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California Renewable Energy vs Iknow Electric
Placer Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
These companies serve completely different needs: California Renewable Energy handles solar and major home systems, while Iknow Electric specializes in electrical work only.
| California Renewable Energy | Iknow Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 5 years | 6 years |
| License # | 1068801 | 1063063 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Roseville, CA | Rocklin, CA |
| Website | care.green | www.iknowelectric.com |
Key Differences
The workers compensation difference matters regardless of which service you need. California Renewable Energy's coverage protects you from liability if installation crew members are injured. Iknow Electric's lack of coverage means if the owner or any helper gets hurt on your property, your homeowner's insurance could be the primary payer. Both companies show similarly experienced licensing histories and high owner involvement. California Renewable Energy customers emphasize financing flexibility and multi-trade coordination, while Iknow Electric customers consistently highlight same-day availability and the owner's direct communication style for electrical troubleshooting.
What Customers Say
California Renewable Energy
Customers emphasize California Renewable Energy's financing flexibility, thorough consultations across multiple service types, and coordinated installation teams that communicate regularly throughout complex projects.
Iknow Electric
Customers consistently highlight Iknow Electric's same-day availability, the owner's clear explanations of electrical issues, and professional diagnostic work that identifies underlying problems.
Key Takeaway: California Renewable Energy customers focus on project coordination and financing assistance for major investments, while Iknow Electric customers value rapid response and direct access to the owner for focused electrical troubleshooting.
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...
Iknow Electric
I love being able to give a "hell yeah" to any specialist and Erik is awesome. We moved into a place that didn't have an EV charger and he was able to get everything done on-time and the highest quali...
I hired Iknowelectric to install Tesla Wall charger in my garage. Erik showed up right on time, explained everything clearly, and worked efficiently. The job was completed neatly, and they cleaned up ...
Called and Erik showed up within an hour. My whole house fan and AC unit weren't working. He diagnosed the electrical problem quickly and fixed it better than it previously was. I plan on having hi...
Consider California Renewable Energy if...
- ✓ You need solar installation, roofing, HVAC, windows, or any combination of major home systems that California Renewable Energy coordinates.
- ✓ You want help navigating financing options and need a contractor experienced in working with various budget programs.
- ✓ You prefer the liability protection of workers compensation coverage, especially for multi-day installation projects involving multiple crew members.
- ✓ Your project requires coordination between different trades and you value having one point of contact managing the overall timeline.
Consider Iknow Electric if...
- ✓ You have a specific electrical need like EV charger installation, panel upgrades, circuit repairs, or security system wiring.
- ✓ You need electrical work completed quickly, potentially same-day, and value direct communication with the person doing the work.
- ✓ You're comfortable confirming your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries, since Iknow Electric doesn't carry workers comp.
- ✓ You prefer working directly with a business owner who personally performs the electrical work rather than managing subcontractor teams.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Iknow Electric: Ask explicitly about liability coverage and verify with your homeowner's insurance that you're protected if the contractor is injured on your property.
- → For California Renewable Energy: If you're pursuing multiple services, ask which installation partners they use for each trade and whether those crews have worked together on combined projects before.
- → For either company: Ask for references from projects matching your specific scope, particularly if you're considering solar or complex electrical work.
The Bottom Line
Your decision hinges entirely on what service you need. For solar, roofing, HVAC, or windows, California Renewable Energy is your only option between these two, and their workers comp coverage provides important liability protection for multi-trade projects. For electrical-only work like EV chargers or panel upgrades, Iknow Electric offers specialized expertise and notably faster response times, but you must address the workers comp gap with your homeowner's insurance before signing a contract. Don't try to force a fit based on other factors—match the contractor's services to your actual project scope first.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No, only California Renewable Energy offers solar installation services. Iknow Electric specializes exclusively in electrical work like EV chargers, panel upgrades, and circuit repairs. If you need both solar panels and electrical upgrades, you'd work with California Renewable Energy for the solar coordination or hire two separate contractors.
If the owner or anyone helping him is injured on your property, your homeowner's insurance may become the primary coverage. Before hiring Iknow Electric, call your insurance agent to confirm you're protected. California Renewable Energy carries workers comp, which shields you from this liability.
Iknow Electric specializes in EV chargers with extensive customer feedback about Tesla and other installations, often completed same-day. California Renewable Energy could coordinate electrical work through partners but doesn't specialize in electrical services. For standalone electrical projects, Iknow Electric's focus and fast response time are advantages if you accept the workers comp risk.
California Renewable Energy handles both roofing and solar installation, which is important since solar panels should be installed on structurally sound roofs and coordination between trades prevents warranty complications. Iknow Electric doesn't offer roofing or solar services. The integrated approach from one contractor simplifies timeline coordination and accountability.
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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 13, 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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