An idea is to use all these storm chasing roofing companies that come knocking after a wind / hail storm. 

In house will ALWAYS beat any marketing company.

Hi All,One big HVAC company says I need surge protectors from electric shock on hvac systems.

any luck with finding a good company?

"Unless the previous borrower requests a release of liability, the servicer must process the following exempt transactions without reviewing or approving the terms of the transfer:A transfer of the property (or, if the borrower is an inter vivos revocable trust, a transfer of a beneficial interest in the trust) to a limited liability company (LLC), provided that the mortgage loan was purchased or securitized by Fannie Mae on or after June 1, 2016, and the LLC is controlled by the original borrower or the original borrower owns a majority interest in the LLC, and if the transfer results in a permitted change of occupancy type to an investment property, such change does not violate the security instrument (for example, the 12 month occupancy requirement for a principal residence)."

They could be on facebook, mortgage companies host them, real estate teams host them, and so on.

Is hiring a property management company the only way out, or are there other ways to manage these responsibilities effectively without it consuming my thoughts?

Not sure any of that matters, as I'm guessing the title would come back with a lien from the solar company. 

He also has a property management company that manages the properties. 

Then you open an escrow account and everybody wires funds, the escrow company gives an accounting and you put the money into the LLC account.