Compare Local Pros
AAA Steiners Solar Service vs Oldtown Electric
Sacramento Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
You're comparing a specialized 19-year solar veteran to a 3-year electrical contractor who can install solar-related electrical work but not solar systems themselves.
| AAA Steiners Solar Service | Oldtown Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.6 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 19 years | 3 years |
| License # | 887507 | 1099728 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Sacramento, CA | Citrus Heights, CA |
| Website | steinersolar.com | www.oldtownelectricinc.net |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
AAA Steiners Solar Service
Customers emphasize thorough consultations with the owner, responsive service callbacks, and professional installation quality with competitive pricing compared to larger solar companies.
Oldtown Electric
Customers consistently highlight prompt arrival times with same-day or next-day scheduling, clear explanations of work throughout projects, and clean worksite practices.
Key Takeaway: AAA Steiners' feedback centers on consultation depth and long-term service relationships in solar work, while Oldtown Electric's reviews emphasize speed of scheduling and communication across diverse electrical projects.
Customer Reviews
AAA Steiners Solar Service
Steiner Solar has been keeping the solar panels for my pool up and running/repaired since 2005. Since I like my pool water Caribbean temp, I really appreciate their dedication. A special shoutout to M...
We hired Steiner’s to installed both solar for our house as well for our pool. We could not be more pleased with how the whole process went. Steve was the most thorough when coming out to house. He ...
Just finished installing a PV solar system with Steiner Solar. Overall I am very happy with the communication from Steve, craftsmanship from Mike and Drew, and now being able to generate our own elect...
Oldtown Electric
Old Town Electric did a fabulous job running power 400 feet from the service to our barn, installing a subpanel, 30 overhead lights in our covered arena and barn, light switches and plugs throughout,...
I am completely happy with Old Town Electric's service. Not only did they provide a competitive quote for my EV charger installation, they walked me through the app setup and explained the work they ...
Courteous and speedy, got the job done explained the issue well.
Consider AAA Steiners Solar Service if...
- ✓ You need a complete solar PV system installed on your home, requiring roof mounting, panel installation, inverter setup, and utility interconnection
- ✓ You have an existing solar system needing repair, maintenance, or troubleshooting for performance issues
- ✓ You're installing solar pool heating and want a contractor with specific experience in that application
- ✓ You value deep specialization and want a contractor who has spent 19 years focused exclusively on solar technology and its evolution
Consider Oldtown Electric if...
- ✓ You need electrical infrastructure work like panel upgrades, subpanel installation, or circuit additions to support solar or other electrical loads
- ✓ You're installing an EV charger and need the dedicated circuit and electrical work to support it
- ✓ You need general electrical services like lighting installation, outlet repairs, or ceiling fan installation unrelated to solar
- ✓ You prioritize rapid scheduling and appreciate the same-day or next-day availability that customers consistently report
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Confirm with each company exactly what scope of work they handle—if you need both solar panel installation and electrical panel upgrades, ask if they perform both or if you'll need to coordinate separate contractors
- → Ask AAA Steiners about their experience with your specific roof type and any challenging installations they've completed on similar structures
- → Ask Oldtown Electric for references from their solar-adjacent electrical work if you need panel upgrades to accommodate a solar system another contractor will install
- → If coordinating multiple contractors, ask each about their timeline expectations and how they typically work with other trades
The Bottom Line
These companies serve different needs, so your decision depends entirely on what work you actually need done. If you're installing a complete solar PV system or solar pool heating, AAA Steiners Solar Service is the appropriate contractor—Oldtown Electric doesn't perform that work. If you need electrical infrastructure upgrades, EV charger installation, or general electrical services, Oldtown Electric handles those projects with strong customer feedback on responsiveness and execution. The only potential overlap is if your solar project requires pre-installation electrical panel upgrades, in which case you may need to coordinate between contractors or ask AAA Steiners if they include that scope. Don't hire based on comparison alone—confirm the specific contractor performs the actual work you need completed.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No, Oldtown Electric is an electrical contractor who handles electrical infrastructure work but not solar panel installation itself. If you need both a panel upgrade and solar installation, you'll need AAA Steiners or another solar contractor for the panels, and potentially coordinate the electrical work separately. Ask both contractors how they typically handle projects requiring coordination between electrical and solar trades.
For solar installation specifically, yes—AAA Steiners' 19 years means they've handled numerous roof types, navigated changing solar technology and incentive programs, and diagnosed long-term system issues that newer contractors haven't encountered yet. For straightforward electrical work, Oldtown Electric's 3 years is less concerning, as customer feedback shows strong execution. The experience gap matters most for complex solar installations or troubleshooting underperforming systems.
If you're having AAA Steiners install a complete solar system, they typically handle the electrical connections as part of solar installation work. If you need pre-installation electrical upgrades like a panel replacement to accommodate solar loads, ask AAA Steiners if they include that work or if you should hire an electrical contractor like Oldtown Electric first. Many solar installations require coordination between the main panel capacity and the solar system specifications.
Not for solar-specific maintenance—monitoring system performance, diagnosing production issues, or servicing inverters and panels requires solar contractor expertise that AAA Steiners provides. Oldtown Electric could handle general electrical work unrelated to the solar system itself, like adding circuits elsewhere in your home. For solar system health, stick with a specialized solar contractor who understands the monitoring software and equipment-specific troubleshooting.
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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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