Compare Local Pros
Got Watts? vs Illuminate Solar Company
Contra Costa Solar Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Illuminate Solar Company brings four additional years of solar-specific experience, while Got Watts offers broader electrical service capabilities beyond solar.
| Got Watts? | Illuminate Solar Company | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 4.0 |
| Years Licensed | 12 years | 16 years |
| License # | 985920 | 937645 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Pleasant Hill, CA | Walnut Creek, CA |
| Website | www.gotwatts.com | www.illuminatesolar.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Got Watts?
Customers consistently highlight Got Watts' detailed proposal process with multiple design options, transparent pricing, and no-pressure sales approach combined with regular project updates.
Illuminate Solar Company
Customers emphasize Illuminate Solar Company's on-time project completion, high owner involvement with direct communication, and professional installation crew performance.
Key Takeaway: Got Watts receives specific feedback about providing multiple system options and detailed cost breakdowns, while Illuminate Solar customers focus more on direct owner communication and schedule reliability.
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...
Illuminate Solar Company
We had a solar system and battery installed recently and it went off without any issues. Great communication from the owner. Can’t wait to send them some referrals.
Mark and his crew did a wonderful job installing my solar panels. They came to work when they said they would, finished on time. I am so happy with the panels and paying nothing for electricity includ...
Mark and his crew were honest, down to earth, communicative and did a great job.
Consider Got Watts? if...
- ✓ You need electrical work beyond solar, such as panel upgrades to support your new system, EV charger installation, or HVAC upgrades that make sense to coordinate with solar work
- ✓ You value having multiple system design options presented with detailed cost comparisons before deciding on your approach
- ✓ You prefer a no-pressure sales process with transparent pricing breakdowns and want time to evaluate different configurations
- ✓ You anticipate future electrical projects and want to establish a relationship with a contractor who can handle battery additions, electrical upgrades, and other work over time
Consider Illuminate Solar Company if...
- ✓ Your project is straightforward solar and battery storage without additional electrical complications
- ✓ You value working with a company that has focused exclusively on solar for 16 years and has seen virtually every solar installation scenario
- ✓ You prefer high owner involvement and direct communication with the business owner throughout your project
- ✓ You want a contractor whose entire business model and crew training centers on photovoltaic system optimization rather than solar as one service among many
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Got Watts how many solar installations they complete annually compared to other electrical work, and whether the same crew handles all service types or if they have dedicated solar installers
- → Ask Illuminate Solar Company whether they can coordinate necessary electrical panel upgrades or if you'll need to hire a separate electrician for pre-solar electrical work
- → Ask both companies about their experience with your specific roof type and any shading challenges on your property
- → Ask for references from projects completed in the past six months to verify current crew performance and timeline accuracy
The Bottom Line
If your project is solar and battery storage without additional electrical work, Illuminate Solar Company's 16 years of exclusive solar focus offers specialized expertise and high owner involvement. Their veteran-level experience means they've encountered virtually every solar installation scenario. However, if you need panel upgrades, EV charger installation, or anticipate future electrical projects, Got Watts provides comprehensive electrical capabilities with 12 years of solid experience and a track record of detailed proposals and transparent pricing. For standalone solar projects, Illuminate has the edge in specialization. For solar as part of broader home electrical improvements, Got Watts eliminates the need to coordinate multiple contractors. Both are properly insured and bonded with positive customer feedback.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
The experience gap matters primarily in specialization depth. Illuminate has spent 16 years exclusively refining solar installations, which means more exposure to unusual roof configurations, shading solutions, and system troubleshooting. However, Got Watts' 12 years is still substantial, and their broader electrical expertise could be valuable if your project involves panel upgrades or other electrical work. The experience difference is meaningful but not a dealbreaker for either company.
Got Watts has demonstrated competence in solar installations with positive customer feedback about professional crews and timely completion. They handle permits, inspections, and battery systems successfully. The question is whether you need their broader capabilities or would benefit from Illuminate's exclusive solar focus. If your installation is straightforward and you have no other electrical needs, the solar specialist may have slight advantages in system optimization and installation efficiency.
Got Watts can handle the panel upgrade and solar installation as a coordinated project, which simplifies scheduling and contractor coordination. Illuminate Solar focuses exclusively on solar, so you'd likely need to hire a separate electrician for panel work first, then coordinate the solar installation. If your home needs electrical infrastructure improvements, Got Watts' full-service approach eliminates the multi-contractor complexity.
Got Watts explicitly handles EV charger installations as part of their service portfolio, allowing you to bundle this work with your solar project. Illuminate Solar specializes only in solar and battery storage, so you'd need a separate contractor for the EV charger. If you're planning multiple electrical upgrades alongside solar, Got Watts' comprehensive capabilities provide one-stop convenience.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top solar contractors in Contra Costa.
Other Contra Costa 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 07, 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.