How to read a solar quote
A solar quote can run to several pages and still leave out the numbers that decide whether it is a good deal. Here is what to look for, what to ignore, and what to ask before you sign.
Start Here
Four things to check first
If you only look at four things on a quote, make it these. Everything else is secondary.
System size and production
Look for kilowatts of capacity AND estimated annual production. An inflated production estimate is the most common way a quote is made to look better than it is.
Exact equipment models
"Tier 1 panels" is not a specification. You want the make and model of the panels and the inverter. Without those, you cannot compare two quotes or verify what you are buying.
Who performs the install
In-house crews and subcontractors produce different quality and different accountability. Ask directly, and ask what the workmanship warranty covers and for how long.
What is included in the price
Permits, inspection, electrical upgrades, roof work, monitoring, and removal of the old system all need to be explicit. Line items that appear on one quote and not another are how comparisons go wrong.
The "net price" trap
Some quotes lead with a figure that has already subtracted the federal tax credit. A $28,000 system might be presented as "$19,600" — which is not what you pay at signing.
The federal credit is claimed on your tax return. It is not deducted at the point of sale, and it depends on your tax liability. A quote that shows the net figure as its headline price makes every other quote look expensive by comparison.
Always ask for the gross price — the amount you actually pay before any incentive — and compare quotes on that basis.
Walk Away
Red flags worth taking seriously
None of these is automatically disqualifying on its own. Together, or repeated, they are a strong signal.
- Pressure to sign during the first visit
- No written specification of panels and inverter
- Vague answers about who does the installation
- A 'price' that already subtracts the federal tax credit
- Production estimates far above what your roof supports
- No local address, license number, or verifiable references
- Claims that shade will not affect your system
- A limited-time price that expires today
Common Questions
Reading quotes, answered
What should a solar quote include?
A complete quote should state the system size in kilowatts, the exact panel make and model, the inverter type and model, the number of panels, an estimated annual production figure, the mounting system, the total price and what it includes, the workmanship warranty length, and the equipment warranties. If any of those are missing, ask for them in writing before comparing.
What is the most important number on a solar quote?
Estimated annual production is the one most often inflated and the one that most affects your payback. A quote promising unusually high output for your roof's size and orientation deserves scrutiny. Ask what assumptions were used — shade, azimuth, pitch, and degradation — and whether the estimate comes from modeling software or a rough calculation.
Why do quotes show different system sizes?
Because installers make different assumptions about your consumption, your roof's usable area, and how much of your bill solar should offset. This is not automatically a problem, but it means comparing total prices is misleading. Normalize by asking each installer to quote the same target system size, then compare.
What is a workmanship warranty and how long should it be?
The workmanship warranty covers the installation itself — roof penetrations, wiring, flashing — as opposed to the equipment manufacturer's warranty on panels and inverters. Length varies widely between installers. Since most problems that emerge in the first years are installation-related rather than equipment failures, this is one of the most important terms to compare.
Should I be worried if the price is much lower than others?
Sometimes it is simply a leaner company, and sometimes it reflects lower-tier equipment, subcontracted labor, or a warranty you will struggle to enforce if the company folds. Ask what is different: which panels, which inverter, who performs the install, and what the workmanship warranty covers. A large gap deserves an explanation.
What red flags should make me walk away?
Pressure to sign during the first visit. Refusal to put complete pricing and specifications in writing. Vague answers about who actually performs the installation. No verifiable local references or physical address. Claims that sound too good — no shade impact, guaranteed production far above what your roof supports. And any suggestion that you must act today to lock a price.
Does the quote include the federal tax credit?
Be careful here. Some quotes advertise a 'net price' that already subtracts the federal credit, which can make the figure look dramatically lower than it is. The credit is claimed on your taxes, not applied at the point of sale, so the amount you actually pay up front may be higher. Ask for the gross price and treat the credit as a separate line.
How do I compare quotes with different equipment?
Ask every installer to re-quote using the same panel and inverter specification, then compare those numbers. If one refuses or cannot, that itself is informative. Once specifications match, compare price per watt, production estimates, workmanship warranty, and the scope of what is included.
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