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Auburn Electric vs California Renewable Energy
Placer Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Auburn Electric brings four times the licensed experience and specializes exclusively in electrical work, while California Renewable Energy coordinates multiple home improvement services including solar.
| Auburn Electric | California Renewable Energy | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.1 | ★ 4.9 |
| Years Licensed | 20 years | 5 years |
| License # | 874190 | 1068801 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Auburn, CA | Roseville, CA |
| Website | auburnelectricinc.com | care.green |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Auburn Electric
Customers consistently highlight Auburn Electric's emergency responsiveness and long-term relationships, with some using their services across a decade for varied electrical needs.
California Renewable Energy
Customers appreciate California Renewable Energy's financing flexibility and thorough consultation process across multiple home improvement services including solar, roofing, and HVAC.
Key Takeaway: Auburn Electric customers value direct access to experienced electricians for urgent and complex electrical issues, while California Renewable Energy customers prioritize coordinated project management and payment flexibility across multiple home systems.
Customer Reviews
Auburn Electric
Outstanding and very professional! I have used them multiple times over the past 10 years - each time has been outstanding! They installed a 220 Tesla charger 8 years ago and came out today to troubl...
These guys came down and solved our electric problems immediately. They were very specific, yet extremely easy to talk to and they worked out a problem we've been having with our breaker box for month...
Was out of power, called Auburn Electric and very prompt service, was able to come out and fix the issue. Fair pricing even for an emergency. Bill was very nice and explained everything. second time ...
California Renewable Energy
Had new heatpump and energy efficient water tank installed. Contracted work to other installation companies. Managed install work for both with no issues. I would use them again.
Jeff was very easy and pleasant to talk to about the cost of a new roof and gutters
Thomas and Brent with California Renewable Energy are amazing!! They walked us through every step, they addressed any questions or concerns we had right away, both are very friendly/professional and m...
Consider Auburn Electric if...
- ✓ You need electrical-specific work like panel upgrades, rewiring, circuit troubleshooting, or EV charger installation where deep electrical expertise matters
- ✓ Emergency or same-day electrical service is important, such as power outages, failed breakers, or urgent safety issues
- ✓ You prefer working directly with experienced electricians rather than through project coordinators, particularly for older homes with hidden wiring complications
- ✓ Your project involves complex electrical diagnosis or you want a contractor who has seen two decades of residential electrical systems in Placer County
Consider California Renewable Energy if...
- ✓ Your project combines multiple services like solar installation with roofing, windows, or HVAC where coordinated management across trades adds value
- ✓ You need financing assistance or want help navigating renewable energy incentive programs and budget-friendly payment options
- ✓ You're planning a solar installation with battery storage, where their renewable energy focus and vendor relationships are relevant
- ✓ You prefer a consultative approach to exploring multiple home energy efficiency upgrades beyond just electrical work
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask California Renewable Energy who performs their electrical work and whether those electricians will handle your specific project or if electrical is subcontracted
- → Ask Auburn Electric about their experience with any specific electrical integration your solar or renewable project requires, if applicable
- → Ask California Renewable Energy how long their electrical installation partners have worked with them and request references for similar electrical projects
- → Ask Auburn Electric about their availability timeline compared to California Renewable Energy's project coordination schedule
The Bottom Line
If you need electrical work—panel upgrades, rewiring, troubleshooting, emergency repairs, or EV chargers—Auburn Electric's 20 years of specialized electrical experience makes them the stronger choice. Their depth of expertise matters when diagnosing problems, handling complications, and providing emergency service. Choose California Renewable Energy if your project involves solar, roofing, HVAC, or multiple home systems where their coordination and financing assistance add value, but understand that electrical portions will likely be subcontracted. For purely electrical needs, especially complex or urgent ones, the veteran specialist is the clear answer.
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Frequently Asked Questions
California Renewable Energy coordinates installations through partner companies, meaning electrical work is likely performed by subcontracted teams rather than in-house electricians. This is common for multi-service companies focused on project coordination. If electrical expertise is your priority, ask specifically who will perform the electrical portion and request their credentials and experience.
Auburn Electric handles EV charger installations and diverse electrical projects, demonstrating capability with modern electrical systems. However, they don't advertise solar coordination as a primary service. If you need solar installed, California Renewable Energy manages that process, but if you need electrical panel upgrades or circuit work to support solar, Auburn Electric has the specialized electrical expertise.
Yes, particularly for troubleshooting and older homes. Twenty years means Auburn Electric has diagnosed countless hidden issues, worked through code changes, and handled complications that newer contractors haven't encountered yet. For straightforward installations coordinated as part of larger projects, the gap matters less, but for complex electrical problems or emergency repairs, experience depth is valuable.
The data doesn't indicate Auburn Electric emphasizes financing programs, while California Renewable Energy explicitly works with various financing options as part of their service model. If financing flexibility is important for your electrical project, ask Auburn Electric directly about payment options, or consider whether California Renewable Energy's financing access justifies their coordination approach for your specific needs.
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See our ranked list of top electrical contractors in Placer.
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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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