Getting multiple solar quotes is a vital part of the solar shopping process. After all, you wouldn’t replace your roof based on a single call to the nearest roofer, right? The same is true when it comes to searching for the best solar quote.
Each solar company includes different information in their solar quote. Oftentimes they provide the basic details, but sometimes they conveniently leave out important details that could have major impacts on your decision to install with them or not.
But how do you compare these competing solar quotes, and more importantly, what could your solar quotes be missing?
Let’s take a look at the top 9 details your solar quote might be missing, and what you should look for when comparing these solar quotes.
What Could Be Missing:
WHAT IS A SOLAR QUOTE?
Getting a solar quote is one of the first and most important steps when shopping for a solar company. It’s also a solar company’s first and best opportunity to earn your trust and business. It’s also your opportunity to compare your options for installing solar panels and ask questions.
A solar quote often contains most of the basic information related to your potential solar panel installation. This can include details about the materials to be used, as well as the system’s estimated cost, energy production, and warranty. A solar quote can also contain information about your potential solar savings, financing options, and the solar installation process.
However, not all solar quotes are alike. Every solar company includes different information in their solar quote, and they can also leave out some important details at times. The key is knowing what to look for and what the information means in your solar quote.
That’s why it’s important to look for these top 9 details that should be included in every solar quote.
1. ESTIMATED COSTS
Probably the most important information on any solar quote should be estimated cost. While it’s not the only factor to consider when shopping for solar, it is one of the most significant.
A reputable solar company should make the estimated cost of your solar installation clear and simple, not buried in a thick stack of papers you have to dig through.
Even more importantly, a solar company should not require you to sign or agree to any terms just to see the cost of your solar installation. This type of activity could indicate you are working with a solar company that’s more interested in your money than in providing you with services and products you deserve.
Most solar companies will also provide a breakdown of the estimated costs of your solar installation. These costs can include items such as equipment, labor, and other services such as trenching and additional electrical work.
It’s important to remember that an initial solar quote is just an estimate. This is the first step in providing a custom quote and detailed installation plan for your solar panel system. After a thorough analysis of your electrical usage and property, as well as discussions about your desired energy offset, equipment, and financing options, these numbers can and will very likely change. But in the end, every solar quote must include an estimated cost of your solar installation. If not, be very cautious and be sure to get multiple quotes from other solar companies.
But don’t be fooled by a low cost estimate. As they say, you get what you pay for. And while a solar company might offer you a rock-bottom price for a solar panel installation, there are other factors to consider. What is the solar company’s reputation with past customers? Do they provide a top-notch experience throughout the install process, from permitting to flipping the switch? Do they provide the best quality equipment available? Will they provide quality service in the future if your solar panel system has a problem? These are all crucial factors to consider alongside the cost of installing solar panels.
2. SOLAR INCENTIVES
Solar incentives are another major piece of information that should be included on every solar quote. Solar incentives can include tax credits, rebates, discounts, and other benefits that can significantly reduce the cost of going solar.
Most solar companies will ask about details such as your income, if you pay taxes, if you own a business, and other information to determine which solar incentives you qualify for. The good news is that most homeowners and businesses qualify for at least one solar incentive. And in many cases, solar incentives can be stacked on top of each other. These solar incentives can add up quickly and significantly reduce the cost of going solar.
Some solar incentives can only be offered by certified or approved solar companies. This is another reason to shop for multiple solar quotes. Each and every solar incentive is a chance to save money, so it’s important to work with a solar company that can find and offer you as many solar incentives as possible.
And don’t forget! Most solar incentives have an expiration date or gradually decrease over time. Be sure to ask your solar consultant when your solar incentives expire or decrease so you don’t miss out on valuable solar discounts, rebates, and tax credits.
Find out which solar incentives you qualify for. Check out Solar Incentives Guide.
3. ESTIMATED SAVINGS
Along with estimated costs and solar incentives, your solar quote should also include the estimated savings you can expect by installing solar panels.
The major reason most people install solar panels is to save money. By installing solar panels, you can produce your own power. This not only reduces or eliminates your power bill, it also saves you from constantly rising energy costs.
Your solar quote should reflect these estimated savings and project the long-term savings you can expect by installing solar panels. But be mindful of how your savings estimates compare from solar company to solar company. If your estimated solar savings are significantly higher with one solar company, you might want to inquire further to ensure their savings projections aren’t skewed to close the sale.
Again, this is another reason why you should get multiple solar quotes. By comparing your estimated solar savings between multiple solar companies, you can better determine what your actual solar savings will be. In the process, you can also rule out solar companies that might be fudging their number in attempts to win your business.
Estimate your total savings, payments, and total energy usage with our FREE solar calculator.
4. WARRANTY INFORMATION
Warranty information is also a critical part of every solar quote. You want to make sure a solar company stands behind the products it installs and the workmanship of their solar installation.
Most solar panels nowadays come with a 25-30 year warranty that covers both the product and its energy production. This means the solar panels are guaranteed to hold up to normal wear-and-tear conditions for 25-30 years. As well, these solar panels are guaranteed to produce a certain percentage of their original energy production specifications for 25-30 years. For instance, a 400 Watt solar panel with a 30-year, 90% production warranty is guaranteed to produce 360 Watts after 30 years.
Solar panel warranties provide good peace-of-mind for those purchasing solar panels. Solar panels are a big investment for many homeowners and businesses, and they want to make sure their investment will hold up over time. Fortunately, thanks to solar panel warranties, homeowners and businesses can rest assured their solar panels will last well past their payback period.
On top of product warranties, a solar quote should outline a company’s workmanship warranty. A solar workmanship warranty should describe to what extent a solar company stands behind its work. For instance, a solar workmanship warranty might guarantee the solar system will be free of any defects or issues related to work done by their installers and electricians. This could include roof penetrations, wiring, meter upgrades, and other work. And if there are issues, the warranty should outline what will be covered under those circumstances.
Always, always, always seek out warranty information. Like we stated, solar panels are a large investment. You want to make sure the products and workmanship you are investing in will be covered. If your solar quote does not include these details, make sure you ask your solar consultant for this information in writing.
5. ENERGY PRODUCTION ESTIMATES
Another detail that should be included on every solar quote is estimated solar energy production. The amount of energy your solar panels produce each year should be clearly stated and easy to understand.
Nearly all solar quotes will include this detail, but it’s important to know and understand what this information means. The estimated energy production of your solar panels is the total number of kilowatt-hours (kWh) that will be generated by your solar panels for one year. Determining the number of kWh your solar panels will produce depends on a number of factors including your climate, roof orientation, solar panels used, desired energy offset, and more. These will all be calculated by the solar company.
KWh is also how the utility company measures how much energy you use. This is why a solar company will ask to see your utility bill. Your utility bill will show how much energy you consume and can be used to estimate the amount of energy your solar panels need to produce.
When comparing solar quotes, take note of any differences you see between estimated energy production. Slight differences here and there are expected, but they should all hover around a certain kWh figure. If a solar quote has a significantly higher energy production estimate, be sure to ask why it is higher. The company might be using different software or metrics to come to their estimate, but they might also be trying to sell you more solar panels than you need.
6. CUSTOM SOLAR DESIGN
Every solar panel installation is unique, and every solar quote should be unique as well. That’s why every solar quote should include a custom solar design that is unique to your needs.
There are so many different variables to consider when designing a solar panel installation. From the size and shape of your roof to local permitting and building policies to the restraints of your budget: Each one of these variables (and more) impacts the design of your solar installation. If these variables are not considered carefully and used to custom design your solar panel installation, the result could be you paying too much for a system that doesn’t work for your specific needs.
That’s why your solar quote should include a custom solar design that considers all the variables involved. Be sure to look over the design with your solar consultant and ask any questions you have about the design. Why are solar panels on this side of the roof and not the other? Why are they laid out in this pattern? Will this be enough to cover my entire energy bill?
While your solar consultant might not be able to answer all your questions, they can get more details from the solar designer who engineered your system.That’s one true sign of a good solar company: The company’s ability to answer your questions or find the answers if they don’t know right away.
Want to see a 3D model of solar panels on your roof? Try our Solar Calculator!
When comparing solar designs from multiple solar companies, take note of any differences you see. Don’t be afraid to ask your solar consultant why their company’s design looks different and what that means for you. Remember, they are there to help you and ensure you have all the info you need to make an informed decision about installing solar panels.
7. EQUIPMENT DETAILS
Knowing what type of equipment a solar company will install is important to know. That’s why every solar quote should provide details about the number and types of equipment to be installed.
Probably the most important pieces of equipment in a solar installation are the solar panels. The solar panels are the heart of the solar install, and you want to make sure you are getting the best solar panels for your money.
Your solar quote should clearly detail the make and model of your solar panels. For instance, the quote could show that the solar company plans to install 20 380W solar panels (MSE380SX5R) made by Mission Solar. This will provide you with the information you need to research those panels, ensure they have good performance and warranties, and compare them to other solar panels on other solar quotes.
If solar panels are the heart of a solar installation, the solar inverter is the brain. The inverter is a device that converts Direct Current (DC) energy, which the solar panels produce, into Alternating Current (AC) energy, which is what your home uses.
Again, your solar quote should detail the make, model, and number of solar inverters. For instance, the quote could show that the solar company plans to install one 10kW solar inverter (SE10000H) made by SolarEdge. This will provide you with the information you need to research that inverter, ensure it has good performance and warranty, and compare it to other inverters on other solar quotes.
Learn about the different types of solar inverters. Each type has its pros and cons.
If you plan on installing a battery backup system and/or EV charger, the same holds true: You want to make sure your solar quote clearly details the make, model, and number of these important components. If not, be sure to ask your solar consultant for a list of these items.
Learn more about battery backup and EV charging.
8. INSTALLATION TIMELINE
The process of installing solar panels can be lengthy. While it might only take a few hours or a few days to actually install the solar panels on your roof or property, the entire solar process can take months. So it’s important your solar quote outlines an expected timeline for your solar installation.
From the first call to the day you switch on your solar install, there can be several months and quite a few steps to complete. These steps include gathering information about your energy usage, analyzing your roof or property, designing your custom solar system, securing financing, submitting permitting paperwork, applying for solar incentives, scheduling your installation, and passing final inspection by the city and utility company.
It’s very important to understand the full scope and timeline of your solar installation. As mentioned, it could be a few months after you sign your contract that your solar panels are installed. Throughout the process, the solar company should be in communication to let you know the progress of your install and to coordinate days and times for sitework, inspections, and installation.
Another important factor to keep in mind is the date your solar panels are turned on. Solar panels are most productive during the sunny spring and summer months. To take advantage of those peak sunny months, it’s important to consider starting the install process as early as possible. That’s why many homeowners and businesses install solar panels during fall or winter. By the time their solar panels are installed and ready, their system can capture all the wonderful sunlight that comes with spring and summer.
Learn why installing solar panels in winter is a great idea.
9. CONTACT INFORMATION
Finally, one significant detail you want on every solar quote is contact information. It might be easy to overlook, but it’s important to know who to call or email with all your questions and concerns.
Not only should your solar quote have contact information for the office, it should also include contact information for the specific solar consultant you are working with. If the solar quote doesn’t provide the solar consultant’s direct phone number or email address, ask them for their business card.
Having those phone numbers and email addresses will be vital moving forward. If you need to get in touch with your solar consultant or another solar expert in the office, it should be simple and easy to call or email someone. If the solar quote doesn’t include these details, if your solar consultant is reluctant to provide this information, or if the phone numbers or email addresses don’t lead to an actual person, be cautious. If it’s difficult to speak with someone now, how hard will it be during or after your solar panels are installed?
Have questions about solar panels, battery backup, EV charging, or something else? Contact us today and get answers.
COMPARING SOLAR QUOTES IS IMPORTANT
As you can see, comparing solar quotes is super important when shopping for solar panels. Each solar quote provides the opportunity to learn more about solar energy and what each solar company can offer.
A solar quote is also an opportunity to interact with the solar company and evaluate their performance. You get to see what they have to offer, both in terms of products and service. By asking questions of your solar consultant, you can get a sense how you will be treated as their customer and how well they know solar energy.
When comparing solar quotes, the best thing you can do is ask questions. Your solar consultant should be able to provide you with answers to all your questions. And if they don’t know the answer, they should reach out to someone who does and get back with you.
And be mindful of all the details that are included and not included on your solar quote. What a solar company leaves out of their solar quote might have more to say about their products and service than what they include.
Want to compare your solar quote with a quote from Green Ridge Solar? Request your free solar analysis today!
Have questions about solar panels, battery backup, EV charging, or something else? Contact us today and get answers.
