Testimonials – our wonderful customers are the reason we’re in business.
Here are some of the great things they’ve said about us…
Sean at Urban Design is in the process of setting up solar at my home and at my business. Sean and his crew have gone above and beyond to be accommodating to my staff while working in the office. I am so excited to have this solar project launched and kicked off so I can update this review with how much money I’m saving now that we have solar everywhere!!I made sure to build a big enough system to ensure that i’ll create enough power to charge my new electric car too.
I rarely rave about contractor work but having just gone live with a 44 panel ground mount system by Urban I will. Great communication, on time, no nickel and dime, on budget and a great crew to work with. Professional all the way. I highly recommend Sean and his great staff. If you want more info I own Broadway Heights and Brooklyn Bridge.
Sean and team were great. Chose to go with them as they were responsive, complete, engaged, and motivated. Sean’s work ethic and connectedness made choosing them almost a no brainer. Install of 27 panels completed in a day with a full and professional crew. They were polite, accommodating, safety conscious, and knew their stuff.
Love these guys. Their entire staff made the whole process very seamless. From the office staff who were extremely helpful, to the installers who were courteous, professional and did a very clean job. The owner Sean, made sure we were well informed along the way. Highly recommended.
They made the process so easy! Sean got us a bid immediately and then went right to work. We had questions along the way and Sean and his staff answered them all immediately. We have been very impressed and highly recommend Urban Design Solar.
From helping with the planning to implementing, all flowed beautifully, and they were really wonderful to work with.
Prompt, courteous , reasonable, efficient, timely, and best of all excellent work!
And their scope of knowledge and what they can do is huge!
Urban Design Solar was very professional and handled our solar in a very timely manner. The staff is amazing and informative! Thank you for your great service
“Sean and his team were great!
They were prompt, professional and courteous. They worked efficiently (with all of the proper tools at hand) and even totally cleaned up after themselves. I can highly recommend them for your next job, big or small.
If you are looking for a contractor who goes above and beyond — you’ve just found them!”
We used Solar Design last year to install our residential solar system. We did our homework before we decided on them. We heard about them through several coworkers. Their reviews were pretty consistent regarding their professionalism, competitive pricing, friendly office staff and how clean a job their installers do. They did not disappoint and we could not be happier.
Leaders in the field. very knowledgeable about the programs and incentives to off-set the cost of installation, total pros. Installation was fast, clean and tidy. Highly recommended.
When I decided to look into putting solar on my house, I first contacted several solar companies in the area to see who could offer the best deal. Sean from Urban Design Solar was the first to show up and had a design and bid for me within 24 hours. He answered all my questions and didn’t pressure me to to go with his system. All the other solar companies took weeks to get back to me and were way more expensive.
After signing with Sean, his crew was able to start the job right away. Sean dealt with all the permits and worked with me on the design. Sean goes the extra mile to make sure that his customers are treated right. He also referred me to a few different lending institutions that offer great solar loans.
Purchasing a solar system is a great investment as it can reduce your energy bill significantly and increase the value of your property.
I have already recommended Urban Design Solar to my co workers as they are top notch. Thanks Sean and crew!
I have been around Sean and the rest of the Urban Design Solar company for a few years and personally know several of their clients. The thing that separates Urban Design Solar from the rest is their customer service- they go above and beyond to make sure their clients are happy and get the best solar solution for their particular situation.
Urban Design Solar is a very professional, community business that is a pleasure to work with and offer excellent pricing and workmanship. A triple A rating is not high enough. I recommend them for anyone interested in saving money by going solar. Hats off to Urban Design Solar, you’re the best.
My hubby and I wanted our solar up quickly and the contractor I had been working with was not being responsive. I did a random internet search, looked up Chico solar contractors with decent reviews, and called a few. Urban Design was by far the easiest to reach and most professional. They gave me a thorough quote, quickly, and matched my contractors price (which was lower than others as well). They provided a lot of options when it came to solar panels and inverters, but were happy to make recommendations and help me understand the choices. I signed contracts on Monday, May 2nd, and I had a system up and running with PG&E on May 13th… I didn’t even think that was physically possible. The work was excellent – my husband used to work as a electrician and he was impressed with how quickly and cleanly they ran lines and set up the meter. The workers were friendly and respectful of our schedule and home – my dogs even liked them. The professionalism of the entire office staff was exceptional. After the job was done they gave me a very helpful binder containing product information and warranties, which I really appreciated. Thank you Sean and Catrina for being such great partners in my energy project and providing us a great system that we are very happy with – we made the right choice going with Urban Design.
Always my “go to” contractor. Dependable, honest, professional, and they do GREAT work!
Professional and skilled crew. Attention to detail, timely and easy to work with. Third time I have worked with Sean and his crew and will again,
Excellent customer service, very professional. Thank you Urban Solar for making it easy to go green!
Thank you for driving out and fixing my solar problem today Sean. Even though Solarmax had you install the system, they were the ones that sold it to me and you had no responsibility to service it, I was elated when I called you and you said that you would come out and fix it. Thanks again for taking extra time to trouble shoot my problem at no charge. It is up and running great now! I would give you five stars!
Urban Design is the place to go for Solar. They have awesome designers, installers and great customer service.
Sean and his staff are very easy to work with, we are so happy with our results! We love watching our solar panel spin backwards! Thank you for your professional work!
Love Urban Designs! We couldn’t quite put our finger on what we wanted. Sean and his company came in, helped us develop a plan and got it all completed in a fast, efficient manner. Beautiful concrete work! We highly recommend Sean and his team.
We’ve done many projects with Urban Design and no matter what the project, small or large, we’ve been extremely happy to have them. They’ve done everything for us: a kitchen hood install, to solar tube installs, hot tub deck, bathroom remodel, etc. They are always on time, on budget, and the make sure that you are happy with everything. My only reservation in sharing with everyone about how great they are is that I’ve now just let a huge secret out of the bag…..
Thanks for the quick solar install! Would highly recommend calling UD if wanting to go solar.
Sean at Urban Design completed a project at our family restaurant in Live Oak. Sean’s plans flew through the building dept plan check and work started immediately, Sean and his crew had to work during the night while we were closed and worked 7 days a week to get it completed quickly. That is one hard working guy, and he does nice work!
Urban Design is one of the most dependable and honest contractors I’ve dealt with in 20 years in the real estate business. Inspectors, clients and I have been consistently impressed with their quality. I highly recommend Urban Design!
Frequently Asked Questions And Answers
Solar is the fastest growing energy source in the world, and for good reason. Solar power offers a limitless supply of clean, safe, renewable energy for heat and power. Solar energy is more affordable, more efficient, and more reliable than ever.
Cost, Financing & Value
Absolutely yes! A solar energy system is an investment that adds both immediate and long-term value to your home or business.
Studies have estimated that there are about $1,000 a year in energy savings, which translates to $20,000 increase in the value of a home. If you ever decide to sell your home, research shows that buyers are willing to pay a premium for a home with a solar energy system installed. With a customized renewable energy system in place from Urban Design Solar, the Return on Investment (ROI) ranges from 10-30% depending on system size, building structure and available incentives.
You can dramatically reduce your utility energy bills from the very first day your solar energy system is installed and for years to come. Solar users still draw some power from the utility grid, but at a much lower-priced rate. When you switch to solar power, you are hedging against rising utility energy rates. You can lock in low, predictable energy costs for years into the future with solar energy.
Now is really the best time to invest in a solar energy system. You can receive 30% of your solar energy system cost off your federal income taxes credit; these credits can carry forward for five years. Urban Design Solar identifies all of the qualifying programs for your solar energy system and files the required paperwork for you. Utility incentives are being rapidly allocated and federal incentives are set to expire soon. So now is the time to install a solar energy system and take advantage of current subsidies for the best immediate and long-term savings.
The single biggest mistake is choosing a solar company based only on the lowest price, without vetting their longevity or commitment to post-installation support.
This common mistake leads to two critical and costly problems for Northern California property owners:
1. The Problem of the Disappearing Contractor (The Longevity Trap)
The NorCal solar market is volatile. Many low-cost installers close or leave the area, leaving customers stranded when repairs are needed.
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The Risk: Your expensive 25-year warranty becomes worthless if the company is gone. You are left with a broken system and no one to service it.
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The Urban Design Difference: We have been an established and trusted NorCal service contractor for nearly 20 years. We are 5-Star Rated and have won multiple “Best of Chico” awards. Our motto is “The Northern California contractor that stays and fixes the problems others leave behind.” We are here for the long haul.
2. The Danger of Unpermitted Work (The Safety Trap)
Low-cost companies often cut corners by skipping required permits and inspections.
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The Risk: Unpermitted work is inherently unsafe (risking electrical fires or structural damage), can lead to costly fines, and will severely complicate the sale of your home down the road.
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The Urban Design Difference: As a licensed, multi-vertical trade service specializing in Electrical and Plumbing, we are uncompromising on safety. We ensure every installation is fully permitted, inspected, and compliant with all local building and fire codes across NorCal.
The Bottom Line: Do not choose on price. Choose on Proven, Long-Term Local Reliability.
We are rarely the least expensive option in Northern California, and we are proud of that.
We are transparent: Our price is a reflection of a commitment to long-term quality, safety, and accountability that eliminates the hidden costs of cheap installation.
When you see a significantly lower quote from a competitor, it’s not because they found a secret panel deal; it’s because they are making cuts in one of three critical areas:
1. The Quality of the Workmanship (The $0 Insurance Trap)
A low price often signals corners being cut on the back-end—specifically, in proper licensing, comprehensive insurance, and skilled labor.
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The Hidden Cost: If an un-insured installer damages your roof or a cheap electrical connection causes an issue, the liability falls entirely on you. The cost of a major roof or electrical repair will quickly erase any initial “savings” on the install price.
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Our Standard: As an established, multi-vertical company specializing in Plumbing and Electrical (Proprietary Knowledge #2), we guarantee quality, fully-insured, and code-compliant installations. We do the job right the first time, protecting your property and your wallet for decades.
2. The Use of Proper Permits and Inspections (The Future Sale Trap)
Your insight is crucial here. We find that many low-cost NorCal installers intentionally skip or fast-track the local permitting process to minimize “soft costs” (time, labor, and municipal fees).
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The Hidden Cost: Unpermitted work is a ticking time bomb. It risks fines, puts your system safety in question, and will become a major, costly liability that can delay or derail the sale of your home down the road.
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Our Standard: We handle all permitting and inspections correctly and locally, ensuring every installation meets the highest safety standards across all NorCal service areas. We have the small-town integrity to follow the rules, no matter what.
3. The Commitment to Longevity (The Abandonment Trap)
The absolute lowest-priced providers are often the “fly-by-night” operations that move on or close down within a few years.
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The Hidden Cost: Your 25-year panel warranty is useless if the company who installed it has disappeared. Who do you call for a repair? That’s the core crisis we see in Northern California.
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Our Standard: Urban Design has been trusted for nearly 20 years in Northern California. We are the company that “stays and fixes the problems others leave behind.” Our pricing includes our pledge to be here tomorrow to service the system we install today.
In summary, we offer the best value and the lowest long-term risk in Northern California, not the lowest initial price.
As the NorCal contractor built on small-town integrity, we’re not just here to sell you panels—we’re here to sell you a long-term solution. Sometimes, that means advising against solar until certain conditions are met.
In our experience across Northern California, solar is typically not a good fit in the following three scenarios:
1. The Roof is Physically Unsuitable (The “Shade” or “Structure” Problem)
Solar panels need direct, unobstructed sunlight for the majority of the day to generate a strong return on investment.
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Excessive Shading: If large, mature trees (which cannot be trimmed) or taller neighboring buildings cast significant shade on your primary roof areas, especially between 9 AM and 3 PM, the system’s efficiency will be severely reduced.
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Poor Orientation: A roof that primarily faces North will not capture enough sun in the Northern Hemisphere to justify the installation cost. Optimal performance is achieved on South, Southwest, or West-facing roof planes.
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Aged or Fragile Roofing: Solar systems are designed to last 25+ years. If your roof is made of a fragile material (like old slate or wood shake) or is already 10+ years old and nearing the end of its life, we will not install panels. You would need to pay to remove and reinstall the entire system just a few years later when the roof needs replacement. As licensed roofing, plumbing, and electrical experts, we insist on structural integrity first.
2. The Financial Equation Doesn’t Balance (The “Low Usage” or “Short Stay” Problem)
The value of solar is directly tied to how much utility power you offset and how long you own the system.
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Extremely Low Energy Bills: If your household uses a minimal amount of electricity (e.g., less than 500 kWh per month) because you are rarely home or have an exceptionally energy-efficient house, the lifetime savings may not be enough to cover the initial cost and maintenance fees in a reasonable payback period.
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Planning to Move Soon: The average payback period for a system is 6 to 9 years in California. While solar typically increases your home value, if you are planning to sell the property within the next 2-3 years, you may not stay long enough to realize the full savings potential and return on investment.
3. You Don’t Own the Property
This is the simplest constraint. You must be the legal property owner to authorize a permanent structural and electrical modification like a solar installation. If you are a renter, you cannot install a system on the home.
When your solar system generates more power than your home or business is currently using (which typically happens during the middle of the day in Northern California), that excess energy does not go to waste. It flows back into the utility grid, and you receive a credit for it.
This crucial financial process is handled through a system called Net Energy Metering (NEM), which is monitored by your smart meter.
How the Credit System Works
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Meter Runs Backward (Effectively): When you consume electricity from the grid, your meter runs forward. When your solar panels push excess power back into the grid, the meter runs backward (or registers a credit).
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Banking Your Energy: This excess power is essentially “banked” as credits for future use. You typically use these credits at night, when your solar panels aren’t generating power, but your home still requires electricity.
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Maximum Value: You are generating this excess power during the sunniest, “peak rate” hours of the day, effectively replacing the most expensive utility power with your own free, credited power. This is where the biggest financial advantage of solar comes from.
The Urban Design Difference (Maximum Offset):
We engineer every system to maximize this offset, ensuring you get the most financial benefit from Net Energy Metering. With nearly 20 years of experience serving the greater Northern California region, we specialize in designing systems that significantly reduce or eliminate the costly electrical repairs that stem from other contractors’ shoddy workmanship. Our goal is to set up a robust, long-term system that maximizes your credits and guarantees a strong return on your investment.
To make a solar energy system worthwhile, you generally need to ensure your primary roof space receives at least 4 to 6 hours of direct, unobstructed sunlight per day, especially during the peak generating window of 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
The goal is to maximize your Return on Investment (ROI). The more quality sun exposure you have, the quicker your system will pay for itself and the more money you will save over its 25+ year lifespan.
Three Factors That Determine ROI
We evaluate every property across Northern California based on these three critical factors:
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Orientation (Facing South/Southwest): In the Northern Hemisphere, surfaces facing South or Southwest receive the most intense solar radiation throughout the day, leading to optimal power generation. North-facing roofs are usually deemed unsuitable.
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Shading (Unobstructed Access): Heavy shading from large, mature trees or nearby taller structures will drastically reduce your system’s efficiency and may make the investment questionable. Continuous, heavy shade is the biggest reason solar won’t pay off.
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Local Weather and Climate: While occasional rain and clouds won’t stop production, the typically sunny climate of Butte County and the rest of the Sacramento Valley makes solar a powerful, proven investment across the region.
The Urban Design Authority Check
We believe in small-town integrity and won’t install a system that won’t give you a strong ROI.
As the contractor that stays and fixes the problems others leave behind, we ensure your investment is solid. We personally check your roof and shading conditions during our FREE, no-obligation site evaluation. This allows us to use expert modeling software to project your system’s output and verify that solar is indeed a cost-effective, great fit for your home before any commitment is made.
Problems, Maintenance & Warranties
A properly installed and maintained solar energy system is a long-term asset for your property.
While your system begins saving you money immediately, it is designed for maximum longevity. Most of the first solar systems installed over 30 years ago are still producing power today.
Panel & System Lifespan
The key components of your system have the following typical lifespans and warranties:
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Solar Panels: Most modern panels come with robust 25-year performance warranties. This guarantees they will produce electricity at or above a certain percentage (e.g., 80% to 85%) of their initial output for a quarter of a century. The physical lifespan of the panels often exceeds 30–40 years.
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Inverters: These components, which convert the DC power from the panels into usable AC power for your home, typically carry 10 to 12-year warranties. They are the most common component to be replaced, but the swap-out process is simple and affordable.
The Urban Design Longevity Promise
The true lifespan of your system depends on two things: the quality of the installation and the company that is still around to service it.
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Guaranteed Quality: As a licensed, multi-vertical contractor (Plumbing, Electrical, Solar), we apply the highest safety and electrical standards to our installations. We prevent costly future issues—like roof leaks or electrical failures (Proprietary Knowledge #2)—that can cut a system’s life short.
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We Stay Here: This is the most important factor in Northern California. We have seen too many competing solar companies close or leave the area, voiding customer warranties (Proprietary Knowledge #1). Urban Design has been an established and trusted service contractor for nearly 20 years. We are the contractor that “stays and fixes the problems others leave behind,” ensuring your 25-year warranty is supported by a local company that will actually be here to honor it.
Solar energy systems are extremely safe, both in their long-term operation and when installed correctly. They present minimal safety risks to homeowners and occupants.
In operation, solar systems are safe because:
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No Moving Parts: Panels are static, sealed units, making them virtually maintenance-free and eliminating the mechanical hazards associated with other energy sources.
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Low-Traffic Area: Systems are generally mounted on the roof, a low or no-traffic area, keeping them safely out of reach of people, pets, and everyday activity.
The Biggest Safety Factor: Quality Installation
The most critical safety consideration is the quality of the electrical and structural installation. A cheap, unpermitted installation can create significant long-term dangers:
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Electrical Hazards: Shoddy electrical wiring, incorrect grounding, or improper connections in the inverter and main panel are the primary causes of solar-related fires.
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Structural Integrity: Poor flashing or improper mounting can compromise your roof’s waterproofing, leading to leaks and eventual water damage or mold inside your home.
The Urban Design Safety Standard
As a licensed, multi-vertical contractor serving Northern California, we treat every solar installation with the expertise of a master electrician and plumber. We strictly adhere to safety and code requirements.
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Licensed & Permitted: We ensure all work is fully permitted and inspected by local municipal authorities across our service area. We never cut corners on safety—we fix the costly results of shoddy workmanship that others leave behind (Proprietary Knowledge #2).
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Expert Electrical Work: Our systems are installed by licensed electricians to guarantee all wiring and panel work is safe, fully compliant, and built for decades of reliable use. This commitment to safety is why we are 5-Star Rated and trusted by homeowners across Butte County and beyond.
he short answer is: Nothing changes for you. Your home remains powered and your lights stay on, regardless of the weather or time of day.
This is because your grid-tied solar energy system is designed to work seamlessly with your utility company through an automatic process called Net Energy Metering (NEM).
During Cloudy Weather or Rain
Your solar system is dependent on direct sunlight, but it does not require a perfectly clear sky to operate.
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Reduced Production: On overcast or rainy days in Northern California, your panels will continue to produce power, but at a reduced capacity—usually enough to offset some of your daytime energy usage.
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Automatic Grid Draw: If your panels aren’t producing enough power to meet your home’s needs, the system automatically and instantly begins drawing the rest of the required power from the utility grid. This switch is instantaneous and completely unnoticeable to you.
At Night
Your solar system does not produce any power when the sun is down.
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Using Banked Credits: At night, your home automatically pulls 100% of its power from the utility grid. However, thanks to the NEM system, you are essentially using the “banked” credits you generated earlier during the sunny peak hours.
The Urban Design Reliability Promise:
You will never experience power interruptions simply because the two systems (solar and grid) automatically balance power delivery. As the long-standing Northern California contractor with small-town integrity, we engineer your system to maximize those daytime credits, ensuring you have reliable, high-value power 24/7/365.
No, absolutely not. You will not need to buy new appliances, change your electrical outlets, or make any practical changes to how you use power.
The transition to solar energy is designed to be seamless and simple.
The Seamless Transition
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The Same Power: Your solar energy system’s inverter takes the DC power generated by the panels and converts it into standard AC power—the exact same type of electricity your home or business has always used.
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No Adaptation Required: Everything works just the same as it did before. Your HVAC, refrigerators, computers, and lighting systems will operate without noticing a difference.
The Only Change You’ll Notice
The only change you will experience is a major improvement in your energy bill.
When your solar system generates more power than you are using, that excess energy flows directly back to the utility grid, and through the Net Energy Metering process, you are credited for it. This dramatically lowers or eliminates the amount you pay the utility company for electricity.
The Urban Design Authority Check
As the long-established contractor built on small-town integrity, we ensure the integration is flawless. Because we are licensed experts in both Electrical and Solar, we seamlessly and safely integrate the new solar system into your existing electrical panel. You get the peace of mind that the wiring is correct, fully permitted, and built to last across our entire Northern California service area.
The biggest flaw in most solar warranties isn’t the length of the warranty (most panels come with excellent 25-year guarantees)—it’s the financial stability and longevity of the company that installed it.
The Warranty Flaw: The Disappearing Installer
A solar warranty is a multi-layered promise. While the manufacturer guarantees the panel will perform for 25 years, the installer is the one responsible for honoring the labor, troubleshooting, accessing the roof, handling the claim, and completing the repair.
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The Crisis in Northern California (Proprietary Knowledge #1): The solar market has been volatile. We constantly see national or short-term contractors close their doors, leave the Butte County area, or simply stop answering their phones.
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The Consequence: When your installer disappears, your 25-year warranty is effectively worthless. You are left with a broken system, and no one to service it. If you call the panel manufacturer, they will tell you they can only process the claim through a certified, active dealer—and your installer is gone.
The Urban Design Longevity Pledge
At Urban Design, we built our company on small-town integrity. Our price reflects our commitment to being here for the life of your system.
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20 Years of Trust: We have been an established, 5-Star Rated service contractor for nearly 20 years. We are not going anywhere.
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Our Motto is Our Guarantee: We are the contractor that “stays and fixes the problems others leave behind.”
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Multi-Trade Security: Our expertise in Plumbing, Electrical, and Solar means our business is robust and stable, giving you the peace of mind that we will be here tomorrow to service the system we install today. Choosing Urban Design means your warranty is backed by a contractor you can actually call.
A properly installed solar system should be virtually maintenance-free. If you notice any of the following signs—especially soon after installation—it is a clear indicator of shoddy workmanship that requires immediate attention from an established, licensed contractor.
These issues are precisely the costly results of low-bid contractors and cutting corners that we constantly fix across Northern California.
1. Performance and Panel-Level Issues
These issues mean you are not getting the financial return you expected.
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Unexpectedly High Energy Bills: This is the first red flag. If your bill hasn’t dropped significantly, your system is underproducing. This can be caused by micro-inverter failures, poor wiring, or even the panels being mounted in a shaded area the installer ignored.
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Visible Panel Damage: Look for obvious signs of damage from the ground, such as:
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Cracks or chips in the glass (often caused by poor handling during installation).
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Discoloration or yellowing of the panel cells (a sign of moisture intrusion or overheating).
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Snail Trails (dark, irregular lines under the glass) signaling degradation.
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2. Safety and Electrical Hazards
These are the most dangerous signs, and they are usually caused by an unlicensed or inexperienced electrical crew.
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Inverter Errors: Your inverter (the large box that converts power) showing red flashing lights, persistent error codes, or emitting unusual buzzing/crackling sounds is an immediate safety concern.
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Frequent Circuit Breaker Tripping: A system that frequently trips its dedicated circuit breaker indicates improper system design, mismatched electrical components, or dangerous wiring faults.
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Exposed or Dangling Conduit/Wiring: Conduit or wiring that is not tightly secured, is rubbing against the roof, or is routed haphazardly is a sign of unprofessional work and risks long-term electrical failure.
3. Structural and Roof Integrity Issues (The Leak Trap)
This is where our multi-trade expertise shines. The number one installation failure is causing a roof leak.
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Roof Leaks Inside Your Home: Water stains or drips on your ceiling, especially around the same area as the panels, indicate missing or improper flashing at the mounting penetrations. A reputable contractor knows how to waterproof the drill points; relying on caulk alone is a massive mistake.
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Visibly Damaged Shingles: Look for cracked or broken roof tiles/shingles around the panel mounts. If the mounting hardware wasn’t compatible with your specific roof type (common on tile or metal roofs), it likely compromised the roofing material.
The Urban Design Difference:
As a 5-Star Rated contractor with nearly 20 years of experience in Plumbing, Electrical, and Solar, we specialize in correcting the costly results of shoddy workmanship. If you notice any of these signs, we are the reliable, long-term solution built on small-town integrity to fix the problems others leave behind.