Compare Local Pros
Got Watts? vs Alcor Solar
Contra Costa General Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Your project type determines the choice: Got Watts handles electrical and solar electric systems, while Alcor Solar exclusively installs solar pool heating.
| Got Watts? | Alcor Solar | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 3.7 |
| Years Licensed | 12 years | 37 years |
| License # | 985920 | 559721 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Pleasant Hill, CA | Concord, CA |
| Website | www.gotwatts.com | www.alcorsolar.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Got Watts?
Got Watts consistently receives praise for transparent pricing, detailed project communication, and professional installation crews across diverse electrical and solar electric projects.
Alcor Solar
Alcor Solar demonstrates effective pool heating performance and maintains decades-long customer relationships, but shows significant variability in scheduling reliability and communication professionalism.
Key Takeaway: Got Watts exhibits uniform service consistency across all customer interactions, while Alcor Solar's customer experiences range from professional and satisfactory to frustrating regarding appointment management and communication style.
Customer Reviews
Got Watts?
Got watts is incredible. Dont hesitate. Eric is so professional and experienced. They are meticulous about safety and quality and were on time had all the parts and even dealt with permits!!! They com...
Got Watts continues to do amazing work for us. They're prompt, attentive, and do high quality work. We originally had them install a large solar array and a couple of batteries for us. We recently had...
I reached out to GotWatts about adding solar panels to my home. They gave me several solid options and clearly explained efficiency, ROI, and cost. Their transparency was refreshing, and their pricing...
Alcor Solar
My family first used Alcor Solar when our first pool solar panels were installed in the 90's. We had the roof redone in 2013 and had updated pool solar panels installed then. We recently had Alcor com...
We were referred to Alcor Solar by our pool company and the referral was well justified. When they initially came to our home, they surveyed our roofs for the best panel location and measured the siz...
We got solar pool heating installed and every day in the spring, summer and fall our pool is at 80-85 degrees depending on where we set it. In the summer the pool can actually get too warm so we simp...
Consider Got Watts? if...
- ✓ You need photovoltaic solar panels for electricity generation, battery backup systems, electrical panel upgrades, EV charger installation, or any electrical work—Alcor Solar doesn't perform these services
- ✓ Consistent project communication matters to you, as Got Watts demonstrates reliable update schedules and transparent timelines throughout permitting and installation
- ✓ You're planning multiple related projects over time, since customers frequently return for system expansions and additional electrical work
- ✓ You value detailed proposals with multiple design options presented in a no-pressure environment
Consider Alcor Solar if...
- ✓ You specifically need solar pool heating installation, which is Alcor Solar's sole focus and Got Watts doesn't offer
- ✓ You're willing to tolerate scheduling inconsistencies in exchange for 37 years of specialized thermal system expertise and roof placement experience
- ✓ Your pool heating project is straightforward and you can be flexible about appointment timing and advance notice
- ✓ You prioritize heating performance results over service communication style, as systems reportedly achieve 80-85 degree pool temperatures when properly installed
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Alcor Solar: Ask how they handle appointment scheduling and whether they provide advance notice for service calls, given mixed customer feedback on communication consistency
- → For Alcor Solar: Request references specifically from customers served in the past three years to understand current service practices, not just long-term relationships from decades past
- → For either company: Confirm their timeline for obtaining permits and scheduling inspections, as this affects your project completion date
- → For either company: Ask about warranty coverage for both equipment and installation workmanship, and clarify who handles warranty service calls
The Bottom Line
Your project type makes this decision straightforward. If you need photovoltaic solar panels, battery systems, EV chargers, or any electrical work, Got Watts is your choice—Alcor Solar doesn't perform these services. If you specifically need solar pool heating, Alcor Solar is your only option between these two, but go in aware of the scheduling and communication inconsistencies reported by multiple customers. Request recent references and establish clear expectations about appointment notice upfront. For pool heating, you're trading proven 37-year heating performance expertise against service reliability concerns. For electrical solar systems, Got Watts offers consistent communication and professional execution across a much broader range of capabilities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No, Got Watts specializes in photovoltaic solar panels that generate electricity, not solar thermal systems that heat pool water. These are entirely different technologies requiring different expertise. If you need pool heating, Alcor Solar is your option from these two companies.
That depends on your flexibility and priorities. The extensive experience translates to proven expertise in roof surveys, system sizing, and heating performance. However, multiple customers report challenges with appointment timing and communication style, which could frustrate homeowners needing predictable schedules. Ask for recent references to gauge current practices.
Alcor Solar doesn't install photovoltaic solar panels—only pool heating systems. If you want solar panels to generate electricity for your home, reduce utility bills, or charge an EV, Got Watts handles that work along with battery systems and electrical upgrades. These are fundamentally different projects despite both involving 'solar' equipment.
You would need both companies, as neither offers the other's specialty. Got Watts would handle your photovoltaic solar installation and electrical work, while Alcor Solar would separately install your pool heating system. There's no overlap in services, so coordinate timing if you want both projects completed in sequence.
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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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