Top Hat Energy Inc. - Redding, California

Aubin C.

Exceptional Experience with Top Hat Solar!

Our experience with Top Hat Solar was nothing short of exceptional. From the outset, when I inquired with several companies to assess the viability of our situation for a connection with PG&E, Top Hat far exceeded our expectations.

The entire process can be long, daunting, expensive, and quite confusing. However, Top Hat guided, communicated, and supported us every step of the way. They were always willing to take the time to explain details and answer our questions.

They assessed whether we were a good fit for solar, explained the entire process while managing our timeframe expectations, and provided insights on engineering, calculations, and how NEM and PG&E work. They took great care in designing the system and arrays to ensure they aligned with our property’s aesthetics. They also interacted with our generator and discussed all visible components and their placements during installation.

Whenever we had questions or needed further clarification, we were connected with the person best suited to help us.

Having previously worked with Tesla, which was a painfully incompetent and frustrating experience, working with Top Hat was a breath of fresh air. Their professionalism, availability, and ability to turn a long, arduous process into smooth progress were impressive. In any project, you encounter bumps and stalls, but Top Hat adeptly pivots and reassesses.

As someone who has been in the architectural design trade for over two decades, I have worked with many tradespeople, contractors, and subcontractors. Top Hat stands out as one of my favorites for their patience, knowledge, experience, and professionalism.

Chris, in particular, was invaluable. He and his crew did a wonderful job. His communication, patience, knowledge, and integrity are hard to come by. He understood that we wanted a system that not only performed well but also looked aesthetically pleasing. He took special care to align the inverter and pipes perfectly and making sure we understood the system.

I highly recommend Top Hat Solar for anyone considering solar energy solutions!

Ray T.

Terry, Jeremy and team were responsive and timely with my request for an estimate to have a solar power system installed. I’m expecting County inspection and
sign off today.

Top Hat’s pricing was very competitive, but I doubt that another company could match their professionalism and expertise.

On the install, Chris kept his crew on task and explained the installation to me throughout the entire process.

I highly recommend Top Hat, great company!

Richard C.

"I first heard Jeremy Hufft being interviewed on a local radio station in October of 2016 and was impressed by his knowledge, candor, and by his responses to questions posed by both the program hosts and callers. Having been interested in solar for many years but deterred by the expense and relative inefficiency of available systems, I was pleased to learn that solar panels were now more efficient, much lower in cost, and that REU had re-instituted its rebate program. I called Top Hat for an appointment, Jeremy came by to view our situation, and then provided a quote that was far less than anticipated. I had seen many solar installations that are visually repulsive, and mentioned my aesthetic concerns to Jeremy who responded by sending photos of their many visually appealing panel installations, all of which allayed my concerns.

Due to the great snowstorm of 1968 which collapsed many Redding roofs, City codes for new construction had been made even more stringent than those of Truckee (which averages over 200'' of snowfall annually), and buildings built before the mid-70's experienced significant difficulty in obtaining a permit for roof-mounted solar panels. Our beloved old home was built in 1900, and though it has a steeply pitched roof, that did not matter per the City code. Jeremy, with his years of study of structural and electrical engineering, was persistent in his repeated contacts with the City and after many months of negotiation and providing load-bearing calculations to the City of Redding's chief engineer, finally obtained a permit in Sept. 2017.

Top Hat's crew was efficient and meticulous in installing 16 panels on our south-facing roof and placed the inverter in an inconspicuous place not visible from the street or sidewalk. The system went live on Sept. 11, 2017, and we have been extremely pleased ever since with the look, price, and performance of our Top Hat solar installation. In the past 21.5 months, our average monthly cost for electricity has been less than $8.45, and our break-even point is less than 7 years from inception at REU's present price per kilowatt hour, and even less if rates increase.

In conclusion, Jeremy and his crew were professional, communicative, efficient, tenacious in working with the City, and provided an exceptionally reasonable price for the system we selected. We can highly recommend Top Hat Solar without reservation."

Sept. 25, 2020. Just a quick update: Our Top Hat system passed its 3-year anniversary early this month and we could not be more pleased with its performance. Average charges for electricity are less than $7/month over 36 months, and the knowing that our carbon footprint is being lowered is very satisfying. The only issue we have had was a failed fuse which Top Hat replaced quickly and got the system up and running without delay. We highly recommend Top Hat to anyone considering going solar.

Update, 8-19-24:
Our home and the rooftop solar installation reviewed above was damaged in Dec. 2020 by a City water main break for which COR accepted full responsibility and has fully covered the cost of replacement. Zack and his Top Hat crew did a superb job of installing the new panels, which now each have their own inverter and are much more efficient than the previous panels. Since going live on 5-30-24, production has exceeded consumption by 103 kWhs over the nearly 3 months of a very hot summer, and the panels also look good on our corner lot with south-facing roof. We have recommended Top Hat to two other friends, and each family is as pleased with Top Hat's work as we are.

Matt G.

After obtaining quote's from three companies in early 2020, we sat back and waited on things to rebound. We went back to each company for a re-quote and after ridiculous sticker shock from two, Top Hat was the most competitive, honest and transparent with their bid. The entire process from start to finish was a breeze. We were always kept in the loop about everything from permitting, parts, installation, to the finished product! Jake and his install team were absolutely amazing. To say they are perfectionists is an understatement. See photos! So far, we are +2,104 kWh since we flipped the switch in April...I HIGHLY recommend Top Hat over ANYONE in the area. Period.

Blair H.

Awesome service and extremely fair pricing! They will help you get connected with a great lender. My payment is an average of what my PG&E bill was and I know it will never go up, unlike PG&E's rates. Had a pool installed and my electrical production is still enough that I never get a PG&E bill. Give Top Hat Energy a call!

Mike L.

Top Hat installed our residential roof solar system May 2022. The install went quick and clean. My wife and I are very happy with the results. The price was right in middle of the other quotes I obtained from other solar companies. However, Top Hats customer service won us over. The entire staff was very receptive, professional and patient with our multitude of questions. The install crew was top notch. They were very communicative in addition to keeping and leaving our place very clean. A total recommend.

Practical C. G.

Long review, so here is a quick synopsis. Professional team, best price in the north state, full service start to end, and would definitely recommend to friends and family.

Top Hat install solar at my house earlier this summer (2019). I had several estimates prepared by local solar companies, Top Hat gave me the lowest bid estimate with the best equipment options and warranties.

After selecting Top Hat to install the solar system I started to inquire about financing the system to take advantage of the tax credits offered this year. Again Top Hat connected me with the best solar loan option, I couldn’t find a better one... and I spent way too much time trying to.

Once it came time to start the installation, Top Hat took care of everything. They obtained the required permits and set up my new account with PG&E. I was working out of town at the time and could not be there to oversee the installation. Even so, they spent extra time and effort to make every wire, box, and panel square, tight, and clean. When we encountered a minor issue where I suggested over the phone that they save time by running a conduit on the outside of my house, they went ahead and spent an extra afternoon working in my small attic so I wouldn't have to look at an additional conduit on the back of the house.

Once the system was up and running they came back out and installed the latest and greatest monitoring system that paired with the new inverter they installed. This would have been a non-issue if they installed the last generation inverter, instead they made sure I had the best system possible.

At every step of the process, every employee at Top Hat treated me like family, all be it much more professionally. They promised the best system at the best price, over delivered, and at the end of it all, they were under their initial estimated bid. Hands down the best contracting experience I’ve had.

Tom A.

My experience with Top Hat was great. Being in contracting myself I know how it is nice to have those that will express what a professional group you are. I can tell you from personal experience that my solar installation was great. We had a couple days setback due to some extremely “rocky” soil. That being said, Top Hat’s crew was on top of possible engineering changes that needed to be made. Engineering was handled quickly and we were back to it within days. I love my ground-mounted system and especially love my bills. Thank you Top Hat for a wonderful experience. Keep doing what you’re doing.