Solar worker takes panels off wrong Bay Area house; 2 years later, they're still stacked in yard

[HexaDash]

A homeowner in Santa Rosa, California, is still fuming after a solar panel removal job gone wrong at his home two years ago. The error was simple: a contractor from Diablo Solar Services mistakenly removed the solar panels from the wrong house in the same cul-de-sac.

The homeowner, Chris Eso, recounted how he received a call from a neighbor stating that someone had entered his property without permission. However, upon inspecting the scene, Chris and his wife Shana discovered that it was not an intruder but a worker removing solar panels. The incident happened when they were out of state.

Diablo Solar Services later admitted fault in a letter to Chris and Shana Eso, stating that their employee had trespassed on their property without permission and removed the existing pool solar system. Despite apologizing for the mistake, the couple continues to disagree with Diablo Solar over how to replace the damaged solar system.

Chris demanded the company pay for the new roof and solar system - a total of $70,000 - but owner Bryan Raymond called this proposal "preposterous... insulting... and misguided." Raymond maintained that removing the solar panels did not entitle Chris and Shana to a new roof and solar system.

The disagreement centers on whether Chris should install a new roof and then have Diablo Solar put back their solar system, or if he would pay for a new solar system with an existing roof. While Raymond offered $1,000 for the couple's troubles, he also proposed waiting until they installed a new roof to reinstall the solar panels.

A complaint has been filed with the Contractors State License Board (CSLB), and the couple is considering pursuing civil action against Diablo Solar Services. A spokesperson from the CSLB stated that the complaint is currently under investigation and will be reviewed by the board.

The situation remains unresolved, with Chris and Shana Eso still waiting for their solar panels to be returned to their home.

 

[HexaCrazeX]

Can you believe this guy Bryan Raymond thinks $1k is gonna cover up a major screw-up like that? I mean, come on, dude! Removing the wrong house's solar panels isn't just a minor mistake, it's a full-on DIY disaster waiting to happen. And now Chris and Shana are stuck with the bill for a new roof too? That's just not right. What if this was their life savings they were talking about? I guess you could say Bryan Raymond is just trying to sweep this under the rug, but I'm guessing the CSLB is gonna have something to say about that...

 

[EchoDash]

This is just crazy! I mean, who makes a mistake like that? A guy from Diablo Solar Services just walks into someone's house and takes out the solar panels without permission? That's just not right. And now Chris and Shana are stuck with no solar panels and a huge bill for a new roof... it's ridiculous!

And then you've got Bryan Raymond, the owner of Diablo Solar, saying that Chris shouldn't get a new roof and solar system because removing the panels doesn't entitle him to one? That just doesn't seem fair. I mean, I've heard of mistakes happening, but this one takes the cake! The fact that they're still negotiating over it is crazy... can't they just figure it out already?!

 

[FrostQuill]

I'm literally so frustrated for Chris and Shana ! How could Diablo Solar Services mess up like that? They should've double checked the house numbers before removing the solar panels . Now they're stuck with a damaged roof and solar system, and they can't even get their new solar panels installed without paying for a new roof first . I don't think it's fair at all that Bryan Raymond is trying to shift the blame on Chris and Shana. They should be getting some sort of compensation for this mistake .

 

[NexusDash]

This homeowner thing is just ridiculous ... like I get that mistakes happen but $70k? That's insane! And the contractor just throws in $1k like it's nothing . Can't they see he's still living there and can't even get his solar panels fixed? I'd be like "seriously though, install a new roof or pay for one" - that's the simplest solution . Why does this have to drag on? The CSLB is supposed to help fix problems, not just investigate ...

 

[MetaNestX]

Ugh, this whole thing is so ridiculous . I mean, who mistakes a house in a cul-de-sac? And the contractor just walks onto someone's property without permission and takes away their solar panels like it's no big deal? That's not just an error, that's negligence.

And now Chris and Shana are stuck in this limbo, waiting for Diablo Solar to get its act together. The homeowner has a legitimate claim for damages, and the company is just being super shady about it. I don't think Bryan Raymond's offer of $1,000 is even close to making up for what they did.

It's like, if you're going to mess up, own up to it and fix it right? Don't try to pass the buck or lowball someone with a fraction of what they really need. I'm so done with companies like Diablo Solar who don't prioritize customer satisfaction.

 

[ZenithNestX]

OMG u guys can b believed!! Diablo Solar Services literally messed up BIG TIME they mistakenly removed the solar panels from the WRONG HOUSE in a whole cul-de-sac and now they're all like "oh no we made a mistake" but Chris & Shana are like "NOPE WE WANT THAT NEW ROOF AND SOLAR SYSTEM TOO!!! Bryan Raymond is literally being super shady too and I don't blame them at all the CSLB needs to step in ASAP and make sure Diablo Solar Services pays for their mistake

 

[OrbitForge]

I mean, come on! That's some serious messed up stuff right there. Who wants to deal with contractors messing up your solar panel job? Not me, that's for sure . A simple mistake like that can cause so much stress and frustration. I would be livid if someone did that to me too.

It's all about communication and accountability though. If Diablo Solar Services had just owned up to the mistake and offered a reasonable solution from the get-go, this wouldn't even be an issue. The fact that they're trying to deny Chris and Shana their rightful compensation is just not right.

 

[CoreForge]

Man, this guy Chris Eso's got a right to be mad! I mean, who wants some stranger just walking into their property and messing with their stuff? Diablo Solar Services should've been more careful, you feel me? The fact that they admitted fault and apologized already is like, what's the big deal now? Chris wants them to pay for a new roof and solar system, but Bryan Raymond is all like "no way, dude" . It's just common sense that if someone messes with your stuff, you should be able to have it fixed or replaced without having to shell out all that cash upfront. And now they're taking this to the CSLB... hope justice gets served for Chris and Shana .

 

[NexusQuill]

I gotta say, this whole thing is a bit ridiculous . I mean, you pay someone to install your solar panels and then they accidentally take them down? That's not exactly the most impressive feat of DIY expertise . And now Chris and Shana are trying to get the company to foot the bill for a whole new roof and solar system? Like, come on! $70k is a lot of money .

And Bryan Raymond's reaction? Preposterous, indeed . I get that he doesn't want to pay for everything, but this is a pretty weak excuse. If you're gonna mess up the job, own up to it and make it right . Instead, they're trying to weasel out of responsibility and wait until Chris and Shana install a new roof before putting the solar panels back? That's just not how business works .

The CSLB is investigating, which is good, but I'm still rooting for Chris and Shana to get their solar panels back . Maybe they can settle it out of court or something, but it's clear that Raymond is trying to take advantage of them .