Compare Local Pros
Clean Solar vs Simmitri
Santa Clara Solar Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Simmitri brings nine additional years of licensing experience and demonstrates high owner involvement with comprehensive project documentation throughout the process.
| Clean Solar | Simmitri | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.5 | ★ 4.8 |
| Years Licensed | 18 years | 27 years |
| License # | 910849 | 765156 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | San Jose, CA | Morgan Hill, CA |
| Website | www.cleansolar.com | www.simmitri.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Clean Solar
Clean Solar customers consistently highlight patient technical education, thorough explanations during consultations, and a sales approach focused on understanding specific energy needs without pressure.
Simmitri
Simmitri customers consistently mention comprehensive project management including detailed documentation with photographic evidence, efficient handling of permitting processes, and timely project completion.
Key Takeaway: Clean Solar's strength appears in upfront education and technical consultation, while Simmitri's distinction emerges in execution-phase project management with detailed administrative coordination and documentation throughout the installation process.
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...
Simmitri
Simmitri installed our Enphase solar panels and later our battery system. They did a terrific job. Our system runs well after three years. They were good to work with. Their office helped us with th...
After interviewing 3 solar companies I selected Simmiti for my dolar installation. The planning and submissions to PGE and SCCounty Building were done in a timely manner. The installation crew was sup...
We can say that installing and working with Simmitri was a seamless experience. They did exactly as they say they would. The staff is amazing to work with, especially the Project Manager Pamela Rodrig...
Consider Clean Solar if...
- ✓ Your project is primarily solar-focused with battery backup needs like Tesla Powerwall integration, where Clean Solar demonstrates specific expertise in system expansions and whole-house battery configurations.
- ✓ You value extensive upfront education about technical details and want a sales process characterized as patient and informative rather than rushed.
- ✓ You're in the core San Jose area where Clean Solar concentrates their operations, potentially reducing travel time for service calls.
- ✓ You plan to expand your system over time, as multiple customers mention returning to Clean Solar for additions to existing solar arrays.
Consider Simmitri if...
- ✓ Your project requires coordinated roofing and solar work, where Simmitri's dual expertise eliminates the complexity of managing separate contractors for each discipline.
- ✓ You prioritize comprehensive documentation and detailed project tracking, as customers consistently mention Simmitri's photographic evidence and thorough inspection processes.
- ✓ You value direct owner involvement throughout the project lifecycle, which Simmitri demonstrates consistently based on customer feedback.
- ✓ You need a contractor with maximum experience navigating utility coordination and permitting processes, where Simmitri's 27 years provides the deepest institutional knowledge of PG&E requirements and local building department procedures.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask each company how they handle situations where roof condition issues are discovered during solar installation preparation, and who coordinates between roofing and solar crews if different teams are involved.
- → Request references from customers who completed projects similar to yours in scope, particularly if you need both roofing and solar work done simultaneously.
- → Clarify what level of project documentation you'll receive at each stage, including inspection reports and photographic records of work completed.
- → Ask about their typical timeline for permit approval and utility interconnection in your specific jurisdiction, and what factors might extend those timeframes.
The Bottom Line
Simmitri holds measurable advantages in licensing experience and demonstrates documented owner involvement with comprehensive project management, making them the stronger choice for most homeowners, particularly those needing coordinated roofing and solar work or complex permitting situations. Their 27 years of experience and consistent feedback about administrative coordination suggests they're better equipped to handle unexpected complications. Clean Solar remains a solid veteran contractor particularly well-suited for solar-focused projects where technical education is a priority, or for customers who plan system expansions over time. If your project is primarily battery backup or Tesla Powerwall integration, Clean Solar's specific expertise in those areas deserves consideration. For combination roofing and solar projects or situations requiring maximum institutional knowledge of local permitting, Simmitri's track record provides greater assurance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward installations on newer roofs, both companies have sufficient experience to handle the work professionally. The experience gap becomes more meaningful if your project involves complications like coordinating roof replacement, working with older homes that may have hidden structural issues, or navigating utility approval challenges. Simmitri's 27 years means they've encountered more edge cases and built deeper relationships with local building departments.
Both companies offer roofing and solar services, but customer feedback suggests different approaches. Simmitri is consistently mentioned for their ability to coordinate both disciplines as their core service model, with multiple customers specifically choosing them for this dual capability. Clean Solar handles combination projects as well, but their customer feedback emphasizes solar expertise more than roofing coordination. Ask each company how they sequence the work and who manages coordination between trades.
Clean Solar receives consistent praise for patient explanations and thorough technical education during the sales process, suggesting they excel at helping customers understand their options upfront. Simmitri's feedback emphasizes responsive communication throughout project execution, with specific mentions of regular updates and administrative coordination. If you prioritize learning details before committing, Clean Solar's approach may suit you better. If you value ongoing project management communication, Simmitri's documented track record stands out.
Location matters primarily for service response times and familiarity with local permitting offices. Clean Solar operates from San Jose serving Santa Clara County, while Simmitri operates from Morgan Hill serving the broader South Bay. Both serve overlapping territories, but the company closer to your specific city may have tighter relationships with your local building department and potentially faster response times for any post-installation service needs.
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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 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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