Compare Local Pros
Power On Solar vs St Francis Electric
Alameda Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
You're comparing a solar-specialized contractor with 7 years experience to a veteran electrical contractor with 49 years in business.
| Power On Solar | St Francis Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 2.9 | ★ 3.8 |
| Years Licensed | 7 years | 49 years |
| License # | 1052317 | 335324 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Dublin, CA | San Leandro, CA |
| Website | poweronsolar.com | www.stfranciselectric.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Power On Solar
Customers report smooth initial installations with clear explanations and proper system performance, but consistently note difficulty with post-installation service responsiveness and extended repair timelines.
St Francis Electric
Customers highlight professional conduct, respectful scheduling, and technical electrical expertise, with feedback focused on general electrical work rather than solar installations.
Key Takeaway: Power On Solar's feedback reveals a split between strong installation execution and weak ongoing service, while St Francis Electric receives consistent feedback about professional conduct but no solar-specific project experiences.
Customer Reviews
Power On Solar
This company is Simply.The.Best. From start to finish. They care, they want to do things well, and they handle the whole process, from soup to nuts, smoothly. And they are human beings with dedicat...
Making a decision about solar is difficult and complicated. There is a lot at stake considering the system will last for decades and is not inexpensive no matter how it is funded. Power On solar was...
Made the Solar process of choosing and installing a very easy choice to use their service. All steps were explained and questions fully answered. Our system is producing as promised and savings us eac...
St Francis Electric
The electricians at St. Francis Electric were a joy to have in our home. They're clearly experts, very polite, and did an excellent job respecting our schedule. Our electrical system feels significan...
Awesome place!!! Great company very helpful.
Great Service
Consider Power On Solar if...
- ✓ You're installing a solar system and need a contractor with established relationships with SunPower, Enphase, and other solar manufacturers, plus experience navigating solar permitting and HOA approval processes
- ✓ You're comfortable managing potential post-installation service challenges by being proactive about warranty documentation and having alternative service options identified upfront
- ✓ Your project includes complex system sizing or production estimates where solar-specific expertise matters more than general electrical experience
- ✓ You value a contractor who handles the full solar installation workflow from design through final interconnection as their primary business focus
Consider St Francis Electric if...
- ✓ You're hiring for electrical work that's not solar-specific, where nearly five decades of electrical contracting experience provides significant value
- ✓ You prioritize working with a long-established business that has demonstrated sustained operation and institutional knowledge over specialized solar focus
- ✓ You value professional conduct and respectful scheduling practices, which customers specifically highlight in their feedback
- ✓ You're willing to verify solar installation capabilities directly, as their experience tier suggests broad electrical expertise but documentation doesn't confirm solar specialization
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Power On Solar how they handle service calls after installation, what their typical response timeframe is for system issues, and whether they provide a dedicated service contact number
- → Ask St Francis Electric directly about their solar installation experience, manufacturer certifications, and how many solar systems they've installed in the past two years
- → Ask both contractors for references from solar projects completed within the last 12 months and follow up specifically about post-installation support experiences
- → Ask about warranty coverage and who handles warranty claims if components fail, since solar systems require 25-year performance planning
The Bottom Line
For a solar installation project, Power On Solar is the appropriate contractor based on their specialization, manufacturer relationships, and solar-specific permitting experience that St Francis Electric hasn't demonstrated. However, you cannot ignore the service responsiveness pattern in customer feedback. Before signing a contract with Power On Solar, establish clear written commitments about post-installation service response times, get a dedicated service contact, and understand exactly how warranty claims are handled. Ask for recent references and follow up specifically about their service experiences. If St Francis Electric claims solar capabilities, require proof of recent solar installations and manufacturer certifications before consideration.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it matters significantly. Solar installation requires specific manufacturer training, understanding of solar inverters and monitoring systems, knowledge of utility interconnection requirements, and experience with solar-specific permitting. General electrical experience doesn't automatically translate to solar competency. You should directly verify St Francis Electric's solar installation portfolio before hiring them for solar work.
The pattern is notable enough to plan around. Multiple customers report difficulty reaching the company for post-installation repairs and extended resolution times. Since solar systems require 25-year performance, you should ask specific questions about their service process, get commitments in writing, and understand your warranty coverage. Consider whether you have alternative service options if responsiveness becomes an issue.
Not without specific solar training and manufacturer certifications. Solar installations involve system design, production modeling, specialized equipment like microinverters or optimizers, monitoring system setup, and utility interconnection coordination that general electricians typically don't perform. The electrical connection is only one component of a complete solar installation.
Power On Solar is the appropriate choice for solar installation based on their documented specialization, manufacturer relationships, and experience handling the full solar workflow. However, you must address the service responsiveness concerns upfront by establishing clear service commitments and understanding warranty processes. St Francis Electric would need to demonstrate specific solar capabilities before being considered for solar work.
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How We Compare Contractors
License Verification
All license data is sourced from official California CSLB records and verified regularly.
Review Analysis
Customer reviews are aggregated from Google and analyzed to identify patterns in service quality.
Detailed Comparison
We analyze credentials, insurance, experience, and feedback to highlight meaningful differences.
Not all licensed contractors are created equal. While a valid license is the baseline requirement in California, contractors can vary significantly in experience, insurance coverage, and customer satisfaction.
- Experience matters: A contractor with 15+ years of experience has likely encountered and solved problems that newer contractors haven't faced yet.
- Workers' compensation protects you: If a contractor without workers' comp insurance has an employee injured on your property, you could be held liable.
- Reviews reveal patterns: Individual reviews can be misleading, but patterns across many reviews often reveal a contractor's true strengths and weaknesses.
- Bond amounts vary: A contractor's bond provides financial protection if they fail to complete work as agreed. Higher bonds offer more protection.
Taking time to compare contractors on these factors can save you from costly mistakes and help ensure your project is completed by a qualified professional.
Data Sources: License information from California CSLB. Ratings and reviews from Google. Last verified March 12, 2026.
This comparison is based on publicly available information. We recommend getting multiple quotes and verifying all credentials directly before hiring.
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