Cookies on BBB.org

We use cookies to give users the best content and online experience. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to allow us to use all cookies. Visit our Privacy Policy to learn more.

Manage Cookies
Share
Business Profile

Solar Energy Contractors

Firefly Solar

Complaints

Customer Complaints Summary

  • 3 total complaints in the last 3 years.
  • 3 complaints closed in the last 12 months.

If you've experienced an issue

Submit a Complaint

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.

Sort by

Complaint status

Complaint type

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:04/16/2025

    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 contacted Firefly Solar to get an estimate about solar installation. We spoke to Cameron R******, who quoted us at 68k for full installation of a service that would provide 98% of our energy, with an expressed goal of providing all of the energy needs for our house, which we signed in December.

    Then despite the fact they knew we had a **** sq ft house, once they found out our house would have a 400amp service, all of the sudden they told us we would need an additional inverter and battery that would cost an extra 18k or we could run the solar to one panel and provide solar to only part of our house. We then started receiving invoices for $6861.80.

    This caused us to put the breaks on the project, and we told them we were no longer interested.

    Then we were contacted by another person from the company, Ron V**********, who gave us some energy saving options and an alternative panel that would solve this problem, causing us to reengage.

    However, Ron also told us that Cameron had never run an energy audit on the house, which was something they ALWAYS do before they send a new contract. He told us that we were going to start over with the energy audit and a new contract and the invoices stopped.

    Once we completed the energy audit, they sent us a NEW contract that ended up being for the same amount with same system. HOWEVER, this time the system was only estimated to supply 78% of the energy we needed. If we wanted the 98% coverage we originally signed for, it would cost thousands more.

    With this second bate and switch, we walked away, because we were not getting anywhere near the energy coverage we agreed to with the system they originally quoted.

    Now we have been billed $2700 for "services rendered", even though no production has been completed on the system, the energy supplied is not what we agreed to and we received a new contract that we didn't sign, because Cameron failed to do the energy audit he was supposed to do before sending the initial contract.

    Business Response

    Date: 04/16/2025

    Mr. *******,

    We have worked with you and your contractor on your new construction, and the changes you have presented us as you construction has progressed. The changes we presented along the way were to account for the changes you were making to your own electrical system. You signed a contract with us, and we began work without any money down, in good faith that you would honor your agreement with us. The contract clearly states that cancelation after the 10 day right to rescind would incur charges for work done to that point. When you suggested this 'might' be something you decide to do in the future, you were also informed that anything billed now, would be subtracted from a future invoice, seeing as the work is already done thus far. You invoice is for the site evaluation and the engineered plans, as it clearly states on the invoice. We will be happy to provide you with said plans upon payment. 

    Customer Answer

    Date: 04/16/2025

    Better Business Bureau:



    I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.

    There were no significant changes made to electrical system that increased the energy usage from the original contract. In fact the only significant change that was made to the system was to change out the 2 regular water heaters to one hybrid water heater at your suggestion, which reduced the overall original energy usage. The well we discussed is a 10 horsepower well that will contribute at most 500 kwh/year based on max estimated usage and does not offset the improvement from the water heater and absolutely does not cause a 22% difference between the original contract and the NEW CONTRACT you issued because your sales representative by your own admission failed to do the energy estimate that you require them do when you offer a contract. You are failing to deliver what we agreed to, which was close to 100% energy coverage without significantly augmenting the originally agreed upon system. You are in breach of contract. I am trying to resolve this here, but if I have to, I will make this a legal matter.


    Regards,

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

    Business Response

    Date: 04/21/2025

    *** *******,

    There is little point in going back and forth on the details here. If you believe we are in breach of contract, I encourage you to take this to arbitration where we can examine the facts and details with a impartial arbitrator. 

    Sincerely,

    Aaron D****

    Customer Answer

    Date: 04/21/2025

    Better Business Bureau:

    I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint. We have no interest in arguing back and forth. Your company's representative, Cameron R******, failed to do his due diligence when preparing the system for our house, primarily by failing to do an energy audit (a prerequisite before issuing a contract per *** ***********). He also neglected to inquire about what type of electrical service (200 amp vs 400 amp) we had installed at the house we're having built prior to creating a plan and issuing a contract. Because he did not perform his job properly, when we started moving forward with everything, we were informed that to get what we originally thought we were getting, it would cost us $18,000 more to have solar run to the whole house instead of just one panel. After advising Cameron that, based on the compromises we would need to make and/or the additional expense required, we no longer wished to proceed, we were then contacted by Ron V**********. Ron was able to come up with a solution to the 2 panel issue. Subsequently, as noted above, it was Ron who provided the information that Cameron failed to properly do his job in issuing a contract without an energy audit. Based on this, Ron stopped the previous contract, informed accounting to stop sending us invoices for the initial payment and advised us that we were "starting over" with a new contract. An energy audit was conducted. A new contract was issued. The system design hadn't changed but now showed even worse performance than what we were initially quoted, now only supplying 78% of the energy needs instead of 98%. When we were looking at solar, we made it clear that we were looking for the system to provide all of the energy for the home. We did not sign this new contract, nor do we intend to. As noted previously, the assertion that the system performance changes and additional costs were due to changes that we made, is incorrect. The only changes we made were, at the suggestion of Ron V********** and in order to enhance our energy efficiency in an attempt to create a solar energy system that would provide us the energy independence we wanted. The main example was switching from 2 standard electric water heaters with a reported energy output of 5000 kwh/year each (10,000 kwh total) to a 80 gal hybrid water heater with an energy output around 1200kwh/yr. The original estimate from Cameron was so far off that even with over 8,000 kwh/yr in energy savings, the proposed system was going to only provide 78% of the house's energy. Would you sign that contract? Now you're trying to charge us $2700 for your employee's failure to perform his job to your company's standards, and for the cancellation of a contract we did not sign, for a solar energy production system that work never commenced on (aside from the site survey). Thinking more about this, "breach of contract" isn't quite correct as there is no contract at all.  The first having been rescinded by Ron V********** and the new contract never having been signed. 


    Regards,

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

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:04/15/2025

    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 canceled a solar home project with Firefly Solar on 2/24/25 after multiple requests from them for panel substitutions from the original panel selected, numerous broken promises of project completion, and confusing/delayed/ inaccurate communication regarding project progress (over 6 months had passed and still no installation date). According to their own schedule of refund fees, since no equipment was secured & no installation date set at time of cancelation-the most I should have to pay would be $2950 (first termination fee notice) or $3450 with the second notice I received (the fee for engineering increased less than a month later by $500.00). While the initial contract says "up to 20% "may be charged for work completed on a project--the two cancelation notices they sent me clearly state that the 20% fee only applies to late cancelations where materials have been secured and an installation date set (See Attachments below) At the point of cancelation I had paid $16,176. I only received a refund check of $4,228 on 3/26 from Aaron D**** to whom who I had appeal the normal refund. I sent a registered letter on 4/5/25 assertively requesting the remaining $8.963 dollars with detailed rationale-but did not receive a response within the 7 day window. Thus, I am seeking your help to obtain the remaining refund I am fairly due

    On 9/11/24 I signed a contract with Firefly solar for $40,440 to install a home solar system using ****** 410w panels which they said were "next to none" in terms of efficiency and duration.
    I was assured installation would be completed by Dec 31st so I could utilized the solar tax credit for 2024 taxes.

    In 10/8/24 I signed the second of two change orders to this contract that added two batteries for storage and substituted **************** 410 panels for the original panels because they could not secure them from ******. The new cost was $59,640.

    I canceled the contract 2/24/25 after they wanted yet another substitution and change order.

    Business Response

    Date: 04/15/2025

    *** ******

    As you as well aware, ****** panels became unavailable in the entire country due to some political issue that has them (still) held at the border. Information on this is widely available and has already been shared with you. ***************************************************************************************************

    Given our experience in the industry we know very well how supply chain issues can cause problems and as such, we have in our contract that we may switch panels for a panel of equal or greater value without notice. As a courtesy, we discussed this option with you and you refused our alternative, instead electing to wait for ****** panels to become available again.

    We eventually did track down some last remaining ****** panels scattered around the county, and you also refused those electing instead to breach your contract.

    You had full knowledge of the cancelation fees for such a breach. Your job was permitted and could have been installed months prior with an alternate panel, or at the time of cancelling with a ****** panel. We had all of your materials including alternative panels and batteries, and had you on the schedule to install before you chose to cancel. 

    We refunded the difference between what you had paid, and the 20% fee that is clearly stated in your contract and discussed at length with you.

    If you believe that our actions are a breach of contract in any way, I would encourage you to seek arbitration, as you have already said you were going to do. I will be more than happy to discuss this with a third party mediator and have them decide which of us is in breach of the contract. 

    Customer Answer

    Date: 05/01/2025

    Better Business Bureau:



    I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********* and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint. 



    [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, Please let us know below why you are rejecting the offer made by the business.]



    Regards,



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

    Business Response

    Date: 05/01/2025

    I understand that you believe you can breach your contract without being held responsible for the costs we incurred in fulfilling our obligations to you along the way. As I have suggested in each response to your complaint already, if you believe you have a case against us, you are more than welcome to take this to arbitration and we can have a impartial arbitrator decide the outcome for us both. If the arbitrator rules that we are in the wrong, we will happily concede to that ruling. 

BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes.

BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles.

When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.

BBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period, except for customer reviews. Customer reviews posted prior to July 5, 2024, will no longer be published when they reach three years from their submission date. Customer reviews posted on/after July 5, 2024, will be published indefinitely unless otherwise voluntarily retracted by the user who submitted the content, or BBB no longer believes the review is authentic. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. If you choose to do business with this company, please let them know that you checked their record with BBB.

As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business. Businesses are under no obligation to seek BBB accreditation, and some businesses are not accredited because they have not sought BBB accreditation. BBB charges a fee for BBB Accreditation. This fee supports BBB's efforts to fulfill its mission of advancing marketplace trust.