Compare Local Pros
Clean Solar vs Evolution Solar
Santa Clara Solar Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Clean Solar brings 18 years of licensed experience and full workers compensation coverage compared to Evolution Solar's 5 years and missing workers comp insurance.
| Clean Solar | Evolution Solar | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.5 | ★ 4.5 |
| Years Licensed | 18 years | 5 years |
| License # | 910849 | 1077221 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | San Jose, CA | Santa Clara, CA |
| Website | www.cleansolar.com | evolutionsolar.net |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Clean Solar
Customers consistently praise Clean Solar's thorough educational approach, with detailed consultations that explain technical details clearly and project managers who maintain responsive communication throughout installation.
Evolution Solar
Customers highlight direct access to owner George throughout their projects, appreciating his personal involvement from consultation through years of post-installation support and his willingness to promptly answer questions.
Key Takeaway: Clean Solar operates with project managers coordinating professional crews for broader project types, while Evolution Solar provides direct owner communication with George personally handling customer interactions for more straightforward 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...
Evolution Solar
Overall a very good experience. George was knowledgeable and forthcoming. I felt comfortable throughout the whole process. George took care of all the complicated details of the installation and subse...
I am thrilled with the services I received from Evolution Solar! I had contacted Evolution Solar to inquire about a solar system for my house due to a referral from a friend who used their solar syste...
Evolution Solar installed a solar system on our house over 2 years ago. I just called Evolution Solar (George) for questions about monitoring. George immediately answered the call and explained every...
Consider Clean Solar if...
- ✓ Your project involves battery backup systems, Tesla Powerwall integration, or whole-house energy storage where Clean Solar's 18 years of technical experience becomes critical
- ✓ You need both roofing work and solar installation handled by one contractor who understands how these systems interact structurally
- ✓ You want comprehensive liability protection with verified workers compensation coverage, eliminating potential exposure if someone is injured during your installation
- ✓ Your home is older or you anticipate complications during installation where veteran experience in problem-solving makes a measurable difference
Consider Evolution Solar if...
- ✓ You value direct owner communication throughout your project and want George personally involved from consultation through post-installation support
- ✓ Your project is a straightforward residential solar panel installation without battery backup or roofing components
- ✓ You're willing to verify your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries and accept the additional responsibility that comes with Evolution Solar's lack of workers comp coverage
- ✓ The personal service model of a smaller operation appeals to you more than working with project managers and installation crews
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Evolution Solar: Ask specifically about liability coverage and confirm with your homeowner's insurance whether you're protected if a worker is injured on your property during installation
- → For Evolution Solar: Ask how George handles multiple simultaneous projects and what happens if he's unavailable during your installation or needs post-installation support
- → For both: If you're considering battery backup, ask Clean Solar about their Tesla Powerwall installation volume and ask Evolution Solar whether they have experience with battery systems beyond standard solar arrays
- → For both: Request references from projects completed in the past year that match your specific system type and home configuration
The Bottom Line
Clean Solar is the stronger choice for most homeowners, particularly if your project involves battery backup, roofing work, or you have an older home where complications might arise. Their 18 years of licensed experience and full workers compensation coverage provide meaningful protection and capability advantages. Evolution Solar makes sense if you're doing a straightforward solar panel installation, highly value direct owner involvement throughout, and verify your homeowner's insurance adequately covers contractor injuries. The workers comp gap is a real liability concern you shouldn't overlook—contact your insurance provider before choosing Evolution Solar. For complex projects or comprehensive protection, Clean Solar's veteran status and complete insurance coverage justify their selection.
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Frequently Asked Questions
It matters significantly if complications arise. With 18 years in business, Clean Solar has encountered scenarios like outdated electrical panels, unexpected roof damage, complex HOA requirements, and utility interconnection issues many times over. Evolution Solar at 5 years is experienced but has seen fewer edge cases. For straightforward installations on newer homes, the gap matters less; for older homes or complex systems, veteran experience provides meaningful risk reduction.
If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor lacks workers compensation insurance, you could potentially be held liable for medical costs and lost wages. Before choosing Evolution Solar, call your homeowner's insurance provider to confirm your coverage extends to contractor injuries and understand any deductibles or limits. This isn't a theoretical concern—rooftop work carries inherent fall risks.
The service models differ: Evolution Solar offers direct owner communication with George handling your project personally, while Clean Solar uses project managers to coordinate installations. Customer feedback suggests Clean Solar maintains responsive communication through their project management structure, but you won't have the same single point of contact. If direct owner access matters to you and your project is straightforward, Evolution Solar's model may fit better despite other tradeoffs.
The data shows Evolution Solar focuses on solar panel installations without specific mention of battery backup work, while Clean Solar explicitly lists Tesla Powerwall and whole-house battery systems among completed projects. If battery storage is part of your plan now or in the future, ask Evolution Solar directly about their experience with battery integrations and request references from similar projects before deciding.
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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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