Compare Local Pros
Highlight Solar vs Poco Solar Energy
Santa Clara Solar Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Highlight Solar offers responsive communication for photovoltaic projects, while Poco Solar Energy provides broader services including pool heating but faces recent scheduling challenges.
| Highlight Solar | Poco Solar Energy | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.8 | ★ 4.7 |
| Years Licensed | 15 years | 20 years |
| License # | 960376 | 879366 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | San Jose, CA | Santa Clara, CA |
| Website | www.highlightsolar.com | www.pocosolar.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Highlight Solar
Customers consistently praise responsive communication throughout projects, thorough consultations without pressure, and smooth coordination from quote through final inspection.
Poco Solar Energy
Long-term customers value technical expertise and system durability over decades, but recent feedback highlights frustrating scheduling delays and communication responsiveness challenges.
Key Takeaway: Highlight Solar maintains consistent operational performance with reliable communication, while Poco Solar Energy shows a concerning recent pattern of scheduling and responsiveness issues despite strong technical capabilities.
Customer Reviews
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. ...
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 Highlight Solar if...
- ✓ You're installing a new residential photovoltaic system with battery backup and want responsive communication throughout permitting and inspection coordination
- ✓ You value thorough consultation to compare system designs and pricing options without pressure tactics
- ✓ Your timeline matters and you need a contractor with current feedback showing reliable scheduling and project management
- ✓ You're planning potential system expansion in the future and want to work with a company customers return to for additional projects
Consider Poco Solar Energy if...
- ✓ You need pool solar heating installation or repair, where Poco's specialized expertise in solar thermal systems is directly relevant
- ✓ You have an existing Poco Solar system requiring leak repair, panel replacement, or seasonal maintenance from technicians familiar with your equipment
- ✓ You're planning roof work that requires temporary system removal and reinstallation, a service Poco has documented experience performing
- ✓ You're willing to be proactive with follow-up calls and flexible on scheduling to access their 20 years of technical knowledge
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Poco Solar Energy directly about their current scheduling timeline and how they'll keep you updated throughout the project given recent feedback about communication delays
- → Ask Highlight Solar for references from projects similar in scope to yours, particularly if you're adding battery backup or require electrical panel upgrades
- → Confirm with both companies how they handle permitting coordination and what your involvement will be in the inspection process
- → Ask about warranty coverage on both equipment and installation work, and how service requests are handled after project completion
The Bottom Line
For most residential photovoltaic installations in Santa Clara County, Highlight Solar offers the more reliable current experience with consistent customer feedback praising communication, project coordination, and thorough consultations. Their 15 years of licensing provides substantial expertise for standard solar panel systems, battery backup, and electrical upgrades. Choose Poco Solar Energy if you specifically need pool solar heating expertise, have an existing Poco system requiring service, or need system removal for roof work where their documented experience applies. However, go into a Poco project prepared to be proactive about communication and schedule follow-ups yourself. For a straightforward photovoltaic installation where timeline and responsiveness matter, Highlight Solar's current operational performance makes them the safer choice this week.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward photovoltaic installations, 15 years provides ample experience to handle typical projects and complications. The practical difference emerges more in specialized areas: Poco's 20 years includes extensive pool solar heating expertise that Highlight doesn't offer. For standard rooftop photovoltaic systems, current operational performance and communication reliability matter more than the licensing gap.
Yes, this is a legitimate concern worth addressing directly. Multiple recent reviews cite these challenges, which can extend project timelines and create frustration. If you choose Poco, set clear expectations upfront about communication frequency and build extra time into your project schedule. Their technical expertise remains strong, but you'll likely need to be more proactive about follow-up.
Highlight Solar's documented expertise centers on photovoltaic systems, not solar thermal pool heating. If you need both, Poco Solar Energy has specific experience installing and maintaining pool heating systems alongside photovoltaic panels. Alternatively, you might use Highlight for photovoltaic work and a pool-specific contractor for thermal systems.
Highlight Solar has clear documented experience with battery backup integration mentioned consistently in customer feedback. Poco also performs battery installations, but their customer feedback focuses more heavily on pool systems and panel repairs. For a project where battery backup is central, Highlight's track record shows this as a routine part of their installations.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top solar contractors in Santa Clara.
Other Santa Clara Solar Contractors Comparisons
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.
Get in Touch
Have questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you.