Compare Local Pros
ACR Solar vs Five Star Solar
Sacramento Solar Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Five Star Solar brings 7 additional years of licensing experience and high owner involvement, while ACR Solar offers specialized capabilities including pool heating and thermal systems.
| ACR Solar | Five Star Solar | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.7 | ★ 4.9 |
| Years Licensed | 13 years | 20 years |
| License # | 979954 | 873535 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Carmichael, CA | Elk Grove, CA |
| Website | acrsolar.com | www.fivestarssolar.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
ACR Solar
ACR Solar customers consistently highlight detailed installation workmanship, educational approach during design phases, and reliable ongoing technical support for system monitoring and issue resolution.
Five Star Solar
Five Star Solar customers emphasize rapid installation completion, competitive pricing compared to competitors, knowledgeable sales consultations without pressure tactics, and professional crew workmanship.
Key Takeaway: Five Star Solar is recognized for installation speed and pricing competitiveness, while ACR Solar receives more specific feedback about post-installation technical support and system monitoring relationships over time.
Customer Reviews
ACR Solar
Aug 2025 review. ACR solar previous did my solar panels and did a fantastic job. I had to get my roof replaced (ACR Roofing Systems) and the coordination to remove and reinstall the panels was seamles...
Very glad we recently hired ACR Solar to install our swimming pool solar heating system. First off, they are located in Carmichael close to where we live. Secondly their pricing was well below two ot...
My solar contractor went out of business midway through my installation on an ADU, I called many solar companies only for them to tell me they wouldn’t touch a partially installed system. Clark from...
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 ACR Solar if...
- ✓ Your project involves pool solar heating, solar water heaters, or thermal systems that require specialized expertise beyond standard PV installations
- ✓ You're coordinating solar with roofing work and want a single contractor relationship through ACR Roofing Systems rather than managing separate vendors
- ✓ You value detailed installation workmanship and ongoing technical support for system monitoring and troubleshooting after completion
- ✓ You prefer working with a local Carmichael-based contractor with strong presence in the Arden Arcade community
Consider Five Star Solar if...
- ✓ You want the deepest experience available, with 20 years of licensing covering every major shift in solar technology and regulatory environments
- ✓ Installation speed is a priority and you appreciate contractors who routinely complete projects in 1-2 days
- ✓ You're facing a complex situation like HOA approvals, special design requirements, or need someone to take over a stalled project from another contractor
- ✓ High owner involvement matters to you for consistency in communication and decision-making throughout your project
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask ACR Solar how they coordinate solar and roofing projects when both are needed, and whether the roofing division offers the same warranty terms as the solar work
- → Ask Five Star Solar about the owner's direct involvement in your specific project and who will be your primary contact from consultation through completion
- → Ask both companies for references from projects completed in the last year that match your system type and any special circumstances like HOA requirements or roof complexity
- → Ask both contractors about their warranty coverage for equipment versus installation workmanship, and what their typical response time is for post-installation technical issues
The Bottom Line
Five Star Solar is the stronger choice for most straightforward residential PV and battery installations, offering 20 years of industry experience, confirmed high owner involvement, and a track record of rapid installations with competitive pricing. Their veteran status and demonstrated capability handling complex situations provides additional confidence for projects with complications. However, choose ACR Solar if your needs extend beyond standard PV systems to include pool heating, solar water heaters, or coordinated roofing work—their specialized capabilities in thermal systems and integrated roofing services make them the practical choice when your project requires that expertise. Both are solid, fully-insured contractors; your decision should align with your specific system requirements and whether specialization or maximum experience depth matters more for your situation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward rooftop PV installations, both companies have well beyond the experience threshold needed for quality work. However, Five Star Solar's 20 years means they've navigated more utility policy changes, equipment generations, and problem scenarios. This experience advantage becomes more relevant if you have complications like difficult roof angles, HOA restrictions, or older electrical panels requiring upgrades.
ACR Solar is the clear choice for this scenario since they specialize in both PV systems and solar pool heating, eliminating the need to establish a relationship with a second contractor. Five Star Solar focuses on PV panels and battery systems without the thermal system specialization. Starting with ACR Solar means one company understands your entire solar infrastructure from the beginning.
Customer feedback indicates Five Star Solar frequently completes installations in 1-2 days, which receives specific mention in reviews. ACR Solar's installation timeline isn't explicitly documented in reviews, but their emphasis on detail-oriented work and technical precision suggests they may take longer for equivalent projects. If you need panels operational quickly, ask both companies for specific timeline commitments for your system size.
High owner involvement typically means the business owner participates directly in consultations, system design decisions, and problem resolution rather than delegating entirely to sales staff or project managers. This can provide consistency and faster decision-making when issues arise. Ask Five Star Solar specifically how the owner will be involved in your project and who makes final calls on installation details.
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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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