Compare Local Pros
Earth Electric vs Poco Solar Energy
Santa Clara Solar Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Poco Solar Energy brings nearly double the licensing history with pool heating specialty, while Earth Electric offers superior communication and project management for modern battery storage systems.
| Earth Electric | Poco Solar Energy | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 4.7 |
| Years Licensed | 11 years | 20 years |
| License # | 1003783 | 879366 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Campbell, CA | Santa Clara, CA |
| Website | www.earth-electric.com | www.pocosolar.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Earth Electric
Earth Electric consistently receives praise for responsive communication, thorough educational explanations, and efficient project execution with well-managed permitting and scheduling.
Poco Solar Energy
Poco Solar Energy earns recognition for deep technical knowledge and diagnostic expertise across multiple system types, but recent feedback highlights scheduling delays and communication responsiveness challenges.
Key Takeaway: Earth Electric demonstrates reliable operational communication throughout projects while Poco Solar Energy's technical competence is offset by inconsistent responsiveness and scheduling coordination in recent customer experiences.
Customer Reviews
Earth Electric
New Update: Earth Electric did an outstanding job 10 years ago to install my solar panels. I picked them after evaluating a large number of other national and local vendors. I just had Earth Electric ...
Earth Electric was fantastic to work with for our Tesla Powerwall installation! They weren’t the cheapest option (or the most expensive), but their service was absolutely incredible and worth every ...
We had Earth Electric install solar panels, batteries, and an electric car charger at our home, and are very pleased with the results! They did an excellent job with the installation and completely ha...
Poco Solar Energy
Eddie showed up on time and got right to it and figured out the problem in short order. He completed the repairs in no time.
I've been a customer of Poco for over 16 years. I thought Darwin was irreplaceable, but I was wrong. Ed Is about the only person who could've replaced Darwin with his friendliness and expertise. Appre...
Poco Solar replaced my existing solar swimming pool heater. They did a very good job and I would recommend them.
Consider Earth Electric if...
- ✓ You're installing a Tesla Powerwall, whole-home battery system, or EV charger requiring coordination with panel upgrades and modern electrical integration
- ✓ Communication responsiveness and predictable scheduling are priorities for your project timeline
- ✓ Your project involves complex situations like limited panel capacity, roof coordination, or navigating utility interconnection requirements
- ✓ You value thorough educational explanations of equipment options and system design tailored to your specific home
Consider Poco Solar Energy if...
- ✓ You need pool solar heating installed or repaired, particularly leak diagnosis and panel replacement on existing thermal systems
- ✓ You have an older solar installation requiring maintenance or repair and want a contractor familiar with legacy equipment spanning multiple decades
- ✓ You're comfortable being proactive about follow-up communication and flexible with scheduling timelines
- ✓ You're seeking competitive pricing and appreciate technicians with deep diagnostic experience across various system types and manufacturers
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Poco Solar Energy specifically about their current scheduling timeline and how they'll keep you updated throughout the project given recent communication feedback
- → Ask Earth Electric for references from projects involving similar complexity to yours, particularly if you need battery storage or extensive panel work
- → Ask both contractors about their approach to handling permitting delays or utility interconnection issues that could extend your timeline
- → Ask Poco about their process for coordinating between pool heating and photovoltaic work if you need both systems
The Bottom Line
Choose Earth Electric if you're prioritizing battery storage, EV charging, responsive communication, and efficient project management for modern solar installations. Their consistent customer feedback about thorough explanations and well-coordinated processes makes them the safer choice for homeowners who value predictable timelines. Choose Poco Solar Energy if you need pool solar heating expertise, have an older system requiring maintenance, or want a veteran contractor familiar with legacy equipment across multiple decades. However, set clear expectations about communication frequency and build buffer time into your schedule. For standard photovoltaic installations without pool heating needs, Earth Electric's operational reliability outweighs Poco's additional licensing years.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward rooftop solar on newer homes, the gap matters less. Poco's 20 years becomes more valuable if you have an older home with outdated electrical systems, need diagnosis of existing solar equipment, or want pool heating alongside photovoltaic panels. Earth Electric's 11 years is sufficient for modern installations and they show stronger project management execution.
Yes, communication directly affects your project experience and timeline. Even excellent technical work becomes frustrating if you can't get scheduling updates or responses to questions. Multiple recent customers noted these challenges, so plan to be proactive about follow-up and build extra time into your expected completion date if you choose Poco.
Earth Electric has clear specialization in battery storage systems including Tesla Powerwall, with customers specifically mentioning these projects. Their focus on modern energy storage technology and complex electrical integration makes them the stronger choice for battery additions. Poco does battery installation but it's not highlighted as a specialty area.
Yes, both have documented experience with this. Poco specifically receives feedback about system removal and reinstallation services. Earth Electric also coordinates roof replacement with solar installations. Ask each for references from recent roof coordination projects and clarify warranty implications for the reinstallation work.
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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 11, 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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