Southern Current

Southern Current takes on solar work from their base in Florence. They handle full panel system installs for homes, including the upfront sizing based on past electric use, design work to account for things like shading, and all the steps to get everything permitted and hooked up. Reviewers note the company used to focus on residential jobs but later moved toward commercial projects, which changed how they handled smaller setups afterward.

Homeowners describe jobs where crews came out to measure and model systems that ended up cutting monthly bills by 80 percent or more on larger houses. Sales reps like Eric walked through options without pressure and suggested efficiency tweaks before locking in a design. Installs often wrapped in a couple weeks once contracts were signed, with crews handling inspections and utility tie-ins so the systems started producing power right away. Some customers later dealt with failed inverters or gateways on systems a few years old and had to hunt for other help after the company stopped residential service calls.

They kept in touch during the active phases of a job, answering questions on timelines and forms while sticking to the schedule from contract to power-up. Quotes came in lower than several other outfits people compared, and the process moved fast enough that one system was generating within a month of signing. Follow-up dropped off for some after the install, with reports of no callbacks on warranty items and referrals to distant outfits that charged extra for house visits.

The outfit sits at a 4.3 rating on Google from 55 reviews. Common points include strong upfront knowledge and clean installs that met output projections, mixed with complaints about limited help once the company stepped back from residential work. DIRT Score 3.8 from reviews on Finds.

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“Southern Current has friendly, intelligent and professional employees. I have dealt with 2 previous salesy/pushy solar companies before finding Southern Current. They met with me on my schedule, produced a solar model for my home and actually recommended a better/cheaper solution than my roof would allow based on some shading and cost:production benefit. Once I signed to start the process the fantastic customer service did not end. I was kept in the loop about permitting, paperwork, inspections, et al. right up to the day my system was energized. Fantastic work by a fantastic company.”

“After a year using our solar panels we are editing our review and rating. We are not pleased with this company. We DO think Solar is the way to go just not with Southern Current. We have gotten very little service from them after our system was installed. We can not get anyone to call us back. The tax credit information that was given the day it was sold to us does not seem to be correct. Hugh and Connie Pearson (OLD REVIEW) We are loving our solar system. Southern Current Showed us how our system would help with the environment and with our electric cost, they took our past electric bills to figure the size of system we needed, they walked us through the entire process of purchasing and setup as well as showing us how to keep up with the power we produce. We can call them at any time with any questions. They call us if there is ever a problem they see from their end. They still call to check on us. The entire staff is very friendly. We didn't want to cut trees to have the system installed on our house so they made it possible for us to have our system ground mounted. Our system has been a saving grace to us because our heating system stopped working in November 2018, we didn't ”

“Such a shame that this company does not stand behind their installations. We loved the sales and installation side of our experience with Southern Current. When they decided to focus on commercial solar only, they left their residential customers high and dry. Like other reviewers, we were punted to some random company several hours from here, so when we had an issue, we were informed that the house call itself would cost us $800 before any work or diagnostics!! We found a local company, but they have been out here 4 times with no change except a $6000 estimate to remove and submit our panels for warranty replacement. Just stunned right now.”

“I interviewed 5 different solar companies before I selected Southern Current. They had the best price and the most informative presentation of all the companies I talked to. My sales rep was Eric who was very knowledgeable and helpful in evaluating my energy needs. He did not come across as just trying to sell me solar panels but made recommendations to make my house more energy efficient. We settled on a system design that I felt would meet my needs. I signed a contract Sept 21, 2017; installation started the first week of November and I was generating power Nov 16. I was really surprised at how quickly things happened especially after some of the reviews I had read from other companies. The installers checked with me during each phase of the installation to make sure I was satisfied with the look and the routing of the wiring. One neighbor who walks the neighborhood said our installation was the best looking of any she had seen. The real test is the savings on my power bill. Feb through Mar I have generated more power than I have used, meaning my bill is the minimum, $13.62 each month. However, my situation was a little unique in that we had two extra people living with us”

“I am very pleased with the 5.8 kW solar panel installation on my house by Southern Current. I had my roof replaced last fall and elected to add solar energy to my house at that time. My contractor referred me to Southern Current and I am so glad that he did. The sales team presentation was educational and thorough, the installation crew was extremely professional, and the company streamlined all the regulatory processes quite efficiently so that the system was up and generating energy quickly. My energy bills for a 2800 square foot house have dropped to less than $10/month for the last 4 months (had both cold and hot weather in there too!) which is on average an 80% reduction in cost! I would definitely recommend Southern Current as THE solar company to turn to for residential solar needs.”

“If you're in the market for solar, put Southern Current at the top of your list to call (formerly Sustainable Energy Solutions). I did a ton of research before buying my solar system (44 panels). Before entering contract, I took quotes from four installers and I found Southern Current to be knowledgeable, honest, responsive, and eager for my business--not to mention their price was extremely competitive. Once under contract with Southern Current, I'm pleased to report things went very well. Every member of their design & installation team was top notch. I've encountered some rotten contractors in the past, but let me tell you: my experience with Southern Current was a breeze! Looking back in terms of price, schedule, quality, and customer service, I am beyond satisfied. Given the opportunity, I have no doubt I'd hire Southern Current again.”

“From initial contact to finished completed install Southern current provided me with a very knowledgeable and Professional Service . They do what they say they will do and their product does what it says it does. My solar panels are currently putting out at about 120% of projection. I have currently produced 950 KW in 13 days.. my wife and I are both excited to see when the coming months Power bills go away... All systems go.... two thumbs up!”

“After meeting with 6 solar companies, we chose Southern Current. Their salesman was the most knowledgeable of anyone we talked with, and also - when I mentioned an interest in adding storage batteries - recommended we wait, as they expected the price to go down fairly significantly in the relatively near future. Communication with everyone was excellent and timely, all of the staff with whom we interacted was professional and explained everything in great detail, and they were also helpful when I could not get the power company's form filled out correctly online. We highly recommend Southern Current.”

“My wife and were delighted to choose solar power because we believe in developing energy resources of such magnitude and efficiency as to begin healing our environment of the ill effects of coal and oil. Ours is a small but honest step of which we are proud. And we were unusually happy with our choice of Southern Current for installing it in our new home. As for the professional workmanship, let me say it was superb. Just as important was the especially friendly and responsive help by the company's reps. They quickly returned calls and e-mails in answer to our questions and they have been proactive in letting us know how to get the best long run durability and price. I can't omit noting the resulting sharply reduced price of electricity from what we were used to paying. And we produce enough electricity to sell some back to South Carolina Electric and Gas Company. Is that neat or what?”

“The Team at Southern Current has been very easy to work with. They are professional, friendly, and knowledgeable. They showed up on time, cleaned up after themselves, and thus far, my panels are producing the amount of electricity promised. It has been a great experience for me and my family!”

“I'm pleased to report that I had a very positive experience with Southern Current from sales presentation through installation and review by the Town and the utility company. The sales staff completed their homework before meeting with us which resulted in the presentation being extremely thorough and efficient. All questions were answered in timely, professional manner. The Project Designer monitored the progress of the job from start to finish. Everything took place exactly when he said it would and the project was completed on time and on budget. The Designer also answered all questions in a timely, professional manner. The installation crew appeared when scheduled, and it was obvious from start to finish that they were well trained not only in the product but also in working with the customer. Before leaving their cleanup procedures were such that not even a nail or a screw were left behind.”

“My Southern Current system was installed in 2017 with a 10 year warranty. My Enphase Gateway communication device has failed and I cannot get Southern Current to step up as they no longer provide service on their systems which is a major negative I would think for any new clients considering a Solar System from Southern Current.”

“I was introduced to Sustainable Energy Solutions during a seminar they presented for one of the professional organizations I belong to and was impressed with what I saw and their breadth of knowledge. I followed up with them after the Seminar and had them come out to my house to see my home and to give me options for adding a solar generating system to my house. After looking over all of the information and data it seemed like a good investment to both my wife and I to add such a system to our current home. With the ever rising costs of energy and fossil fuels being depleted at such an ever increasing pace, we felt that it would be good both environmentally as well as financially to make the investment. The process from start to finish was seamless, on time and within the budget they originally quoted us. We are very happy with our install and look forward to many years of solar energy production and reduced power bills. Plus with the tax credits available the cost was much more tolerable. I would not hesitate to contact Sustainable Energy Solutions if you as a consumer are interested in saving energy and helping out the environment. They were very professional, knowledgeable and h”

“A coworker recommended Southern Current after having used them for his installation. I had previously used Alder Energy for PV on a prior home but gave Southern Current a try this time around. It was fortunate that they were able to fit in my installation before the end of 2019 (Alder was already booked for several months and couldn't meet this deadline). Southern Current did a great job from start to finish and I'm very pleased with the outcome!”

“We were early adopters of solar in Charleston and contacted these guys first for one side of our roof, and then a few years later, the whole roof. We have been continually impressed. They are responsive for followup questions. We had some roof leakage and worried it was due to the panels. They came the next day, and found problems totally unrelated to the install, which we then had fixed. I fully recommend them. We have a cabin in the NC mountains and we will use these folks up there..”

“Southern Current did a great job with my solar installation. They were fast and efficient and even managed to get utility company inspector out the week of the Charleston blizzard! Sales, installation and follow-up staff were a pleasure to work with.”

“2 year old system installed by Southern Current. The inverter box on our home stopped working about 2 months ago. We only realized it with the higher electric bill. Called Southern Current... they refuse to call back but did email and "kindly" let us know they've gotten out of the residential side of the business. (They failed to notify any of their customers.) They have no one to service the equipment and simply referred us to find a new service installer (over 2 hours from our home) and at our own expense. What a money pit and what a terrible business! Regretting we got involved with Southern Current.”

“A top of the line experience from start to finish. We've been 'solar' through Sustainable Energy Solutions since February. They put 48 270-watt panels on the roof of our home on James Island. The design and installation process was thorough and professional. They provided conservative estimates of output which have been easily realized. The system has performed flawlessly so far, and I have every confidence of it continuing to deliver the bulk of our energy needs.”

“I have been renovating my house for about five years and gone through a slew of contractors. These are the only ones I would ever really unequivocally recommend. They are exceptional. EVERYTHING they told me was correct and EVERYTHING happened as they said it would. They were in and out in 3 days. The install was flawless. The entire crew was exceptionally courteous and they even cleaned up thoroughly! Five stars are not enough!!”

“October 2018 Update: Still love our system. Our average monthly SCEG electric bill all summer long has been $22. In July, we wanted to test out the system and ran 2 dehumidifiers non stop, set both 3 ton heat pumps to circulate non stop & house was set at 72° and 35% humidity, which is paradise for me. Our sceg bill went up to $33 that month!!!!! We are experiencing some expansion & settling noises in the morning & evening as the solar panels & tracks heat up & cool down, but I am certain Southern Current will figure it out & fix it. ___________________________ After lots of research, we picked Southern Current as our installer, and very happy we did! We have 40 335 watt LG panels on our home. They did a fantastic job. Very responsible , respectful & accomidating to our needs. I am not the easiest customer, since i demand alot for an investment of this size. I crunch the numbers again & again to know that i am getting the best long term cost/ benefit scale possible. I believe Southern Current provided me with that! Were about a 10 or 11k production system on a 3200 sqft house with lots of energy usage. We didn't expect any initial cost savings since we went with a more expe”