Compare Local Pros
Solar Works vs Taylor Energy
Sonoma Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Solar Works brings 7 additional years of experience and California's first B Corp certification, while Taylor Energy competes with competitive pricing and high owner involvement.
| Solar Works | Taylor Energy | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.8 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 20 years | 13 years |
| License # | 878231 | 975545 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Sebastopol, CA | Sebastopol, CA |
| Website | www.solarworksca.com | www.taylor-energy.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Solar Works
Solar Works customers emphasize detailed technical explanations, on-time project completion, and long-term relationships with clients returning for upgrades years later.
Taylor Energy
Taylor Energy customers consistently highlight patient education, competitive pricing compared to larger companies, and personalized attention with high owner involvement.
Key Takeaway: Solar Works builds decade-long customer relationships suggesting sustained trust and support, while Taylor Energy competes primarily on price value and hands-on owner accessibility during the project itself.
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...
Taylor Energy
I was up against the Jan. 1 deadline after another company suddenly dropped my solar project. Taylor stepped in and they were courteous, responded to my many inquires and some got it through the perm...
Taylor Energy was excellent throughout the entire process. My solar and battery installation was complicated by my HOA’s requirements, yet each step of the process was handled with patience and thor...
We are very pleased with the quality of service we received from Taylor Energy. They were prompt, responsive and easy to work with on the installation of two solar batteries and an upgrade to our main...
Consider Solar Works if...
- ✓ Your roof is older or structurally complex and you want the deepest experience diagnosing hidden issues before committing to mounting heavy solar equipment
- ✓ You value third-party verified environmental and social standards beyond standard licensing requirements, reflected in their B Corporation certification
- ✓ You're planning a long-term relationship with potential system expansions or upgrades in future years, given their track record of customers returning after a decade
- ✓ You prioritize thorough technical explanations of system components and tradeoffs rather than just pricing comparisons
Consider Taylor Energy if...
- ✓ You're comparing multiple bids and price competitiveness is a primary concern alongside quality installation work
- ✓ You want high owner involvement and personalized attention throughout your project rather than working primarily with crew members
- ✓ You have HOA requirements or custom design needs that require flexibility and collaborative problem-solving with other contractors
- ✓ You prefer patient, educational consultations that focus on helping you understand options without feeling rushed through decisions
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Solar Works how their B Corporation certification affects their installation practices and product sourcing compared to standard contractors
- → Ask Taylor Energy who specifically will manage your project day-to-day and how owner involvement works on projects of your size
- → Ask both companies for references from projects completed 3-5 years ago to assess their long-term support and system performance
The Bottom Line
Both contractors are solid choices with proper licensing, insurance, and bonding, so your decision hinges on priorities. Choose Solar Works if you value maximum experience for complex installations, want verified B Corporation standards, or anticipate a long-term relationship with future system expansions. Choose Taylor Energy if competitive pricing is a primary concern, you want high owner involvement throughout your project, or you prefer patient, educational consultations. For straightforward installations on newer roofs, either will serve you well. For older homes or unusual configurations, Solar Works' additional seven years navigating complications provides extra confidence. Request quotes from both and pay attention to how each explains your specific site challenges.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward installations on newer roofs, both companies have sufficient experience. The gap becomes meaningful if your roof is older, has unusual structural elements, or requires custom solutions for physical constraints. Solar Works has simply encountered more edge cases over two decades that could prevent surprises during your project.
Customer feedback suggests Taylor Energy consistently prices below larger solar companies, though we don't have direct price comparisons between these two local contractors. Request detailed quotes from both explaining what's included in their pricing, as the lowest bid may not reflect differences in equipment quality, warranty terms, or post-installation support.
B Corporation certification requires verified performance on social and environmental standards, including supply chain practices, worker treatment, and community impact. For homeowners, this suggests greater accountability beyond basic licensing requirements, though it doesn't directly change installation quality. Ask Solar Works specifically how their B Corp status affects equipment sourcing and installation practices.
Taylor Energy's high owner involvement typically means more direct communication and faster decision-making, which customers value for custom solutions and timeline flexibility. Solar Works' approach isn't clear from available data, so ask both companies who will be your primary contact and how decisions get made if issues arise during installation.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top electrical contractors in Sonoma.
Other Sonoma Electrical Contractors Comparisons
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.
Get in Touch
Have questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you.