jim warder
I've been interested in renewable energy all of my adult life and this year we decided it was time to take the next step and install PV panels on our home in Victoria. To that end I requested quotes from 4 suppliers. So why did we choose BeSolar for our install? A strong point in BeSolar's favor for me was their affiliation with Brewis Electric, a company with a long history in the region, so I felt they would be able to honor any warranties. Almost as important was their very competitive quote. But it was the initial experience (before the contract was signed) working with the company that made the decision easy. First step, Rod came out to our home to check the roof was in good shape and get a sense of how everything was situated in relationship to our home. Trees, dormers, neighboring houses, etc. Over the next few weeks he sent several different configurations with associated costs and performance expectations. During this process we spoke on the phone at least a dozen times to go over and adjust the different configurations and panel count that would work best within our budget. His patience throughout this process was commendable. Never once did I feel pressured or obligated to make a decision. Once we were settled on the layout and costs, we signed a contract and paid the deposit on an 8.5 kWatt system (17 panels). Next, Geoff contacted me to schedule an installation date. When the crew showed up, the guys (Nigel, Owen, and Luke) all introduced themselves and then got to work. Geoff also touched base several times over the next few days to check on progress and answer questions. One thing I had been concerned about was damage to my very steep roof (12/12 slope), but the guys all wore soft soled shoes (skate shoes?) and used rigid foam blocks to walk and kneel on while working. This minimized wear on the roof as well as their legs and ankles on such a steep pitch. Safety first! They used the same foam blocks to support the ladder used to hoist the panels up onto the roof. Overall I could see no sign of wear or damage after the install was complete. Throughout the installation it became evident that they both enjoyed the work they were doing and enjoyed working together, even during a wet few days! We chatted a bit about renewable energy and EVs and they mentioned how they enjoyed working for BeSolar, and that both installers and office personnel all worked well together and enjoyed the work. To me, the workplace environment and the job satisfaction of it's employees is hugely important to the quality of work that comes out the door, and that positive environment was on display. On the second last day of the install, Adam the electrician showed up in the morning to install a 240V outlet by my driveway for EV charging and to tie the PV wiring into the electrical panel. Again, Adam was great to work with. Always cheerful and ready to answer any questions I might have. With the days being so short (1st week December) the guys finished up in the dark and we said our good byes. At the end of the next working day, Nigel showed up unexpectedly to check if they'd missed anything in the dark the day before. I am very impressed with their professionalism and the commitment they have to doing a good job. Even little aesthetic touches like routing a cable where it will have the least impact visually. Today Adam called to ask to drop by to attach the last sticker to the main panel for permit approval. Next I was contacted to say an account was setup so I could monitor the power generated by the system. It's just been a very smooth and well coordinated process from start to finish. It's also obvious the company is respected and trusted by BCHydro. I applied for my self generation permit the day after the project was complete and it was approved and the system gained access to the grid immediately. Working with all the folks at BeSolar has been a very enjoyable process, and I don't hesitate to recommend BeSolar or their parent company, Bewis Electric. Thanks BeSolar for such a great experience! 5 Stars!