How to Compare Solar Quotes
Key Takeaways
- Understand the core components of solar pricing.
- Always compare multiple quotes to find the best deal.
- Incentives can drastically reduce your net cost.
Apples to Apples: Evaluating Proposals
Receiving multiple solar quotes is essential, but comparing them can be confusing if the installers present the data differently. Here is how to break them down.
Cost Per Watt
The most reliable metric for comparing the price of different quotes is the "Cost Per Watt." Simply take the total gross cost of the system (before tax credits) and divide it by the system size in watts. For example, a $15,000 system that is 5,000 watts (5kW) costs $3.00 per watt. This levels the playing field between systems of slightly different sizes.
Equipment Quality
If Quote A is cheaper than Quote B, check the equipment. Quote A might be using older, lower-efficiency panels or string inverters, while Quote B might include premium, high-efficiency panels and microinverters. Determine if the premium is worth the extra cost for your specific roof.
Assumptions in Savings Projections
Installers often include charts showing how much money you will save over 25 years. Look closely at their assumptions: What rate of utility inflation did they use? If they assume utility rates will rise 6% every year, their savings projection will look much better than an installer who conservatively assumes a 3% rise.
Reviewed by the Superior Solar editorial team
We enforce a strict editorial policy focused on factual accuracy, transparent methodologies, and unbiased homeowner education.
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