Compare Local Pros
Bear Solar vs Five Star Solar
Sacramento Solar Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Five Star Solar brings 11 more years of licensing experience and demonstrates notably stronger post-installation support and project completion speed.
| Bear Solar | Five Star Solar | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.1 | ★ 4.9 |
| Years Licensed | 9 years | 20 years |
| License # | 1028222 | 873535 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Orangevale, CA | Elk Grove, CA |
| Website | www.bearsolar.com | www.fivestarssolar.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Bear Solar
Bear Solar customers appreciate detailed software presentations and customized system designs, but multiple reviews express concerns about post-installation communication and service responsiveness.
Five Star Solar
Five Star Solar customers consistently highlight quick installation completion, competitive pricing, professional crews, and ongoing support that continues years after project completion.
Key Takeaway: Five Star Solar demonstrates sustained customer relationships with responsive long-term support, while Bear Solar shows a pattern of post-installation communication concerns that directly contrast with their strong upfront consultation process.
Customer Reviews
Bear Solar
Great service. Very pleased. Appreciate the savings and their ability to individualize and accommodate to our needs.
We now have a battery backup system (2 Powerwalls) thanks to Bear Solar's diligence with the installation, approval and in dealing with the power company in order to obtain our rebate. We are very ha...
Bear Solar was recommended by a friend. I am glad I went with my friend's recommendation! My experience with Bear Solar has been outstanding from start to completion of the project. Jorge was outstand...
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 Bear Solar if...
- ✓ You place high value on detailed visual presentations during the consultation phase and want specialized software demonstrations showing energy capacity projections for your specific property
- ✓ Your project is straightforward residential solar without anticipated complications requiring veteran troubleshooting experience
- ✓ You're comparing primarily on initial consultation thoroughness rather than long-term service relationship or installation speed
Consider Five Star Solar if...
- ✓ You need fast installation completion, as most Five Star Solar projects finish in one to two days compared to typical industry timelines
- ✓ Long-term support matters to you, since customers report Five Star Solar maintains contact and addresses questions even years after installation
- ✓ Your project involves complexity like HOA approval processes, system expansions to existing arrays, or special design requirements where 20 years of problem-solving experience provides meaningful advantage
- ✓ Competitive pricing is a priority, as customers consistently mention Five Star Solar's quotes compared favorably against multiple competitors
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Bear Solar specifically about their post-installation service response times and how they handle warranty issues or system questions months after completion
- → Ask Five Star Solar about typical installation timelines for projects similar to yours to confirm the one-to-two day pattern applies to your situation
- → Request references from both companies for projects completed 2-3 years ago to verify ongoing support claims
The Bottom Line
Five Star Solar presents the stronger choice for most homeowners based on 20 years of licensing experience, consistently fast installation completion, competitive pricing, and demonstrated post-installation support that continues years after project completion. Their veteran status translates to practical advantages handling complex situations and technical troubleshooting. Consider Bear Solar if you specifically value detailed software presentations during consultation and your project is straightforward without anticipated complications. However, if you want confidence in long-term support and faster project completion, Five Star Solar's track record addresses the exact areas where Bear Solar shows customer concerns. Request references from both companies, but prioritize Five Star Solar unless Bear Solar's consultation approach uniquely addresses your decision-making needs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, particularly for problem-solving. Twenty years means Five Star Solar has navigated two decades of changing solar technology, utility requirements, and permitting processes. Customer feedback shows they've successfully handled complications like taking over failed projects and managing difficult HOA approvals. For straightforward installations, Bear Solar's 9 years provides adequate experience, but complex situations benefit from veteran expertise.
Customer feedback clearly favors Five Star Solar on this dimension. Their reviews consistently mention ongoing communication and responsiveness even years post-installation. Bear Solar's reviews specifically note concerns about post-installation support and communication responsiveness on service matters. If long-term support matters to you, ask Bear Solar directly how they've addressed these concerns.
Customers report most Five Star Solar installations finish in one to two days, suggesting efficient crew coordination and streamlined processes developed over 20 years. Fast completion doesn't indicate rushed work, as reviews also praise workmanship quality and professionalism. Bear Solar doesn't have the same pattern of quick completion mentions, so ask them about typical project timelines for comparison.
Yes, because battery backup integration requires proper system sizing, electrical panel assessment, and utility coordination beyond the equipment itself. Five Star Solar's broader project portfolio includes system expansions and inverter replacements, suggesting deeper technical troubleshooting capability. Both companies successfully install Powerwall systems, but Five Star Solar's veteran experience provides more depth if complications arise during integration.
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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 10, 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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