American Solar is alright, and although they haven't been perfect the overall experience has been good.
This is what it boils down to for me, and why I did it...
The entirety of my re-roof and solar system was financed at 2.99%. For what amounts to 83 dollars per month for 10 years I got a 4 kw system and a 30 year asphalt shingle roof. The company, Enerbank, which did the financing has been fantastic... seriously. The loan is very basic, and communication with them has been easy. The system is generating between 6 and 8 kw per day right now, which is actually an excess, so this month I expect to have no electricity bill. The system should generate, on average, about 70 dollars worth of electricity monthly, which basically makes the 83 dollar per month payment a wash.
In the interest of full disclosure, here is a list of things that haven't been perfectly awesome about them so far.
1.) After the first rain the roof they installed leaked a little. I heard drips above my kitchen ceiling. I sent a text to the project manager and she responded immediately, and was all apologies. She sent the roofing foreman out to the house and he did a thorough walkover while it was raining, and corrected what he believed to be the issue. He gave me his card with his personal cell to contact him if there were any further issues.
2.) The solar system was initially "hooked up wrong" and they had to come rewire the whole thing. I lost 3 days worth of power generation during that time. Dunno what was up with that.
During both fuck-ups their response was excellent, though, and so I'm confident that if I do have any other issues that they'll respond well.
So, if you're looking for solar, and/or you need a new roof, give Steve a call and at least let him do an estimate. They're zero pressure so it won't be awkward or uncomfortable. Tell them Tim Grossano referred you, and then tell me you called, so I can bug them about my gift card.
PS - Oh yeah, there is a big tax credit. My system was up and running by Dec 20th and Jenny is getting an extra 3900 dollars in her tax return this year. Bonus.