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Highlight Solar vs Simmitri
Santa Clara Solar Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Simmitri's 27 years of licensing and dual roofing-solar capability make it the more experienced choice, particularly for projects requiring both roof work and solar installation.
| Highlight Solar | Simmitri | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.8 | ★ 4.8 |
| Years Licensed | 15 years | 27 years |
| License # | 960376 | 765156 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | San Jose, CA | Morgan Hill, CA |
| Website | www.highlightsolar.com | www.simmitri.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Highlight Solar
Customers emphasize Highlight Solar's educational consultation approach, competitive pricing, and straightforward communication throughout solar-focused projects.
Simmitri
Customers highlight Simmitri's comprehensive project management, detailed documentation with photographic evidence, and ability to coordinate both roofing and solar work seamlessly.
Key Takeaway: While both receive praise for communication and professionalism, Simmitri customers specifically mention the value of having one contractor handle roof and solar coordination, eliminating the complexity of managing multiple contractors on interrelated work.
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. ...
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 Highlight Solar if...
- ✓ Your roof is newer (less than 10 years old) and you're certain it won't need replacement during the solar panel lifespan, making solar-focused expertise sufficient.
- ✓ You value Highlight Solar's San Jose location if you prefer a contractor based directly in the city rather than Morgan Hill.
- ✓ You've already had your roof inspected separately and want a contractor specializing exclusively in solar installations without the broader roofing services you don't need.
- ✓ You're expanding an existing solar system and want a company with specific experience in system additions, as noted in their customer feedback.
Consider Simmitri if...
- ✓ Your roof is 15+ years old or you're unsure about its condition, since discovering roof issues mid-solar-project means coordinating two contractors or delaying installation.
- ✓ You need or want both roof replacement and solar installation, allowing one company to coordinate the entire project from structural work through final solar activation.
- ✓ The 27 years of licensing experience provides additional confidence for complex installations, particularly on older homes where electrical systems may need significant upgrades.
- ✓ You value having detailed photographic documentation throughout the project, which customers specifically mention as part of Simmitri's inspection and completion process.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Simmitri specifically about their process for assessing roof condition during solar consultations and what percentage of their solar projects require roof work.
- → Ask Highlight Solar how they handle situations where roof issues are discovered during solar assessment and whether they coordinate with roofing contractors or expect homeowners to manage that separately.
- → Request references from each company for projects similar in scope to yours, particularly if you're considering battery backup systems, which both companies install.
- → Ask both contractors about their experience with your specific roof type (tile, shingle, flat) and how mounting systems are integrated to maintain weatherproofing.
The Bottom Line
For most homeowners, Simmitri's 27 years of licensing and dual roofing-solar capability make it the stronger choice, particularly given that many solar projects reveal unexpected roof issues. Unless you've recently replaced your roof or had it professionally inspected with confirmation it'll last another 25+ years, Simmitri's ability to handle both disciplines under one contract reduces risk and coordination complexity. Highlight Solar remains a solid option if you're certain about your roof condition and prefer their San Jose location, as they demonstrate strong solar-specific expertise and customer satisfaction. Both companies carry proper insurance and bonds, maintain high owner involvement, and receive positive feedback for professional work. Get quotes from both, but lean toward Simmitri unless your roof is definitively in good condition.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward solar installations on newer roofs, both contractors demonstrate strong technical capability and customer satisfaction. The experience gap becomes more meaningful if your project involves complications like older electrical systems requiring panel upgrades, complex roof geometries, or uncertain roof condition. Simmitri's additional 12 years means they've handled more edge cases and technological transitions in the rapidly evolving solar industry.
If you're considering Highlight Solar and your roof is over 15 years old, a separate inspection is wise since they specialize in solar only. With Simmitri, their dual expertise means they'll assess roof condition during the solar consultation, potentially saving you an additional inspection cost. Either way, understanding your roof's remaining lifespan before committing to solar panels is essential, since you don't want to remove new panels for roof replacement.
If your roof needs replacement within the next few years, having one contractor handle both eliminates coordination headaches, warranty confusion, and potential delays. Solar mounting systems penetrate your roof, so having the same company responsible for both weatherproofing and solar installation means clearer accountability. If your roof is newer and doesn't need work, this advantage becomes less relevant.
Customer feedback indicates both contractors manage permitting and utility interconnection smoothly, with customers specifically praising each company's handling of these administrative requirements. This appears to be a strength both share rather than a differentiating factor. You can ask each company about typical timeline from installation completion to final PG&E approval based on their recent projects.
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 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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