Compare Local Pros
Hooked On Solar vs Iknow Electric
Placer Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
You're comparing a specialized solar company with full coverage to a responsive electrical contractor who lacks workers compensation insurance.
| Hooked On Solar | Iknow Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.4 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 16 years | 6 years |
| License # | 949707 | 1063063 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Rocklin, CA | Rocklin, CA |
| Website | www.hookedonsolar.com | www.iknowelectric.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Hooked On Solar
Customers emphasize Hooked On Solar's organized project management, thorough communication throughout installations, and expertise handling complex permitting and utility coordination processes.
Iknow Electric
Customers consistently highlight Iknow Electric's rapid response times, with the owner providing clear explanations and completing projects efficiently, often same-day or next-day.
Key Takeaway: Hooked On Solar operates with managed crews for complex multi-day solar installations, while Iknow Electric provides fast, owner-operated service for shorter electrical projects, reflecting fundamentally different service models.
Customer Reviews
Hooked On Solar
I would recommend Hooked on Solar. I know they were really busy this fall and they worked hard to get us installed before the end of the year, even with some unexpected hurdles (that they had no contr...
We were very pleased with our experience working with Hooked On Solar to get our solar project completed. From our initial contact and all the way through the project everyone we spoke with was knowle...
Solid company. The staff were communicative and helpful. Did everything they said they would. I'd use them again.
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 Hooked On Solar if...
- ✓ You're installing a complete solar system, adding battery storage, or expanding existing solar panels where permitting experience, utility coordination, and HOA approval navigation are critical.
- ✓ You want workers compensation coverage protecting you from liability if installers are injured during multi-day rooftop work.
- ✓ Your project involves technical complexity like ground-mount systems, electrical panel replacements to accommodate solar, or integration with specific products like Tesla Powerwalls or SunPower panels.
- ✓ You value a company with 16 years navigating California's solar incentive programs, utility policies, and inspection requirements.
Consider Iknow Electric if...
- ✓ You need electrical work unrelated to solar installation, such as EV charger setup, panel upgrades, circuit repairs, or lighting installations.
- ✓ You need service quickly and value same-day or next-day availability for urgent electrical issues.
- ✓ You prefer working directly with the business owner who will personally perform the work and explain everything clearly.
- ✓ You're willing to verify your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries and accept the liability risk associated with no workers compensation coverage.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Iknow Electric: Ask directly about liability coverage and confirm with your homeowner's insurance whether contractor injuries are covered if workers comp is absent. Request proof of general liability insurance at minimum.
- → For Iknow Electric: If considering them for any solar-related electrical work, ask specifically about their experience with DC systems, solar interconnections, and utility coordination requirements.
- → For either company: Ask for references from projects identical to yours, especially if your work involves both electrical and solar components.
The Bottom Line
If you're installing solar panels or battery storage, choose Hooked On Solar without hesitation. Their 16 years of specialized experience, workers compensation coverage, and proven track record with permitting and utility coordination make them the clear choice for solar projects. If you need electrical work like EV chargers, panel upgrades, or circuit repairs, Iknow Electric offers fast, owner-operated service, but you must address the workers compensation gap before signing. Call your homeowner's insurance to understand your liability exposure and request proof of general liability coverage at minimum. Don't hire Iknow Electric for solar installation work—that's outside their specialization and you'd lose the protection of Hooked On Solar's deep experience navigating the complex solar installation process.
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Frequently Asked Questions
While licensed electrical contractors can perform some solar-related electrical work, Hooked On Solar specializes exclusively in solar installations with 16 years navigating permitting, utility interconnections, HOA approvals, and structural considerations specific to solar. If you're installing a complete solar system, a specialized solar contractor with that depth of experience is the appropriate choice. Iknow Electric would be suited for related electrical work like panel upgrades needed before solar installation.
It matters significantly for multi-day rooftop solar work where injury risk is higher. If a worker without workers comp coverage is injured on your property, you could face lawsuits and claims against your homeowner's insurance. For quick electrical repairs, the risk is lower but still present. Before hiring any contractor without workers comp, call your homeowner's insurance to understand your actual exposure.
Yes, especially for solar installations. Hooked On Solar has navigated changing utility policies, evolving solar incentive programs, multiple equipment generations, and thousands of permitting processes. This experience matters when complications arise like unexpected roof conditions, HOA pushback, or utility interconnection delays. For straightforward electrical work, Iknow Electric's 6 years provides adequate experience, but solar projects benefit from deeper institutional knowledge.
This depends on the scope. If you're installing solar and want the EV charger integrated into that project, Hooked On Solar can coordinate everything. If you already have solar and just need the charger installed, Iknow Electric specializes in EV charger installations with fast response times and has extensive experience with Tesla chargers specifically. Just ensure they coordinate properly with your existing solar system's electrical configuration.
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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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