Compare Local Pros
Got Watts? vs Alcor Solar
Contra Costa Solar Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Got Watts offers modern solar electricity systems with consistent communication, while Alcor Solar specializes exclusively in pool heating with 37 years of niche experience but inconsistent service interactions.
| Got Watts? | Alcor Solar | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 3.7 |
| Years Licensed | 12 years | 37 years |
| License # | 985920 | 559721 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Pleasant Hill, CA | Concord, CA |
| Website | www.gotwatts.com | www.alcorsolar.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Got Watts?
Got Watts customers consistently praise transparent pricing, non-pressured sales, detailed communication throughout projects, and professional installation quality.
Alcor Solar
Alcor Solar customers report effective heating performance and long-term relationships spanning decades, but also describe inconsistent scheduling practices and variable communication professionalism.
Key Takeaway: Got Watts demonstrates reliable customer service consistency across multiple project types, while Alcor Solar's operational practices vary significantly between customers despite strong technical performance.
Customer Reviews
Got Watts?
Got watts is incredible. Dont hesitate. Eric is so professional and experienced. They are meticulous about safety and quality and were on time had all the parts and even dealt with permits!!! They com...
Got Watts continues to do amazing work for us. They're prompt, attentive, and do high quality work. We originally had them install a large solar array and a couple of batteries for us. We recently had...
I reached out to GotWatts about adding solar panels to my home. They gave me several solid options and clearly explained efficiency, ROI, and cost. Their transparency was refreshing, and their pricing...
Alcor Solar
My family first used Alcor Solar when our first pool solar panels were installed in the 90's. We had the roof redone in 2013 and had updated pool solar panels installed then. We recently had Alcor com...
We were referred to Alcor Solar by our pool company and the referral was well justified. When they initially came to our home, they surveyed our roofs for the best panel location and measured the siz...
We got solar pool heating installed and every day in the spring, summer and fall our pool is at 80-85 degrees depending on where we set it. In the summer the pool can actually get too warm so we simp...
Consider Got Watts? if...
- ✓ You need solar panels for electricity generation, battery storage, EV charging, or any electrical work beyond pool heating
- ✓ Consistent communication and project updates are important to you throughout the installation process
- ✓ You value detailed proposals with multiple design options and transparent pricing without sales pressure
- ✓ You want a contractor with experience handling permits, utility coordination, and inspection processes for complex residential energy systems
Consider Alcor Solar if...
- ✓ You specifically need solar pool heating installed or maintained, not electricity-generating solar panels
- ✓ You have an older pool heating system from Alcor Solar that needs updating or replacement
- ✓ You prioritize deep specialized experience in solar thermal systems and proper sizing for pool applications
- ✓ You're comfortable with potential scheduling flexibility and can adapt to less predictable appointment timing
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Alcor Solar about their current scheduling practices and whether they provide advance notice for service appointments
- → Ask Alcor Solar how they've addressed past customer concerns about communication and professionalism
- → Ask Got Watts for references from solar electric projects similar in scope to what you're planning
- → Clarify which company handles the specific type of solar system you actually need, as these are entirely different technologies
The Bottom Line
Choose Got Watts if you need solar panels for electricity generation, battery backup, EV charging, or any electrical work—they operate in a completely different technology area than Alcor Solar, with consistent communication and professional project management. Choose Alcor Solar only if you specifically need solar pool heating, where their 37 years of specialized experience provides valuable technical depth, but be prepared to establish clear scheduling and communication expectations upfront given their mixed service feedback. Most homeowners researching solar are looking for electricity generation, which makes Got Watts the relevant choice. If you actually need pool heating, Alcor Solar has the expertise despite operational concerns worth addressing directly.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No, they're completely different technologies. Got Watts installs photovoltaic panels that generate electricity to power your home, potentially eliminating utility bills and qualifying for tax credits. Alcor Solar installs solar thermal collectors that circulate water through panels to heat your pool, extending your swimming season but not producing electricity. Make sure you're contacting the contractor for the system type you actually need.
The experience difference matters within their respective specialties, not between them. Alcor Solar's nearly four decades means extensive knowledge of pool heating system sizing and thermal collector placement. Got Watts' 12 years covers the relevant period for modern solar electric technology, battery systems, and EV charging infrastructure. For pool heating, Alcor Solar has more experience; for electrical solar systems, Got Watts operates in the correct field entirely.
Longevity demonstrates technical capability and business survival, but doesn't guarantee consistent customer service practices. Multiple Alcor Solar customers report challenges with appointment timing and communication style, suggesting operational inconsistencies that persist despite their technical expertise. If you choose Alcor Solar for pool heating, address scheduling expectations and communication preferences upfront to set clear parameters.
No. Alcor Solar focuses exclusively on solar pool heating and doesn't install photovoltaic solar panels for electricity. Got Watts handles solar electric systems, batteries, and electrical work but doesn't specialize in solar pool heating. These are distinct industries requiring different expertise, equipment, and licensing focus. Contact the company that matches your actual project type.
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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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