Compare Local Pros
Five Star Solar vs Modernize Power
Sacramento Solar Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Five Star Solar brings twice the licensing experience with focused solar expertise, while Modernize Power offers broader multi-trade capabilities for comprehensive home energy projects.
| Five Star Solar | Modernize Power | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 4.8 |
| Years Licensed | 20 years | 10 years |
| License # | 873535 | 1007601 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Elk Grove, CA | Folsom, CA |
| Website | www.fivestarssolar.com | www.modernizepower.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Five Star Solar
Customers emphasize Five Star Solar's quick one-to-two day installation timelines, competitive pricing, and thorough solar-specific education during the sales process without pressure tactics.
Modernize Power
Customers highlight Modernize Power's ability to successfully manage complex multi-trade projects, coordinating solar with generators, roofing, electrical, and HVAC work under professional oversight.
Key Takeaway: Five Star Solar receives consistent praise for installation speed and focused solar expertise, while Modernize Power earns recognition for coordinating comprehensive home energy projects involving multiple specialties beyond solar.
Customer Reviews
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...
Modernize Power
Eric from Modernize Power did a fantastic job during the sales process, ensuring we got the right system for our needs. Our new solar and battery system is in the early days, but we produce what we ne...
Modernize Power installed a whole home battery backup system and I couldn't be happier. The entire process went smoothly and quick. All the employees we're very nice and extremely professional. I wou...
Had Solar, whole house fan and Generac generator installed by this company! From the top down with Eric Caldwell to all of the staff, I am blown away by the precision, process and people they have! Th...
Consider Five Star Solar if...
- ✓ Your project is solar-focused without needing simultaneous roofing, electrical, or HVAC work, and you want a contractor who has spent 20 years specializing exclusively in photovoltaic systems
- ✓ Your property has complications like difficult roof angles, HOA restrictions, or you're expanding an existing system where deep solar diagnostic experience matters
- ✓ You value the fastest possible installation timeline, as customers consistently report one-to-two day project completion
- ✓ You prefer a contractor whose entire business model centers on solar energy rather than dividing expertise across multiple home improvement categories
Consider Modernize Power if...
- ✓ Your solar installation should coordinate with other home improvements like electrical panel upgrades, roof replacement, generator installation, or HVAC work that benefit from single-contractor management
- ✓ You're considering a whole-house generator alongside solar and want one company handling both energy systems
- ✓ You need a contractor who can manage multiple trades and handle complex permitting across different project types simultaneously
- ✓ Your project timeline allows for the coordination benefits of bundling solar with other home improvements rather than prioritizing solar-only speed
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Five Star Solar how they handle projects requiring roof repairs or electrical panel upgrades discovered during solar assessment, since these fall outside their solar specialty
- → Ask Modernize Power what percentage of their current projects involve solar installations and how many crew members specialize specifically in photovoltaic systems versus their other services
- → Ask both companies for references from projects completed in the past 12 months that match your specific situation, whether solar-only or multi-system installations
- → Confirm warranty coverage details and which company will service your system if issues arise years after installation
The Bottom Line
For dedicated solar installations, Five Star Solar's 20-year specialization provides deeper expertise, faster completion timelines, and a business model entirely focused on photovoltaic systems. Their veteran experience matters most for complex properties, system expansions, or homeowners who value solar-specific depth. Choose Modernize Power if your project genuinely benefits from multi-trade coordination—when you need solar alongside roofing, electrical panel upgrades, or generator installation and prefer managing one contractor relationship. Both are properly credentialed and deliver professional work, but Five Star Solar's two decades of solar focus makes them the stronger choice for straightforward or complex solar-only projects, while Modernize Power serves homeowners tackling comprehensive energy upgrades requiring multiple specialties.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward rooftop installations on newer homes, both companies have sufficient experience to complete quality work. The experience gap becomes meaningful when complications arise: older roofs that need structural assessment, systems requiring custom design for shade issues, or diagnosing why an existing system underperforms. Twenty years means Five Star Solar has seen earlier equipment failures and technology transitions that inform better long-term decisions.
Modernize Power's ability to coordinate roofing and solar under one contract simplifies scheduling, warranty responsibility, and ensures the roof structure meets solar installation requirements from the start. However, you could alternatively hire a roofing specialist first, then bring in Five Star Solar for the photovoltaic work. The single-contractor approach reduces coordination burden but means accepting a generalist rather than a dedicated solar specialist.
Five Star Solar's customer feedback consistently mentions one-to-two day installation completion for solar projects, reflecting their focused solar workflow. Modernize Power completes projects on time according to reviews, but their timeline depends on whether you're bundling solar with other services. For solar-only projects where speed matters, Five Star Solar's track record suggests faster completion.
Modernize Power's expertise with Generac generators and their experience coordinating multiple energy systems could simplify future expansions if you plan staged improvements. Five Star Solar specializes in battery backup systems integrated with solar but would need to coordinate with a separate electrical contractor for generator installation. Consider whether you want one long-term relationship across multiple energy systems or prefer specialists for each component.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top solar contractors in Sacramento.
Other Sacramento Solar Contractors Comparisons
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 08, 2026.
This comparison is based on publicly available information. We recommend getting multiple quotes and verifying all credentials directly before hiring.
Get in Touch
Have questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you.