Questions to Ask a Solar Provider Before You Sign
A solar system stays on your roof for decades, and the contract can run nearly as long. These are the questions worth asking every provider, with what a good answer looks like.
Call to see if your home qualifies(877) 565-3409Home Solar Line connects you with an independent solar provider. We don't sell or install anything ourselves. Calls may be recorded.
- Free call
- No forms to fill out
- Independent local providers
- No obligation
Who this is for
Check all five before you call:
- You own the home (not renting)
- It's a single-family house or townhouse
- The roof gets full sun or only light shade
- Your power bill is over $100 a month
- The home doesn't already have solar panels
Renting, in a condo, apartment or mobile home, under heavy shade, or already have panels? This line can't help with those, so please don't call.
What happens when you call
- Answer a few quick questionsDo you own the home, how much is your power bill, how sunny is the roof.
- Get connectedIf your home fits, you're put through to an independent solar provider who serves your area.
- Talk it through, then decideThey look at your roof and usage and explain options. No obligation to buy.
About the company
Do you install with your own crew, or use subcontractors?
Either can work, but you should know who will be on your roof, and who is responsible if something goes wrong.
Can I see your contractor license and proof of insurance?
Check the license with the agency that issued it, where your state or town requires one. Insurance should cover liability and the workers on the job.
How long have you been installing in this area?
Local experience means they know the permit office, the utility's paperwork and the local roofs.
Can I talk to a few recent customers nearby?
A provider with happy customers usually has some willing to talk.
About the system
How much will it produce in a year, and on what assumptions?
Ask what shade, roof direction and weather data the estimate uses. An estimate without assumptions is hard to trust.
Which panels and inverters, exactly?
Get brand and model numbers so you can look up the manufacturer's warranty and compare quotes fairly.
How was my usage used to size it?
A good design starts from a year of your bills and your utility's export rules, not from the biggest system that fits.
What happens to my roof?
Ask how panels are attached, how penetrations are sealed, and whether the roof should be repaired or replaced first.
About the price and contract
What is the total price, and the price per watt?
Price per watt lets you compare quotes for different-size systems.
What is included?
Permits, interconnection, any electrical panel upgrade, monitoring, roof work, removal and reinstall if the roof needs work later.
If I finance, what are the rate, term and fees?
Ask for the cash price and the financed price side by side. The gap shows the cost of the financing.
If I lease, is there a yearly escalator?
An escalator raises the payment every year. Know it before you compare against your utility bill.
What happens if I sell the house?
Owned systems usually go with the house. Loans and leases may need to be paid off or transferred to the buyer.
About warranties and service
What do the warranties cover?
Separate the panel and inverter manufacturer warranties from the installer's workmanship warranty and any roof leak coverage.
Who honors the warranty if your company closes?
Manufacturer warranties usually survive. Workmanship warranties depend on the installer being around.
How will I monitor production?
Most systems have an app. Ask who watches it and what happens if output drops.
Who do I call for service, and how fast do you respond?
Get a name or a number in writing, not just "call us".
Red flags when shopping for solar
- Pressure to sign on the spot, before you can compare.
- Claims that solar costs nothing, or that a program pays for it entirely.
- Promises that your power bill will go away.
- A savings estimate with no production numbers or assumptions behind it.
- No contractor license number or proof of insurance when you ask.
- Vague financing terms, or a contract you aren't given time to read.
See if solar makes sense for your house.
One free call. Tell a provider about your roof and your bills, and decide from there.
Who this is for
Check all five before you call:
- You own the home (not renting)
- It's a single-family house or townhouse
- The roof gets full sun or only light shade
- Your power bill is over $100 a month
- The home doesn't already have solar panels
Renting, in a condo, apartment or mobile home, under heavy shade, or already have panels? This line can't help with those, so please don't call.
Questions
How many quotes should I get?
More than one if you can. Comparing a few quotes is the easiest way to spot a price or a design that is out of line.
Should I sign on the first visit?
You don't have to. A fair offer will still be there after you have read the contract and compared it.
Are you a solar company?
No. Home Solar Line is a free phone line that connects homeowners with independent solar providers. We don't sell, design or install systems, and we don't set prices.
Does the call cost anything?
No. The call is free, and there's no obligation to buy anything from the provider you talk to.
Who qualifies?
Homeowners in a single-family house or townhouse with a roof that gets full or mostly full sun, a power bill over $100 a month, and no solar panels already. If that's not you, the provider won't be able to help.
How do I check the provider?
Ask for their contractor license (if your state requires one) and proof of insurance before signing anything. It's on you as the homeowner to check.