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Aztec Solar vs Five Star Solar
Sacramento Solar Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Aztec Solar brings 37 years of experience versus Five Star Solar's 20 years, with both being veteran contractors maintaining proper insurance and bonds.
| Aztec Solar | Five Star Solar | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.2 | ★ 4.9 |
| Years Licensed | 37 years | 20 years |
| License # | 550110 | 873535 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Rancho Cordova, CA | Elk Grove, CA |
| Website | aztecsolar.com | www.fivestarssolar.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Aztec Solar
Aztec Solar customers emphasize educational sales consultations, professional installation crews, responsive communication, and timely project completion with strong HOA coordination capabilities.
Five Star Solar
Five Star Solar customers consistently highlight competitive pricing, remarkably fast one-to-two-day installation completion, high owner involvement, and thorough project updates throughout the process.
Key Takeaway: Five Star Solar distinguishes itself through installation speed and cost competitiveness, while Aztec Solar emphasizes educational approach and broader service capabilities including pool solar heating systems.
Customer Reviews
Aztec Solar
We purchased a home with an unheated in-ground pool in Grass Valley. Discouraged by the thought of the ridiculous cost of gas heating the water, we looked into solar options. We called Aztec Solar and...
Aztec Solar came out and installed solar panels and a battery at our house. We were really happy with the whole process, they communicated well, did what they said they would and everything seems to b...
Easy to work with and transparent about what a system can realistically output.
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 Aztec Solar if...
- ✓ You have an older home or complex roof configuration where Aztec's 37 years of institutional knowledge could help anticipate hidden structural issues or complications that newer contractors might miss
- ✓ You want a contractor with proven experience in pool solar heating systems, as Aztec maintains active capabilities in this specialty alongside photovoltaic installations
- ✓ You value educational sales consultations and patient question-answering throughout the process, which customers consistently highlight in reviews
- ✓ Your project timeline is flexible and you prioritize thoroughness over speed, as Aztec follows standard installation schedules rather than accelerated timelines
Consider Five Star Solar if...
- ✓ You're comparing multiple quotes and cost competitiveness is a priority, as Five Star customers specifically mention selecting them based on pricing advantages
- ✓ You need your installation completed quickly, with Five Star consistently delivering one-to-two-day project completion for standard residential installations
- ✓ You value high owner involvement and direct access to decision-makers throughout your project, which appears more prominent at Five Star
- ✓ You're adding battery backup or expanding an existing system, as Five Star has documented experience taking over incomplete projects and handling system additions
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask both companies for a detailed timeline estimate and what factors might extend installation beyond their typical schedule for your specific roof type
- → Request references from projects completed within the last 12 months that match your system size and complexity level
- → Inquire about their warranty response process and typical timeframe for addressing post-installation service needs, as both companies show some variation in service call experiences
The Bottom Line
Both Aztec Solar and Five Star Solar are legitimate veteran contractors with proper insurance and decades of proven capability. Choose Aztec Solar if your project involves pool solar heating, you have an older or complex home where their 37-year institutional knowledge adds value, or you prioritize educational consultations over cost competitiveness. Choose Five Star Solar if you're budget-conscious and comparing multiple quotes, need rapid installation completion, or value high owner involvement throughout the project. For standard residential photovoltaic installations on typical homes, either company has demonstrated capability, making your decision hinge on pricing, timeline needs, and preferred communication style. Get detailed quotes from both and ask for recent references matching your specific project type before making your final choice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Both companies are veterans with decades of experience and receive positive feedback for installation quality and professionalism. Aztec's additional experience matters most for complex situations like older homes with structural considerations, multiple roof planes, or unusual installation challenges where institutional knowledge helps anticipate problems. For straightforward residential installations on standard roofs, both have proven capability.
Five Star's rapid completion reflects efficient crew coordination and project staging rather than rushed work, with customers specifically praising workmanship quality alongside speed. Standard residential solar installations can be completed quickly when permitting, materials, and crew scheduling align properly. Ask both companies about their typical timeline for your specific project size and roof complexity to compare realistically.
Five Star Solar customers consistently mention competitive pricing as a selection factor after comparing multiple quotes, suggesting they position themselves advantageously on cost. Aztec's pricing isn't specifically highlighted in customer feedback either positively or negatively. Get detailed quotes from both companies for identical system specifications to compare directly, ensuring you're evaluating the same equipment quality and warranty terms.
Both companies show mixed feedback on service responsiveness, with some customers praising ongoing support and others describing scheduling challenges for repairs. Five Star demonstrates documented owner involvement years after installation, while Aztec maintains service capabilities for older systems. Ask each company specifically about their warranty response timeline, service call scheduling process, and whether they maintain dedicated service staff separate from installation crews.
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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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