No-gate buyer worksheet
Solar Quote Checklist: Questions Before You Sign
Use this checklist when an installer sends a proposal. Start with gross price per watt, then verify production, incentives, batteries, financing, and warranty details before comparing net savings claims.
System size and production
- What system size in kW DC is quoted?
- What annual kWh production is promised or estimated?
- Which shade, roof plane, tilt, and azimuth assumptions were used?
- Is the proposal sized from 12 months of usage or from a rough bill estimate?
Price and incentives
- What is the gross price before incentives, financing, and dealer fees?
- What is the gross price per watt?
- Which incentives are included in the net price, and what source proves they are active?
- Does the quote rely on a federal tax credit assumption that needs tax review?
Financing and ownership
- Is this cash, loan, lease, or PPA pricing?
- Are dealer fees, escalators, APR, prepayment rules, and transfer rules shown clearly?
- Who owns the system, incentives, renewable credits, and production guarantee?
- What happens if you sell the home?
Equipment, battery, and warranty
- What panel, inverter, racking, and monitoring equipment is included?
- Is battery cost shown as a separate line item?
- Does the battery improve savings, backup resilience, or both?
- Who handles workmanship, roof penetrations, service calls, and monitoring issues?
How to use this with SolarCalcNow
Run the calculator first, save the report, then enter the installer quote into the quote checker. If the quote uses a net price after incentives, ask for the gross price and each incentive source before comparing payback.
Focused checklist variants
Use these when a quote adds storage or uses financed marketing prices.