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Five Star Solar vs Valley Solar
Sacramento Solar Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Two equally established solar contractors with virtually identical qualifications but distinctly different customer experience approaches.
| Five Star Solar | Valley Solar | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 4.0 |
| Years Licensed | 20 years | 21 years |
| License # | 873535 | 858197 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Elk Grove, CA | Sacramento, CA |
| Website | www.fivestarssolar.com | valley-solar.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Five Star Solar
Five Star Solar customers consistently highlight exceptionally fast installation timelines, competitive pricing, and thorough educational consultations that help them understand their solar investment.
Valley Solar
Valley Solar customers emphasize predictable project management with seamless permit and utility coordination, on-schedule completion, and maintained budget expectations.
Key Takeaway: Five Star Solar's customers focus on speed and value with extensive education, while Valley Solar's customers prioritize administrative efficiency and project predictability.
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...
Valley Solar
Our choice of Valley Solar (installer) and SunPower solar panels has been an excellent one. Valley Solar provided a hand-holding and smooth process from the beginning, and SunPower system has been run...
Valley Solar did a great job on my home solar installation. They took care of all permits with the City, and dealt with SMUD. They were on time, on budget, clean, and the system works exactly as pro...
Description Of Work: Valley Solar installed an 8 kW DC (STC) SunPower PV Panel System at my residence. Member Comments: From the very first meeting to completion of the job, Brad Price and his team a...
Consider Five Star Solar if...
- ✓ You're comparing multiple quotes and want to ensure you're getting competitive pricing without sacrificing quality from an established contractor
- ✓ Your project has complicating factors like HOA requirements, special design considerations, or you're expanding an existing system that needs careful integration
- ✓ You value detailed education throughout the process and want a contractor who will thoroughly explain system design, financing options, and long-term performance expectations
- ✓ Fast installation completion matters to you and you'd prefer your home disruption minimized to a day or two rather than stretched across a longer timeline
Consider Valley Solar if...
- ✓ You prioritize predictability and want a contractor whose strength is delivering exactly on schedule and within the agreed budget without surprises
- ✓ The administrative aspects of solar installation concern you, and you want a company that emphasizes handling permits and utility coordination as core competencies
- ✓ You prefer a more streamlined process focused on project management efficiency rather than extensive educational consultations
- ✓ You value a contractor who maintains exceptionally clean worksites throughout the installation process
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → What is your typical installation timeline from permit approval to final inspection, and how does project complexity affect that schedule?
- → How do you handle situations where utility interconnection or permit approval takes longer than expected—who manages follow-up and communication?
- → Can you provide references from projects similar to mine in terms of roof type, system size, or special requirements like battery backup integration?
- → What ongoing support do you provide after installation if I have questions about system performance or need service years later?
The Bottom Line
Both contractors offer equivalent credentials and veteran experience, making either a safe choice for your solar installation. Your decision should hinge on which approach better matches your priorities. Choose Five Star Solar if you're price-conscious, want fast installation completion, value extensive education throughout the process, or have complicating factors requiring creative problem-solving. Choose Valley Solar if predictable project management, comprehensive administrative coordination, and on-schedule delivery matter most to you. Given their equally strong qualifications, contact both for quotes and assess which company's communication style and approach feels like a better fit for your specific situation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Five Star Solar's reviews consistently mention one to two day installation completions, making speed a notable strength. Valley Solar's feedback emphasizes on-schedule delivery but doesn't highlight the same rapid installation timelines. If minimizing disruption through fast installation is a priority, ask Five Star Solar about their typical timeline for projects similar to yours.
Not meaningfully. Both companies have operated for over two decades through significant changes in solar technology, incentive programs, and installation standards. One additional year of licensing history provides no practical advantage when both are this established. Focus instead on their different approaches to customer experience and project management.
Valley Solar's reviews specifically highlight their comprehensive handling of permits and utility coordination as a strength customers appreciated. While Five Star Solar certainly handles these requirements, their customers more frequently mentioned other aspects like pricing and education. If administrative coordination concerns you, Valley Solar demonstrates particular emphasis in this area.
Five Star Solar's reviews frequently mention competitive pricing as a deciding factor after customers obtained multiple quotes. Valley Solar's feedback focuses on staying within budget rather than being the lowest bid. This suggests Five Star Solar may be more aggressive on pricing, but you should obtain quotes from both since actual pricing depends on your specific project requirements and current market conditions.
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See our ranked list of top solar contractors in Sacramento.
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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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