Compare Local Pros
Clean Solar vs Modern Air
Santa Clara Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Both are veteran contractors with nearly identical credentials, but they serve completely different industries—Clean Solar for energy systems and Modern Air for heating and cooling.
| Clean Solar | Modern Air | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.5 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 18 years | 17 years |
| License # | 910849 | 935704 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | San Jose, CA | Morgan Hill, CA |
| Website | www.cleansolar.com | modernairco.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Clean Solar
Clean Solar customers emphasize the educational and consultative approach, with thorough explanations of technical details and patient responses to questions throughout the planning process.
Modern Air
Modern Air customers focus on operational efficiency—prompt arrival times, quick diagnostics, and transparent communication about repair options without pressure tactics.
Key Takeaway: Clean Solar's feedback reflects the longer sales cycle and detailed planning inherent in solar projects, while Modern Air's reviews highlight the rapid response and problem-solving needed for HVAC service work.
Customer Reviews
Clean Solar
Support group was very resonsive to my questions within hours. Great to have knowegeable help when it's needed.
Project: add whole-house battery backup to a 20 year-old home with existing solar PV system. I had three goals: 1. Load shifting (provide electricity during peak energy charges) 2. Provide backup pow...
My husband and I had a terrific and lengthy phone experience where Art explained in depth about solar panels and batteries. He was patient in answering all our questions and very generous with his t...
Modern Air
We replaced all of our asbestos-wrapped ductwork and installed a new heat pump system in late October. The entire Modern Air team did a great job with this relatively large project. Andrew, the owner...
Outstanding! Professional! Efficient! Great communications! Same day service. Texts and emails confirming all communications. Installation several days later. A special thanks to Billy, Alfredo and hi...
Alfredo was professional and courteous, and so was the previous person who came out for quote. Modern Air does a great job with their client communications, and their cost is reasonable.
Consider Clean Solar if...
- ✓ You're planning a solar panel installation, adding battery backup like Tesla Powerwall, or combining a new roof with solar system installation
- ✓ Your project timeline allows for thorough planning and you value detailed upfront education about energy production, system sizing, and long-term savings projections
- ✓ You need a contractor experienced with solar permitting processes and utility interconnection requirements in Santa Clara County
- ✓ You're considering a phased approach, starting with solar and potentially adding battery storage later with a contractor familiar with your existing system
Consider Modern Air if...
- ✓ You need heating or cooling equipment repaired, replaced, or maintained, including furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, or ductwork
- ✓ You're facing an urgent situation like a broken furnace or failed AC unit and need same-day or next-day service availability
- ✓ You want a diagnostic approach that identifies problems quickly and provides honest repair-versus-replace recommendations without pressure
- ✓ You're looking for ongoing maintenance service through a membership program to keep HVAC systems running efficiently year-round
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Clean Solar: Ask about their timeline for permitting and utility approval in your specific area, as solar projects involve regulatory steps that can affect installation schedules
- → For Modern Air: Ask about their current availability for service calls and typical response time for both emergency repairs and scheduled installations
- → Ask either company for references from projects similar to yours in scope and complexity to understand their approach to your specific situation
The Bottom Line
This isn't a competitive comparison—these contractors serve entirely different needs. Choose Clean Solar if you're installing solar panels, adding battery backup, or handling roof work related to solar systems. Choose Modern Air if you need furnace or air conditioning repair, replacement, or maintenance. Both companies bring veteran-level experience, proper insurance protection, and strong customer feedback in their respective specialties. The decision is straightforward: identify whether your project involves energy generation systems or climate control equipment, then hire the contractor who specializes in that field. If you're planning both solar and HVAC work, you'll benefit from both companies' expertise on separate projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No, these are specialized contractors in different fields. Clean Solar handles solar panels, battery systems, and related roofing but not heating and cooling equipment. Modern Air services HVAC systems but not solar installations. If you're planning both types of projects, you'll need to hire separate contractors for each.
Not meaningfully. Both companies are veteran contractors with nearly two decades navigating their respective industries through equipment changes, code updates, and evolving technologies. The experience difference is negligible compared to the importance of choosing the contractor who specializes in your actual project type.
Modern Air is structured for urgent response, with customers consistently reporting same-day service availability for HVAC emergencies. Clean Solar's solar installation work follows a planned project timeline involving permits and inspections, not emergency service calls. The nature of their work is fundamentally different.
Yes, if you're doing comprehensive home energy upgrades. You might hire Clean Solar for a solar and battery installation while separately contracting Modern Air to replace an aging HVAC system with a high-efficiency heat pump. Both projects improve energy efficiency but require different specialized expertise.
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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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