Compare Local Pros
Cinnamon Energy Systems vs Courtesy Electric
Santa Clara Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
A specialized solar contractor with workers comp versus a veteran electrician with broader expertise but no workers comp on file.
| Cinnamon Energy Systems | Courtesy Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.8 | ★ 4.3 |
| Years Licensed | 13 years | 18 years |
| License # | 976065 | 903345 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Los Gatos, CA | Sunnyvale, CA |
| Website | www.cinnamon.energy | courtesyelectric.us |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Cinnamon Energy Systems
Customers consistently praise Cinnamon Energy Systems for smooth solar installations with thorough communication, professional crews, and efficient handling of the complex permitting and utility coordination process.
Courtesy Electric
Courtesy Electric earns recognition for strong diagnostic abilities that solve problems other electricians missed, with customers valuing their extended hours and reliable communication.
Key Takeaway: Cinnamon's feedback centers on managing complex multi-phase solar projects from design through inspection, while Courtesy Electric's reviews highlight troubleshooting expertise and problem-solving for existing electrical issues.
Customer Reviews
Cinnamon Energy Systems
I started thinking about solar last year, but it was not until this year when I became serious. I talked to as many as 6 companies who serve San Jose area, and in the end, I decided to go with Cinnamo...
Cinnamon is a highly rated company and I was overall happy with the work. Sometimes communication was tricky but Consultant Michael Croft helped me navigate the process when clarification and service ...
We are quite happy with our solar power system installed by Cinnamon Energy Systems. We are fortunate enough to have south and west facing roofs and were able to work with them to install a system of...
Courtesy Electric
Mike Valenzuela/Courtesy Electric installed a new electric charger in our garage and we couldn't have been happier with his service. Not only timely in his response to our phone calls, estimate and wo...
These men know electric, such great men, never had any doubt I always had a good feeling the job was gonna be done right
Best service in Santa Clara county true professional
Consider Cinnamon Energy Systems if...
- ✓ You're installing a solar panel system, battery backup, or Tesla Powerwall and need a contractor with extensive permitting experience in Santa Clara County
- ✓ You want workers compensation insurance in place to protect yourself from liability if someone is injured during installation
- ✓ Your project involves complex utility coordination, system design work, or integration with electrical panel upgrades for solar
- ✓ You value working with a locally established company that handles the full installation process from engineering through final inspection
Consider Courtesy Electric if...
- ✓ You need electrical diagnostic work or repairs rather than solar installation, particularly for older home systems like Eichlers
- ✓ You're installing an EV charger without solar components and want a veteran electrician with 18 years of experience
- ✓ You need flexible scheduling with extended service hours to accommodate your availability
- ✓ You're willing to verify your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries and accept the liability risk associated with no workers comp coverage
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Courtesy Electric: Ask directly whether they now carry workers compensation insurance or if they work as a sole proprietor, and confirm with your homeowner's insurance that you're covered if a contractor or subcontractor is injured on your property
- → For Cinnamon Energy Systems: Ask for references from recent solar projects similar in scope to yours, and request details on their typical timeline from contract signing to final inspection
- → For either company: Ask how long their current installation or service crew has been working together and what their approach is to unexpected complications during the project
The Bottom Line
If you're installing solar panels, battery backup, or any renewable energy system, choose Cinnamon Energy Systems—they specialize in exactly this work, carry workers compensation insurance, and handle the complex permitting and utility coordination these projects require. If you need electrical repairs, diagnostic work, or a standalone EV charger installation, Courtesy Electric's 18 years of veteran expertise fits the job, but you must first verify your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries and understand you're accepting meaningful liability risk. For most homeowners, the workers comp gap at Courtesy Electric is a serious concern that shouldn't be dismissed, regardless of their technical capabilities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Bonding protects you if work isn't completed as agreed, but it doesn't cover worker injuries. Without workers comp, if someone is injured installing your solar panels or repairing your electrical panel, your homeowner's insurance may become the primary coverage for their medical bills and lost wages. This is a significant financial risk that many homeowners don't realize they're assuming.
While Courtesy Electric has strong electrical expertise, solar installations require specialized experience with utility interconnection agreements, structural engineering for panel mounting, battery system integration, and navigating local permitting processes specific to solar. Cinnamon Energy Systems handles these aspects as their core business. If you need electrical repairs or an EV charger unrelated to solar, Courtesy Electric's 18 years of broader electrical experience is relevant.
Experience and insurance serve different purposes. Courtesy Electric's 18 years demonstrates technical competence and business longevity, but it doesn't reduce your liability exposure if someone gets hurt. The longer history is valuable for complex diagnostic work, but the workers comp gap remains a real financial risk you'd need to accept and verify your own insurance covers.
If you're only installing an EV charger without solar integration, Courtesy Electric's 18 years of electrical experience and customer-noted diagnostic skills are well-suited to the work. However, you must address the workers comp issue first. If you're installing solar and want to add an EV charger as part of that project, Cinnamon Energy Systems can handle both as integrated work with full insurance coverage.
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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 11, 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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