Global guide · Solar quotations
Solar Quotation Checklist — What to Check Before You Sign
A solar installation is a significant investment — typically lasting 25 years on your roof. Most buyers spend more time researching a phone than a solar system. This checklist covers everything you should verify before signing any solar installation contract, regardless of country or system size.
How to use this checklist
Work through each section for every quote you've received. For any item that isn't explicitly stated in the written quote, contact the installer and ask them to confirm in writing. Do not accept verbal assurances — they are unenforceable.
Once you've verified each quote against this checklist, use the how to compare solar quotes guide to normalise scope and calculate adjusted cost-per-kW across all quotes.
1. Equipment checklist
Verify every component specification is explicitly stated in writing. Vague descriptions like "Tier 1 panels" or "leading brand inverter" without a model number are unacceptable — you need the exact model to verify specs and warranties.
Solar panels
- ☐Brand and full model number (verify on manufacturer's website)
- ☐Wattage (Wp) per panel
- ☐Number of panels and total array kWp
- ☐Technology (PERC, TOPCon, HJT)
- ☐Panel efficiency (%)
- ☐Annual degradation rate (%/year)
- ☐Product warranty (years)
- ☐Performance warranty (% output at 25 years)
- ☐Panel on approved product list (CEC/ALMM/MCS where applicable)
Inverter
- ☐Brand and full model number
- ☐AC kW rating vs array DC kWp
- ☐Type: on-grid / hybrid (battery-ready) / off-grid
- ☐Number of MPPT inputs
- ☐Monitoring app included
- ☐Warranty period (years)
- ☐Local distributor / service agent confirmed
Battery (if included)
- ☐Brand and full model number
- ☐Nominal kWh capacity
- ☐Usable kWh at stated DoD (ask explicitly)
- ☐Depth of discharge (DoD %)
- ☐Chemistry (LFP / NMC / other)
- ☐Cycle life at 80% retained capacity
- ☐C-rate (discharge rate)
- ☐Warranty: years and cycle count
Monitoring system
- ☐Hardware included or add-on cost?
- ☐App platform and minimum supported period
- ☐Ongoing subscription fees (if any)
2. Scope checklist
For each item below, the quote must explicitly state whether it is included or excluded. If it simply isn't mentioned, treat it as excluded and ask for written clarification. Items that are excluded from one quote but included in another can represent thousands in cost difference.
- ☐Mounting structure, racking, and rails
- ☐DC string cable (panels to inverter)
- ☐AC cable (inverter to switchboard)
- ☐ACDB / DCDB distribution boards
- ☐Earthing system and surge protection devices
- ☐Transport and delivery to site
- ☐Scaffolding or elevated access equipment (for multi-storey or steep roofs)
- ☐Switchboard upgrade (if current board cannot accept solar connection)
- ☐Net metering / feed-in tariff / interconnection application and fee
- ☐Building permits and council approvals
- ☐Electrical inspection and commissioning sign-off
- ☐Roof penetration waterproofing and sealants
- ☐Labour warranty / workmanship warranty (specify years)
- ☐System commissioning, testing, and handover training
3. Price, tax, and payment checklist
- ☐Is the total price inclusive of all applicable taxes (GST, VAT, sales tax)?
- ☐What is the tax rate applied and is it correct for your location?
- ☐Are subsidies or incentives (STCs, PM Surya Ghar, SEG, ITC) deducted upfront or claimed later?
- ☐Who is responsible for claiming the subsidy — you or the installer?
- ☐What is the payment schedule and what are the milestone triggers?
- ☐What is the deposit amount and is it refundable if you cancel?
- ☐What happens if costs increase after signing (e.g. additional switchboard work discovered on-site)?
4. Warranty checklist
Warranties only have value if you can actually claim them. Verify the warranty provider, not just the period — an installer who says "we guarantee everything for 10 years" without manufacturer-backed documentation is making a promise they may not be able to keep.
- ☐Panel product warranty: period (years) and warranty provider (manufacturer or third party)
- ☐Panel performance warranty: guaranteed output % at year 25
- ☐Inverter warranty: period and claim process (local distributor or overseas manufacturer)
- ☐Battery warranty: years AND cycle count, whichever comes first
- ☐Workmanship / installation warranty: period and what it covers
- ☐Are warranty documents provided before signing (not just 'on request')?
- ☐Is the warranty transferable if you sell the property?
- ☐What is the claim process and typical turnaround time?
5. Installer credentials checklist
The equipment is only as reliable as the installation. A poorly installed system with premium panels will underperform and may void manufacturer warranties. Check the installer, not just the hardware.
- ☐Accreditation / certification verified (CEC, MCS, NABCEP, MNRE, or local equivalent)
- ☐Public liability insurance certificate obtained
- ☐Workers' compensation insurance confirmed
- ☐Business registration / ABN / company number verified
- ☐Years operating in your local area
- ☐Local references provided and checked (not just website testimonials)
- ☐Post-installation support: local team or call centre only?
- ☐Who actually does the installation — the company's own electricians or subcontractors?
6. Red flags — walk away if you see these
These are not minor concerns — they indicate either incompetence or deliberate misdirection:
- ⚠Quote has no model numbers — just brand names or vague descriptions like 'Tier 1 panel'
- ⚠No exclusions list and installer refuses to provide one in writing
- ⚠Warranty stated verbally but not documented
- ⚠Pressure tactics: 'this price expires today' or 'we can only hold this for 24 hours'
- ⚠Subsidy presented as confirmed when eligibility hasn't been verified
- ⚠Battery capacity listed in Ah without voltage, making kWh calculation impossible
- ⚠Installer cannot confirm accreditation or won't provide an insurance certificate
- ⚠Price significantly below all other quotes with no explanation
- ⚠Payment required in full before installation begins
Frequently asked questions
What should every solar quotation include as a minimum?
At minimum: full panel brand and model number, inverter brand and model, battery details if included (nominal and usable kWh, chemistry), total system size in kW, total price with tax breakdown, warranty periods for each component, a scope-of-work statement, and an explicit exclusions list. Any quote missing these basics is not a complete quote.
How do I know if a solar quote is missing something important?
Look for a dedicated 'exclusions' or 'not included' section. If the quote has none, treat all items on our scope checklist as unconfirmed and ask the installer directly. Any reputable installer will confirm in writing without hesitation. If they won't, that tells you something.
Should I ask for an itemised solar quote?
Yes, always. An itemised quote separates the cost of each component (panels, inverter, battery, racking, cabling) and labour line by line. This is the only format that allows a fair comparison between installers and exposes where one has cut corners or excluded scope that another includes.
What documents should I get before signing a solar contract?
At minimum: the full itemised quote with exclusions listed, equipment datasheets or spec sheets for panels, inverter, and battery, the installer's accreditation certificate, warranty documents for each component specifying coverage period and claim process, and a clear scope-of-work statement. Read all of these before signing.
Do I need to check if solar panels are on an approved product list?
Yes, in several markets this is mandatory or affects your eligibility for incentives. In Australia, panels must be on the Clean Energy Council (CEC) approved list to qualify for STCs. In India, panels for PM Surya Ghar subsidy must be on the ALMM list. In the UK, MCS certification is needed for SEG export payments. Always verify this before committing to a quote.
What is the difference between product warranty and performance warranty on solar panels?
Product warranty (typically 10–15 years) covers manufacturing defects — if a panel physically fails, is delaminated, or has cell damage, the manufacturer replaces it. Performance warranty (typically 25 years) guarantees a minimum power output — for example, ≥80% of rated Wp at year 25. Both are required for adequate long-term coverage. A panel with a 10-year product warranty but only 80% output guarantee at year 12 is inferior to one with 87% guaranteed at year 25.
Is a lower price always a worse quote?
Not necessarily — but it usually means something has been excluded. Once you add back the missing scope items to bring all quotes to the same baseline, the adjusted prices are often much closer. A genuinely lower price with equivalent scope and equipment quality is a better deal. The checklist process exists to find out which category a cheap quote falls into.
How long should a solar installation workmanship warranty be?
The industry standard is 5–10 years. A 1-year workmanship warranty is a red flag — it means the installer is not confident in their installation quality beyond 12 months, or they expect to not be around to honour it. Workmanship warranty covers roof penetrations, mounting integrity, cable management, and all installation work that isn't covered by the equipment manufacturer.
Run this checklist automatically with Solar Padtal
Upload your quotes and Solar Padtal extracts every spec, flags missing items, verifies model numbers against manufacturer data, and produces a scored comparison — no spreadsheet required.
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