How to Compare Solar Quotes Side by Side: A Homeowner's Worksheet
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Short answer: to compare solar quotes fairly, put every quote on the same worksheet: system size, cash price, price per watt, estimated first-year production, equipment, warranties, financing terms and what happens at the end of the contract. Then compare the cost against the energy each system is expected to produce, not just the headline monthly payment. This guide is written for U.S. homeowners, and the numbers in it are examples, not market prices.
What should every solar quote include?
Ask each company for the same details in writing. If one quote leaves something out, ask for it before you compare.
| Line on your worksheet | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| System size (kW DC) | Needed for price per watt |
| Cash price before incentives | The only fair starting point |
| Financed price, if different | Shows any fee built into the loan |
| Estimated first-year production (kWh) | What you are really buying |
| Assumptions behind production | Shade, roof direction, losses |
| Panel, inverter and battery models | Lets you check the datasheets |
| Warranties, and who backs them | Product, performance and workmanship are separate |
| Roof or electrical work | Often the difference between low and high bids |
| Who does the installation | The seller may not be the installer |
| Permits, interconnection and timeline | Who files what, and what happens if it is delayed |
How do you work out price per watt?
Divide the cash price by the system size in watts. A $24,000 quote for an 8.0 kW system is $24,000 divided by 8,000 watts, or $3.00 per watt. It is a useful way to compare systems of different sizes, as long as you use the price before any incentives.
A worked example with three quotes
These quotes are made up to show the method. Real prices depend on your state, roof and equipment.
| Quote A | Quote B | Quote C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| System size | 8.0 kW | 7.2 kW | 8.8 kW |
| Cash price | $24,000 | $20,880 | $28,160 |
| Price per watt | $3.00 | $2.90 | $3.20 |
| Estimated first-year production | 11,200 kWh | 9,500 kWh | 13,000 kWh |
| Production per kW | 1,400 kWh | 1,319 kWh | 1,477 kWh |
| Cost per first-year kWh | $2.14 | $2.20 | $2.17 |
Quote B has the lowest price per watt and the lowest total, but Quote A costs less for each unit of energy it is expected to produce. Now look at the assumptions. If Quote C claims far more production per kW than the others on the same roof, ask why. The difference may be a better roof plane or a design choice, or it may be an optimistic estimate.
You can test those numbers yourself with the PVWatts calculator, which the U.S. Department of Energy points homeowners to for early estimates. Our guide to reading a production estimate explains what to look for.
Compare the savings claims carefully
Savings estimates depend on assumptions that you cannot see in the headline figure. Ask each company to show you:
- The electricity rate they used today, and how fast they assumed it would rise.
- How your utility credits exports. See our guide to net metering vs net billing.
- Whether any tax credit is included.
- Whether panel degradation is included.
On tax credits, the IRS says the Residential Clean Energy Credit is not available for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. A proposal that still counts a 30% credit on a new system needs correcting. State and local incentives vary, and DSIRE is a useful place to start. Speak to a tax professional about your own position.
Cash, loan, lease or PPA?
A quote is only comparable if you know what you own at the end. Our solar financing guide covers these in more depth.
| Option | Who owns it | What to compare |
|---|---|---|
| Cash | You | Total price |
| Loan | You | APR, term, total repayments, dealer fee, any balloon or re-amortization rule |
| Lease | The provider | Monthly payment, yearly increase, transfer rules, end-of-term options |
| PPA | The provider | Rate per kWh, yearly increase, transfer rules, end-of-term options |
Escalators deserve a calculation. A PPA at $0.16 per kWh that rises 2.9% a year reaches about $0.32 per kWh in year 25. That may or may not beat your utility, and nobody can know future rates, so test a few scenarios. Selling a home with a lease or loan also takes planning, which we cover in selling a house with solar panels.
Red flags when comparing quotes
The U.S. Department of Energy's homeowner guide tells buyers not to give in to pushy sales tactics, to talk to certified installers, to understand their financing options and to report bad actors. Be especially careful if a company:
- Asks you to sign on the same day, or says a price is only good today.
- Will only quote a monthly payment and will not give a cash price.
- Calls a lease, PPA or loan a free or government program.
- Shows savings that assume a tax credit you may not be able to claim.
- Will not name the installer or show its license.
A simple way to choose
- Remove any quote with missing details or pressure tactics.
- Check license, insurance and reviews for each remaining installer. See how to choose a solar installer.
- Rank what is left by cost per first-year kWh, using the cash price.
- Compare warranties and who stands behind them.
- Compare the true financing cost.
- Ask the top two to correct anything you do not understand, then decide without a deadline.
If you want one more quote for your worksheet, Powur offers quotes for U.S. homes. Its site describes a list of service states, and coverage can vary, so check that your address is included. Treat its quote the same way as every other one.
FAQ
How many solar quotes should I get?
Three is a sensible minimum, because it gives you enough to spot an outlier. More than that can become hard to compare, unless a new quote changes the picture.
Is the cheapest price per watt the best deal?
Not always. A lower price per watt can come with less production, weaker warranties or a higher-cost loan. Compare the cost against estimated production and the terms as well.
What is a dealer fee on a solar loan?
It is a fee paid by the installer or finance partner to a lender, and it is usually built into the system price. Ask for the cash price and the financed price side by side, so that you can see the gap.
Can I still get the federal solar tax credit in 2026?
The IRS says the Residential Clean Energy Credit is not available for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. Ask any installer to remove it from their savings estimate, unless your tax adviser confirms otherwise.
Does this guide apply in the UK?
No. It is written for U.S. homeowners. UK schemes, tax rules and export payments are different, and U.S. incentives do not apply.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Energy: Homeowner's Guide to Going Solar
- IRS: Residential Clean Energy Credit
- PVWatts Calculator
- DSIRE: Incentives and policies by state
This article is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice. Figures are illustrative; confirm current rules and prices before you decide.
Want One More Quote to Compare?
Request a solar quote through our Powur link, then put it on the same worksheet as the others.
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