How to read a solar quote without getting ripped off

A solar quote often runs two or three pages, and yet most get read by looking at a single line: the total. That is the worst way to read one. Here is what a serious quote must contain, and what each part really tells you.

The power, in kWp, and how it is justified

The peak power (kWp) is the line that sizes everything else. A serious quote explains where it comes from: the roof area used, the number of panels and their layout. If the proposed power comes out of nowhere, with no layout plan and no mention of your actual roof, it is a template quote, not your project.

Question to ask: does this power match my consumption and my roof, or the supplier’s inventory?

The equipment, named precisely

Panels and inverter must be identified by brand and model, not by a vague category. That is what lets you check two things: the product’s actual data sheet, and above all its warranties.

On warranties, distinguish the three families: the panels’ product warranty, their performance warranty over time, and the inverter’s warranty, the inverter being the component most often replaced during the life of the installation. A quote that does not put these durations in black and white deserves a written request for them.

The labor and what it includes

Mounting, electrical connection, commissioning: each must appear. Two items create the most surprises when they are missing: scaffolding, sometimes billed separately, and the administrative steps, including the notification to the grid operator. A complete quote says explicitly whether they are included.

Timelines and payment terms

A binding quote states a completion timeline. The wording can stay cautious, but its complete absence is a signal. On payment, installments tied to progress are the healthy practice. Be wary of a disproportionate deposit demanded far in advance.

The warning signs

• A firm offer drawn up without a technical visit, from photos alone.
• Opaque lump-sum lines like “complete installation” with no detail.
• Warranties mentioned orally but absent from the document.
• Pressure to sign quickly, with a discount that expires tomorrow.

The real difficulty: comparing

Reading one quote is doable. Comparing three, written differently, with different scopes, is the real work. That is exactly what the SOLARSPLIT journey does for you: installer offers arrive scored and compared on identical criteria, with a neutral advisor to explain the differences. And it all starts with the free simulation of your roof.