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AAA Steiners Solar Service vs Five Star Solar
Sacramento Solar Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Two veteran solar contractors with virtually identical credentials compete on project speed and service breadth, with Five Star Solar handling more complex installations.
| AAA Steiners Solar Service | Five Star Solar | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.6 | ★ 4.9 |
| Years Licensed | 19 years | 20 years |
| License # | 887507 | 873535 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Sacramento, CA | Elk Grove, CA |
| Website | steinersolar.com | www.fivestarssolar.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
AAA Steiners Solar Service
Customers emphasize responsive communication with same-day callbacks, thorough consultations with the owner, and long-term service relationships that extend years beyond initial installation.
Five Star Solar
Customers consistently highlight rapid installation completion in one to two days, detailed system education during sales without pressure, and capability handling complex projects including HOA approvals and incomplete work from other contractors.
Key Takeaway: Five Star Solar's feedback centers on installation speed and technical complexity handling, while AAA Steiners' customers prioritize ongoing service responsiveness and personal consultation relationships.
Customer Reviews
AAA Steiners Solar Service
Steiner Solar has been keeping the solar panels for my pool up and running/repaired since 2005. Since I like my pool water Caribbean temp, I really appreciate their dedication. A special shoutout to M...
We hired Steiner’s to installed both solar for our house as well for our pool. We could not be more pleased with how the whole process went. Steve was the most thorough when coming out to house. He ...
Just finished installing a PV solar system with Steiner Solar. Overall I am very happy with the communication from Steve, craftsmanship from Mike and Drew, and now being able to generate our own elect...
Five Star Solar
The folks at Five Star Solar were professional, experienced, fast, organized, and available for questions and communication. My solar system has been working flawlessly since they installed it. I had ...
In October 2025, I saw an ad about installing solar panels. I called my company, and they filed for bankruptcy. I called other companies, and they told me that they won't finish by December deadline f...
Like so many of us that were going to do some type of solar project at some point we now had to scramble to get our solar projects completed by year end due to the abandonment of the Tax Credit. I was...
Consider AAA Steiners Solar Service if...
- ✓ You're installing pool solar heating in addition to or instead of traditional PV panels, which is explicitly part of their service portfolio
- ✓ You value ongoing service relationships with quick callback times for maintenance and troubleshooting needs over years
- ✓ You prefer working directly with a business owner throughout the consultation and installation process in a Sacramento location
- ✓ Your project is straightforward residential solar without battery backup or special mounting requirements
Consider Five Star Solar if...
- ✓ You need battery backup integration, ground-mount systems, or complex configurations like ADU installations that require specialized experience
- ✓ Your timeline is urgent and you want installation completed in one to two days rather than a longer process
- ✓ You're dealing with HOA approvals or taking over a project from another contractor who left work incomplete
- ✓ You want detailed system education during the sales process without pressure tactics, with emphasis on understanding your investment
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Five Star Solar about their typical crew size and how they complete installations so quickly without compromising quality
- → Ask AAA Steiners whether they handle battery backup systems and what their typical installation timeline looks like
- → Request references from both companies for projects similar to yours in scope and complexity
- → Ask both contractors about their warranty terms and who handles service calls if issues arise years after installation
The Bottom Line
Choose based on project complexity rather than credentials—both companies are veteran contractors with identical insurance, bonding, and licensing credentials that protect homeowners fully. Five Star Solar is the clearer choice if you need battery backup, ground-mount systems, or complex installations requiring HOA approvals, and their one-to-two-day installation timeline suits urgent projects. AAA Steiners makes more sense for straightforward residential solar or pool heating installations where you value responsive ongoing service relationships and direct owner involvement throughout. If your project is standard rooftop solar without batteries, request quotes from both and decide based on who provides the consultation style and timeline that matches your preferences—both have the experience to deliver quality work.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Not meaningfully. Both contractors have been licensed for approximately two decades, placing them in the veteran tier. A 19-year track record versus 20 years provides essentially equivalent experience diagnosing issues, handling permit complications, and managing unexpected installation challenges. Focus instead on their specific project experience relevant to your needs.
Five Star Solar explicitly lists battery backup systems in their documented project types and has customer feedback mentioning these installations. AAA Steiners' portfolio focuses on traditional solar PV and pool heating without specific mention of battery integration. If battery backup is part of your plan now or in the future, confirm AAA Steiners' capability directly or lean toward Five Star Solar's documented experience.
Fast completion typically indicates larger crew capacity and efficient project management rather than rushed work. Customer feedback for Five Star Solar specifically praises workmanship quality alongside speed, suggesting their one-to-two-day timelines don't compromise installation standards. If you need the system operational quickly, this is an advantage. If you prefer a more extended, consultative process, AAA Steiners' approach may suit you better.
Both companies maintain long-term customer relationships with high owner involvement. AAA Steiners receives specific praise for same-day service callbacks and quick troubleshooting response for existing systems. Five Star Solar customers note the company stays in contact years after installation to address questions. Both appear committed to post-installation support, making this more about personal preference in communication style than capability differences.
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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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