Five Star Solar vs Solace Enterprises
Sacramento General Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Five Star Solar specializes exclusively in residential solar installations while Solace Enterprises focuses primarily on commercial HVAC with solar as a secondary offering.
| Five Star Solar | Solace Enterprises | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 4.5 |
| Years Licensed | 20 years | 18 years |
| License # | 873535 | 913717 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Elk Grove, CA | Rancho Cordova, CA |
| Website | www.fivestarssolar.com | www.solace-ent.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Five Star Solar
Customers consistently praise quick residential solar installation completion, competitive pricing, thorough project education, and ongoing support years after installation.
Solace Enterprises
Customers highlight responsive commercial HVAC service, professional technicians, and reliable ongoing maintenance relationships across multiple commercial properties.
Key Takeaway: Five Star Solar's feedback documents residential solar projects with specific installation details, while Solace Enterprises' feedback centers entirely on commercial HVAC work without reflecting residential solar experience.
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...
Solace Enterprises
Called in an urgent matter when it was 110 out and our office AC broke, they were out the next morning to evaluate the issue and two days after our call we had the AC fixed. We were given options, for...
We have been working with Solace for years. All of their staff is great to work with. Thomas has been very helpful on all our commercial properties. He is very professional, timely and explains everyt...
Best Commercial HVAC contractor in North California! They are also a solar contractor!
Consider Five Star Solar if...
- ✓ You're planning a residential solar installation with battery backup or system expansion and want a contractor whose entire business model revolves around homeowner solar projects
- ✓ Your project involves HOA approval processes or complex roof configurations where 20 years of residential-specific experience provides practical value
- ✓ You prioritize quick installation timelines, as customers consistently report one to two-day completion for residential solar projects
- ✓ You want a contractor with documented experience in ongoing homeowner support and system troubleshooting years after installation
Consider Solace Enterprises if...
- ✓ You need both HVAC work and solar services for a commercial property where Solace Enterprises' primary expertise aligns with your requirements
- ✓ You're a commercial property manager seeking a contractor with documented responsiveness for urgent service situations
- ✓ You have a multi-trade project where HVAC is the primary scope and solar is a secondary consideration
- ✓ You value long-term commercial service relationships, as their reviews show ongoing maintenance contracts spanning multiple years and properties
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Solace Enterprises specifically about their residential solar portfolio: how many residential systems they've installed in the past two years and whether they can provide homeowner references for projects similar to yours
- → Ask Five Star Solar about their warranty structure and what ongoing support looks like after installation, given their documented history of long-term customer contact
- → Confirm with both companies who will physically perform the installation work and how long their current solar installation crews have been together
The Bottom Line
For a residential solar installation, Five Star Solar is the clear match between these two options. Their entire 20-year business focuses on exactly what you're planning, with customer feedback documenting residential installations, battery systems, quick completion timelines, and long-term homeowner support. Solace Enterprises is a credentialed veteran contractor, but their demonstrated expertise centers on commercial HVAC work, with no customer feedback reflecting the residential solar experience you need. Unless you're managing a commercial property needing both HVAC and solar work, choose the contractor whose documented track record aligns with your residential solar project.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For a residential solar project, specialization matters significantly. Five Star Solar's customer feedback documents exactly the residential solar work you're planning, including battery systems, HOA approvals, and quick home installation timelines. Solace Enterprises' documented expertise centers on commercial HVAC, with no customer feedback reflecting residential solar projects. A contractor whose entire business focuses on what you need typically brings more refined systems and experience to your specific project type.
Years licensed and project specialization are different qualifications. While both are veteran contractors with 18-20 years of licensing, Five Star Solar's two decades specifically reflect residential solar work with documented customer experiences in rooftop installations, battery systems, and homeowner support. Solace Enterprises' 18 years primarily demonstrate commercial HVAC expertise. For residential solar, the contractor with documented experience in your project type provides more relevant qualification than similar licensing duration alone.
Only if Solace Enterprises can demonstrate a residential solar portfolio that their current reviews don't reflect. Their credentials are solid and their commercial customer feedback is strong, but you'd need to verify they have dedicated residential solar crews and recent homeowner references. Don't assume solar contracting capability automatically translates to residential solar specialization when their documented work focuses on commercial HVAC.
Five Star Solar has documented customer experience with battery backup systems and system expansions, including taking over projects from contractors who went out of business. Their reviews specifically mention battery installations and ongoing system support. Solace Enterprises' reviews don't document residential solar expansions or battery work, so you'd need to ask them directly about their experience with residential battery integration projects before comparing the two.
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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 10, 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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