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Five Star Solar vs Modernize Power
Sacramento General Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Five Star Solar brings twice the licensing experience focused exclusively on solar, while Modernize Power offers a multi-trade approach for homeowners bundling projects.
| Five Star Solar | Modernize Power | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 4.8 |
| Years Licensed | 20 years | 10 years |
| License # | 873535 | 1007601 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Elk Grove, CA | Folsom, CA |
| Website | www.fivestarssolar.com | www.modernizepower.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Five Star Solar
Customers consistently praise remarkably fast installation timelines, competitive pricing, and thorough education during the sales process with no pressure tactics.
Modernize Power
Feedback emphasizes professional coordination of multi-system projects, detailed technical explanations across various trades, and smooth permit handling for complex upgrades.
Key Takeaway: Five Star Solar's reviews focus on solar installation speed and specialization, while Modernize Power's customers highlight successful completion of bundled projects involving multiple home systems under one contract.
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...
Modernize Power
Eric from Modernize Power did a fantastic job during the sales process, ensuring we got the right system for our needs. Our new solar and battery system is in the early days, but we produce what we ne...
Modernize Power installed a whole home battery backup system and I couldn't be happier. The entire process went smoothly and quick. All the employees we're very nice and extremely professional. I wou...
Had Solar, whole house fan and Generac generator installed by this company! From the top down with Eric Caldwell to all of the staff, I am blown away by the precision, process and people they have! Th...
Consider Five Star Solar if...
- ✓ Your project is solar-focused without additional trades involved, and you want a contractor who has seen every solar scenario over two decades
- ✓ You're working with an older home or complex roof configuration where veteran-level troubleshooting experience matters for hidden challenges
- ✓ Speed of installation is a priority, as customer feedback consistently mentions one to two-day completion timelines
- ✓ You prefer a contractor whose entire business model and crew expertise centers exclusively on photovoltaic systems rather than splitting attention across multiple trades
Consider Modernize Power if...
- ✓ You're planning to bundle solar with other projects like generator installation, roof replacement, electrical panel upgrades, or HVAC work and want one contractor coordinating everything
- ✓ You need a whole house generator alongside your solar system and want expertise in Generac systems specifically
- ✓ Your project timeline allows for a contractor managing multiple trades rather than a solar-only speed specialist
- ✓ You value having established experience across interconnected systems like solar, electrical, and backup power under one contract
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Five Star Solar how their specialized focus translates to warranty support and long-term system monitoring compared to a multi-trade contractor
- → Ask Modernize Power how they coordinate solar installations when roofing or electrical work is involved, and whether the same crew handles all trades or they subcontract
- → Request references from projects similar to yours in complexity, particularly if you have an older roof, HOA requirements, or are bundling multiple systems
- → Ask both contractors about their experience with your specific equipment preferences and whether they recommend particular brands based on Sacramento climate conditions
The Bottom Line
If your project is solar-only and you value the deepest possible expertise from a company that has done nothing but solar for 20 years, Five Star Solar is the clearer choice with proven speed and specialized focus. Choose Modernize Power if you're bundling solar with generators, roofing, electrical upgrades, or other trades and want the convenience of single-contractor coordination. Both are properly insured, bonded, and receive strong customer feedback, so this decision comes down to specialization versus scope. For a standalone solar installation on a straightforward property, Five Star Solar's veteran experience and installation speed give them the edge. For a comprehensive home energy upgrade involving multiple systems, Modernize Power's multi-trade capability provides better value and coordination.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For a simple, newer roof with no complications, both contractors have sufficient experience to complete the work professionally. The gap becomes meaningful if you have an older home where hidden issues might emerge, complex roof angles requiring custom mounting solutions, or if you're pushing system capacity limits. Five Star Solar's 20 years means they've encountered more edge cases and permitting evolution specific to solar.
Only if you're seriously planning the generator within the next year or two and want warranty and service continuity. Otherwise, choose based on your immediate solar project needs. Five Star Solar can coordinate electrical panel sizing for future generator capacity, and you can hire a generator specialist later without losing meaningful value.
Modernize Power handles both roofing and solar, which simplifies coordination and creates single-point accountability for how the roof and solar system interact. However, ask specifically whether their roofing crew has experience with the structural considerations solar installations require, or if they partner with roofing subcontractors. Five Star Solar would require you to coordinate separately with a roofer first.
Five Star Solar's customer feedback consistently mentions one to two-day installation completion for standard residential systems, suggesting their specialized crews work with notable efficiency. Modernize Power receives praise for on-time completion but without the same emphasis on exceptionally fast turnaround. If you have a tight deadline, ask each contractor for their typical installation timeline for a system your size.
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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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