Compare Local Pros
Got Watts? vs Hci Solar
Contra Costa Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Got Watts offers broader electrical services with three additional years of licensing experience, while HCI Solar specializes in solar with deeper owner involvement.
| Got Watts? | Hci Solar | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 4.9 |
| Years Licensed | 12 years | 9 years |
| License # | 985920 | 1024165 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Pleasant Hill, CA | Walnut Creek, CA |
| Website | www.gotwatts.com | www.hcisolarca.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Got Watts?
Customers consistently praise Got Watts for transparent pricing, detailed multi-option proposals, professional installation crews with attention to aesthetic details, and meeting projected timelines.
Hci Solar
Customers highlight HCI Solar's responsive communication, thorough educational approach to system optimization, and hands-on owner involvement in problem-solving throughout projects.
Key Takeaway: Got Watts operates with a crew-based professional installation model emphasizing options and aesthetics, while HCI Solar features high owner involvement with deep focus on customer education and system optimization decisions.
Customer Reviews
Got Watts?
Got watts is incredible. Dont hesitate. Eric is so professional and experienced. They are meticulous about safety and quality and were on time had all the parts and even dealt with permits!!! They com...
Got Watts continues to do amazing work for us. They're prompt, attentive, and do high quality work. We originally had them install a large solar array and a couple of batteries for us. We recently had...
I reached out to GotWatts about adding solar panels to my home. They gave me several solid options and clearly explained efficiency, ROI, and cost. Their transparency was refreshing, and their pricing...
Hci Solar
I recently worked with HCI Solar for a home solar installation and couldn't be happier. Anthony was always quick to respond and explained everything clearly. They got our permits in weeks and installe...
We had a great experience working with Anthony on optimizing the amount of both solar panels for daily use and batteries in case of a blackout. He was very responsive to our follow-up questions via te...
Amazing service! I cant recommend them enough!
Consider Got Watts? if...
- ✓ Your project involves multiple electrical needs beyond solar, such as panel upgrades, EV charger installation, or HVAC work that Got Watts can handle in a single coordinated contract
- ✓ You value having options presented through detailed multi-scenario proposals that let you compare different system configurations and pricing approaches
- ✓ Your home has older electrical infrastructure that may reveal hidden issues during installation, where Got Watts' 12 years of experience diagnosing complications provides additional confidence
- ✓ You prefer working with professional installation crews who emphasize neat, organized workmanship in visible areas like conduit routing
Consider Hci Solar if...
- ✓ Your project is purely solar and battery storage without additional electrical work, allowing you to benefit from HCI Solar's specialized focus
- ✓ You want high owner involvement with hands-on problem-solving throughout your project, particularly if unexpected technical issues arise
- ✓ Customer education is a priority and you want detailed explanations about how to optimize your system for both daily use and emergency backup scenarios
- ✓ You're navigating recent regulatory changes like NEM 3.0 and value a contractor who emphasizes helping you understand the implications for system sizing and battery integration
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Got Watts how they handle projects requiring multiple trades and whether the same project manager coordinates all aspects from solar to electrical upgrades
- → Ask HCI Solar who specifically will be on-site during installation and how owner involvement works when problems need immediate decisions
- → If your home is older than 20 years, ask both contractors about their experience identifying and addressing outdated wiring or panel issues discovered during solar installations
- → Ask both companies for references from projects completed in the past six months that are similar in scope to yours
The Bottom Line
Choose Got Watts if your project involves multiple electrical needs beyond solar, you value 12 years of experience for handling complications in older homes, or you prefer a crew-based model with detailed multi-option proposals and strong attention to installation aesthetics. Choose HCI Solar if your focus is purely solar and battery optimization, you want high owner involvement with hands-on problem-solving, or customer education about system performance is a priority. Both are properly licensed and insured contractors who communicate well and handle permitting efficiently. For most homeowners with straightforward solar projects, either contractor will perform competently, but Got Watts' broader service scope and additional experience make it the safer choice if any uncertainty exists about additional electrical work needed.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward solar on newer homes, both have sufficient experience. The difference becomes meaningful if your project involves complications like outdated electrical panels, challenging roof configurations, or coordination with other electrical work. Got Watts' additional three years means more experience diagnosing hidden issues in older homes and handling unexpected installation challenges that require creative problem-solving.
If your project is purely solar and batteries, HCI Solar's specialization offers focused expertise and high owner involvement. However, if you anticipate needing panel upgrades, EV chargers, or other electrical work either now or in the next few years, Got Watts can handle everything under one relationship. Many solar installations reveal the need for panel upgrades or circuit work that Got Watts addresses in-house rather than coordinating separate contractors.
Customer feedback indicates HCI Solar's owner is hands-on with problem-solving and customer education throughout installations. This means direct access to decision-making authority when issues arise and detailed explanations about system optimization. The tradeoff is that scheduling may depend more heavily on owner availability compared to Got Watts' crew-based model with moderate owner involvement.
Got Watts receives specific feedback about meeting or beating projected timelines with their crew-based approach. HCI Solar completes projects in reasonable timeframes with efficient permitting but emphasizes the educational process upfront. If speed is critical, ask both contractors for specific timeline commitments based on current permit backlogs in Contra Costa County and their crew availability.
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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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