How to Compare Solar Quotes (2026)

Cost per watt — normalize before you argue price

$/W = total cash contract price ÷ (system kW × 1,000). A $19,800 quote for 6 kW is $3.30/W. In 2026, most competitive US residential cash bids cluster roughly $2.75–$3.50/W before incentives; complex roofs, premium micros, and battery packages push higher.

Always compare pre-incentive $/W first. Applying the <a href="/guides/solar-tax-credit-2026/" class="text-brand-600 underline">30% ITC</a> second keeps you from treating a high-gross / high-rebate bid as “cheaper” than a transparent mid-market cash install.

Production (kWh/year) beats nameplate bragging

Two 6 kW arrays can diverge by thousands of kWh/year if shade, azimuth, or inverter clipping differs. Ask for the annual production estimate and the tool behind it (PVWatts-class model, Aurora, HelioScope, etc.). Cross-check against your state’s sun hours on the matching <a href="/solar-panel-cost-calculator/" class="text-brand-600 underline">MySunROI calculator</a> run — if a bid promises year-one output 20% above the model with no special tilt racks, demand the shade report.

Side-by-side checklist

• System size (kW DC), panel count, and module model numbers
• Inverter topology (string / optimizers / micros) + warranty years
• Estimated annual kWh and degradation assumption
• Itemized cash price, exclusions (roof work, main-panel upgrade, trenching)
• ITC-eligible amount stated in writing
• Loan APR, dealer fee, and total interest if not paying cash
• Workmanship warranty length and who honors it if the co. exits
• $/W deep dive

Red flags that fail a Volt-style review

Same-day signing pressure, lease/PPA pitch when you asked to buy, missing inverter brand, or “proprietary” panels with no datasheet are automatic holds. Production guarantees far below a sober model (or magically above it) both need scrutiny.

• Lease escalators of 2.9%+ with fuzzy buyout math
• Savings charts that ignore fixed utility customer charges
• No interconnection / PTO timeline in the proposal
• Lease vs buy if ownership was the goal

After you pick a winner

Verify license, workers’ comp, and liability insurance; read the utility interconnection agreement; confirm who pulls permits. Only then wire a deposit. Start intake via <a href="/get-solar-quotes/" class="text-brand-600 underline">get solar quotes</a> if you still need a third bid to complete the matrix.