Compare Local Pros
California Renewable Energy vs Capital City Solar
Placer Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Capital City Solar brings nearly twice the licensed experience and focuses exclusively on solar, while California Renewable Energy offers multi-service coordination with strong financing support.
| California Renewable Energy | Capital City Solar | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 4.9 |
| Years Licensed | 5 years | 9 years |
| License # | 1068801 | 1018035 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Roseville, CA | Roseville, CA |
| Website | care.green | www.capitalcitysolar.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
California Renewable Energy
Customers consistently praise California Renewable Energy's financing guidance and thorough consultation process across multiple service types, with installations coordinated through professional partner teams.
Capital City Solar
Capital City Solar receives consistent feedback for responsive technical support and handling complex situations including warranty claims, system failures, and long-term service relationships with customers returning years later.
Key Takeaway: California Renewable Energy's reviews emphasize financing assistance and multi-service coordination, while Capital City Solar's reviews focus on technical problem-solving and ongoing maintenance relationships that extend years beyond initial installation.
Customer Reviews
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...
Capital City Solar
Great technical and customer service. Kept me up to date on service call status as well as follow ups post service.
Capital City Solar designed and installed our original system in 2015. They have provided excellent technical support for the last ten years. We contacted Brian to consult about expanding the system t...
Let me start by saying that the customer service, attentiveness, responsiveness and professionalism at Capital City Solar is impeccable. The reasons we chose Capital City are because they aligned with...
Consider California Renewable Energy if...
- ✓ You need to coordinate multiple home improvement projects simultaneously, such as pairing solar installation with a new roof, windows, or HVAC system under one contractor relationship
- ✓ Financing options are a primary concern and you need guidance navigating different programs and payment structures to fit your budget
- ✓ You prefer a single point of contact who manages installation partners rather than working directly with the installation crews
- ✓ Your project timeline is flexible and you're comfortable with a coordinator model where partner companies perform the actual installation work
Consider Capital City Solar if...
- ✓ You want a solar specialist who will personally handle technical work, troubleshooting, and future service calls rather than coordinating through third parties
- ✓ You have or are considering a SunPower system and need an authorized service provider for warranty work and repairs
- ✓ Long-term technical support matters to you, including the ability to expand your system, replace components, or address performance issues years down the line
- ✓ You value working directly with the same company that will service your system if issues arise, rather than through an intermediary coordination model
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask California Renewable Energy which specific installation company will perform your solar work and whether you can speak with references from that particular installation partner
- → Ask Capital City Solar about their current project timeline and whether their nine years of experience means they have long-term relationships with specific equipment suppliers that could benefit your installation
- → Ask both companies who will handle warranty claims and ongoing technical support if your inverter fails or system performance drops in three years
- → Ask California Renewable Energy how they coordinate between multiple service types if you discover roof damage during the solar installation process
The Bottom Line
Choose Capital City Solar if solar system performance and long-term technical support are your priorities. Their nine years of specialized experience, direct installation capabilities, and track record handling repairs and expansions years after installation make them the stronger choice for homeowners focused on solar quality and ongoing service. Choose California Renewable Energy if you need to coordinate solar with other home improvements like roofing or HVAC, or if flexible financing assistance is critical to making your project happen. Their strength is managing multiple services and budget programs, not deep solar technical expertise. For a standalone solar installation where you want the company you hire today to still be capable of servicing your system five years from now, Capital City Solar's specialization and additional four years of experience provide meaningful advantages.
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Frequently Asked Questions
It matters significantly for long-term technical support. If your system needs repairs or troubleshooting in five years, California Renewable Energy would need to coordinate with available installation partners rather than sending their own trained technicians. Capital City Solar handles their own technical work, meaning the same company familiar with your installation addresses future issues. For straightforward installations, the coordination model works fine, but for complex troubleshooting it adds a layer of separation.
Yes, particularly for solar work where utility interconnection rules, electrical code requirements, and equipment technology have evolved significantly. Nine years means Capital City Solar has navigated more permit complications, diagnosed more system failures, and adapted to more equipment generations. This experience becomes critical when installations don't go smoothly or when troubleshooting underperforming systems years later.
If you genuinely need solar plus roofing, windows, or HVAC work coordinated together, California Renewable Energy's multi-service model offers convenience and their feedback suggests they handle financing across multiple projects well. However, if solar is your primary focus and other work is secondary or uncertain, Capital City Solar's specialized expertise may serve you better for the solar portion, even if you hire separate contractors for other improvements.
The authorization demonstrates Capital City Solar maintains manufacturer relationships and technical certifications beyond basic installation. It signals they invest in ongoing training and meet quality standards manufacturers require. Even if you choose different panels, this suggests a commitment to technical depth rather than just coordinating installations through partners.
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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 11, 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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