Compare Local Pros
Element Electric vs Robert's Solar
Solano Solar Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Element Electric carries workers compensation insurance and has documented customer feedback, while Robert's Solar has more years licensed but lacks both workers comp and reviews.
| Element Electric | Robert's Solar | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 3.0 |
| Years Licensed | 20 years | 32 years |
| License # | 871218 | 690958 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Dixon, CA | Dixon, CA |
| Website | elementelectric.com | robertssolar.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Element Electric
Element Electric customers consistently praise detailed project explanations, clean and efficient installations completed on schedule, and responsive communication throughout the solar installation process.
Key Takeaway: Element Electric has documented customer feedback establishing patterns of communication and quality, while Robert's Solar has no available review history to assess customer satisfaction or project management approach.
Customer Reviews
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...
Robert's Solar
Thorough, conscientious, timely. Will definitely use again
Consider Element Electric if...
- ✓ You want to minimize liability risk, as Element Electric's workers compensation insurance protects you if someone is injured during installation
- ✓ You value transparent communication throughout the project, with customers consistently mentioning detailed explanations and regular updates
- ✓ Your project might uncover related electrical work, as Element Electric handles comprehensive electrical services beyond just solar panels
- ✓ You want to review recent customer experiences before committing, as Element Electric has documented feedback about installation quality and timeline reliability
Consider Robert's Solar if...
- ✓ You have a direct referral from someone who has personally used Robert's Solar and can vouch for their work quality and reliability
- ✓ You're willing to verify current workers compensation status directly and confirm your own homeowner's liability coverage for contractor injuries
- ✓ You specifically value the longest possible licensing history and want a contractor who has worked through three decades of solar technology evolution
- ✓ You're comfortable proceeding without documented customer feedback and will conduct your own thorough reference checks
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Robert's Solar directly about current workers compensation insurance status and request a certificate of insurance, then contact your homeowner's insurance to understand your liability exposure if they don't carry it
- → Ask Robert's Solar for at least three references from solar installations completed in the past year, and actually call them to discuss communication, timeline, and quality
- → Ask both companies how they handle permit coordination, inspection scheduling, and any issues that arise during installation
- → Ask Element Electric about their equipment suppliers and warranties, and ask Robert's Solar the same to compare what manufacturers and warranties each company provides
The Bottom Line
Element Electric presents a lower-risk choice for most homeowners, combining veteran experience with workers compensation insurance that protects you from liability, documented customer feedback confirming quality work and communication, and broader electrical capabilities if your project needs expand. Robert's Solar's additional 12 years of licensing is notable, but the absence of workers comp insurance creates real liability exposure for you, and without customer reviews, you're relying entirely on references they provide. Unless you have a strong personal referral for Robert's Solar and are willing to verify insurance and thoroughly check references yourself, Element Electric offers more verifiable protection and documented reliability for your solar installation.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
Both companies qualify as veterans with decades of experience navigating solar technology changes and installation standards. Robert's Solar's additional 12 years means exposure to earlier solar generations, but Element Electric's 20 years still covers modern systems including battery storage and EV charging. The more immediate concern is verifiable track record through customer feedback and complete insurance protection rather than the licensing gap between 20 and 32 years.
With Element Electric's workers compensation insurance, injured workers file claims against that policy, protecting you from liability. Without workers comp on file, Robert's Solar's injured workers might pursue claims against your homeowner's insurance, potentially increasing your rates or exposing you to lawsuits. Before hiring any contractor without workers comp, contact your insurance agent to understand your specific exposure and whether your policy even covers contractor injuries.
Element Electric's broader electrical capabilities don't necessarily mean higher solar pricing—customers specifically mention competitive pricing in reviews. Their diverse services could actually be advantageous if your solar installation reveals electrical panel upgrades or other work needed to support the system. Get detailed written estimates from both companies to compare actual project costs rather than assuming the solar specialist is cheaper.
Not necessarily a dealbreaker, but it does mean you need to do more homework yourself. Some excellent contractors simply don't have online review presence, especially older companies. However, you should absolutely get multiple references, call them, and verify the company's current insurance status and project approach before signing. The lack of reviews shifts more due diligence responsibility to you as the homeowner.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top solar contractors in Solano.
Other Solano 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 11, 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.