Compare Local Pros
Cinnamon Energy Systems vs LP Builders
Santa Clara Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Cinnamon Energy Systems offers specialized solar expertise with double the track record, while LP Builders is a general contractor with minimal project history.
| Cinnamon Energy Systems | LP Builders | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.8 | ★ 3.0 |
| Years Licensed | 13 years | 6 years |
| License # | 976065 | 1065290 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Los Gatos, CA | Sunnyvale, CA |
| Website | www.cinnamon.energy | — |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Cinnamon Energy Systems
Customers consistently praise Cinnamon's thorough communication throughout the solar installation process, professional crew work, and efficient handling of the complex permitting and utility coordination required for solar projects.
Key Takeaway: Cinnamon Energy Systems has substantial documented customer feedback establishing patterns of quality and communication, while LP Builders provides no verifiable customer experience data to assess.
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...
LP Builders
No reviews available
Consider Cinnamon Energy Systems if...
- ✓ You're installing solar panels, battery backup systems, or heat pump HVAC and want a contractor who specializes exclusively in these complex electrical systems
- ✓ You value working with a company that has 13 years of local permitting history and established relationships with Santa Clara County building departments and utility providers
- ✓ You want to review documented customer feedback about installation quality, communication, and permitting process management before making your decision
- ✓ Your project involves technical components like Tesla Powerwall integration, inverter systems, or electrical panel upgrades that require specialized knowledge
Consider LP Builders if...
- ✓ Your project is general construction work rather than solar installation, and you need a general contractor's broader scope
- ✓ You're comfortable proceeding without documented customer reviews and are willing to conduct extensive reference checking on your own
- ✓ You want to request detailed documentation of any previous solar installations, including photos, permitting records, and direct customer references
- ✓ You prefer a Sunnyvale-based contractor slightly closer to your location if you're in that immediate area
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For LP Builders: Request specific examples of completed solar installations with documentation, including system sizes, equipment used, and direct customer references you can contact
- → For LP Builders: Ask which team members have solar installation experience and certifications, and how they handle permitting and utility interconnection processes
- → For both: Confirm their typical timeline from contract signing through final utility permission to operate, including who manages each step of the approval process
- → For both: Ask about warranty coverage on both equipment and installation workmanship, and who handles service calls if issues arise
The Bottom Line
For a solar installation, Cinnamon Energy Systems is the clear choice based on documented specialization, double the licensing history, and extensive customer feedback confirming their solar-specific capabilities. LP Builders may be suitable for general construction projects, but their complete absence of documented solar experience or customer reviews creates unnecessary risk for a complex electrical system requiring specialized knowledge. If you're committed to considering LP Builders, require comprehensive documentation of previous solar projects and direct customer references before proceeding. For most homeowners needing solar work this week, Cinnamon's proven track record provides substantially more confidence.
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Frequently Asked Questions
LP Builders holds a general contractor license but provides no documented evidence of solar project experience in their profile. Before hiring them for solar work, you should request detailed documentation of previous solar installations, including project photos, permitting records, system specifications, and direct customer references. Cinnamon Energy Systems specializes exclusively in solar and related electrical systems with 13 years of documented projects.
Yes, particularly for solar work. Those additional seven years mean Cinnamon has navigated twice as many permitting cycles, utility interconnection rule changes, and evolving solar technology generations. They've had substantially more time to develop relationships with local building departments and identify efficient solutions to installation challenges specific to Santa Clara County homes.
This could indicate LP Builders focuses on commercial work, doesn't actively collect reviews, or has limited residential project volume. Regardless of the reason, it creates a verification problem for you as a homeowner. Ask LP Builders directly for residential customer references from the past year, and contact those references before making your decision.
Insurance and bonds protect you from catastrophic failures, but they don't guarantee quality work or smooth project execution. Cinnamon's documented experience means they're more likely to correctly size your system, navigate permitting efficiently, coordinate utility approvals without delays, and handle unexpected installation challenges that commonly arise with solar projects. Experience reduces the likelihood you'll need to use those protections in the first place.
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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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