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First Edison vs Sun Light & Power
Alameda General Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Sun Light & Power brings 49 years of solar-specific experience versus First Edison's 10 years as a general contractor without solar specialization noted.
| First Edison | Sun Light & Power | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 1.0 | ★ 4.8 |
| Years Licensed | 10 years | 49 years |
| License # | 1013243 | 326203 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Pleasanton, CA | Berkeley, CA |
| Website | firstedison.com | www.sunlightandpower.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Sun Light & Power
Customers consistently praise Sun Light & Power for thorough consultations with realistic projections, professional installation crews, responsive communication throughout projects, and technical competence on complex work including repairs and system upgrades.
Key Takeaway: Sun Light & Power has substantial documented customer feedback verifying their technical execution and professional approach, while First Edison lacks the review history needed to assess their actual solar capabilities and customer satisfaction patterns.
Customer Reviews
First Edison
No reviews available
Sun Light & Power
I'm on my fourth project with SL&P and I have to say that they are one of the very best contracting companies I have worked with. They are very thorough and attentive to detail. The workmanship has b...
Here are my criteria for choosing a solar vendor: Long-lived company: ✅ Competitive pricing: ✅ (similar to another bid we got, and in line with local data) Good communication: ✅ (no BS, ever ...
This team is very thorough and detail oriented - as you want when having something installed on your house that is supposed to function for over 25 years. They have been around a long time and will be...
Consider First Edison if...
- ✓ You have a very simple solar project and First Edison provides a significantly lower bid that you're comfortable with after thoroughly verifying their solar-specific references and insurance coverage
- ✓ You've worked successfully with First Edison on previous projects and have strong confidence in their ability to subcontract specialized solar work appropriately
- ✓ You're willing to accept higher risk in exchange for potential cost savings and can verify they have specific solar installation experience not reflected in their profile
Consider Sun Light & Power if...
- ✓ You want a contractor who specializes exclusively in solar and has encountered virtually every installation scenario and complication over nearly five decades
- ✓ Your project involves complexity like battery backup integration, steep roof work, system repairs, or upgrades to existing equipment where deep technical knowledge matters
- ✓ You value verifiable customer feedback showing consistent delivery on technical execution, realistic projections, and professional communication
- ✓ You want a company that will still be operating years from now if you need service, repairs, or system upgrades
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask First Edison specifically how many solar installations they've completed, request references from recent solar projects, and verify what certifications their installation crew holds
- → Ask Sun Light & Power about typical project timelines and how their pricing compares given their experience level
- → Request detailed warranties from both companies and clarify what happens if equipment fails or underperforms
- → Ask both contractors about their experience with your specific equipment brands and whether they've handled projects similar in scope and complexity to yours
The Bottom Line
Unless First Edison can provide compelling evidence of substantial solar installation experience with verifiable references, Sun Light & Power is the clear choice for most homeowners. Their 49 years of solar-specific expertise, employee ownership, and consistent customer feedback about technical competence and professional execution provide confidence that First Edison's profile simply cannot match. Solar installation is specialized work where experience diagnosing problems, integrating battery systems, and navigating utility requirements directly affects system performance and your long-term satisfaction. If First Edison's bid is substantially lower, use that as leverage with Sun Light & Power or verify exhaustively what solar-specific qualifications justify taking the risk with an unproven contractor.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. Licensing duration shows how long they've held a contractor license, but doesn't confirm solar-specific experience. Solar installation requires specialized knowledge of electrical systems, inverter technology, and utility interconnection that differs from general contracting. Without documented solar projects or customer reviews mentioning solar work, you'll need to directly verify their actual solar installation history and crew certifications before proceeding.
That depends on your project complexity and risk tolerance. Their experience means they've diagnosed thousands of installation challenges, worked with obsolete equipment, and survived industry consolidation that eliminated many competitors. For complex projects involving battery backup, system repairs, or challenging roof configurations, that depth of knowledge reduces your risk significantly. For very simple installations, the experience premium may matter less, though their verifiable customer feedback still provides assurance First Edison cannot match.
This could mean several things: they may focus on commercial work that doesn't generate public reviews, they may be a smaller operation with fewer completed projects, or residential customers simply haven't left feedback. Whatever the reason, it makes it harder for you to verify their actual performance and solar capabilities. Ask them directly for references from recent solar installations and why their online presence doesn't reflect their work history.
Their longevity actually suggests stability rather than imminent closure. Being employee-owned and having survived nearly five decades of industry changes indicates strong business fundamentals. They specifically highlight their ability to service systems installed decades ago and repair equipment from defunct manufacturers, which is precisely what you want in a solar contractor given that systems last 25-30 years.
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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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