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Solar Works vs Aloha Electric
Sonoma Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
This comparison requires clarification: you're choosing between a specialized solar installer and a general electrical contractor.
| Solar Works | Aloha Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.8 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 20 years | 25 years |
| License # | 878231 | 793346 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Sebastopol, CA | Santa Rosa, CA |
| Website | www.solarworksca.com | — |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Solar Works
Solar Works customers consistently praise detailed solar system explanations, responsive communication throughout projects, and on-time completion, with multiple customers returning for upgrades years later.
Key Takeaway: Solar Works has substantial customer feedback documenting communication patterns and solar project outcomes, while Aloha Electric's limited review history provides no public insight into customer experience or solar specialization.
Customer Reviews
Solar Works
Time for an update. Solar Works just completed the 3rd large improvement to my Solar with Battery Backup system. John Matheny, Kyle, Emily, Vicki and Fernando work together constantly. The communica...
Great job! Good people. Solar works is a ‘B' corporation, in fact, the first B corporation in California! In addition, they had wonderful follow up service after completion, coming out to check on...
Solar Works' communication style was excellent. We were very pleased with how quickly Solar Works responded, met with us on site, answered all follow up questions, and informed us of all decisions. T...
Aloha Electric
Mark does a great job, honest work at a fair price.
Mark is awesome!
Consider Solar Works if...
- ✓ You're installing a solar panel system or battery backup and want a contractor who specializes exclusively in solar technology and stays current with evolving equipment
- ✓ You value detailed explanations of system design tradeoffs, component selection, and how solar technology works for your specific property
- ✓ Customer feedback patterns matter to you, and you want evidence of responsive communication, on-time completion, and long-term customer relationships
- ✓ You anticipate potential future upgrades or expansions and want a contractor customers return to years later
Consider Aloha Electric if...
- ✓ Your project involves electrical work beyond solar installation, and you need a contractor who can handle broader electrical systems
- ✓ You have an existing relationship with Aloha Electric or a strong personal referral that addresses the limited public review history
- ✓ The additional five years of licensing experience in the electrical trade provides value for your specific situation
- ✓ You're comfortable conducting thorough reference checks to compensate for the lack of public customer feedback
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Aloha Electric specifically: What percentage of your business involves solar installations, and how many solar projects have you completed in the past three years?
- → Request references from Aloha Electric for solar projects similar to yours, including battery backup if that's part of your scope
- → Ask both contractors about their experience with your specific roof type and any potential integration challenges
- → Confirm with both contractors what ongoing support they provide after installation and how they handle warranty issues
The Bottom Line
If you're hiring specifically for solar panel installation or battery backup, Solar Works presents a clearer choice with 20 years of dedicated solar specialization and extensive customer feedback confirming responsive communication, detailed explanations, and on-time project completion. Aloha Electric's 25 years of electrical experience is valuable, but without review data or clear indication of solar specialization, you'd need to conduct thorough due diligence through direct references to assess their solar capabilities. For a solar project this week, Solar Works offers documented solar expertise and predictable customer service patterns, while Aloha Electric would require additional vetting to confirm they're the right fit for solar work specifically.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For a solar installation specifically, specialization typically outweighs general electrical longevity. Solar technology, equipment, incentive programs, and installation best practices have evolved significantly, and a contractor who focuses exclusively on solar stays current with these changes daily. The five additional years of electrical licensing is valuable if your project requires broader electrical work beyond solar.
This could reflect several scenarios: they may rely primarily on repeat commercial clients or referrals rather than residential projects, they may not actively solicit online reviews, or their customer base may not engage with review platforms. Before hiring, ask Aloha Electric directly for references and clarification about their customer feedback process.
Licensed electrical contractors can legally install solar systems, but depth of experience matters for system design, equipment selection, troubleshooting, and understanding solar-specific issues like shading analysis, roof integration, and battery backup configuration. Ask Aloha Electric specifically about their solar project volume and request solar-specific references to assess their depth in this area.
B Corporation certification verifies that Solar Works meets specific social and environmental standards, but it doesn't directly affect installation quality or technical expertise. It does indicate a commitment to transparency and accountability, which may align with values important to solar adopters, but focus primarily on their technical solar experience and customer feedback when making your decision.
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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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