How to Quote for Solar Installation Work in the USA
A solar quote is more than a price – it’s a financial proposal. The best US solar installers present proposals that make the investment decision easy by showing the complete financial picture.
What a US Solar Proposal Must Include
- System specifications: Panel count and model, inverter type and model, total system size (kW), battery if applicable
- Production estimate: Annual kWh output, based on location and shading analysis (use PVWatts for baseline)
- Consumption offset: What % of the customer’s annual electric use will the system cover
- Financial summary:
– Gross system cost
– 30% ITC reduction
– Net cost to customer
– Estimated annual savings
– Simple payback period
– 25-year estimated savings (accounting for utility rate inflation) - Warranty summary: Panel (25 years), inverter (10-25 years), workmanship (typically 10 years)
- Payment options: Cash, solar loan, PACE financing
- Next steps and timeline
Production Estimate Tools
- PVWatts Calculator – Free, NREL-validated production estimates
- Aurora Solar – Professional proposal and shading analysis software
- Solargraf – Proposal and CRM tool
- OpenSolar – Free proposal software
Free calculator by CoreQuote — the quoting app for trades
FAQs
Should I guarantee solar production in my quotes?
Some installers offer production guarantees – if the system produces less than estimated, they compensate the customer. This is a meaningful competitive differentiator but requires high confidence in your production modeling. Never guarantee production without a thorough shading analysis and reputable modeling tools.
What financing options should I offer US solar customers?
Cash, solar loans (GreenSky, Mosaic, Dividend Finance), and PACE financing (Property Assessed Clean Energy – available in CA, FL, TX, and other states). Offering multiple options increases close rates significantly.
CoreQuote is a quoting and invoicing app for US tradespeople. Try free for 6 months at kwowta.com.
Related reading:
- How to Start a Solar Installation Business in the USA
- How to Start a Solar Installation Business in the USA
- How to Start a Solar Installation Business in the USA
- How to Get NABCEP Certified as a Solar Installer in the USA
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