Compare Local Pros
California Renewable Energy vs Coldwell Energy
Placer General Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Coldwell Energy brings nearly triple the licensing experience (14 years vs 5 years), which matters for diagnosing roof conditions and navigating complex solar permitting.
| California Renewable Energy | Coldwell Energy | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 4.8 |
| Years Licensed | 5 years | 14 years |
| License # | 1068801 | 969149 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Roseville, CA | Rocklin, CA |
| Website | care.green | coldwellenergy.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
California Renewable Energy
Customers consistently highlight California Renewable Energy's financing assistance and thorough consultation process, with regular communication throughout diverse project types from solar to HVAC.
Coldwell Energy
Customers emphasize Coldwell Energy's smooth installation execution and professional workmanship across both residential and large-scale agricultural solar projects, with effective systems performance after completion.
Key Takeaway: California Renewable Energy receives specific praise for financing navigation and multi-service coordination, while Coldwell Energy's feedback centers on technical execution quality and handling complex installations including agricultural arrays.
Customer Reviews
California Renewable Energy
Had new heatpump and energy efficient water tank installed. Contracted work to other installation companies. Managed install work for both with no issues. I would use them again.
Jeff was very easy and pleasant to talk to about the cost of a new roof and gutters
Thomas and Brent with California Renewable Energy are amazing!! They walked us through every step, they addressed any questions or concerns we had right away, both are very friendly/professional and m...
Coldwell Energy
Update: After posting this review, I was contacted directly by Coldwell Solar's president, Sean, who assigned a team to work on our behalf to get the issues addressed. Coldwell has done an outstanding...
Super excited to be work with Coldwell Solar team on our next solar project. Check out their community solar program and the renewable solar credits. Huge opportunities to save on energy costs.
Coldwell Solar installed two arrays for us. The whole process went extremely smooth and the systems are working great.
Consider California Renewable Energy if...
- ✓ You're planning multiple home upgrades beyond solar, such as combining a solar installation with new windows, HVAC replacement, or roofing work, and prefer coordinating through one contractor
- ✓ Financing flexibility is a priority and you need help identifying programs that fit your budget constraints, as customers consistently mention California Renewable Energy's assistance in this area
- ✓ You value a diverse service offering that allows you to establish a relationship with one contractor for various home energy and improvement needs over time
Consider Coldwell Energy if...
- ✓ Your project involves technical complexity such as an older or complicated roof structure where 14 years of diagnostic experience could prevent costly surprises mid-project
- ✓ You're considering a larger scale installation, including agricultural or commercial solar applications, where Coldwell Energy has demonstrated capability with tracker and fixed array systems
- ✓ You prioritize deep specialization in solar over service breadth, valuing a contractor whose established track record centers specifically on renewable energy installations
- ✓ Your property may present permitting challenges where long-standing relationships with local building departments could streamline approval processes
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask California Renewable Energy which services they self-perform versus coordinate through partner companies, and request references specifically for solar projects similar to yours in scope
- → Ask Coldwell Energy about their experience with residential projects if you're a homeowner, since their reviews emphasize agricultural work, and confirm typical project timelines
- → For either company, ask how they handle complications discovered during installation, such as roof repairs needed before solar mounting or electrical panel upgrades
The Bottom Line
For most residential solar installations, Coldwell Energy's 14 years of licensing experience provides meaningful advantages in diagnosing complications, navigating permitting, and handling unexpected issues that arise during installation. Their established track record and solar specialization make them the stronger choice for technically complex projects or properties with challenging roof conditions. However, if you're planning multiple home improvements beyond solar, need significant financing assistance, or value coordinating various upgrades through one contractor, California Renewable Energy's broader service offering and demonstrated strength in financing guidance may better serve your needs. Get quotes from both, but lean toward Coldwell Energy for solar-focused projects unless bundling services or financing help tips the scales.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward installations on newer homes with simple roof layouts, both companies have sufficient experience. The experience gap becomes more valuable if your roof is older, has multiple planes or angles, or if you've had previous roofing issues. Coldwell Energy's longer track record means they've likely encountered more edge cases and developed solutions for complications that newer contractors haven't yet faced.
California Renewable Energy coordinates solar installations through partner companies while managing the customer experience, which can work well if coordination is strong. Ask them specifically how many solar projects they've completed in the past year and request references from solar customers. Their multi-service model is advantageous if you're bundling projects, but ensure their solar partner has comparable experience to what Coldwell Energy brings directly.
California Renewable Energy receives consistent customer feedback about helping navigate financing options and working within budget constraints. This appears to be a particular strength of their customer consultation process. If financing flexibility is crucial to making your project happen, their demonstrated track record in this area gives them an edge.
No, agricultural experience actually demonstrates technical capability with larger, more complex systems. It shows they can handle scale and complexity beyond typical residential installs. However, confirm their residential project volume and request references from homeowners to ensure they provide the same attention to smaller projects that California Renewable Energy, which focuses on residential work, clearly demonstrates.
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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 10, 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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