Compare Local Pros
Alternative Power And Electric vs American Green Energy
Santa Clara Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
You're comparing an electrical contractor with an established four-year track record to a solar specialist with only two years licensing history.
| Alternative Power And Electric | American Green Energy | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.9 |
| Years Licensed | 4 years | 2 years |
| License # | 1086918 | 1116749 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Saratoga, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Website | alternativepowerandelectric.com | amgreen.us |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Alternative Power And Electric
Customers consistently praise Alternative Power And Electric for rapid emergency response and technically knowledgeable troubleshooting across varied electrical projects.
American Green Energy
American Green Energy earns recognition for their installer-led sales process and straightforward approach, with customers appreciating the absence of commissioned salespeople in their solar consultations.
Key Takeaway: Alternative Power And Electric customers emphasize speed and technical problem-solving for emergency situations, while American Green Energy customers focus on the transparency and ease of their solar installation sales process.
Customer Reviews
Alternative Power And Electric
Armando and his team are good guys and did great work!!! Due to storm damage, we had to replace the waterline from our well to the whole home water tank. Armando was quick to come out and assess the s...
This is the best electrician I have ever used. He was very responsive to our call and needs. He and his team are terrific and very knowledgeable. I would recommend them to anyone who has electrical...
American Green Energy
TenÃa una instalación hecha por sunroof y se me apagaba las luces de la casa Hablé con los instaladores de amgreen y me mostró que la compañÃa anterior hizo mal trabajo Arreglaron el problema y ...
Me pusieron paneles en mi casa en salinas. Muy recomendable. Ahora solo pago $120 al mes . Me ayudaron con el préstamo de la instalación. Me lo recomendó un amigo que le hicieron también su casa. ...
Reliable and best prices. Very recommended. Got small system but was the best quote around. Not sales person they are actually installers selling the system.
Consider Alternative Power And Electric if...
- ✓ You need electrical work beyond solar installation, including panel upgrades, circuit repairs, or troubleshooting existing electrical problems
- ✓ You're dealing with an emergency electrical situation requiring rapid response, an area where Alternative Power And Electric has demonstrated customer-praised speed
- ✓ You prefer working with a contractor who has twice the licensing history and a longer track record of completed projects to reference
- ✓ Your project may involve complications requiring experienced problem-solving, where four years of varied electrical work provides broader diagnostic capabilities
Consider American Green Energy if...
- ✓ You're specifically purchasing a solar installation system and want a specialist focused exclusively on that technology
- ✓ You value American Green Energy's distinctive approach of having actual installers handle sales consultations rather than commissioned salespeople, which customers describe as more straightforward
- ✓ You're comfortable with a newer contractor building their reputation, particularly if you're considering their small promotional systems with fixed monthly payments
- ✓ You need service in Spanish or prefer the referral-driven business model that multiple customers mention
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask American Green Energy for references from installations completed in their first year of licensing to assess long-term system performance
- → Ask Alternative Power And Electric about their experience with any solar-related electrical work if your project involves both solar and broader electrical needs
- → Ask American Green Energy how they handle warranty claims and what happens to warranties if the company is newer and still establishing longevity
- → Ask both companies about permitting timelines and their track record with local inspection approvals in Santa Clara County
The Bottom Line
These contractors serve entirely different needs, so your decision starts with what you're actually buying. If you need solar panels installed, American Green Energy is the specialist despite their shorter licensing history, and their installer-led sales approach addresses common solar industry concerns about commissioned salespeople. However, their two-year licensing history means you're taking on more risk regarding long-term business stability and warranty support. If you need any electrical work beyond solar installation or value a longer operational track record, Alternative Power And Electric offers double the licensing experience with demonstrated emergency response capabilities. For solar buyers comfortable with a newer specialist, American Green Energy fits; for electrical work or risk-averse homeowners, Alternative Power And Electric's established history provides more confidence.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it matters for risk assessment. Two years means fewer completed installations to evaluate for long-term performance and less operational history demonstrating financial stability. Solar systems carry 20-25 year warranties, so you want confidence the company will be around to honor them. Ask for all available references and verify their financing partners and equipment manufacturer relationships.
As an electrical contractor, Alternative Power And Electric can handle the electrical components of solar systems, but their profile focuses on general electrical work rather than solar specialization. If you need solar panels installed, American Green Energy's exclusive focus on solar technology likely provides deeper expertise in system design, battery storage integration, and solar-specific permitting. Confirm directly what solar experience Alternative Power And Electric has completed.
This approach eliminates commissioned sales representatives, which customers describe as more honest and straightforward in an industry known for aggressive sales tactics. You're consulting directly with the people who will perform the work, which can lead to more accurate project scoping and realistic expectations. Multiple customers specifically praised this model as refreshing compared to typical solar sales experiences.
Alternative Power And Electric receives specific customer praise for quick response times, particularly for emergency situations like storm damage. American Green Energy's reviews focus on installation process quality rather than emergency response, which makes sense given solar installation is scheduled project work rather than emergency service. If you need rapid electrical troubleshooting, Alternative Power And Electric has demonstrated that capability.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top electrical contractors in Santa Clara.
Other Santa Clara Electrical Contractors Comparisons
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.
Get in Touch
Have questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you.