Compare Local Pros
Atrina Solar vs Pacific Electric Contracting
Santa Clara Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
You're comparing a specialized solar installer with customer feedback against a veteran electrical contractor with almost no documented solar work.
| Atrina Solar | Pacific Electric Contracting | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 3.0 |
| Years Licensed | 5 years | 49 years |
| License # | 1077840 | 337416 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Morgan Hill, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Website | — | — |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Atrina Solar
Customers consistently praise Atrina Solar for combining quality solar installation work with competitive pricing, with one client satisfied enough to hire them for installations on two separate properties.
Key Takeaway: Atrina has specific customer feedback about solar installation quality and affordability, while Pacific Electric has no documented solar project history despite decades of electrical contracting experience.
Customer Reviews
Atrina Solar
Atrina installed solar panels and a Powerwall on two of my properties. Their work is excellent, and their prices are unbeatable. It is rare to find a company that combines high quality with affordabil...
Quality work. Strong work ethics. You will be happy you chose Atrina Solar.
Not there
Pacific Electric Contracting
No reviews available
Consider Atrina Solar if...
- ✓ You want a contractor who specializes in solar installations with documented experience in panels and battery storage systems like Powerwalls
- ✓ Competitive pricing matters to you, and customers specifically highlight Atrina's affordability combined with quality work
- ✓ You value customer feedback about solar projects specifically, with one client satisfied enough to hire them for two separate properties
- ✓ Your project is straightforward residential solar and you prioritize specialized solar experience over general electrical longevity
Consider Pacific Electric Contracting if...
- ✓ You're planning a complex project that combines solar installation with significant electrical panel upgrades or whole-home rewiring where decades of electrical experience would be valuable
- ✓ You have an existing relationship with Pacific Electric from previous electrical work and want to explore if they can handle solar as an add-on service
- ✓ You specifically need to confirm they actually perform solar installations, as their profile suggests this may not be an active service line despite legal qualification
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Pacific Electric directly: How many solar installations have you completed in the past two years, and can you provide references from recent solar projects with battery storage?
- → Ask Atrina Solar for references from projects similar in size to yours, particularly if you're including battery storage or have a complex roof layout
- → Ask both contractors about their experience with your specific equipment brands and their relationships with local inspectors for solar permitting
- → Ask Pacific Electric why solar projects don't appear in their marketing or customer feedback if this is an active service they provide
The Bottom Line
For a solar installation project, Atrina Solar is the clearer choice unless Pacific Electric can demonstrate an active solar practice they simply haven't documented. Atrina specializes in exactly what you need, has customers praising both their solar work quality and competitive pricing, and has proven experience with modern battery storage systems. Pacific Electric's 49 years in electrical work is impressive for electrical projects, but the complete absence of solar installations in their portfolio raises serious questions about whether they actually offer this service. If you contact Pacific Electric, ask directly how many solar projects they completed last year and request recent solar references before proceeding. For most homeowners needing solar installation this week, Atrina's proven solar specialization and documented customer satisfaction make them the safer, more appropriate choice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Not for solar specifically. While Pacific Electric has extensive electrical experience, modern solar installation is a specialized subset requiring knowledge of array design, inverter programming, battery integration, and solar-specific utility requirements. Atrina has documented solar installations with customer feedback about this exact work, while Pacific Electric shows no solar project history despite decades in business. For solar projects, proven solar specialization matters more than general electrical longevity.
This is the key concern with Pacific Electric for a solar project. While their electrical license legally permits solar work, the complete absence of solar projects, customer feedback, or marketing suggests they either don't actively offer solar services or perform them rarely enough that no reviews exist. Before considering them, you need to confirm directly that they actually complete residential solar installations as a regular part of their business.
Five years represents approximately 50-100+ residential solar installations, which is sufficient to encounter most common installation challenges including complex roof geometries, panel upgrades, and battery system integration. Customers specifically mention quality workmanship and one returned for a second property, suggesting they handle complications competently. For standard residential solar, specialized solar experience matters more than contractor age.
Get detailed quotes from both if Pacific Electric confirms they actively do solar work, but factor in that Atrina's customers specifically highlight competitive pricing as a distinguishing feature. A significantly lower quote from a contractor with no documented solar history could indicate unfamiliarity with actual project requirements. Atrina's combination of documented solar experience and customer-praised affordability suggests their pricing reflects efficient solar-specific processes rather than learning curve padding.
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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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