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Five Star Solar vs AA1 Developers
Sacramento General Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Five Star Solar brings 20 years of solar-specific experience and full insurance coverage versus AA1 Developers' 4 years as a general contractor without workers comp.
| Five Star Solar | AA1 Developers | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 20 years | 4 years |
| License # | 873535 | 1085843 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Elk Grove, CA | Citrus Heights, CA |
| Website | www.fivestarssolar.com | aa1developersinc.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Five Star Solar
Customers consistently praise Five Star Solar's combination of competitive pricing, rapid installation completion, and thorough technical education throughout the solar process.
AA1 Developers
Customers highlight AA1 Developers' professional communication and dependable project completion across their general contracting work.
Key Takeaway: Five Star Solar's reviews detail specific solar expertise like HOA navigation, battery systems, and complex installations, while AA1's feedback focuses on general professionalism without solar-specific technical depth.
Customer Reviews
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...
AA1 Developers
Does amazing work supper nice guy , would highly recommend to anyone that needs work done !!
He did an excellent job on the remodeling of my house.
Does good quality work
Consider Five Star Solar if...
- ✓ Your solar project involves complexity like HOA requirements, older roof structures that may need assessment, or integration with existing electrical systems where 20 years of troubleshooting experience matters
- ✓ You want a contractor with documented experience in battery backup systems, system expansions, or taking over incomplete solar projects from failed contractors
- ✓ Risk mitigation is important to you, and you prefer working with a fully insured contractor who won't expose your homeowner's policy to worker injury claims
- ✓ You value fast installation timelines, as Five Star consistently completes projects in 1-2 days according to customer feedback
Consider AA1 Developers if...
- ✓ You're combining solar installation with other home remodeling work and prefer a general contractor who can handle multiple project types under one contract
- ✓ You have a straightforward ground-mount solar installation without roofing complications or special approval requirements
- ✓ You're willing to verify their liability coverage details and confirm your homeowner's insurance adequately protects you given the absence of workers comp
- ✓ You prioritize working with a smaller, growing business and value the highly responsive owner involvement that customers mention
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For AA1 Developers: Ask specifically about their liability insurance coverage limits and get written confirmation. Contact your homeowner's insurance to verify you're protected if a contractor's worker is injured on your property when that contractor lacks workers comp.
- → For AA1 Developers: Ask for references from at least three solar-specific projects similar in scope to yours, and inquire how many solar installations they've completed in the past year.
- → For both: Request details on their solar installation crews—how long have the technicians been with the company, and what solar-specific training and certifications do they hold?
The Bottom Line
Five Star Solar is the clearer choice for most solar projects in this comparison. Their 20 years of solar-specific licensing, full workers compensation coverage, documented expertise with complex installations and battery systems, and consistently fast project completion timelines provide substantially more protection and capability than AA1 Developers' 4-year general contracting background. The workers comp gap alone creates liability risk that most homeowners should avoid. Consider AA1 only if you're bundling solar with other remodeling work they'd handle, have verified your insurance protection, and have a simple installation without roofing or electrical complications. For dedicated solar projects—especially anything involving your roof, HOA approvals, or battery integration—Five Star Solar's veteran experience justifies your business.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it matters significantly. Solar installations require precise electrical work, roof penetration waterproofing, and understanding how different roof materials and ages affect mounting strategies. Five Star Solar's 20 years means they've encountered complications like hidden rot, outdated electrical panels, and permit issues that newer contractors haven't faced. For straightforward ground-mount systems, the gap matters less.
If a worker is injured on your property during installation, and the contractor has no workers comp, the injured worker could potentially file a claim against your homeowner's insurance. This could affect your premiums or coverage limits. Before hiring AA1, call your insurance agent to understand your exposure and verify their general liability coverage is comprehensive.
Customer reviews specifically highlight Five Star Solar's competitive pricing, with multiple customers mentioning they chose Five Star after comparing quotes from several contractors. Their pricing appears market-competitive despite the experience advantage. Request quotes from both to compare directly.
Five Star Solar has documented customer feedback specifically about battery backup installations and system expansions, while AA1's reviews mention ground solar and remodeling but lack specific battery system references. Ask AA1 directly about their battery installation experience and request references from customers with battery systems similar to what you're considering.
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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 11, 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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