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Hooked On Solar vs Studebaker Electric
Placer Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Hooked On Solar specializes exclusively in solar installations with documented customer feedback, while Studebaker Electric is a general electrical contractor with no available review history.
| Hooked On Solar | Studebaker Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.4 | ★ 4.0 |
| Years Licensed | 16 years | 15 years |
| License # | 949707 | 957296 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Rocklin, CA | Loomis, CA |
| Website | www.hookedonsolar.com | studebakerelectric.net |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Hooked On Solar
Customers consistently praise organized installation crews, thorough project communication, and expertise navigating permitting and utility coordination processes.
Key Takeaway: Hooked On Solar has verifiable customer feedback confirming their solar installation capabilities, while Studebaker Electric lacks any available reviews to assess their solar project experience or customer satisfaction patterns.
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.
Studebaker Electric
Great quality of professional work.
Consider Hooked On Solar if...
- ✓ Your project involves battery backup systems like Tesla Powerwall or Franklin batteries, where Hooked On Solar has documented installation experience
- ✓ You need confidence in the permitting and HOA approval process, which customers specifically mention as a strength of this company
- ✓ You value verifiable customer feedback about communication patterns and installation quality before committing to a major investment
- ✓ You're planning a ground-mount system or may need electrical panel replacement as part of your solar installation
Consider Studebaker Electric if...
- ✓ You have an existing relationship with Studebaker Electric from previous electrical work and trust their ability to handle solar installations
- ✓ You're willing to thoroughly vet their solar-specific experience by requesting detailed references from comparable solar projects with battery integration
- ✓ Your project involves significant additional electrical work beyond the solar installation where general electrical expertise adds value
- ✓ You prioritize their slightly closer location in Loomis for a project where proximity matters to you
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Studebaker Electric for specific references from solar installations they've completed, including projects with battery backup systems and utility interconnection
- → Ask how many solar installations they complete annually and whether they have dedicated crews trained in solar-specific work
- → Ask both companies about their process for handling utility coordination and net metering setup with your specific utility provider
- → Ask about warranty coverage for both equipment and installation work, and who handles warranty claims if issues arise
The Bottom Line
For a solar installation project, Hooked On Solar is the more straightforward choice. Their 16 years of specialized solar experience includes documented customer satisfaction with the permitting, utility coordination, and installation quality that your project requires. They've proven their ability to handle battery systems, HOA approvals, and the solar-specific complexities that extend beyond general electrical work. Studebaker Electric may be capable, but without verifiable solar project history or customer feedback, you'd be taking unnecessary risk on a major investment. Choose Hooked On Solar unless Studebaker Electric can provide compelling solar-specific references that demonstrate comparable experience with projects like yours.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, significantly. Solar installation involves specialized knowledge including structural engineering for roof loads, utility interconnection agreements, inverter programming, and battery system integration that general electrical work doesn't cover. Hooked On Solar's documented experience with permitting, HOA approvals, and utility coordination suggests they navigate these solar-specific challenges routinely, while Studebaker Electric would need to demonstrate comparable solar experience through references.
It's a legitimate consideration for a major investment like solar. Without customer feedback, you cannot verify their solar installation quality, communication patterns, or problem-resolution approach. For a general electrical contractor, this means asking directly for solar-specific references and verifying their experience with projects similar to yours before signing a contract.
Some can, but it requires asking specific questions. Solar permitting involves building department reviews, structural calculations, electrical plan submissions, and utility interconnection agreements that differ from standard electrical permits. Ask Studebaker Electric directly about their experience with these processes and request references who can confirm they handled this coordination successfully.
Not particularly, as both are veteran contractors with 15-16 years of experience. The meaningful difference is how that time was spent: Hooked On Solar focused exclusively on solar installations while Studebaker Electric worked on general electrical projects. For your solar installation, the specialization matters more than the single year of additional licensing.
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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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