Compare Local Pros
Solar Savings Direct vs Excite Energy
El Dorado General Contractors Comparison · Updated April 2026
Solar Savings Direct brings 7 additional years of veteran experience but lacks workers compensation insurance, creating liability risk that Excite Energy eliminates.
| Solar Savings Direct | Excite Energy | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.8 | ★ 4.9 |
| Years Licensed | 16 ✓ | 9 |
| Workers Comp | No | Yes ✓ |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Experience Tier | Veteran ✓ | Experienced |
| Location | Shingle Springs | El Dorado Hills |
| Website | solarsavingsdirect.com | exciteenergy.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Solar Savings Direct
Customers consistently praise Solar Savings Direct for fast 1-2 day installations, professional crews, thorough cleanup, and competitive pricing with responsive communication.
Excite Energy
Customers highlight Excite Energy's detailed technical proposals with 3-D modeling, no-pressure sales approach, competitive pricing, and strong warranty support with engineering expertise.
Key Takeaway: Solar Savings Direct emphasizes installation speed and efficiency while Excite Energy focuses on detailed upfront engineering analysis and technical system optimization.
Customer Reviews
Solar Savings Direct
I love my system from SSD! The process was very expedient, only taking a few months, and my Tesla system works wonderfully! The salesman had me get 20% more solar than I needed, and that was the right...
The job was done in a timely manner with 4 men being so kind and efficient. They worked hard and got the job done faster than I would have thought possible.
I am updating my review due to the performance of the system which is far better than the Tesla unit we have in our main house - far far better - do not go with Tesla! In our main house we paid A LOT ...
Excite Energy
Great experience with Excite Energy. Everyone we dealt with was professional and they went out of their way to meet the timeline. The install looks great and exceeded our expectations. I highly recomm...
Excite installed my Tesla 3 Battery/Powerwall. It was a good experience. Will was my installer and he was very meticulous with his workmanship and very helpful in answering my questions. I highly reco...
My original inverter failed and I needed a replacement. Contacted Excite Energy after a positive recommendation. Heath immediately ordered a more modern inverter, contacted me when it arrived and di...
Consider Solar Savings Direct if...
- ✓ You're willing to verify that your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries and accept the liability risk in exchange for Solar Savings Direct's competitive pricing
- ✓ Your installation is straightforward and you value the company's track record of completing projects in 1-2 days with minimal disruption
- ✓ You want the perspective of a 16-year veteran contractor who has navigated multiple changes in solar technology, utility policies, and permitting requirements
- ✓ You appreciate a no-pressure sales process and responsive communication backed by nearly two decades of industry presence
Consider Excite Energy if...
- ✓ Workers compensation coverage is a non-negotiable requirement and you want zero liability exposure if a crew member is injured on your property
- ✓ Your project involves complex energy analysis, unusual roof geometry, or technical challenges where detailed 3-D modeling and engineering expertise add value
- ✓ You value Excite Energy's documented warranty support and technical troubleshooting capabilities for inverter issues and system upgrades
- ✓ You prefer working with a fully compliant contractor who meets all state insurance requirements without requiring verification of your own coverage gaps
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Solar Savings Direct directly about liability coverage and confirm with your homeowner's insurance agent whether your policy covers contractor injuries and what your deductible would be
- → Ask Excite Energy for references from projects with similar complexity to yours, particularly if your installation involves unusual roof geometry or technical challenges
- → Ask both companies about their warranty support process and typical response times for post-installation issues or equipment troubleshooting
The Bottom Line
For most homeowners, Excite Energy is the safer choice with full workers compensation coverage, strong technical expertise, and 9 years of proven performance—eliminating liability risk while delivering detailed engineering and responsive warranty support. Solar Savings Direct makes sense only if you've confirmed adequate homeowner's insurance coverage for contractor injuries and value their additional 7 years of veteran experience for particularly complex installations. Don't let competitive pricing override the very real financial risk of missing workers comp. If choosing Solar Savings Direct, get written confirmation of liability coverage before signing and budget time to verify your insurance protections.
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Frequently Asked Questions
If a Solar Savings Direct crew member is injured on your property, you could be held liable for medical costs and lost wages. Your homeowner's insurance may provide some coverage, but policies vary and you should verify limits with your insurance agent before signing a contract. Excite Energy carries workers comp, eliminating this risk entirely.
Yes, particularly for problem-solving during complications. Solar Savings Direct's 16 years means they've handled more roof types, dealt with utility policy changes, and encountered edge cases that newer contractors haven't seen. For straightforward installations this matters less, but for older homes or complex layouts, veteran experience helps avoid costly mistakes.
Review patterns suggest Excite Energy provides more detailed technical modeling upfront to optimize battery sizing and backup circuits, while Solar Savings Direct focuses on efficient installation and competitive pricing. Both complete Powerwall projects successfully, but Excite Energy's engineering emphasis may benefit complex backup requirements while Solar Savings Direct's speed suits straightforward installations.
Solar Savings Direct's lack of workers comp may contribute to more competitive pricing since insurance is a significant overhead cost. However, any savings should be weighed against your liability exposure. Request detailed quotes from both companies and factor in the cost of verifying or upgrading your homeowner's insurance coverage if choosing Solar Savings Direct.
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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 April 15, 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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