Solar Energy Specialist Corp is listed on Top Solar Services as a solar contractor serving Winter Haven, Florida. The 84 verified reviews on this page reflects real client experiences. Use the information on this page — the verified review count, sub-ratings on quality, schedule, cost, and willingness-to-refer, the company's services and pricing snapshot, and the contact details — alongside your own due diligence on licensing and insurance before requesting a quote.
Solar contractors in this category should carry a current state contractor license, $1M+ general liability and workers' compensation insurance, and verified reviews from recent projects in your area.
In Florida, solar contractors are typically licensed at the state level for electrical or general construction work, and the most-cited credentials homeowners check on this page are NABCEP certification, manufacturer training (Tesla, Enphase, SolarEdge), and verified workers' compensation coverage. Confirm Solar Energy Specialist Corp's state contractor license number with your Florida licensing board, verify any NABCEP credentials at nabcep.org, and request proof of general liability and workers' compensation insurance certificates that name your project address before signing a contract. For larger projects, ask for two or three references from recently completed installs of similar size and call them about quality, schedule, and warranty service experience.
Typical project timeline. Most residential installs run 8–14 weeks end to end: about a week for the site survey and design, 2–6 weeks waiting on permits from the local Authority Having Jurisdiction, one to three days of physical installation, then 2–5 weeks for inspection and utility permission to operate. The panels go up fast; the paperwork is what sets the schedule. Ask Solar Energy Specialist Corp for the specific permitting turnaround in Winter Haven, because local inspection backlogs are the single most common source of schedule slippage and vary widely between neighboring jurisdictions.
What the quote process looks like. A serious solar installation quote is delivered in writing after a site assessment — not as a verbal number on a first phone call. Expect a written proposal with an itemized bill of materials (panel and inverter make and model), a production estimate modeled in PVWatts, Aurora, or Helioscope showing shading and tilt assumptions, the full price before and after any incentives, and financing terms disclosed separately from the equipment price. Get at least three comparable written proposals so you are comparing equipment and scope rather than sales pressure, and be wary of any bid that expires within 24 hours or requires more than 10% down before work begins.
Credentials to confirm. Before signing, verify the state contractor license number with the Florida licensing board, confirm any NABCEP certification directly at nabcep.org, and request certificates of general liability and workers' compensation insurance that name your project address. A contractor who hesitates to produce these documents has told you what you need to know.
How warranty service works. Three separate warranties apply: the panel manufacturer's product and performance warranty (typically 25 years), the inverter warranty (10–25 years depending on platform), and the contractor's own workmanship warranty covering labor and roof penetrations. Only the last one depends on Solar Energy Specialist Corp remaining in business, which is why a company's track record in Winter Haven matters as much as the warranty length on paper. Confirm in writing who to call for a service claim, what the response window is, and whether the workmanship warranty transfers if you sell the home.
Electricity rates and payback. Residential customers in Florida pay roughly 15–18¢ per kWh, and that avoided-cost figure — not any incentive — is what actually drives solar payback. The higher your current bill and the longer you plan to stay in the home, the stronger the case. Installed residential pricing in Florida generally runs $2.30–$2.80 per watt before incentives, with smaller systems landing at the upper end because fixed permitting and mobilization costs spread across fewer watts.
Net metering and utility policy. Florida operates under full-retail net metering preserved by statute, with grandfathering for systems interconnected under current rules. This is the detail most homeowners overlook and the one that changes twenty-year savings the most, so ask Solar Energy Specialist Corp to model your system under the tariff you will actually be placed on rather than a generic assumption.
Incentives available in 2026. The federal Section 25D residential tax credit expired on December 31, 2025, so homeowners buying a system outright no longer claim the 30% credit. Section 48E remains available for business-owned and third-party-owned systems, which is why lease and power-purchase-agreement offers have become more competitive in Florida than they were a year ago. At the state and utility level, Florida homeowners can look to a 100% property-tax exemption and full sales-tax exemption on equipment. Confirm current program status before signing — incentive budgets are capped and windows close without much notice.
Why this is a workable solar market. Between 15–18¢ retail electricity, established installer competition around Winter Haven, and the policy structure above, Florida supports well-designed residential solar — provided the system is sized to your actual usage rather than oversized to inflate a commission.
Clients consistently praise Solar Energy Specialist Corp for professional service, transparent communication, and quality workmanship. Reviewers frequently highlight the company's ability to deliver projects on schedule and within budget.
This summary is based on verified Top Solar Services reviews.
Jeremy and his crew did a terrific job in my roof. Not only that, I needed it to be done ASAP and since I talked to him and until the roof was done, it was about just 1 week. Very impressive timing.
They left everything very clean and made sure there was no debris and that my solar panel was working correctly.
Nothing to complaint about. Totally recommend it!
It was an absolute pleasure working with Solar Roofing & Energy Specialists! From the moment of first contact, we were told what to expect from the start of the job to completion. The roof replacement process went flawless! Gary was very professional when dealing with us and took the time to explain complex processes. He kept in touch every step of the way. The workers came out early, worked efficiently, and cleaned up afterwards. Kudos to you and team, sir! We appreciate you.
On December 25, 2025, I ordered a Solar Outdoor Garden Lights, LED Cactus-shaped Lawn Lights, Made Of Resin Material, IP44, Suitable for Outdoor Courtyard Paths, Gardens, Courtyards And Holiday Decorations - Ambient Lighting. I love cacti and I thought it would like to have it seating are at night. Unfortunately my order never arrived. The shipping company tell me hey have a picture of the package, but the package did not contain the light. For more that three weeks I have tried to communicate with GOFO the shipping company on the fact that I did not receive the light. They stated that “ As the proof of delivery (POD) confirms the package was received with an intact exterior, we recommend reaching out to the seller regarding any concerns about the internal condition or item discrepancies.”. They have advised me to contact the vendor. I have been a customer of TEMU. I am writing to ask for a replacement or a full refund for the light I never received.
At first, the solar array we had installed by Solar Energy Specialists was great. When we contracted with them back in 2021, we had our roof, water heater, and HVAC replaced along with installing a new solar array - all done by them or, more correctly, their subcontractors. We were very happy. Gary, the owner, was very helpful when issue popped up during installation. However, the inverter that was supposed to last ten years had to be replaced twice in less than four years. We weren't charged for the inverter itself but, the second time it had to be replaced, we were charged labor to replace it. I get that it costs them money to replace it but, given that it was the third inverter in just a few years, the system was obviously defective and nothing was ever done by the solar company to fix the bigger issue. Flash forward to 2025, we're trying to sell our house. This is why I don't recommend solar to ANYONE... we discovered:
1. Solar Energy Specialists were not answering our calls. We were told by the salesman we worked with, when purchasing the system, that the company was no longer in business.
2. The HVAC permit was expired and not even CLOSE to installed correctly. The HVAC company that Solar Energy Specialists used was out of business. It cost us $3500 to have another HVAC company bring it up to code and close the permit.
3. The water heater was installed incorrectly. It was also not permitted and should've been. We were told the company that installed it was also out of business.
I don't recommend solar to ANYONE. This was a complete waste of $66k.
Hi, I have been using my Solar energy system for about 1 month. What a wonderful investment. I am making excellent power with my new system. I am so happy I opted for solar power. This company did everything that they said they would do from permitting to installation. Most importantly they handled obstacles in a very fast customer-oriented way. Each time I was told they would be onsite they were prompt courteous and respectful of my property. I dealt with 5 people during my transaction Rodney from sales, Patti from permitting, Ron, Gary owners and their installer Hayes. Dealing with each of these guys proved to be a very positive experience. I worked with several other companies prior to Solar Energy Specialist. The reason I chose this company was because they understood my energy needs and could work with my timeframe and because of other positive reviews. If you want to save energy and are looking for a positive experience look no further, you have found your company: (Solar Energy Specialists Corporation)
1 Year Update: Wanted to give a quick update at one year! My solar system is working awesome. Zero problems all year long. My system has made 20 megawatts in a year! Gary has been very attentive checking up on my system. It is working incredible. Thank you, Solar Energy Specialist!
https://www.solarandenergyspecialists.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=gmb&utm_campaign=seo
1130 1st Street South, Winter Haven, FL 33880
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