Compare Local Pros
Cinnamon Energy Systems vs Farris Electric
Santa Clara Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
An established solar specialist with strong customer feedback versus a veteran general electrician with limited online review history.
| Cinnamon Energy Systems | Farris Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.8 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 13 years | 40 years |
| License # | 976065 | 488329 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Los Gatos, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Website | www.cinnamon.energy | www.farriselectric.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Cinnamon Energy Systems
Customers consistently praise Cinnamon Energy Systems for smooth installation processes, thorough communication from consultation through completion, and professional handling of permitting and utility coordination.
Key Takeaway: Cinnamon Energy Systems has substantial documented customer feedback showing consistent performance on solar installations, while Farris Electric's limited review history makes it difficult to assess their customer experience or solar project capabilities.
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...
Farris Electric
No reviews available
Consider Cinnamon Energy Systems if...
- ✓ You're installing solar panels, battery backup, or heat pump systems and want a contractor who specializes in these specific technologies daily
- ✓ You value documented customer feedback showing consistent project management, permitting expertise, and installation quality
- ✓ Your project involves Tesla Powerwall integration, system design work, or coordination with utility companies where specialized experience matters
- ✓ You're looking for a contractor with established permitting history in Santa Clara County for solar installations
Consider Farris Electric if...
- ✓ You need a veteran electrical contractor for general electrical work beyond solar installation
- ✓ You prefer working with a company that has navigated 40 years of code changes and industry evolution
- ✓ You're willing to conduct thorough due diligence through direct references since online reviews are limited
- ✓ Your project may involve broader electrical services where decades of general experience could be valuable
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Farris Electric specifically about their solar installation experience: how many systems they've installed recently, whether they handle battery integration regularly, and for references from solar projects completed in the past year
- → Ask Cinnamon Energy Systems about their current project timeline and crew availability given their active customer base
- → Request detailed proposals from both that outline permitting process, utility coordination responsibilities, and timeline estimates
- → Ask both contractors about their warranty coverage for solar-specific components and labor
The Bottom Line
For a solar panel, battery backup, or heat pump installation, Cinnamon Energy Systems is the clearer choice. Their 13 years of specialization, documented customer feedback on installation quality and permitting expertise, and focus on exactly these systems provides confidence they handle these projects routinely. Farris Electric's 40 years in business is impressive, but without review history or clear solar installation track record, you'd be taking on additional research burden to verify their capabilities in this specific niche. If your project is solar or electrification-focused, go with the specialist.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. While 40 years in electrical work demonstrates broad knowledge, solar installation requires specific expertise in system design, battery integration, utility interconnection, and specialized permitting. Without documented solar project history or customer feedback, it's unclear if Farris Electric regularly performs this work. Ask them directly about their solar installation volume and recent projects.
Licensing confirms legal compliance, but reviews reveal how a contractor actually performs on customer projects—communication quality, problem-solving, timeline management, and worksite professionalism. With limited review history, you'll need to request multiple references and conduct more extensive due diligence before hiring.
Their specialization is an advantage for solar, battery, and heat pump projects, but they may not be the right fit for general electrical repairs or remodeling work. If your project is specifically solar or electrification-focused, their niche expertise is valuable. For broader electrical needs, you'd want a general electrician.
For solar specifically, Cinnamon's 13 years of focused experience likely means more relevant expertise than Farris's 40 years of general electrical work. Solar technology, battery systems, and net metering regulations have evolved significantly in the past decade. The question is how much of Farris's four decades includes modern solar installations versus traditional electrical services.
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See our ranked list of top electrical contractors in Santa Clara.
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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 13, 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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