Complaints

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:12/11/2023

  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.

  I am contacting you to complain about the extensive amount of time it has taken Lighting Electric, Lic.#**-29517 to complete the installation of the solar panel system on our *************#*******. 1. according to our contract, we started this installation process on 5/4/23. 2. the company agreed to install; a roof mounted **** kw solar system using Q-cell 400 watt panels and Enphase IQ8 micro-inverters, with battery back-up included. 3. we are now at 12/8/23 (seven months and counting) and the installation is still not complete, (the batteries are supposed to be commissioned before they can be incorporated into the system), which they have not done. 4. I have tried to contact **************************** (the owner of the company) by phone and left messages for the past three weeks with no results.I am asking if you can please help me encourage this company to honor their contract and remind them that the job is not done until the installation is complete and the customer is satisfied.

  Business Response

  Date: 01/02/2024

  We will finish the battery the solar is complete we just have to commission the battery

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/03/2023

  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.

  I purchased Solar Panels from Lightening and Electric for $36,998.00 on 12/28/2022 with a stated commitment from their company representative that their installation would meet or even exceed the power needs of my home. This would enable me to disconnect from the *********** Grid and ultimately save me money over both in the near and short term, while allowing me to make a contribution to the fight against global warming. In addition to taking six months (at my expense) to get an interchange agreement from ***********, the new Solar Panels only meet 70-80% of my home energy needs on a day to day basis. This is forcing me to pay a bill to their finance company and a bill to ************ ultimately costing me 40-50% more in energy costs every month.The basic problem is the solar panel they sold me do not generate enough power to meet my home's energy needs and I am pay more for energy then ever before. I have requested, per the terms of our agreement, that they make an attempt to either reimburse me for the energy shortfall or install additional panels to make up for the energy shortfall caused by the panels they installed. They have been evasive and have referred me to the Sales People who in turned referred me to the finance company who referred me back to ********************. They have been unresponsive and the time has come to involve State Authorities.

  Business Response

  Date: 10/03/2023

  We size the system per power bills provided so if the system is not producing enough possably the usage has gone up (as already explained )

  Also Lighting Electric has sent a reinbursment check to this customer

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/22/2023

  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.

  Owner Kevin Kutsch and his employees from Lighting Electric installed 17 solar panels on my 2nd home located at **************************************************************** on 10/24/2022 and was paid in full for the job. As of this date 9/21/2023 only 16 panels are operating, The 17th panel has never worked beginning on the day it was installed. I have tried on numerous occasions over the past 11 months to have this issue resolved. The most recent being 9/20/23. Kevin has stopped responding, ignores all text messages and phone calls. His daughter, *****, who is also his office manager continues to provide me with bogus updates of when her dad Kevin and their crew will return to correct the problem. Per my contract I have a 25-year warranty on all panels, inverters and system parts. With a lifetime guarantee on all equipment, labor, taxes, materials, permits, fees, reports and parts. NONE of which have been honored. I am not requesting a refund, I just want the non-functioning panel to be replaced. It should also be noted that Kevin has not responded to any request from the consultant that sold me the package, ************************* (IEnergynow), to correct the problem either. Because of this I am left with no other choice but to file a formal complaint against him and Lighting Electric with hopes that he will honor the contract/warranty and give me what I paid for.

  Business Response

  Date: 10/11/2023

  This response was provided verbally to BBB.

   

  The business will need to order the missing equipment from the manufacturers, once received the business will reach out to the consumer to set up an appointment for repair.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/16/2023

  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.

  Lighting Electric installed a solar system on my home in February 2023. Installer told me that the system could not be connected until an inspection was completed. The inspector came and two months later the installation crew came back and fixed issues he had found. It is now 6 months from the installation and my system is still not connected. I have called the company multiple times and when I do actually get an answer I am told they will check into it and call me back. No calls back are ever received. I have now made 3 payments on a system that does not work.

  Business Response

  Date: 08/31/2023

  We are in contact with this customer 

  The job is done the monitoring system is not responding and ***** is in contact with the customer and Enphase

  Customer Answer

  Date: 09/01/2023

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my complaint, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Thank you. 
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/18/2023

   
  I am rejecting this response because:
  I had Lighting Electric installed a solar system on my home on February 23. 2023. This system is al.ost $70,000 worth of equipment. It has 8 months since installation of my system and it has still not been functional. I have tried many communications with ***** at the company offices but have been unsuccessful in getting any action. I have tried calling for the last 3 weeks and have not received a return call. I have been making payments on a system that doesn't work and electricity bills. I this is the second complaint I have filed wth BBB. After the first I was assured that they were going to get it fixed but nothing has happened. All I'm trying to accomplish is to have a working system and to be reimbursed for the payments I have made for a non functioning system.   
  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/24/2023

  As I told the customer the inspection has passed and the power company has swapped the meter 

  all he has to do is turn on the disconnect ( it is similar to a light switch)

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/24/2023

   
  I am rejecting this response because: When I powered the system on it did not work. System still does not work. They promised that they would send the crew out to fix it but it has never happened. Now they will not answer or return my calls. I have contacted the finance company and the manufacturer to help maybe get them to respond but so far no results. I'm not sure what the problem is with completing the job. But they have not fulfilled their contract. 
  
  

  Business Response

  Date: 11/13/2023

  This response was provided verbally to BBB.

  The business has provided an app where the consumer can monitor his system. Mr.Kutsch just checked on the consumer system and it working properly through the app.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/06/2023

  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.

  Solar was installed and after inspector left I had no communication of any type from Lighting Electric. I called for updates and received no answer from at company number or representative I had dealt with when install process started. I called ********************* number several time and no answer.I sent an email to company stating I had no communication with them and was going to give them a bad review. I called from a different number and he answered. I asked why there had been no updates given to me and I wanted to know when ***** would start working hed call me back in 15 minutes and he never did! I tried calling him back for several days and no answer. May 5th 2023 I received a call from Good Leap financing wanting to know why I hadnt made payment on loan. I said because it wasnt connected yet. The agent said it had been since May 5th I told her I hadnt been informed of that and paid the bill and went to fuse box and flipped the switch- which is all inspector had shown me. June 1st I called *********** to see why they said I owed $178 they looked it up and said the Solar didnt produce any energy for month of May ! I have called ********* and left voice mail and emailed them and have had no response!

  Business Response

  Date: 06/21/2023

  See Attachments  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/21/2023

   
  I am rejecting this response because:
  We were NOT shown by installer how to turn on anything.
  Installer said power company would come out and turn it on after it was inspected it.
  I was not told by anyone; by phone, text, mail, email or in person - anything about an app.

  I called on 3/13, 3/14, 5/4, 5/5, 5/8 and throughout the past three weeks. I received NO reply to the email I sent on 6/2 or any of my phone calls.

  There is no www.lightingelectric.com (attached)

  So as you see since Lighting Electric did not respond to any of my attempts I have a solar that didnt produce in May and no idea if its producing now.

   

   

   

   

  Business Response

  Date: 06/28/2023

  I did respond back to mrs ************************ yesterday 6/27/2023 and told her I would call her shortly however enphase which is her manufacturer did not call me back until this morning so I called her and told her to let me know when she gets home so I can walk her through on how to set back up her gateway it was disconnected from the Internet.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/18/2023

  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.

  Lighting Electric installed solar panels on my home in March 2023. I was told I could not use the panels until an inspection was completed. Ok. It is now May 17, 2 mos after install and I have yet to be contacted regarding inspection. I contacted Lighting Electric twice and spoke to owners, **** and Kevin, who stated they would look into this and get back to me. They lied because they have not responded despite my attempts. I attempted contact again today, but had to leave a text msg advising them i would be filing a complaint. One hour later I received a text stating, I cant talk right now, Im driving. I have my first payment for my solar panels in less than a month, but it looks like I will be paying for a product I cant use.They are horrible at communicating and quite unprofessional. This is unacceptable. The inspection needs to be scheduled and completed satisfactorily ASAP! Horrible doing business with them!

  Business Response

  Date: 06/05/2023

  This response was provided verbally to BBB.

  The business has already resolved the issues with Ms.********************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/07/2023

  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.

  7 microinverters are not reporting, and repeated attempts to get the installer to come fix the problem have so far failed. One microinverter has been out for over a year and the other 6 since around the beginning of the year. When we received the one replacement, I reached out to the installer to arrange for them to come install it and troubleshoot the others (possibly a voltage problem). It took a lot for them to give us even a tentative time to come, and when it did, they said some other job went long and they couldn't come that day. I've been trying to arrange a new time since then, but to no avail. Texts and voicemails (when the mailbox isn't full) to unresponded to.I see from other complaints here that this appears to not be a unique situation.

  Business Response

  Date: 04/25/2023

  I have spoke with *********** and I told him That I called  enphase and there's too much noise interference for micro inverters to communicate at times so  he needs ************ Line Filter (single-phase)   and that's not something that's covered under warranty or with original install the new line frequencies are different from the or old line  frequencies So some people have to buy a noise ************ Line Filter (single-phase)
  
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/03/2023

  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.

  I had solar panels installed March 6, 2023 by Lighting Electric. I was shown how to turn the meter on, however, was told it must stay off until inspection completed. I was told to place the inspection information in a front window. Installers would arrange for inspection within the next few days. I called when no word by 10 days- voice mail left. Called again in about one week and also sent e-mail this time. Called ****************** to see if I could arrange inspection, told contractors had to complete that step. Called ********** to ask if they could help, contractors must arrange inspection. Tonight, I sent a message to the engineering firm hoping they value the reputation of their business.

  Business Response

  Date: 04/03/2023

  We have to wait for a post install letter from the engineer and ********** is very far behind on inspections

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/30/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore 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.

  Date of transaction: 3/14/2022 Installation of panels: June 2022 This business was required to have all of my solar panel system working and the battery hooked up to my home as backup power.There is awful communication between the company and the customer. ******************** promised that a crew would be able to by the end of the year finish my project initiated almost a year ago. That never happened.I have only half of my panels hooked up, and my battery is not wired as backup power to my home. My energy bill is still very high because of the fact that only some panels are working. I am tired of this company ignoring me and I am close to taking legal action. Also they claim to have a ten year warranty. What happens if something important breaks? I wait 8 months for someone to fix it?

  Business Response

  Date: 02/16/2023

  I spoke with the customer and told her we would be out by the end of the month

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/28/2023

   
  I am rejecting this response because:
  

  I was tricked once again by Lighting electric company. I was told they would be coming to finish the job they promised by the end of the month, which is today.

  Once again I cannot get in touch with them.
  

  Business Response

  Date: 03/07/2023

  I will be going out to the site this week

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/11/2023

   
  I am rejecting this response because:
  The company claimed they would be out by the end of the week, but they did not come out to finish the job they are contractually obligated to finish. If they do not resolve this within the next month I will be taking legal action.

  Business Response

  Date: 03/13/2023

  I am trying to get a tech out as soon as possable

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/16/2023

   
  I am rejecting this response because:
  I have been lied to about when someone is going to come finish the job multiple times. The only way I am ever able to get a response from the company is through BBB. If a tech is actually going to come out, have someone call and talk to me about it. I am not going to accept this response just to be ignored again. I have been over paying on bills for a long time now. Im in touch with a lawyer, and if this doesnt get resolved within the next month, Im going to escalate things through them.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/13/2023

   
  I am rejecting this response because:

  Lighting Electric has failed to finish the full install of my solar equipment since the original install of one year ago 06/08/2022. The only thing left to do is hook up my battery backup power. When a contractor recently came out, they almost finished the job, but needed to order another part. Upon trying to get approval to come back out, Lighting Electric denied them approval, and claimed they are going to send someone. Lighting Electric fails to answer me when I try to contact them, and has not given me any information about when someone is coming out to finish the job. This is the second time I am having to file a complaint regarding their communication failures. What also concerns me is that my warranty is with them, and if something goes wrong with my equipment that is urgent, contacting them to fix is nearly impossible. So at least come and finish the job, please, before hurricane season.

  
  
  

  Business Response

  Date: 06/21/2023

  This response was provided verbally to BBB.

  The business is asking the consumer to please give him till the end of the month to have this issue resolved, the business is behind because they had to pay a tech to go to the consumer's house but never showed up.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/21/2023

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I accept this, as long as the business keeps their word, and they have someone out by the end of the month. 
  
  Thank you. 
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/27/2022

  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.

  Lighting Electric installed our solar paneles and is contracted to monitor and service them. The system went down at the end of August. I checked the monitor program in early November and saw it not producing since August. My wife called Lighting Electric and Kevin said that it was an inverter and it was ordered and would be in in 10 days to 2 weeks. 6 weeks later, with no updates ***** Kevin, I called (after a series of call, voicemail, hangup and dial again) and spoke to Kevin who informed me he "doesn't monitor the system 24/7.", and the part still isn't there. He appears not to have monitored the system at all since it stoped working in August and I notified him in Nov.Lighting Electric has failed to monitor the system and when Informed of the outage has (for over a month) ignored customer phone calls for updates on repairs.

  Business Response

  Date: 12/27/2022

  As explained to them we have monitoring set up but when a system goes down the inverter manufacture is supposed to send a email to the customer

  once we found out there was a problem we requested a replacement once it gets in we will replace the defective part