A solar quote checklist helps you compare proposals on equal terms. The goal is not to pick the cheapest price immediately. The goal is to see which quote is complete, realistic, and matched to the property.
Use this checklist after you have at least two proposals or before signing any contract.
System design
Confirm each quote shows:
- Number of panels.
- Panel brand and model.
- Total DC system size.
- Inverter type, brand, and model.
- Battery brand, model, usable capacity, and power rating if included.
- Racking or mounting system.
- Monitoring platform.
- Roof layout or site plan.
- Equipment locations.
Do not compare proposals only by panel count. Compare system size, estimated production, equipment quality, and scope.
Production estimate
Ask for:
- Estimated annual kWh production.
- Monthly production estimate.
- Shade assumption.
- Roof direction and tilt assumption.
- System losses assumption.
- Degradation assumption.
- Tool or model used.
Production estimates are not guarantees. They are planning assumptions. A useful quote explains the model and the conditions behind the number.
Price and scope
Separate:
- Gross cash price.
- Financing price.
- Battery price.
- Roof work.
- Electrical upgrades.
- Meter work.
- Permits.
- Utility or network application.
- Monitoring subscriptions.
- Removal and reinstallation terms.
If one installer includes electrical work and another excludes it, the cheaper quote may not be cheaper.
Incentives and tax treatment
Check:
- Which incentives are included.
- Who receives each incentive.
- Whether the incentive is guaranteed or estimated.
- Required documentation.
- Expiration dates.
- Eligibility assumptions.
- Tax-credit limitations where relevant.
Do not let an incentive estimate hide the true gross project cost.
Savings assumptions
Review:
- Current electricity rate.
- Export credit or feed-in tariff.
- Net metering or net billing treatment.
- Time-of-use schedule.
- Direct self-consumption estimate.
- Battery operating mode.
- Annual electricity price escalation.
- Household load changes.
If a proposal assumes high future electricity inflation or perfect battery use, ask for a conservative scenario.
Warranties and service
Confirm:
- Panel product warranty.
- Panel performance warranty.
- Inverter warranty.
- Battery warranty.
- Workmanship warranty.
- Roof penetration coverage.
- Labor coverage for warranty replacement.
- Monitoring and fault-response process.
- Installer service area.
- Transferability if the home is sold.
A strong equipment warranty is less useful if labor, diagnosis, or installer support is unclear.
Contract and ownership terms
Read:
- Legal seller.
- Installer of record.
- Cancellation rights.
- Payment milestones.
- Change-order rules.
- Timeline assumptions.
- Permit responsibilities.
- Utility approval responsibilities.
- Default terms.
- Dispute process.
- Transfer process if the home is sold.
For leases, PPAs, or financed systems, review escalators, total payments, buyout terms, liens, roof access rights, insurance, and end-of-term options.
Utility and approval path
Ask:
- Which utility or network rules apply.
- Which rate schedule is assumed.
- Whether export approval is guaranteed or pending.
- Whether a meter change is needed.
- Who handles interconnection.
- When permission to operate is expected.
- What happens if the utility changes requirements.
Solar is not fully complete until approval, inspection, and operation requirements are satisfied.
Red flags
Be careful when a proposal:
- Guarantees a zero bill without tariff detail.
- Treats tax credits as automatic cash rebates.
- Refuses to provide a cash price.
- Hides equipment models.
- Gives no production method.
- Ignores roof condition.
- Pressures immediate signing.
- Omits utility approval.
- Combines solar and battery economics without separate numbers.
Final comparison step
Put every quote into the same table:
| Quote | System size | Gross cash price | Net cost | Annual production | Main exclusions | Financing notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installer A | Enter kW or kWp | Enter price | After incentives | Enter kWh/year | List exclusions | Cash, loan, lease, PPA |
| Installer B | Enter kW or kWp | Enter price | After incentives | Enter kWh/year | List exclusions | Cash, loan, lease, PPA |
| Installer C | Enter kW or kWp | Enter price | After incentives | Enter kWh/year | List exclusions | Cash, loan, lease, PPA |
Then decide which proposal remains strongest under conservative assumptions.
Continue with How To Compare Solar Quotes, Solar Panel Cost Calculator, and Solar Payback Calculator.