Compare Local Pros
Cinnamon Energy Systems vs Cobalt Power Systems
Santa Clara Solar Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Cobalt Power Systems brings 10 additional years of licensed experience, with proven expertise handling complex installations that other contractors decline.
| Cinnamon Energy Systems | Cobalt Power Systems | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.8 | ★ 4.3 |
| Years Licensed | 13 years | 23 years |
| License # | 976065 | 820697 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Los Gatos, CA | Mountain View, CA |
| Website | www.cinnamon.energy | www.cobaltpower.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Cinnamon Energy Systems
Customers highlight Cinnamon's efficient project execution, smooth permitting processes, and clean professional installations completed on predictable timelines.
Cobalt Power Systems
Customers emphasize Cobalt's collaborative approach to complex projects, willingness to handle challenging installations, and long-term relationships spanning multiple system upgrades over years.
Key Takeaway: Cinnamon's feedback centers on process efficiency and streamlined execution, while Cobalt's reviews consistently mention tackling complicated scenarios and specialty installations that required customized problem-solving.
Customer Reviews
Cinnamon Energy Systems
I started thinking about solar last year, but it was not until this year when I became serious. I talked to as many as 6 companies who serve San Jose area, and in the end, I decided to go with Cinnamo...
Cinnamon is a highly rated company and I was overall happy with the work. Sometimes communication was tricky but Consultant Michael Croft helped me navigate the process when clarification and service ...
We are quite happy with our solar power system installed by Cinnamon Energy Systems. We are fortunate enough to have south and west facing roofs and were able to work with them to install a system of...
Cobalt Power Systems
Excellent experience from first phone call to utility interconnection. Collaborative design process, professional installation and coordinated scheduling throughout. Have referred my network, includin...
Truly solid company. Great installs. When is comes to what truly matters the work being done on your home is the most important. Less BS to deal with on the backend. Solar and battery stays for 25 yea...
I selected Cobalt Power Systems after noticing several projects in the neighborhood and speaking with a customer. After speaking with the Cobalt sales person (Jay), and receiving a detailed proposal,...
Consider Cinnamon Energy Systems if...
- ✓ Your solar installation is relatively straightforward with a standard composition roof and no unusual structural challenges requiring specialized problem-solving.
- ✓ You prioritize efficiency and want a company known for clean worksite maintenance and streamlined permitting processes that won't drag out the timeline.
- ✓ You're looking for comprehensive home electrification services beyond just solar, including heat pump HVAC systems and mini-split installations that Cinnamon explicitly advertises.
- ✓ You prefer working with a contractor with deep local permitting history in Los Gatos and the immediate San Jose area.
Consider Cobalt Power Systems if...
- ✓ Your project involves specialty roofing materials like tile, slate, or metal that require specific installation expertise and coordination.
- ✓ You're planning to coordinate your solar installation with a roof replacement and want a contractor experienced in managing that dual-scope timeline.
- ✓ Your home presents complexities that may have caused other contractors to decline the project or provide vague estimates.
- ✓ You value working with a company that's been through multiple technology generations and can advise on system design that accommodates future upgrades, as evidenced by their multi-year customer relationships.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask each company to describe the most challenging installation they've completed in the past year and how they solved unexpected problems that arose.
- → If you have specialty roofing or are coordinating with a roof replacement, ask Cobalt specifically about their process for working with roofing contractors and request references from similar dual-scope projects.
- → Ask both companies how they approach electrical panel upgrades when your existing service is undersized, and what timeline and cost implications that typically adds.
- → Request references from customers who later expanded their systems with battery backup, to understand how each company designs for future scalability.
The Bottom Line
For most straightforward residential solar installations, both companies will serve you well—they're both properly credentialed, experienced, and receive positive customer feedback. Choose Cinnamon Energy Systems if your project is relatively standard and you value their integrated approach to broader home electrification including heat pumps and mini-splits. Choose Cobalt Power Systems if your project involves any complexity—specialty roofing, coordinated roof replacement, an older home with potential surprises, or if you've had other contractors decline your project. Cobalt's veteran status and documented track record handling difficult installations provides meaningful additional protection against project complications. If you're unsure about your project complexity, get estimates from both and see which company asks more detailed questions about your specific situation—that diagnostic thoroughness matters when problems arise.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For a straightforward installation on a newer home with a standard roof and adequate electrical service, both companies have sufficient experience to complete the work professionally. The experience gap becomes meaningful when unexpected issues arise—outdated wiring, structural concerns, or permitting complications—where Cobalt's 23 years provides a deeper problem-solving toolkit. If your home was built before 2000 or has any non-standard features, that additional experience reduces project risk.
Cobalt Power Systems has specific customer feedback mentioning coordinated roof-and-solar projects and installations on specialty roofing materials, suggesting this is an established part of their service model. While Cinnamon does offer panel removal and reinstallation services, Cobalt's reviews indicate more experience managing the dual-contractor coordination and timeline complexity. If you're replacing your roof simultaneously, Cobalt appears better positioned for that scenario.
Both companies install battery systems including Tesla Powerwall, but Cobalt's customer feedback specifically mentions multi-year relationships where customers returned for battery additions and system upgrades. This suggests they design initial installations with future expansion in mind. Ask both companies directly how they size electrical panels and inverters to accommodate later battery integration without requiring equipment replacement.
Cinnamon's reviews emphasize smooth processes and efficient permitting handling, suggesting they've optimized their workflow for timeline predictability. However, actual completion speed depends more on permit approval times and utility interconnection schedules than installer efficiency. Ask both companies for realistic timelines including permitting and utility coordination phases, and request references who can confirm whether those estimates proved accurate.
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See our ranked list of top solar contractors in Santa Clara.
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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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