Empire Solar Review 2026: Verify Which Empire Solar You're Actually Hiring

“Empire Solar” or “Empire Solar Group” is a name that has been used by several distinct solar companies across multiple states over the past decade. At least one namesake entity in Utah went through bankruptcy; others have pivoted or closed. The California operation, with mentions tied to the Pasadena area, has a mixed reputation with some older positive reviews and more recent complaints around delays and unfinished work. Before proceeding, homeowners should verify exactly which legal entity is quoting them.

The Verification Checklist

If a salesperson from “Empire Solar” contacts you, do the following before signing anything:

1. Ask for the exact legal entity name and CSLB license number. A real California solar contractor must hold an active C-46 (Solar) or C-10 (Electrical) license.
2. Verify the license at cslb.ca.gov. Confirm it's active (not expired, suspended, or revoked), check the bond status, and look for any disciplinary actions on record.
3. Cross-check the business address and officers against the company's website. A mismatch is a red flag.
4. Search recent news for the exact entity name (not just “Empire Solar” — include the city and state). Look for bankruptcy filings, lawsuits, or consumer complaints.
5. Ask who will actually perform the installation. Is it the sales entity's in-house W-2 crew, or a third-party subcontractor? Get the installing contractor's CSLB license too.
6. Ask the sales rep which panel/inverter brands they'll install and get that in writing. Mainstream Tier-1 options (Qcells, REC, Canadian Solar, Panasonic/Maxeon panels; Enphase, SolarEdge inverters) are what you want.

What We Know About the California Entity

Review data for Empire Solar in California is inconsistent:

• Some older Yelp/Google reviews (2019–2022) are positive.
• More recent reports include delays on install completion, some unfinished work, roof leak complaints, and financing handoff issues when a third-party lender wasn't aligned with the install schedule.
• Namesake bankruptcy and closure mentions appear in search results for Empire Solar entities in other states, easy to conflate with the CA operation.
• CSLB license status varies by specific entity; the original Empire Solar Group license status is worth verifying if that's who's quoting you.

Financing and Products

The California operation has offered solar loans through third-party financing partners and uses Tier-1 third-party panels. No proprietary panel manufacture. Equipment selection varies by install.

When Empire Solar Could Make Sense

The honest take: only if you can clearly identify and verify the specific Empire Solar California entity, its CSLB license is active, and their recent customer references check out. Given the name-confusion risk and the several cleaner-reputation California alternatives in this comparison (Baker Electric, Solar Optimum, New Day, Option One, Sunlux), most buyers will find a lower-risk option elsewhere at similar pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions