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Five Star Solar vs Cova Builders
Sacramento General Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Five Star Solar brings 20 years of specialized solar experience with extensive customer feedback, while Cova Builders is a newer general contractor without solar-specific track record.
| Five Star Solar | Cova Builders | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 4.0 |
| Years Licensed | 20 years | 5 years |
| License # | 873535 | 1075033 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Elk Grove, CA | Elk Grove, CA |
| Website | www.fivestarssolar.com | — |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Five Star Solar
Customers consistently praise Five Star Solar for fast installation completion, competitive pricing, thorough education during the sales process, and maintaining supportive communication years after project completion.
Key Takeaway: Five Star Solar has extensive verifiable customer feedback demonstrating solar expertise, while Cova Builders has no documented reviews or solar project history to evaluate their capability in this specialized trade.
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...
Cova Builders
No reviews available
Consider Five Star Solar if...
- ✓ You want a contractor who specializes exclusively in solar and has handled hundreds of installations over two decades, reducing the risk of costly design or installation errors
- ✓ Competitive pricing matters to you, and you want documented evidence from actual customers that the company delivers value without high-pressure sales tactics
- ✓ Your project involves complexities like HOA approvals, battery backup integration, or system expansions where specialized solar experience is critical
- ✓ You value ongoing support after installation, as customers report Five Star Solar maintains contact and addresses questions years later
Consider Cova Builders if...
- ✓ You have an unusual project that combines solar installation with other general construction work where a general contractor's broader license might be beneficial
- ✓ You're willing to thoroughly vet a contractor without solar-specific customer feedback by requesting detailed references from solar projects they claim to have completed
- ✓ You have time to validate their solar installation capability, crew experience with solar systems, and relationships with solar equipment manufacturers and utility companies
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Cova Builders for specific references from completed solar installations, including contact information for homeowners and details about system size, battery integration, and how long ago the work was completed
- → Ask Cova Builders about their crew's solar-specific certifications, experience with your preferred equipment brands, and how many solar projects they complete annually
- → Ask both companies about warranty coverage, who handles service calls if issues arise, and their process for system monitoring and maintenance support
The Bottom Line
For a solar installation, Five Star Solar is the clear choice for most Elk Grove homeowners. Their 20 years of dedicated solar experience, extensive positive customer feedback, documented track record with quick installations and competitive pricing, and proven ability to handle complex scenarios provide significantly better protection for your investment than a general contractor with no verifiable solar experience. Unless you have a hybrid project requiring substantial general construction work alongside solar, choosing a specialized solar contractor with two decades of proven results makes practical and financial sense. Contact Five Star Solar first, and only consider Cova Builders if they can provide detailed references from multiple recent solar installations similar to yours.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it matters significantly for this type of project. Solar installation requires specialized knowledge of electrical system design, battery integration, utility interconnection requirements, and manufacturer-specific installation protocols that void warranties if not followed precisely. Five Star Solar's 20 years and extensive customer feedback demonstrate proven capability, while Cova Builders has no documented solar experience to evaluate.
Without customer reviews, you cannot verify how Cova Builders performs on actual solar projects—whether they complete work on schedule, handle complications effectively, or provide accurate system design. Five Star Solar's consistent feedback about one-to-two day installations, competitive pricing, and ongoing support gives you concrete expectations. With Cova Builders, you would be taking on significantly more risk without evidence of solar-specific capability.
For solar installation, absolutely. Two decades means Five Star Solar has navigated multiple generations of solar technology, changing utility regulations, evolving permitting requirements, and thousands of unique installation scenarios. This experience translates to better problem-solving when complications arise, more accurate project timelines, and established relationships with inspectors and utilities that smooth the approval process.
That's uncertain and potentially risky. Five Star Solar already receives consistent feedback about competitive pricing, suggesting their specialization creates efficiency that keeps costs down. A general contractor without solar specialization might underbid initially but face unexpected costs during installation due to inexperience, or they might subcontract the solar work anyway, adding a markup. Always compare detailed written quotes and verify what's included.
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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 13, 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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