Compare Local Pros
Carnahan Electric vs Excite Energy
El Dorado Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
This comparison depends entirely on your project type: Carnahan Electric is a 44-year electrical contractor, while Excite Energy specializes in solar installations with 9 years experience.
| Carnahan Electric | Excite Energy | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.7 | ★ 4.9 |
| Years Licensed | 44 years | 9 years |
| License # | 423462 | 1018541 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Diamond Springs, CA | El Dorado Hills, CA |
| Website | www.carnahanelectric.com | exciteenergy.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Carnahan Electric
Customers emphasize Carnahan Electric's ability to diagnose and solve complex electrical problems that other contractors could not identify, with quick response times and direct owner accessibility.
Excite Energy
Customers consistently praise Excite Energy's detailed technical proposals with 3-D modeling, competitive solar pricing, and no-pressure educational approach to system design.
Key Takeaway: Carnahan Electric is valued for rapid troubleshooting expertise in emergency electrical situations, while Excite Energy is praised for thorough planning and engineering analysis during solar installation projects.
Customer Reviews
Carnahan Electric
We had a potentially devastating electrical problem at our house that two other electrical companies couldn't solve. With estimated repairs being anywhere from 3k to 13k depending on what they found. ...
We appreciate Carnahan's knowledge and expertise. Techs are experienced and can get the job done. On-time and professional. Thank you Carnahan for taking care of our electrical needs
Fantastic company with tins of knowledge! I appreciate supporting local businesses that the owner himself picks up the phone. Carnahan is widely respected in the community for superior service and ...
Excite Energy
Great experience with Excite Energy. Everyone we dealt with was professional and they went out of their way to meet the timeline. The install looks great and exceeded our expectations. I highly recomm...
Excite installed my Tesla 3 Battery/Powerwall. It was a good experience. Will was my installer and he was very meticulous with his workmanship and very helpful in answering my questions. I highly reco...
My original inverter failed and I needed a replacement. Contacted Excite Energy after a positive recommendation. Heath immediately ordered a more modern inverter, contacted me when it arrived and di...
Consider Carnahan Electric if...
- ✓ You need traditional electrical troubleshooting, repairs, or service work rather than solar installation
- ✓ You have a generator requiring maintenance or repair, particularly Generac systems where they have documented expertise
- ✓ You need same-day or next-day response for an urgent electrical problem, as customers report quick availability
- ✓ You have a complex electrical issue that other contractors have failed to diagnose, given their track record solving problems others miss
Consider Excite Energy if...
- ✓ You are installing a new residential solar system or adding battery backup to your home
- ✓ You want detailed engineering analysis with 3-D modeling and thorough energy usage evaluation before committing to a system design
- ✓ You are comparing multiple solar bids and want competitive pricing with a no-pressure consultation approach
- ✓ You need inverter replacement, system upgrades, or ongoing warranty support for existing solar equipment
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → If considering Carnahan Electric for any solar-related work, ask whether they subcontract solar projects or if this falls outside their typical scope
- → If considering Excite Energy for non-solar electrical work, clarify whether they handle general electrical service or focus exclusively on solar installations
- → Ask each company for references from projects that specifically match your needs, whether that is electrical troubleshooting or solar system installation
The Bottom Line
Your decision is straightforward: hire Carnahan Electric for traditional electrical work, troubleshooting, generator service, or emergency repairs, and hire Excite Energy for solar panel installations, battery backup systems, or solar equipment upgrades. Both companies are properly licensed and insured, maintain high owner involvement, and receive positive customer feedback in their respective specialties. Carnahan Electric's 44-year history provides exceptional depth for complex electrical diagnostics, while Excite Energy's solar-focused 9 years delivers engineering-level system design and competitive solar pricing. Do not choose based on years licensed alone—choose based on which company specializes in the actual work you need done.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
Carnahan Electric specializes in traditional electrical work, troubleshooting, and generators, while Excite Energy focuses specifically on solar installations and battery systems. If you need both services, you would likely need to hire them for their respective specialties, or ask each directly if they handle the other type of work. Their core competencies serve different segments of the electrical and energy market.
Not for solar installation specifically. Excite Energy's 9 years of licensing is entirely focused on solar systems, permitting, and battery installations, which is more relevant than general electrical experience spanning decades. Carnahan Electric's 44 years reflects deep traditional electrical expertise, which matters more for complex troubleshooting and conventional electrical work than for solar panel installation.
This depends on whether the issue is solar-specific or traditional electrical. Excite Energy handles inverter replacements, system troubleshooting, and solar equipment warranty work based on their project history. Carnahan Electric has diagnosed solar system electrical issues according to their review data, but their core strength is general electrical troubleshooting. Ask each company directly about their specific experience with your type of solar system problem.
Value depends entirely on your project type. Excite Energy receives specific feedback about competitive pricing for solar installations compared to other solar bids. Carnahan Electric's value proposition centers on their ability to solve complex electrical problems quickly that other contractors cannot diagnose, potentially saving you multiple service calls. Compare them based on the specific service you need rather than trying to compare across different specialties.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top electrical contractors in El Dorado.
Other El Dorado 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 13, 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.