Compare Local Pros
Got Watts? vs Thriving Solar Solutions
Contra Costa Solar Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Got Watts brings triple the licensed experience and significantly broader electrical expertise beyond solar-only installations.
| Got Watts? | Thriving Solar Solutions | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 12 years | 4 years |
| License # | 985920 | 1085628 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Pleasant Hill, CA | San Ramon, CA |
| Website | www.gotwatts.com | thrivingsolarsolutions.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Got Watts?
Customers consistently praise Got Watts for detailed proposals with multiple design options, transparent pricing, and meticulous installation quality with attention to conduit routing and wiring organization.
Thriving Solar Solutions
Customers highlight Thriving Solar Solutions' competitive pricing, efficient streamlined workflow, and smooth installation process with hands-on service support.
Key Takeaway: Got Watts earns recognition for project customization and ongoing customer relationships across multiple installations, while Thriving Solar Solutions receives specific praise for price competitiveness and installation efficiency.
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...
Thriving Solar Solutions
They made the solar and battery install so simple for us! Amazing service and great work all around! Highly recommend Thriving solar solutions!
I had an amazing experience with Thriving Solar Solutions! Our PG&E bills were close to $700 every month, and we knew it was time to go solar. Our roof was also very old, so I reached out to Wally Mo...
I am extremely satisfied and happy with the service provided by Thriving solar solutions for solar installation in our home. They were very efficient in their work all the way from the first draft, ci...
Consider Got Watts? if...
- ✓ Your home needs electrical panel upgrades or has older wiring that may require assessment before solar installation—Got Watts handles these companion projects in-house
- ✓ You're planning multiple projects like solar plus EV charger installation or HVAC upgrades and prefer coordinating through one established contractor
- ✓ You value detailed proposals with multiple system design options and want a contractor with 12 years of experience diagnosing potential complications
- ✓ You anticipate future system expansions or modifications—customers frequently return to Got Watts for additions to existing installations
Consider Thriving Solar Solutions if...
- ✓ Your primary focus is solar panel and battery storage installation with straightforward electrical requirements and no companion projects needed
- ✓ You're price-sensitive and want to compare competitive solar-specific pricing from a company focused exclusively on this market
- ✓ You prefer a streamlined, efficient installation process with a company that specializes solely in solar rather than broader electrical work
- ✓ Your home is newer with updated electrical infrastructure that won't require supplementary electrical work during installation
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Thriving Solar Solutions how they handle situations where solar installation reveals electrical panel capacity issues or code compliance needs beyond their solar specialization
- → Ask Got Watts for references specifically from solar installations completed in the past two years to assess their current solar workflow and pricing competitiveness
- → Ask both contractors about their crew stability—how long have their primary installation teams been with the company and working together
The Bottom Line
If you need solar installation as part of broader electrical work—panel upgrades, EV chargers, or HVAC coordination—Got Watts' 12 years of experience and full-service capabilities make them the clear choice. Their established track record and detailed proposal process provide more comprehensive project planning. However, if you have a straightforward solar-only installation in a newer home with adequate electrical infrastructure and price is your primary concern, Thriving Solar Solutions' specialized focus and competitive pricing deserve serious consideration. For most homeowners, especially those with older homes or multiple electrical projects, Got Watts' experience depth and ability to handle unexpected complications in-house outweigh the potential pricing advantages of a solar specialist.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, particularly for homes built before 2010. Got Watts' 12 years means they've encountered more scenarios where solar installations reveal outdated electrical panels, insufficient grounding, or code compliance issues that require creative solutions. Thriving Solar Solutions at 4 years is still competent but has seen fewer edge cases. If your home is newer with updated electrical, this advantage matters less.
Their data shows limited project diversity—primarily solar panels and battery storage. While they may coordinate roof replacement, there's no evidence they handle EV chargers or electrical panel upgrades in-house. Got Watts explicitly lists EV chargers among their regular services and can bundle these projects together, avoiding the coordination hassle of multiple contractors.
Thriving Solar Solutions receives specific customer mentions about competitive pricing compared to other solar companies, suggesting they may come in lower for straightforward solar-only projects. Got Watts emphasizes transparent pricing and detailed proposals but isn't specifically noted for lowest-bid pricing. Request detailed quotes from both to compare what's included in each proposal.
Got Watts has established patterns of customers returning for system expansions, battery additions, and follow-on electrical work, suggesting they maintain relationships and system knowledge over time. Thriving Solar Solutions handles battery storage installations but doesn't show the same documented pattern of ongoing customer relationships for future additions. Ask both about their process for returning customers and system expansion pricing.
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See our ranked list of top solar contractors in Contra Costa.
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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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