Compare Local Pros
Coldwell Energy vs Pacific Coast Electrical
Placer Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Coldwell Energy brings proven solar expertise with workers comp protection, while Pacific Coast Electrical offers broader electrical experience but lacks workers comp coverage.
| Coldwell Energy | Pacific Coast Electrical | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.8 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 14 years | 18 years |
| License # | 969149 | 907611 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Rocklin, CA | Roseville, CA |
| Website | coldwellenergy.com | — |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Coldwell Energy
Customers consistently describe organized installations with professional workmanship, responsive communication, and owner involvement when issues arise, with systems functioning effectively after completion.
Key Takeaway: Coldwell Energy has verifiable customer feedback documenting service quality and project management, while Pacific Coast Electrical lacks public reviews to assess current operational performance.
Customer Reviews
Coldwell Energy
Update: After posting this review, I was contacted directly by Coldwell Solar's president, Sean, who assigned a team to work on our behalf to get the issues addressed. Coldwell has done an outstanding...
Super excited to be work with Coldwell Solar team on our next solar project. Check out their community solar program and the renewable solar credits. Huge opportunities to save on energy costs.
Coldwell Solar installed two arrays for us. The whole process went extremely smooth and the systems are working great.
Pacific Coast Electrical
No reviews available
Consider Coldwell Energy if...
- ✓ You're installing a solar system and want a contractor with documented solar-specific experience across residential and agricultural projects, including complex tracker array installations.
- ✓ Workers compensation coverage is a priority for you, eliminating the risk of liability claims if someone is injured during your project.
- ✓ You value customer feedback showing organized project management, responsive communication, and owner involvement in resolving any issues that arise.
- ✓ Your project involves coordination with utility companies and permitting authorities where established solar-specific relationships matter.
Consider Pacific Coast Electrical if...
- ✓ Your project requires general electrical work beyond solar installation, such as panel upgrades, rewiring, or electrical repairs where broader trade experience is beneficial.
- ✓ You're comfortable verifying insurance coverage directly and potentially adjusting your homeowner's policy to cover contractor injuries if workers comp isn't available.
- ✓ The four additional years of licensing history suggest deeper experience navigating code changes and regulatory requirements over nearly two decades.
- ✓ You're willing to request references and recent project examples to assess current service quality given the limited public feedback available.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Pacific Coast Electrical directly about their workers comp status and what liability protection they provide if a worker is injured. Confirm with your homeowner's insurance whether you're covered for contractor injuries.
- → Request recent solar project references from Pacific Coast Electrical to assess their current solar installation capabilities and customer satisfaction levels.
- → Ask Coldwell Energy about their specific experience with your project type, whether residential rooftop, ground mount, or agricultural scale installations.
- → Confirm which company will handle permitting, utility interconnection, and inspections, as solar projects require coordination beyond basic electrical work.
The Bottom Line
For solar installations, Coldwell Energy is the clearer choice. Their workers comp coverage protects you from injury liability, their documented solar expertise spans residential to agricultural projects, and consistent customer feedback confirms professional execution and responsive service. Pacific Coast Electrical's four additional years of licensing and broader electrical background could matter if your project extends beyond solar, but the lack of workers comp creates real financial risk that many homeowners shouldn't accept. If you're considering Pacific Coast Electrical, verify their solar installation volume, request recent references, and confirm liability coverage with both them and your insurance agent. For straightforward solar projects where risk protection matters, Coldwell Energy offers documented capability with appropriate insurance coverage.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it creates real financial risk. If a worker falls off your roof or is injured during installation and Pacific Coast Electrical lacks workers comp, they could file a claim against your homeowner's insurance or sue you directly. With Coldwell Energy's workers comp coverage, their insurer handles workplace injuries. This isn't a minor paperwork issue; it's about who pays if something goes wrong.
The four additional years demonstrates longevity, but it doesn't outweigh specialization and verifiable performance. Coldwell Energy's 14 years is already well-established, and their documented solar project history with customer feedback provides concrete evidence of capability. Pacific Coast Electrical's veteran status matters more if you need general electrical expertise rather than solar-specific installation experience.
This could reflect different business models, customer bases, or simply that Pacific Coast Electrical's customers haven't left public reviews. It doesn't necessarily indicate poor service, but it does mean you'll need to request references directly to understand their current service quality, project management approach, and customer satisfaction levels before hiring.
Licensed electrical contractors can legally perform solar work in California, so Pacific Coast Electrical is qualified from a licensing standpoint. However, solar installations involve specific expertise in system sizing, interconnection requirements, structural considerations, and utility coordination. Ask them directly about recent solar projects, how many they complete annually, and what training their crew has in solar-specific work.
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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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