Compare Local Pros
Clean Solar vs Cupertino Electric
Santa Clara Solar Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
You're comparing a solar specialist with detailed customer education practices to a general electrical contractor with far longer tenure but less feedback about residential solar work.
| Clean Solar | Cupertino Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.5 | ★ 4.4 |
| Years Licensed | 18 years | 68 years |
| License # | 910849 | 174637 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | San Jose, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Website | www.cleansolar.com | www.cei.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Clean Solar
Clean Solar customers consistently praise thorough technical explanations, patient education about energy needs, and responsive communication throughout multi-stage solar installations.
Cupertino Electric
Cupertino Electric receives positive feedback about professional service and clean workmanship, but some customers report communication challenges including unreturned calls and coordination issues.
Key Takeaway: Clean Solar's reviews center on residential solar project experiences with detailed process feedback, while Cupertino Electric's reviews mention general electrical work and some workplace experiences rather than residential solar installations.
Customer Reviews
Clean Solar
Support group was very resonsive to my questions within hours. Great to have knowegeable help when it's needed.
Project: add whole-house battery backup to a 20 year-old home with existing solar PV system. I had three goals: 1. Load shifting (provide electricity during peak energy charges) 2. Provide backup pow...
My husband and I had a terrific and lengthy phone experience where Art explained in depth about solar panels and batteries. He was patient in answering all our questions and very generous with his t...
Cupertino Electric
I loved the customer service they gave me. Very very professional I must say. Their work is awsome , looks good and clean.
Always a great experience
Top of the "class" indeed. #MindsOfTheFuture #ClaraYvetteDValdez
Consider Clean Solar if...
- ✓ You're installing a Tesla Powerwall or complex battery backup system where integration expertise and technical troubleshooting matter significantly
- ✓ You want detailed education about your specific energy needs, system sizing calculations, and solar production estimates before committing to a system design
- ✓ You're planning a combined roof and solar project where coordinating both disciplines under one contractor simplifies the warranty and responsibility chain
- ✓ Responsive project communication throughout permitting and inspection stages is a priority, given the multi-month timeline solar installations typically require
Consider Cupertino Electric if...
- ✓ You're adding solar as part of a larger whole-house electrical upgrade where broad electrical expertise beyond solar panels provides value
- ✓ You prefer working with a multi-generational company whose 68-year tenure suggests financial stability and long-term warranty reliability
- ✓ Your project involves commercial-scale electrical work where Cupertino Electric's commercial project experience becomes relevant
- ✓ You have a straightforward solar installation and can proactively manage communication to ensure your project stays on track
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Cupertino Electric specifically about their residential solar installation volume and whether they have a dedicated solar division, given their broader electrical focus
- → Request references from recent solar customers at both companies who can speak to communication during permitting delays and inspection scheduling
- → Ask Clean Solar about their process for handling roof penetrations and weatherproofing warranties, especially if you're not replacing your roof simultaneously
- → Clarify with both companies who manages utility interconnection paperwork and how long that process typically adds to project timelines in Santa Clara County
The Bottom Line
If you're installing residential solar panels, battery backup systems, or adding components to existing solar arrays, Clean Solar is the more appropriate choice. Their 18 years of solar-focused experience, consistent feedback about customer education and responsive communication, and demonstrated expertise with Tesla Powerwall and complex battery installations directly match residential solar project needs. Cupertino Electric's impressive 68-year tenure reflects valuable electrical expertise, but their customer feedback doesn't highlight the residential solar specialization or project communication patterns that make solar installations run smoothly. Unless your project involves significant commercial-scale electrical work beyond solar, Clean Solar's specialized focus and proven customer service approach make them the clearer fit for typical residential solar needs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily for residential solar projects. Cupertino Electric's longevity reflects broad electrical expertise, but Clean Solar's 18 years are entirely focused on solar technology, battery systems, and the specific permitting challenges solar presents. Customer feedback shows Clean Solar has developed specialized processes for solar education and installation, while Cupertino Electric's reviews don't highlight residential solar work. For a solar project, focused experience often matters more than general tenure.
Clean Solar has specific customer feedback about Tesla Powerwall installations and adding components to existing solar arrays, suggesting this is a routine part of their business. Their reviews mention whole-house battery backup systems and system expansions. Cupertino Electric's reviews don't detail battery integration work. For battery additions requiring coordination with existing solar equipment, Clean Solar's demonstrated experience in this specific area is the clearer choice.
Clean Solar's customer feedback consistently emphasizes responsive communication and project managers keeping people informed throughout installations. Cupertino Electric's reviews specifically mention some communication challenges including unreturned calls and coordination issues. While company size doesn't automatically determine communication quality, the pattern in available feedback favors Clean Solar for residential project responsiveness. Ask both companies about their project management process and who your point of contact will be.
Clean Solar explicitly handles combination roof and solar projects according to their customer feedback, with people mentioning both services completed together. This means single-point responsibility for how roof penetrations affect both roofing warranties and solar performance. Cupertino Electric's feedback doesn't mention roofing services. If your roof needs replacement or significant repair before solar installation, Clean Solar's integrated approach eliminates coordination problems between separate roofing and solar contractors.
Looking for the Best?
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 12, 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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