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Cobalt Power Systems vs Highlight Solar
Santa Clara Solar Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Cobalt Power Systems brings 8 additional years of solar industry experience, spanning multiple technology generations and specialty installations.
| Cobalt Power Systems | Highlight Solar | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.3 | ★ 4.8 |
| Years Licensed | 23 years | 15 years |
| License # | 820697 | 960376 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Mountain View, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Website | www.cobaltpower.com | www.highlightsolar.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Cobalt Power Systems
Customers emphasize Cobalt's ability to handle complex installations other companies declined, with particular appreciation for coordinated multi-trade projects and long-term relationships spanning system upgrades over years.
Highlight Solar
Customers consistently mention choosing Highlight after comparing multiple companies, citing competitive pricing, no-pressure sales approach, and high responsiveness throughout the installation process.
Key Takeaway: Cobalt is selected for solving difficult installation challenges, while Highlight is selected after competitive shopping focused on value and communication style.
Customer Reviews
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,...
Highlight Solar
We met with multiple solar companies and settled on Highlight due to both the great recommendations as well as our experience during the initial process. We asked a LOT of questions, then we asked mor...
Highly recommend
I can't say enough about the outstanding service we get from Highlight Solar. The team is incredible. Organized, responsive, skillful, reliable and nice! Every communication was clear from the start. ...
Consider Cobalt Power Systems if...
- ✓ Your home has specialty roofing materials like tile, slate, or metal that require adapted mounting techniques and experienced judgment
- ✓ You're coordinating solar installation with a new roof replacement and need a contractor who manages multi-trade timing
- ✓ Your property presents unusual challenges that other solar companies have declined to bid or have given you hesitation about
- ✓ You value working with a company that's navigated multiple generations of solar technology and can advise on system longevity
Consider Highlight Solar if...
- ✓ You're price-conscious and want a contractor known specifically for competitive, transparent pricing without pressure tactics
- ✓ You prefer working directly with an owner who's highly involved throughout the project rather than delegating to project managers
- ✓ You're comparing multiple solar bids and want a company that customers specifically chose after shopping around
- ✓ Your installation is relatively straightforward on composition shingle roofing without specialty complications
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Cobalt about their typical project management structure and whether you'll have a consistent point of contact throughout installation
- → Ask Highlight about their experience with your specific roofing type, especially if you have specialty materials
- → Request references from both companies for projects similar to yours in age of home and roof complexity
- → Ask both contractors how they handle unexpected structural issues discovered during installation and what that means for timeline and budget
The Bottom Line
For most homeowners with straightforward installations, both companies represent solid choices with the financial protections and experience you need. Choose Cobalt Power Systems if your project involves specialty roofing, requires coordination with other trades, or if you've had other contractors decline your job due to complexity—their 23 years and documented track record with challenging installations justifies the selection. Choose Highlight Solar if you're budget-conscious and comparing multiple bids, value high owner involvement, and have a relatively standard installation where transparent pricing and responsive communication matter most. If your home is older than 30 years or has any roofing beyond basic composition shingles, Cobalt's additional experience provides meaningful risk reduction.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For a straightforward installation on newer composition shingle roofing, both companies have ample experience to complete the work properly. The experience gap becomes meaningful if your home is older, has specialty roofing materials, requires structural assessment, or presents complications like unusual roof angles or shading issues. Cobalt's additional years specifically show up in customer feedback about handling declined projects and specialty materials.
Highlight Solar is specifically mentioned in customer feedback for competitive pricing and transparent quotes, with multiple customers noting they chose Highlight after comparing several bids. Cobalt's feedback doesn't emphasize pricing as a distinguishing factor, focusing instead on technical capabilities and project complexity. If budget is your primary concern, Highlight's track record suggests they're worth getting a quote from first.
Yes, both contractors have documented experience installing battery backup systems and coordinating them with solar arrays. Cobalt's feedback mentions customers returning years after initial installation to add batteries, suggesting they successfully integrate new technology with older systems. Highlight's feedback also confirms battery installations as part of their standard service scope.
Cobalt is based in Mountain View and Highlight in San Jose, but both serve throughout Santa Clara County. Your specific location within the South Bay shouldn't be a deciding factor. However, Cobalt's Mountain View base and feedback mentioning neighborhood referrals suggests strong presence in the mid-Peninsula communities, while Highlight explicitly mentions projects from San Jose to the Santa Cruz mountains.
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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 09, 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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