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Hooked On Solar vs Studebaker Electric
Placer General Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Both are veteran contractors with similar credentials, but Hooked On Solar specializes in solar while Studebaker Electric is a general electrical contractor.
| Hooked On Solar | Studebaker Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.4 | ★ 4.0 |
| Years Licensed | 16 years | 15 years |
| License # | 949707 | 957296 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Rocklin, CA | Loomis, CA |
| Website | www.hookedonsolar.com | studebakerelectric.net |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Hooked On Solar
Customers consistently highlight organized installation crews, thorough project communication, and expertise with permitting and utility coordination specific to solar projects.
Key Takeaway: Hooked On Solar has verifiable customer feedback demonstrating solar installation competency, while Studebaker Electric lacks documented solar project history despite veteran licensing status.
Customer Reviews
Hooked On Solar
I would recommend Hooked on Solar. I know they were really busy this fall and they worked hard to get us installed before the end of the year, even with some unexpected hurdles (that they had no contr...
We were very pleased with our experience working with Hooked On Solar to get our solar project completed. From our initial contact and all the way through the project everyone we spoke with was knowle...
Solid company. The staff were communicative and helpful. Did everything they said they would. I'd use them again.
Studebaker Electric
Great quality of professional work.
Consider Hooked On Solar if...
- ✓ You need a contractor with documented experience navigating HOA approvals and utility interconnection processes specific to solar installations
- ✓ Your project includes battery storage systems like Tesla Powerwall or Franklin batteries that require specialized knowledge beyond basic electrical work
- ✓ You want verifiable customer feedback about installation quality, crew organization, and project communication
- ✓ You may need future system expansions or upgrades and value working with a company customers return to for additional work
Consider Studebaker Electric if...
- ✓ You need general electrical work completed alongside solar installation and prefer a single contractor for both
- ✓ You have straightforward solar requirements and can thoroughly verify their solar experience through direct references
- ✓ You already know Studebaker Electric from other electrical projects and trust their capabilities
- ✓ You're comfortable being an early solar customer for this company and accept the lack of verifiable solar-specific feedback
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Studebaker Electric for specific references from recent solar projects, including details about system size, battery integration, and permitting timelines
- → Confirm which solar manufacturers and battery systems Studebaker Electric has installation experience with and whether they handle utility coordination in-house
- → Ask both companies how they handle post-installation service issues and warranty support for solar equipment
- → Request details about their installation crew's solar-specific training and how long team members have worked together
The Bottom Line
For a solar installation, Hooked On Solar is the more defensible choice. Their 16 years of documented solar specialization, customer feedback about successful installations, and demonstrated experience with permitting and utility coordination directly address the requirements your project demands. Studebaker Electric may be a capable electrical contractor, but their limited review history and lack of documented solar experience creates uncertainty you shouldn't accept when better-verified options exist. If you're considering Studebaker Electric, insist on speaking with recent solar customers and verifying their experience with your specific equipment and utility provider before signing a contract.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For solar installations, specialization provides significant practical advantages. Solar projects require coordination with utilities, familiarity with net metering programs, experience with inverter and battery systems, and knowledge of rapidly changing solar equipment. Hooked On Solar demonstrates documented experience with these requirements, while Studebaker Electric's capabilities in solar remain unverified. An electrical license permits solar work, but experience executing it successfully matters for your project outcome.
The limited review history could mean several things: they may focus on commercial work rather than residential projects, they might not actively request customer feedback, or their business volume may be lower. For your decision, this means you cannot verify their installation quality, communication style, or problem-solving approach through independent customer experiences. You'll need to request direct references and verify their solar experience thoroughly before hiring.
The one-year difference in licensing is negligible between veteran contractors. What matters more is how that time was spent. Hooked On Solar's 16 years show documented solar specialization with customer feedback about successful projects, while Studebaker Electric's 15 years lack evidence of solar focus. The specialization gap is more significant than the licensing duration difference.
Price differences should prompt questions about scope and experience rather than automatic acceptance. If Studebaker Electric quotes lower, verify they understand all solar-specific requirements: utility coordination, net metering setup, HOA approvals if needed, and proper equipment selection. A lower price from a contractor without documented solar experience may reflect underestimated project complexity. Get detailed scope documentation from both companies before deciding based on price alone.
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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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