Compare Local Pros
Taylor Energy vs Michael & Sun Solar
Sonoma Solar Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Two highly comparable established solar contractors with nearly identical credentials and customer satisfaction patterns.
| Taylor Energy | Michael & Sun Solar | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 13 years | 14 years |
| License # | 975545 | 967354 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Sebastopol, CA | Graton, CA |
| Website | www.taylor-energy.com | www.michaelandsunsolar.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Taylor Energy
Customers consistently highlight Taylor Energy's patient educational approach and responsiveness, with particular appreciation for their willingness to thoroughly explain solar systems and battery options.
Michael & Sun Solar
Customers emphasize Michael & Sun Solar's professional team approach and technical knowledge, with mentions of their competence in handling permitting, financing coordination, and timely project completion.
Key Takeaway: Taylor Energy receives more specific praise for educational patience and custom problem-solving, while Michael & Sun Solar feedback emphasizes overall team professionalism and financial facilitation.
Customer Reviews
Taylor Energy
I was up against the Jan. 1 deadline after another company suddenly dropped my solar project. Taylor stepped in and they were courteous, responded to my many inquires and some got it through the perm...
Taylor Energy was excellent throughout the entire process. My solar and battery installation was complicated by my HOA’s requirements, yet each step of the process was handled with patience and thor...
We are very pleased with the quality of service we received from Taylor Energy. They were prompt, responsive and easy to work with on the installation of two solar batteries and an upgrade to our main...
Michael & Sun Solar
We were extremely satisfied with Michael & Sun Solar. They were available any time for any of our many questions, even before we signed a contract. We love our solar and battery system. It's been so m...
We recently completed our second solar installation with Michel and Sun Solar, having previously worked with them on another property. Once again, they delivered solid results. This latest project ca...
Can't recommend Michael and Sun enough! They did a fantastic job from start to finish. Very professional, fast, on top of it! They also worked seamlessly with our solar lender and made it very easy fo...
Consider Taylor Energy if...
- ✓ Your property has physical constraints or custom design needs requiring creative installation solutions, as Taylor Energy has documented experience with complex site configurations
- ✓ You want extensive education about different battery systems and solar options, with customers specifically praising their patience in explaining technical details
- ✓ You're working with an HOA and need a contractor experienced in navigating approval requirements and custom design constraints
- ✓ You prefer Tesla Powerwall or Franklin battery systems for energy storage
Consider Michael & Sun Solar if...
- ✓ You're planning to finance your solar installation and want a contractor with established relationships with solar financing lenders
- ✓ You're interested in Enphase systems based on their documented experience with this platform
- ✓ You value a contractor with slightly longer licensing history, though the one-year difference is minimal in practical impact
- ✓ You prefer working with a Graton-based contractor for geographic proximity to that area of Sonoma County
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask each company about their current installation timeline and crew availability, as this may be the deciding factor given their similar qualifications
- → Inquire about warranty coverage specifics and which battery systems they recommend for your particular energy usage patterns and backup needs
- → Request references from recent installations with similar roof types or site challenges to yours to assess their relevant experience
The Bottom Line
This is genuinely a close call between two well-qualified solar contractors. Both have over a decade of experience, proper insurance and bonding, and satisfied customers praising their professionalism and competitive pricing. Choose Taylor Energy if you have a complex installation requiring custom solutions or want a contractor known for exceptionally patient customer education. Choose Michael & Sun Solar if you're financing your system and want a contractor with established lender relationships or prefer Enphase systems. For most standard residential solar installations, either company should serve you well—make your decision based on which provides better availability for your timeline and which proposal addresses your specific property needs more thoroughly.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No. Michael & Sun Solar has 14 years licensed versus Taylor Energy's 13 years, but this one-year difference is negligible. Both are well-established contractors with over a decade of residential solar experience in Sonoma County. Either company has sufficient experience to handle standard and complex residential installations.
Yes, with some variation. Taylor Energy specifically mentions working with Tesla Powerwall and Franklin battery systems. Michael & Sun Solar has documented Enphase system experience. Both handle battery backup installations, so ask each company which systems they currently recommend based on your specific energy needs and budget.
Taylor Energy receives particularly strong feedback for patient education and answering questions thoroughly throughout the process. However, Michael & Sun Solar also receives praise for explaining technical aspects clearly. Both appear well-suited for homeowners new to solar, though Taylor Energy's reviews emphasize this educational approach more consistently.
Michael & Sun Solar specifically mentions working with various solar financing lenders as part of their service offering, with customer feedback referencing this aspect. If financing your system is important, ask Michael & Sun Solar about their lender relationships and compare financing options between both contractors.
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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 13, 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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