Compare Local Pros
Got Watts? vs West Coast Solar
Contra Costa Solar Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
West Coast Solar brings 18 years of specialized solar experience versus Got Watts' 12-year diversified electrical background, but post-installation service responsiveness differs significantly.
| Got Watts? | West Coast Solar | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 4.3 |
| Years Licensed | 12 years | 18 years |
| License # | 985920 | 908549 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Pleasant Hill, CA | Concord, CA |
| Website | www.gotwatts.com | www.westcoastsolar.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Got Watts?
Got Watts customers consistently highlight responsive communication and project updates throughout the entire relationship, with many returning for additional electrical work years later.
West Coast Solar
West Coast Solar customers praise fast installations and no-pressure sales, but report variable experiences with service department accessibility for post-installation warranty work.
Key Takeaway: The most significant contrast is post-installation support, where Got Watts maintains consistent responsiveness while West Coast Solar shows mixed service department accessibility despite strong installation execution.
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...
West Coast Solar
Craig and the customer service staff were awesome! They listened to my concerns and were open to my service options. Craig was very nice and explained everything for me to understand.
Communication was great from the start, to the time they left. Great job WCS!!
On time and did a great job
Consider Got Watts? if...
- ✓ You need electrical work beyond solar, such as panel upgrades, EV chargers integrated with your existing system, or HVAC installation coordinated with your solar project
- ✓ Post-installation support matters to you, especially if you anticipate future system expansions, battery additions, or want confidence someone will answer when equipment needs service
- ✓ You prefer a contractor with demonstrated responsiveness across the entire customer relationship, as Got Watts shows consistent communication patterns from sales through years-later service calls
- ✓ Your project timeline allows for a methodical approach with regular updates rather than single-day completion
Consider West Coast Solar if...
- ✓ Your project is straightforward solar installation on a tile roof, where West Coast Solar's 18 years of combined solar and roofing expertise directly addresses potential damage concerns
- ✓ You prioritize fast installation completion and West Coast Solar's single-day installation model fits your scheduling needs
- ✓ You're working with a property that doesn't require additional electrical work beyond the solar system itself
- ✓ You're comfortable being proactive about warranty service scheduling and potentially experiencing variable response times for post-installation support
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask West Coast Solar specifically about their current service department response times and how they prioritize warranty calls, given the mixed feedback about post-installation accessibility
- → Ask Got Watts about their typical solar installation timeline and crew scheduling, since their broader service range may affect project start dates compared to specialized solar crews
- → Ask both companies for references from customers who had their systems installed 2-3 years ago to gauge long-term service relationships, not just installation experiences
- → Clarify what constitutes an emergency service call versus routine maintenance with each company, and get specific timeframes for each category
The Bottom Line
For most homeowners, Got Watts offers the better overall value proposition despite having 6 fewer years in business. Their consistent responsiveness across the entire customer lifecycle, ability to handle electrical work beyond solar, and pattern of customers returning for additional projects suggests a reliable long-term partnership. Choose West Coast Solar if you specifically have a tile roof where their roofing expertise matters, need single-day installation, and are comfortable being proactive about service requests. Choose Got Watts if post-installation support matters to you, you need any electrical work coordinated with solar, or you value predictable responsiveness over maximum solar specialization. Either way, get specific commitments about service response times in writing before signing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward installations, both companies have sufficient experience to handle the work properly. The 18-year veteran status becomes more valuable if you have a tile roof where West Coast Solar's combined roofing expertise matters, or if you encounter complications during permitting or utility coordination where their longer institutional relationships may help. For properties needing electrical integration beyond solar, Got Watts' 12 years across diverse electrical work may actually be more relevant than pure solar tenure.
This is a legitimate consideration that depends on your equipment choices and risk tolerance. If you're installing newer, reliable equipment with strong manufacturer warranties, you may never need service. However, inverters and optimizers do fail, and the pattern of customers reporting difficulty reaching the service department suggests you should plan to be persistent if issues arise. Ask them directly about current service staffing and typical response windows before signing.
Yes, their 12 years include substantial solar work including battery systems, system expansions, and transfer switches, indicating they handle complex installations beyond basic panels. The breadth of their electrical work is an advantage if your solar project requires panel upgrades or system integration. However, if you specifically have a tile roof, ask about their tile roof experience since West Coast Solar's roofing background is explicitly mentioned as a specialty.
Got Watts shows a clear pattern of customers returning for system expansions, battery additions, and related electrical work years after initial installation, suggesting reliable long-term accessibility. West Coast Solar does provide battery installations and warranty service, but the variable post-installation responsiveness creates uncertainty about future expansion support. If phased installation is your plan, Got Watts' consistent service relationship offers more predictability.
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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 13, 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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