Get quotes that are actually comparable

• Ask for the same system size (in kW) from each installer, not just a price for “covering your usage.”
• Get the specific panel and inverter brand and model in writing – not vague terms like “premium” or “top-tier.”
• Compare cost per watt across quotes, not just the total price (see our Cost Guide).
• Ask what’s included versus billed separately – permitting, interconnection fees, and any roof work.

Ask about the warranty – all three kinds

Solar quotes bundle together three separate warranties that often have different lengths and different companies standing behind them: the panel manufacturer’s equipment warranty, the inverter manufacturer’s warranty (often shorter than the panels’), and the installer’s own workmanship warranty covering the installation itself. Get all three in writing, and ask what happens to each one if the installer goes out of business.

Red flags worth walking away from

• High-pressure, same-day-signature sales tactics.
• Any mention of a “30% federal tax credit” for a system you’ll own outright – that credit expired for purchased systems at the end of 2025 (see our Incentives guide).
• Reluctance to provide a license number or references from recent local customers.
• A quote with no itemized equipment list – just a lump-sum total.