Compare Local Pros
Got Watts? vs West Coast Solar
Contra Costa Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
West Coast Solar brings 18 years of veteran experience versus Got Watts' 12 years, but Got Watts offers broader electrical services beyond solar.
| Got Watts? | West Coast Solar | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 4.3 |
| Years Licensed | 12 years | 18 years |
| License # | 985920 | 908549 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Pleasant Hill, CA | Concord, CA |
| Website | www.gotwatts.com | www.westcoastsolar.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Got Watts?
Got Watts customers consistently praise communication throughout all project phases, with detailed proposals, regular updates during installation, and responsiveness that leads many to return for additional projects.
West Coast Solar
West Coast Solar customers appreciate fast single-day installations and no-pressure sales, but post-installation service experiences vary with some reporting delays in repair scheduling and service department accessibility.
Key Takeaway: Got Watts maintains consistent positive feedback across the entire customer relationship including follow-up work, while West Coast Solar's customer satisfaction is stronger during sales and installation than during post-installation warranty service.
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...
West Coast Solar
Craig and the customer service staff were awesome! They listened to my concerns and were open to my service options. Craig was very nice and explained everything for me to understand.
Communication was great from the start, to the time they left. Great job WCS!!
On time and did a great job
Consider Got Watts? if...
- ✓ Your project includes electrical work beyond solar installation, such as panel upgrades to support a new system, EV charger installation, or whole-home electrical improvements that make sense to coordinate together
- ✓ You value having a single contractor relationship for both immediate solar needs and future electrical additions like battery backups or HVAC upgrades
- ✓ Consistent communication and responsiveness throughout the entire project lifecycle, including post-installation support, are priorities based on customer feedback patterns
- ✓ You're planning a phased approach with solar now and additional systems later, as customers specifically mention returning to Got Watts for expansions and upgrades
Consider West Coast Solar if...
- ✓ Your roof is tile or presents mounting challenges where West Coast Solar's specialized roofing expertise provides added confidence in protecting your roof structure
- ✓ You're prioritizing maximum solar-specific experience, particularly if your project involves complex utility interconnection or city inspection processes that benefit from 18 years of navigating these systems
- ✓ Fast installation completion is important and your project is straightforward, as customers frequently report one-day installations for standard solar systems
- ✓ You have a simple solar installation without anticipated electrical complications or future add-ons that would benefit from broader electrical contractor capabilities
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask West Coast Solar specifically about their post-installation service response times and how they handle warranty repairs, given mixed customer feedback about service department accessibility
- → Ask Got Watts for references from solar projects similar in size to yours to confirm their 12 years translates to depth in solar-specific work, not just general electrical experience
- → If your project requires electrical panel upgrades or preparation work, ask each company how they handle that scope and whether it affects timeline or requires separate contractors
- → Ask both companies about their current installation crew tenure and whether the same team handles your entire project from start to finish
The Bottom Line
If your project is solar-only and involves a tile roof or you want maximum solar-specific experience, West Coast Solar's 18 years and roofing expertise make them the stronger choice, but address their post-installation service concerns directly before signing. For most homeowners, especially those with current or future electrical needs beyond solar, Got Watts offers better overall value with 12 solid years of experience, broader service capabilities, and consistently positive feedback about communication and responsiveness across all project phases. The six-year experience gap matters less than service breadth and reliability for standard installations. Choose Got Watts if you want one contractor relationship for solar plus related electrical work with dependable follow-up support.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward installations on composition shingle roofs, both contractors have sufficient experience. West Coast Solar's additional six years becomes more valuable if you have a tile roof, complex permitting situations, or anticipate utility interconnection complications where their veteran status means they've navigated more regulatory changes. Got Watts' 12 years is solid for standard solar projects, and their broader electrical experience may actually be advantageous if your electrical panel needs upgrading to support the solar system.
Got Watts is the clearer choice for multi-phase projects. Customer feedback shows people returning for battery additions, EV chargers, and other electrical upgrades, suggesting they maintain relationships and provide consistent service over time. While West Coast Solar handles battery installations, their focus is narrower and customer feedback reveals some post-installation service inconsistencies that could complicate future additions.
Some West Coast Solar customers report delays in scheduling warranty repairs and difficulty reaching the service department, though others received prompt resolution. This matters because solar systems require occasional inverter replacements, optimizer repairs, and monitoring adjustments over their 25-year lifespan. Ask West Coast Solar directly about their current service response protocols and get specific commitments about warranty support timelines before signing.
The data doesn't show Got Watts having specialized roofing expertise like West Coast Solar explicitly mentions. If you have a tile roof or roofing concerns, ask Got Watts directly about their experience with your specific roof type and what precautions they take. West Coast Solar's dual solar-roofing background is a documented advantage for complex roof situations and is specifically mentioned in customer feedback about roof protection.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top electrical contractors in Contra Costa.
Other Contra Costa Electrical Contractors Comparisons
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 10, 2026.
This comparison is based on publicly available information. We recommend getting multiple quotes and verifying all credentials directly before hiring.
Get in Touch
Have questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you.