AAA Steiners Solar Service vs Priority 1 Electric
Sacramento Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
You're comparing a specialized solar contractor to an emergency-focused electrical company, fundamentally different services despite both working with electrical systems.
| AAA Steiners Solar Service | Priority 1 Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.6 | ★ 4.5 |
| Years Licensed | 19 years | 33 years |
| License # | 887507 | 657852 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Sacramento, CA | Sacramento, CA |
| Website | steinersolar.com | priority1electric.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
AAA Steiners Solar Service
Customers emphasize thorough consultations, responsive communication, and competitive pricing with professional solar installations and long-term service relationships.
Priority 1 Electric
Customers consistently highlight rapid emergency response times, same-day availability including after-hours service, and detailed explanations of electrical problems before beginning repairs.
Key Takeaway: AAA Steiners operates on a consultative model for planned solar projects, while Priority 1 Electric has built their reputation on immediate response for urgent electrical problems, reflecting fundamentally different service approaches for different types of work.
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...
Priority 1 Electric
I would never go with anyone else but these guys! Very family oriented, they clean up after their work, offer senior discounts and negotiate is what they do. Extremely trustworthy with the highest qua...
Very good at hes job and very friendly and knowledgeable and helpful great energy.
I recently had Priority 1 Electric come out to fix an electrical issue in my home, and I couldn't be more impressed with the entire experience. Casey, the electrician who handled the job, was absolute...
Consider AAA Steiners Solar Service if...
- ✓ You're planning to install a solar photovoltaic system on your home or add solar heating to your pool, which requires specialized solar contractor expertise rather than general electrical knowledge.
- ✓ You prefer a consultative approach with thorough initial assessments and want competitive pricing compared to larger solar installation companies.
- ✓ You're looking for a long-term service relationship for ongoing solar system maintenance, not just a one-time installation, as customers report multi-year service relationships.
- ✓ You value direct owner involvement during the consultation and sales process for a significant investment like solar panel installation.
Consider Priority 1 Electric if...
- ✓ You have an electrical problem that needs immediate attention—Priority 1 Electric specializes in same-day service and after-hours emergency response, often arriving within hours.
- ✓ Your project involves standard residential electrical work like outlet repairs, breaker replacements, ceiling fan installation, or circuit troubleshooting rather than solar energy systems.
- ✓ You need flexibility for weekend or evening service calls, as Priority 1 Electric maintains availability beyond standard business hours for urgent situations.
- ✓ You're looking for an electrician who can handle diverse electrical issues over time, with customers reporting they use the service repeatedly for different residential electrical needs.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Confirm which company holds the proper license classification for your specific project—solar contractors and general electricians have different license types in California.
- → If considering AAA Steiners for solar, ask for references from recent photovoltaic installations similar to your roof type and system size.
- → If considering Priority 1 Electric for electrical work, ask about their typical response time for non-emergency scheduled appointments versus their emergency service.
- → Request detailed written estimates that specify warranty terms, as both solar installations and electrical work should include guarantees on labor and materials.
The Bottom Line
This comparison only makes sense if you're uncertain whether your project requires a solar specialist or a general electrician. If you're installing solar panels, adding solar pool heating, or maintaining an existing solar system, AAA Steiners is the only appropriate choice with their 19 years of dedicated solar expertise. If you need electrical repairs, upgrades, breaker work, or emergency service for standard residential electrical issues, Priority 1 Electric's 33 years of broad electrical experience and rapid-response model is what you need. Don't hire a solar contractor for electrical repairs or an electrician for solar installation—match the specialist to your actual project type.
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Frequently Asked Questions
While Priority 1 Electric can handle the electrical connections for solar systems, they are not a solar contractor and don't install photovoltaic panels or solar pool heating systems. Solar installation requires specialized expertise in mounting systems, panel configuration, inverter selection, and utility interconnection that AAA Steiners provides. If you need solar installed, AAA Steiners is the appropriate choice.
AAA Steiners specializes specifically in solar energy systems—both photovoltaic and pool heating. For general residential electrical work like outlet repairs, breaker replacements, or ceiling fan installations, Priority 1 Electric is the appropriate contractor. If your solar system needs repair or maintenance, AAA Steiners has the specialized knowledge required.
Priority 1 Electric is explicitly designed for emergency electrical response with same-day service, weekend availability, and late-evening calls. Customers report technicians arriving within hours for urgent situations. AAA Steiners operates on a scheduled consultation model appropriate for solar installations and maintenance, not emergency electrical repairs.
Priority 1 Electric's 33 years versus AAA Steiners' 19 years reflects different specializations rather than a quality gap. Priority 1's longer tenure covers broad residential electrical experience, while AAA Steiners' 19 years are dedicated specifically to solar technology. Both are veteran contractors with extensive experience in their respective fields—choose based on which service you actually need.
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See our ranked list of top electrical contractors in Sacramento.
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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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