Compare Local Pros
Aztec Solar vs Five Star Solar
Sacramento General Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Aztec Solar brings 37 years of licensing experience versus Five Star Solar's 20 years, with both offering strong veteran credentials but Aztec showing nearly twice the operational longevity.
| Aztec Solar | Five Star Solar | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.2 | ★ 4.9 |
| Years Licensed | 37 years | 20 years |
| License # | 550110 | 873535 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Rancho Cordova, CA | Elk Grove, CA |
| Website | aztecsolar.com | www.fivestarssolar.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Aztec Solar
Aztec Solar customers consistently emphasize the educational, non-pushy sales process and professional installation crews, with strong communication throughout projects but occasional mentions of post-installation service scheduling challenges.
Five Star Solar
Five Star Solar customers highlight competitive pricing as a decision factor, remarkably fast installation completion in one to two days, and ongoing owner involvement with responsive support years after installation.
Key Takeaway: Five Star Solar demonstrates a clear operational focus on speed and price competitiveness, while Aztec Solar customers prioritize the thorough educational approach and breadth of technical expertise across multiple solar system types.
Customer Reviews
Aztec Solar
We purchased a home with an unheated in-ground pool in Grass Valley. Discouraged by the thought of the ridiculous cost of gas heating the water, we looked into solar options. We called Aztec Solar and...
Aztec Solar came out and installed solar panels and a battery at our house. We were really happy with the whole process, they communicated well, did what they said they would and everything seems to b...
Easy to work with and transparent about what a system can realistically output.
Five Star Solar
The folks at Five Star Solar were professional, experienced, fast, organized, and available for questions and communication. My solar system has been working flawlessly since they installed it. I had ...
In October 2025, I saw an ad about installing solar panels. I called my company, and they filed for bankruptcy. I called other companies, and they told me that they won't finish by December deadline f...
Like so many of us that were going to do some type of solar project at some point we now had to scramble to get our solar projects completed by year end due to the abandonment of the Tax Credit. I was...
Consider Aztec Solar if...
- ✓ You're installing pool solar heating alongside or instead of photovoltaic panels, as Aztec Solar maintains active expertise in both solar thermal and electric generation systems.
- ✓ You value a company that has operated continuously through multiple solar industry cycles and technology transitions, providing confidence in long-term warranty support and parts availability.
- ✓ You prefer an educational sales approach with patient explanation of options rather than focusing primarily on competitive pricing.
- ✓ Your project involves coordination with roofing contractors or complex HOA requirements where Aztec's experience managing multi-party projects is documented.
Consider Five Star Solar if...
- ✓ Price competitiveness is a primary decision factor and you're obtaining multiple quotes, as Five Star Solar customers consistently mention pricing as a key reason for selection.
- ✓ You want the fastest possible installation timeline, with Five Star Solar demonstrating ability to complete many projects in one to two days versus typical multi-day installations.
- ✓ High owner involvement matters to you for responsiveness and direct accountability, as customers note ongoing contact with ownership years after installation.
- ✓ You need a company experienced in taking over incomplete projects or handling complex design requirements, which Five Star Solar has documented capability managing.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask both companies for references from projects completed 5-10 years ago to assess their long-term service commitment and warranty support track record.
- → Request detailed timeline estimates and ask Five Star Solar specifically how they achieve faster installation completion and whether that affects crew size or working hours.
- → Ask Aztec Solar about their current service capacity for post-installation support, given customer feedback mentioning occasional challenges with repair scheduling.
- → Inquire about warranty transferability and company succession plans, particularly relevant given both companies' veteran status and what happens if ownership transitions.
The Bottom Line
Both Aztec Solar and Five Star Solar are legitimate veteran contractors with full insurance and bonding, so you're choosing between two solid options rather than identifying red flags. Aztec Solar's 37-year history provides the deepest experience base and broader service range including pool solar systems, making them the choice if you value maximum operational longevity or need thermal solar expertise. Five Star Solar offers competitive pricing and remarkably fast installation timelines with high owner involvement, making them the better fit if cost and speed are priorities and 20 years of licensing history provides sufficient confidence. Get detailed quotes from both with identical equipment specifications, then decide whether Aztec's additional 17 years of experience justifies any price difference for your specific situation.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
Aztec Solar's 37 years of continuous operation does suggest organizational stability for long-term support, but warranty coverage depends on specific manufacturer and workmanship terms both companies offer. Ask both contractors about their warranty claim response times and request references from customers 10+ years post-installation. Some Aztec Solar customers mentioned challenges scheduling service calls, so verify current service department capacity directly.
Customer feedback indicates Five Star Solar regularly completes installations in one to two days, which is notably quick for residential solar projects. This likely reflects efficient crew coordination and possibly larger team deployment. Ask them directly how they achieve these timelines and whether faster installation affects project thoroughness, crew availability for your specific dates, or requires longer working hours.
Five Star Solar customers specifically mention competitive pricing as a deciding factor after obtaining multiple quotes, suggesting they may offer lower prices than competitors. However, pricing depends on your specific system size, equipment selection, and site conditions. Obtain detailed quotes from both companies with identical equipment specifications to make a meaningful comparison, and verify what's included in post-installation support.
Both companies qualify as veterans with 20+ years of licensing, so you're not comparing an established contractor to a newcomer. The 17-year difference between them matters most for long-term service confidence and breadth of experience with older system types. If Five Star Solar offers meaningfully lower pricing, their 20 years still represents substantial stability. Focus your decision on which company's operational approach, timeline, and total cost including warranties better matches your priorities.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top general contractors in Sacramento.
Other Sacramento General Contractors Comparisons
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 13, 2026.
This comparison is based on publicly available information. We recommend getting multiple quotes and verifying all credentials directly before hiring.
Get in Touch
Have questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you.