Compare Local Pros
First Edison vs Sun Light & Power
Alameda Solar Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Sun Light & Power brings 49 years of solar specialization versus First Edison's 10 years as a general contractor without documented solar experience.
| First Edison | Sun Light & Power | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 1.0 | ★ 4.8 |
| Years Licensed | 10 years | 49 years |
| License # | 1013243 | 326203 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Pleasanton, CA | Berkeley, CA |
| Website | firstedison.com | www.sunlightandpower.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Sun Light & Power
Customers consistently praise Sun Light & Power for thorough consultations with realistic projections, professional installation crews, and responsive communication that keeps projects on schedule.
Key Takeaway: Sun Light & Power has documented customer feedback confirming active solar work across multiple project types, while First Edison has no reviews or documented solar project history to verify they perform this specialized work.
Customer Reviews
First Edison
No reviews available
Sun Light & Power
I'm on my fourth project with SL&P and I have to say that they are one of the very best contracting companies I have worked with. They are very thorough and attentive to detail. The workmanship has b...
Here are my criteria for choosing a solar vendor: Long-lived company: ✅ Competitive pricing: ✅ (similar to another bid we got, and in line with local data) Good communication: ✅ (no BS, ever ...
This team is very thorough and detail oriented - as you want when having something installed on your house that is supposed to function for over 25 years. They have been around a long time and will be...
Consider First Edison if...
- ✓ Consider First Edison if their business primarily focuses on other construction services and you're exploring solar as an add-on to a larger renovation project where they'd coordinate with a solar subcontractor
- ✓ Consider them if they can provide specific solar project references and crew credentials that simply aren't reflected in their public profile
- ✓ Consider them if they offer a substantially lower price and you verify they're subcontracting the solar work to experienced installers rather than attempting it themselves
Consider Sun Light & Power if...
- ✓ Consider Sun Light & Power if you're installing a new solar system and want a company that will still be around in 20 years when your panels need service or upgrades
- ✓ Consider them if your project involves complexity like battery backup integration, steep roof angles, or upgrading an existing system where diagnosis matters as much as installation
- ✓ Consider them if you value working with installers who've seen every possible installation challenge and technology evolution over nearly five decades
- ✓ Consider them if you want the ability to call the same company for repairs, monitoring issues, or expansion years after installation when other installers may have left the industry
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask First Edison directly: How many solar installations has your company completed, and can you provide references from recent solar projects with contact information?
- → Ask First Edison: Will your own employees perform the solar installation, or will you subcontract the work? If subcontracting, who is the actual installer?
- → Ask Sun Light & Power about their current project timeline and whether their 49-year track record means they're booked further out than newer installers
- → Ask both companies about their warranty coverage and what happens if equipment fails in 10 or 15 years—Sun Light & Power's longevity is proven, but confirm warranty terms in writing
The Bottom Line
For solar installation, Sun Light & Power is the clear choice for most homeowners. Their 49 years of solar specialization, documented project history across all system types, and consistent customer feedback about technical competence provide assurance that First Edison simply cannot match without documented solar experience. First Edison may be a capable general contractor, but nothing in their profile confirms they actively install solar systems—a significant gap when you're making a multi-decade investment that requires ongoing technical support. Unless First Edison can provide substantial solar project references and explain why their solar work isn't documented anywhere, Sun Light & Power's proven track record makes them the substantially lower-risk option for this specialized work.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
The available information doesn't document any solar project history for First Edison, which is unusual if solar is an active part of their business. Before hiring them for solar work, ask directly how many systems they've installed, whether their own crews do the work, and request references from recent solar customers. If they subcontract solar installations, you need to know who actually performs the work and whether that company carries their own insurance and licensing.
For solar specifically, yes—the longevity provides concrete benefits beyond just experience. Sun Light & Power can service systems they installed decades ago, they've survived industry consolidation that eliminated many competitors, and they've navigated multiple technology generations from early panels to modern battery backup. Solar is a 25-30 year investment where you'll need support long after installation, and their track record demonstrates they'll be available when you need troubleshooting, repairs, or upgrades.
The $25,000 bond provides the same contractual protection regardless of company experience. However, the likelihood you'll need to make a bond claim differs significantly. A veteran company with 49 years of continuous operation has demonstrated financial stability and business practices that keep them solvent, while any contractor can obtain the minimum required bond. The bond protects you if work isn't completed; experience protects you by making problems less likely in the first place.
Yes, particularly for a specialized service like solar installation. Sun Light & Power's reviews confirm they actively perform the solar work described in their profile with consistent feedback about technical competence and project management. First Edison's absence of solar-related reviews or project documentation means you're taking on additional verification work to confirm they actually have solar installation capability and aren't just a licensed contractor exploring the solar market.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top solar contractors in Alameda.
Other Alameda Solar 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.