Compare Local Pros
Dollens Electric vs Earth Electric
Santa Clara Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Dollens Electric offers nearly twice the licensed experience with broader electrical services, while Earth Electric specializes specifically in solar and EV infrastructure.
| Dollens Electric | Earth Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 4.9 |
| Years Licensed | 20 years | 11 years |
| License # | 867376 | 1003783 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | San Jose, CA | Campbell, CA |
| Website | dollenselectric.com | www.earth-electric.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Dollens Electric
Customers consistently praise Dollens Electric for quick response times, versatile problem-solving across diverse electrical projects, and repeat satisfaction over multiple years.
Earth Electric
Customers emphasize Earth Electric's educational approach to solar consultations, expertise managing complex permitting and utility coordination, and effective handling of technical challenges specific to renewable energy systems.
Key Takeaway: Dollens customers value speed and versatility for varied electrical needs, while Earth Electric customers prioritize thorough technical guidance and administrative expertise for solar-specific projects.
Customer Reviews
Dollens Electric
Great Company, very happy every time they do work for us.
I needed to upgrade my electrical panel. Dollens Electric did a load calculation and recommended a new panel that would accommodate the electrification of my furnace and water heater down the road. Th...
Fixed my problem and replaced my electronic door lock promptly.
Earth Electric
New Update: Earth Electric did an outstanding job 10 years ago to install my solar panels. I picked them after evaluating a large number of other national and local vendors. I just had Earth Electric ...
Earth Electric was fantastic to work with for our Tesla Powerwall installation! They weren’t the cheapest option (or the most expensive), but their service was absolutely incredible and worth every ...
We had Earth Electric install solar panels, batteries, and an electric car charger at our home, and are very pleased with the results! They did an excellent job with the installation and completely ha...
Consider Dollens Electric if...
- ✓ You need traditional electrical work such as panel upgrades, circuit additions, lighting installations, ceiling fans, attic fans, or troubleshooting existing electrical problems unrelated to solar
- ✓ Your project requires quick response time for repairs or emergency service, as customers consistently report same-day or next-day site visits
- ✓ You value a contractor with two decades of experience diagnosing problems in older homes and handling unexpected complications during electrical renovations
- ✓ You want a generalist contractor who can handle multiple electrical needs over time, as several customers report using Dollens repeatedly across different project types over multiple years
Consider Earth Electric if...
- ✓ Your project specifically involves solar panel installation, battery storage systems like Tesla Powerwall, or electric vehicle charging stations requiring integration with renewable energy systems
- ✓ You need a contractor with specialized expertise in utility interconnection requirements, solar permitting processes, and coordination with local government approvals
- ✓ You're planning a complex solar project that may involve roof replacement coordination, limited panel capacity issues, or custom battery system design requiring detailed technical consultation
- ✓ You want a contractor focused exclusively on renewable energy infrastructure who can provide educational guidance on equipment options and long-term system performance
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → If considering Dollens for a solar project, ask about their experience with utility interconnection paperwork and solar-specific permitting, as their profile emphasizes general electrical work rather than solar specialization
- → If considering Earth Electric for traditional electrical work outside solar and EV charging, ask whether they take on such projects regularly or if their business model focuses exclusively on renewable energy installations
- → Ask each contractor for references from projects matching your specific scope, particularly if your needs fall outside their primary service emphasis shown in customer reviews
The Bottom Line
Choose based on your actual project: if you need solar panels, battery storage, or EV charging integrated with renewable energy systems, Earth Electric's 11 years of specialized focus provides the permitting expertise, utility coordination knowledge, and system design consultation that solar projects require. If you need any other electrical work—panel upgrades, generator installation, rewiring, lighting, repairs, or troubleshooting—Dollens Electric's 20 years as a full-service contractor offers broader technical versatility and faster response times for traditional electrical needs. Both are properly insured and bonded with strong customer satisfaction, but they serve different markets by design. Don't hire a solar specialist for general electrical work or expect a generalist to match a specialist's depth in renewable energy systems.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Dollens Electric lists solar installation among their services and has 20 years of electrical experience, but customer reviews emphasize their work on traditional electrical projects rather than solar systems. Earth Electric's entire business model centers on solar with extensive feedback about permitting expertise and system design consultations. If solar is your project, Earth Electric's specialization provides deeper knowledge of utility requirements and long-term system performance.
The experience gap reflects different specializations rather than one being objectively better. Dollens' additional nine years have been spent on diverse electrical problems across residential and commercial properties, valuable for complex troubleshooting and older home challenges. Earth Electric's 11 years have been laser-focused on solar and EV infrastructure, developing expertise most traditional electricians lack in renewable energy permitting and utility coordination. Choose based on which specialization matches your project.
Customer feedback for Dollens Electric specifically highlights quick response times with site visits often occurring within a day of initial contact, suggesting they prioritize rapid turnaround. Earth Electric customers emphasize thorough consultations and educational approaches rather than speed, which is appropriate for solar projects requiring detailed system design. For urgent electrical repairs, Dollens appears better positioned; for solar planning requiring careful consideration, Earth Electric's consultation process fits the project timeline.
Yes, Earth Electric explicitly handles panel upgrades as part of their solar installations, and customer reviews mention their ability to address limited panel capacity issues. However, if you need a panel upgrade without solar installation, Dollens Electric specializes in standalone panel upgrades as a core service. The decision depends on whether the panel work is part of a solar project or an independent electrical upgrade.
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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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