How to Read a Solar Quote
A solar quote should help you compare options, not just present a monthly payment. Because every roof, utility, and electrical panel is different, SolCheck does not publish a generic installed price on this site. When you receive a proposal from us — or from anyone else — these are the questions worth asking.
1. What exactly is being installed?
Look for module manufacturer and model, module wattage and quantity, inverter type (string, microinverters, or hybrid), and, if storage is included, the battery model and usable kilowatt-hours. “Premium panels” without a model number is not enough. The proposal should also show the array’s orientation, tilt if known, and any noted shading issues.
2. How was production estimated?
Annual kilowatt-hour estimates should say what tool or method was used (for example, NREL PVWatts or a licensed design tool), what assumptions were made for tilt, azimuth, and losses, and that the figure is an estimate, not a guarantee. Weather, soiling, outages, and equipment performance all cause real-world results to vary. If a quote promises a fixed production number with no assumptions, ask for the basis.
3. What is included — and what is not?
Clarify whether the price includes permits, standard interconnection fees, standard racking, electrical upgrades (such as a panel replacement or a new breaker), roof work, trenching, and traffic control if needed. A low number that excludes a panel upgrade is not cheaper; it is incomplete. Ask who pulls the permit, who is on site for inspection, and who communicates with your utility.
4. How is the system connected to your utility?
GVEC, NBU, and the City of Seguin have different interconnection steps, metering requirements, and export-credit rules. A complete quote should name your utility and describe the paperwork the installer will file. It should not assume a buyback rate from a different utility or a net-metering program you are not actually on. See our GVEC and NBU guide.
5. What incentives are being assumed?
As of November 14, 2026, the federal Residential Clean Energy Credit is not available for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. If a 2026 quote still subtracts a 30% federal credit from your cost, that figure is not consistent with current IRS guidance. Utility rebates, if any, should be described with current eligibility rules — including whether the installer is actually on a required contractor list. We will not include an incentive we cannot source. See our tax-credit article.
6. Warranties, who to call, and the timeline
Ask for the manufacturer warranties on modules, inverters, and batteries, and for any workmanship warranty the installer provides, in writing. Confirm who you call if something fails in year two, and whether monitoring is included. Ask for a realistic timeline that includes design, permitting, utility approval, installation, and permission to operate — installation day is often the shortest part.
7. The contract, not just the slide deck
A proposal is not a contract until you sign one. Read payment terms, change-order rules, and what happens if equipment models are substituted. You should never feel rushed to sign on a first visit. SolCheck offers a free, no-obligation consultation; if solar or a battery is not a good fit, we will tell you.
Sources and further reading
- NREL, PVWatts Calculator, for independent production estimates. pvwatts.nrel.gov.
- IRS, Residential Clean Energy Credit, for current federal credit status. irs.gov.
- GVEC tariff and NBU interconnection and rate documents, cited in our buyback article.
- State Energy Conservation Office and PUCT consumer resources on solar are worth reading alongside any installer proposal. When in doubt, get a second quote and compare equipment and assumptions, not just the monthly payment.