Compare Local Pros
Citadel Roofing And Solar vs Element Electric
Solano Solar Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Citadel brings 34 years of combined roofing and solar expertise versus Element's 20 years focused primarily on electrical and solar installations.
| Citadel Roofing And Solar | Element Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.7 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 34 years | 20 years |
| License # | 647149 | 871218 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Vacaville, CA | Dixon, CA |
| Website | www.citadelrs.com | elementelectric.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Citadel Roofing And Solar
Customers consistently praise Citadel's technical troubleshooting expertise and ability to diagnose and resolve complex solar system problems that other contractors failed to fix.
Element Electric
Customers emphasize Element Electric's owner involvement, thorough consultation process, and efficient installations completed on schedule with competitive pricing.
Key Takeaway: Citadel earns recognition for solving difficult technical problems after-the-fact, while Element receives praise for smooth project execution and clear upfront communication during the sales and installation process.
Customer Reviews
Citadel Roofing And Solar
My technician Tyler Jones was on time and very respectful. He explained what he was doing to connect my solar to wifi and how to log into the app to monitor my solar connectivity. Thank you for your...
I had 2 solar panel micro inverters fail and needed the warranty parts replaced. Tyler communicated when he would arrive and went over and above sending me pictures of the cracked tiles on my roof tha...
Ask for Tyler Jones he was my service Tech. He was very helpful and informative. Took time to help me understand the App and how all the solar process works. Thank you.
Element Electric
I recently had a solar battery installed by Andrew at Element Electric and the entire experience exceeded my expectations. Andrew is professional, knowledgeable, and took the time to explain everythin...
I can’t say enough about Andrew and his company. As the owner of Electrify My Home he has been a go to Premium quality Installer of batteries Solar equipment etc. not only is price always been very ...
I just wanted to give a shout out to Andrew, I called element electric to get a wall charger installed and the experience was amazing. Andrew handled everything for me and kept me updated the whole ti...
Consider Citadel Roofing And Solar if...
- ✓ Your project combines roofing work with solar installation, avoiding the complexity of coordinating separate contractors and ensuring roof integrity before panel installation
- ✓ You're dealing with an existing solar system experiencing performance issues, inverter problems, or connectivity malfunctions that require advanced diagnostic capabilities
- ✓ You need service for equipment installed by another contractor, warranty claim support, or repairs on systems from multiple manufacturers
- ✓ Your property is older or may present hidden structural complications that benefit from 34 years of field experience identifying and addressing unexpected issues
Consider Element Electric if...
- ✓ You want direct owner involvement throughout your project with personalized attention from consultation through final inspection
- ✓ Your project involves coordinating solar installation with EV charging stations, electrical panel upgrades, or other electrical system improvements
- ✓ You prioritize competitive pricing and value detailed upfront explanations that help you understand system sizing and equipment options
- ✓ You prefer a contractor with a proven track record of completing solar installations efficiently, often within a single day, with minimal disruption to your household
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For roofing concerns: Ask Citadel specifically how they assess roof condition before solar installation and what roofing repairs they recommend; ask Element who they partner with for roofing work if needed
- → For complex projects: Ask Citadel about their experience with your specific inverter brand or system configuration; ask Element about their approach to electrical panel capacity assessment
- → For ongoing support: Ask both companies about their response time for service calls after installation and whether they maintain long-term relationships with solar customers
- → For project timeline: Ask Element about their typical installation schedule and crew size; ask Citadel how they coordinate roofing and solar work phases if both are needed
The Bottom Line
If your project involves roofing work, requires sophisticated diagnostic capabilities, or you want the deepest technical expertise available, Citadel's 34 years and dual specialization make them the stronger choice. Their track record resolving complex solar issues that stumped other providers demonstrates problem-solving depth that matters for complicated installations or older homes. Choose Element Electric if you value high owner involvement, need electrical integration work beyond basic solar installation, or want a contractor known for efficient, competitively priced installations with strong consultation upfront. Both are well-qualified veteran contractors with proper insurance and bonding—your specific project requirements should drive the decision. If you're uncertain about roof condition or anticipate system complications, lean toward Citadel's additional experience and roofing expertise.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
For a simple installation on a newer home with a sound roof and standard electrical setup, both contractors have more than sufficient experience. The experience gap becomes meaningful if your roof needs work, your home presents unusual mounting challenges, or you anticipate needing sophisticated troubleshooting support down the road. Citadel's additional 14 years translates to having seen more edge cases and system complications.
Element Electric has the advantage here as a licensed electrical contractor with documented EV charger installation experience. Their electrical background means they can properly assess your panel capacity, coordinate charging station placement with solar production, and handle the entire electrical integration in-house. Citadel would likely need to coordinate with a separate electrician for dedicated EV charging installations.
Citadel's combined roofing and solar expertise eliminates coordination problems between trades and ensures your roof warranty won't be voided by panel installation. Using one contractor who takes responsibility for both systems simplifies logistics, warranty claims, and future service needs. Separate specialists can work, but you'll manage the coordination and potential finger-pointing if issues arise at the roof-solar interface.
Element Electric receives specific mentions of competitive pricing in reviews, suggesting they may be positioned favorably on cost. Citadel's reviews focus more on technical problem-solving and service quality without pricing emphasis. For the most accurate comparison, get detailed quotes from both that break down equipment, labor, and warranty coverage so you can evaluate the complete value proposition.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top solar contractors in Solano.
Other Solano Solar Contractors Comparisons
Citadel Roofing And Solar
★ 4.7
Greiner Heating Air And Electric
★ 5.0
Citadel Roofing And Solar
★ 4.7
Right Now Air And Solar
★ 4.9
Citadel Roofing And Solar
★ 4.7
North Bay Air Systems
★ 5.0
Element Electric
★ 5.0
Greiner Heating Air And Electric
★ 5.0
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.