from our bank due to the *** fee. As we see it, they are $333 short. Communication with the owner is extremely poor and this is a dishonest business with an owner who lies. To resolve the issues, we would like the $300 promised by **** as well as our requested bank fee. Please see previously attached email for the promise of this refund. It is shady to provide a check for one amount and then deposit a lesser amount. 
  
  Businesses and Customers should be civil, courteous and polite in their responses to complaints. It is important to remain professional and productive when participating in the BBB complaint process.
  
  FAQ
  
  Regards,

  *********