Compare Local Pros
Dollens Electric vs Highlight Solar
Santa Clara Solar Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
This is a choice between a full-service electrical contractor with broader capabilities and a solar specialist focused exclusively on photovoltaic installations.
| Dollens Electric | Highlight Solar | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 4.8 |
| Years Licensed | 20 years | 15 years |
| License # | 867376 | 960376 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | San Jose, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Website | dollenselectric.com | www.highlightsolar.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Dollens Electric
Customers emphasize Dollens Electric's quick response times, versatility across diverse electrical projects, and detailed explanations of work performed.
Highlight Solar
Customers highlight Highlight Solar's thorough solar consultations, competitive pricing after comparing multiple companies, and smooth handling of solar-specific permitting and utility coordination.
Key Takeaway: Dollens Electric's reviews focus on responsiveness and broad electrical capabilities, while Highlight Solar's reviews consistently emphasize the detailed solar system design process and no-pressure sales approach specific to solar installations.
Customer Reviews
Dollens Electric
Great Company, very happy every time they do work for us.
I needed to upgrade my electrical panel. Dollens Electric did a load calculation and recommended a new panel that would accommodate the electrification of my furnace and water heater down the road. Th...
Fixed my problem and replaced my electronic door lock promptly.
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 Dollens Electric if...
- ✓ You're installing solar as part of a broader electrical upgrade project, such as combining a new panel, generator backup, and EV charging station with your solar system, and want one contractor coordinating all electrical work.
- ✓ You value having an established relationship with an electrical contractor who can handle future non-solar needs, from troubleshooting to additions, after your solar installation is complete.
- ✓ Your project timeline is flexible and you prefer working with a generalist who brings two decades of problem-solving experience across the full range of residential electrical challenges.
- ✓ You want a contractor who can quickly diagnose and address existing electrical issues that might be discovered during solar installation.
Consider Highlight Solar if...
- ✓ Your project is specifically a solar installation with battery backup, and you want a contractor whose entire business focuses on optimizing solar system design and pricing.
- ✓ You're comparing multiple solar quotes and want a company that customers specifically cite for competitive solar pricing and thorough system consultations tailored to energy consumption patterns.
- ✓ You value working with installation crews who handle solar projects daily and are current with the latest solar panel technology, inverter options, and battery integration methods.
- ✓ You need expertise navigating the solar-specific permitting process, utility interconnection agreements, and coordination with programs like net metering that Highlight Solar handles routinely.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Dollens Electric how many solar installations they complete annually and whether their crews work on solar projects regularly or primarily handle other electrical work.
- → Ask Highlight Solar whether they can address non-solar electrical issues discovered during installation or if you'd need to hire a separate electrician for any required electrical repairs.
- → Ask both contractors about their warranty coverage specifically for solar components versus electrical work, and who handles service calls if issues arise with different system elements.
- → Request references from solar projects completed within the past year to understand each company's current solar installation volume and recent customer experiences.
The Bottom Line
If you're installing a standalone solar system and want a contractor who lives and breathes solar installations daily, Highlight Solar's exclusive specialization and customer feedback emphasizing competitive solar pricing and thorough consultations make them the stronger choice. Their 15 years of focused solar experience means refined system design, efficient installations, and practiced permitting coordination. Choose Dollens Electric if your solar installation is part of a larger electrical project involving panels, generators, or EV chargers, or if you value establishing a relationship with a full-service electrical contractor who can handle diverse needs beyond solar. Get quotes from both—Highlight Solar for optimized solar pricing and expertise, Dollens Electric for comprehensive electrical capability.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The experience difference is less important than the specialization difference. Dollens Electric's additional 5 years spans general electrical work, while Highlight Solar's 15 years are concentrated entirely on solar installations. For a straightforward solar project, Highlight Solar's focused experience likely means more solar-specific expertise. However, Dollens Electric's broader experience becomes valuable if your electrical system needs other upgrades or if complications arise that extend beyond the solar installation itself.
Customer reviews specifically mention Highlight Solar's competitive solar pricing as a decision factor, suggesting their focused business model may offer pricing advantages for solar installations. They likely negotiate better material pricing through higher solar equipment volume and can estimate projects more efficiently. However, if you need additional electrical work beyond solar, hiring separate contractors could offset any solar pricing advantage. Get detailed quotes from both to compare the total project cost.
Yes, Dollens Electric lists solar installation among their services and has completed solar projects according to their profile. However, Highlight Solar's reviews consistently emphasize smooth permitting and inspection coordination as a strength, suggesting this is a refined process for them. Ask Dollens Electric specifically about their solar permitting experience and how many solar projects they've guided through utility approval in the past year to gauge their current familiarity with these solar-specific requirements.
Yes, that consideration favors Dollens Electric. Their core business includes EV charger and generator installations, so they can handle future additions seamlessly. If you hire Highlight Solar for solar now, you'd need to establish a relationship with a separate electrical contractor for non-solar work later. Consider whether having one contractor familiar with your entire electrical system over time is worth potentially paying more for the initial solar installation if Highlight Solar's pricing is lower.
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 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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