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Ridout Roofing vs Sun Light & Power
Alameda Solar Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
These are two completely different contractors: Ridout Roofing specializes in traditional roofing while Sun Light & Power focuses exclusively on solar installations.
| Ridout Roofing | Sun Light & Power | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.5 | ★ 4.8 |
| Years Licensed | 56 years | 49 years |
| License # | 260176 | 326203 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | San Leandro, CA | Berkeley, CA |
| Website | www.ridoutroofing.com | www.sunlightandpower.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Ridout Roofing
Customers appreciate Ridout's helpful office staff, professional proposal process, and efficient completion of both emergency repairs and full tear-off replacements.
Sun Light & Power
Customers consistently highlight Sun Light & Power's thorough consultations, clear technical explanations, responsive communication, and ability to repair systems installed by other companies.
Key Takeaway: Ridout's feedback centers on straightforward project execution and customer service, while Sun Light & Power receives detailed praise for technical competence and educational approach to complex solar installations.
Customer Reviews
Ridout Roofing
Rid-Out roofing did a great job 20 years ago installing a new roof. It had been a while for a full replacement, prior owners just put new roofs over the top the old, so needed to remove 4 roofs and t...
I had a great experience with this company. We hired them to tear out and replace our existing roof shingles and rain gutters. We are very happy with the work that was performed, and the way the new r...
Great customer service!
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 Ridout Roofing if...
- ✓ You need traditional roofing work: asphalt shingle replacement, tear-off of multiple existing layers, roof leak repairs, or rain gutter installation
- ✓ Your project is straightforward roofing maintenance or replacement without solar components
- ✓ You value established local presence specifically in San Leandro for roofing emergencies and warranty support
Consider Sun Light & Power if...
- ✓ You need solar panel installation, battery backup systems, or inverter upgrades for an existing array
- ✓ You have an older solar system installed by a company no longer in business and need troubleshooting or repairs
- ✓ You're evaluating solar feasibility and want detailed technical consultation from an employee-owned company with nearly five decades of solar-specific experience
- ✓ Your project involves complex solar work like steep roof installations, custom mounts, or integrating new panels with existing systems
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → If installing solar on an aging roof, ask Sun Light & Power who they recommend for roofing work before installation and whether they coordinate with roofing contractors
- → Ask Ridout Roofing whether they work with solar contractors and if their warranty covers roof penetrations made by solar installers
- → If you need both services, ask each company about timing coordination and whether warranties are affected by the other trade's work
The Bottom Line
This comparison only makes sense if you're planning both roofing and solar work. Ridout Roofing handles traditional roofing—shingle replacements, tear-offs, and repairs—with 56 years of local experience in San Leandro. Sun Light & Power specializes exclusively in solar photovoltaic systems and battery storage, bringing 49 years of solar-specific expertise as an employee-owned business. Both are veteran contractors with proper insurance and bonding. If you only need roofing work, choose Ridout. If you only need solar, choose Sun Light & Power. If you need both, contact Sun Light & Power first to assess your roof suitability for solar, then coordinate with Ridout for any necessary roofing work before installation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No, these contractors serve different trades. Ridout Roofing specializes in traditional roofing work without solar services, while Sun Light & Power focuses exclusively on solar systems. If you need both, you'll hire them separately and coordinate the timing so roofing work is completed before solar installation.
If your roof has fewer than 10-15 years of remaining life, most solar contractors recommend replacement first to avoid the expense of removing and reinstalling panels later. Ask Sun Light & Power to assess your roof condition during consultation, then determine if Ridout should handle replacement before solar work begins.
Contact the solar contractor first for a site assessment. Sun Light & Power can evaluate whether your roof structure and condition are suitable for solar, which informs whether you need Ridout's roofing services before installation. This prevents paying for roofing work that doesn't align with solar layout requirements.
The seven-year difference is less significant than the fact that both are veteran contractors with nearly five decades in their respective specialties. Both have survived multiple economic cycles and technology changes. What matters more is that each brings deep expertise to fundamentally different trades that require different technical knowledge.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top solar contractors in Alameda.
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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 12, 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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