A solar proposal can look straightforward while leaving important details unclear. Before choosing an installer, ask how the system will fit your roof, what the warranties cover, who will coordinate with your utility, and how the production estimate was calculated. Clear answers help you compare proposals on more than equipment or price. They also reveal whether the installer has considered your home’s energy use, roof conditions, and local requirements.
Understand the System Design
Ask for a layout showing where the panels will go and how the installer chose that arrangement. Find out whether roof orientation, shading, roof condition, and available space affect the design. Ask if the proposal includes an electrical panel review and whether any upgrades or roof work may be needed before installation.
Confirm the proposed system’s size and equipment, including the panels and inverter or other power conversion equipment. Ask why those choices suit your home rather than assuming a larger system is always better. If you are considering a battery, ask what it is designed to power and how its capacity fits your priorities.
Get Specific About Warranties
Ask for the warranty documents and a plain-language explanation of each one. Separate coverage for panels, inverters, workmanship, and roof penetrations may come from different companies and last for different periods. Confirm what defects or failures are covered and whether labor, removal, and reinstallation are included.
Find out who handles a warranty claim and how to contact them if the installer is no longer available. Ask whether you need to maintain records or meet specific conditions to keep coverage valid. Review exclusions carefully, especially for damage from weather, roof problems, or changes made by another contractor.
Clarify Utility Coordination
Ask who submits the paperwork required by your utility and who tracks approval before the system is switched on. The process can involve applications, inspections, and permission to operate. Get a clear explanation of what the installer handles and what you must do, along with how you will be told when each step is complete.
Ask how your utility accounts for electricity sent to the grid and whether its rules or rate plan affect the proposal. Confirm whether you need to change plans, pay fees, or meet meter requirements. Do not assume that a connected system can immediately send power to the grid; get confirmation of the utility’s approval process.
Test the Production Estimate
Ask for the estimated annual energy production and the assumptions behind it. A useful explanation should account for panel direction, tilt, shading, local weather patterns, and expected system losses. Ask whether the estimate is based on your roof’s actual conditions and what could make real production differ from the projection.
Compare the estimate with your electricity bills and typical household use, not just the system’s size. Ask how seasonal changes, future household needs, or adding an electric vehicle could affect the match. If a proposal promises a specific level of savings, request the assumptions behind that figure and keep the production estimate separate from utility-bill savings.
Before signing, ask for written answers, a clear system layout, warranty documents, utility responsibilities, and the assumptions behind projected production. Compare proposals using the same questions so you can spot missing details and decide with confidence. If you are considering solar in Phoenix, Sonoran Solar can help you review the design and next steps.