Verified Company
I would like to express just how great a job North Valley Solar Power did on my retrofit with an existing 14.5 kW Enphase IQ 7 system, IQ gateway, and 46 QCells panels installed in 2021 under NEM 2.0. As a retired Computer/Network services manager for a large community college, I had very specific needs—and the FranklinWH batteries checked all the boxes.
After research, I found North Valley Solar Power had the highest ratings in NorCal for retrofits. I contacted them, shared details with Chad, and was quickly handed off to Jake Bevans to refine my requirements. The next day, we consulted in-house engineer Vinny, who confirmed all extras were possible and designed to my specs for county submission. I insisted on a garage install, as the south exterior wall was already occupied by PV conduit and shut-off.
Contact with Jake began late February 2025; we signed the contract February 24. Brian's thorough site survey was February 28, with county approval and interconnection agreement by March 12—just under 2 weeks later. Installation was March 24; I couldn't believe the speed.
The system included 2 FranklinWH aPower 2 batteries, aGate, smart circuits, and gen-in modules. For the garage install, a junction box and new main panel were added, plus a Siemens 65 kA whole-house surge protector in the old 2021 panel to safeguard our investment. Pricing was outstanding—better than quotes for lesser batteries with shorter warranties (FranklinWH: 15 years/10,000 cycles to 70% capacity).
Lead installer Lance Clemens and his team produced some of the cleanest work I've seen—on par with the best from my IT career on multimillion-dollar projects. The complex two-day install involved a custom junction box to extend wiring indoors (no simple gutter run). They ran thorough outage and anti-islanding tests via the FranklinWH app, ensuring no back feed.
A final visit added the Siemens SPD, a heat detector tied to our smoke alarms, and required labels.
I wanted the surge protector due to multiple 2024 outages and PG&E PSPS re-energization spikes (which can cause cumulative damage, as I researched with AI). Since install, performance has been flawless: only one short 26-second outage, seamless monthly "off-grid" tests (no flicker), and accurate monitoring via split CTs in the FranklinWH app (production matches Enphase within hundreds of watts). With Tule fog reducing output, we've run mostly self-consumption but banked 7 MWh exports since March, importing just 1.3 MWh. And now I am running in emergency backup mode until Spring.
I recommend North Valley Solar Power 100% for retrofits or full packages. You'll be in good hands with Jake and his team!
Absolutely a terrible company. After installation, I was realizing performance issues with my solar system. It took "months" of back and forth on text and phones to get them to call me back. After finally agreeing to add another battery backup to my system...that I would pay for...they never followed up on ordering my new battery. Their poor design lend to months of issues with system and no resolution to my problems. Do not use this company.
I have been thinking about going solar for a long time and have had several people come by trying to sell me solar . Some from various solar companies and other people saying they could save me money by using various programs . DONT TRUST ANY OF THESE GUYS. My buddy Nate told me about North Valley Solar Power and introduced me to Jake who walked me through the whole process and answered all my questions , tons of questions . He was upfront and honest about what kind of system I needed to Power my home . The whole team was awesome and helpful I highly recommend North Valley Solar Power.
The whole crew wre very knowledgeable and explained everything that was about to happen before completing.
Once they were done with all tasks, asked me to come outside to show me what each product was, its functionality, and how each item was installed.
From the solar panels on the roof, the backup battery on the wall, and the new electrical panel box and its components and how everything works together.
Once these gentleman were done, they did not leave one piece of trash anywhere!
Hell of a job guys! Many thanks.
Nice job 👍🏽
