Choosing a solar company should start with contract clarity, technical scope, and post-installation accountability, not just the lowest advertised monthly payment. The best screening process compares how installers size the system, explain assumptions, handle permits and warranties, and document what happens if the system underperforms.
What to compare across proposals
| Topic | Why it matters | What a solid answer looks like |
|---|---|---|
| System scope | Panels, inverter, storage, and monitoring affect value and risk | A written equipment list with production assumptions |
| Licensing and subcontracting | The selling company is not always the installing company | Clear responsibility for design, install, and service |
| Warranty handling | Support after commissioning often drives owner frustration | Named process for workmanship and equipment claims |
| Financing terms | Monthly savings claims can hide total-cost tradeoffs | Contract review with total obligations stated plainly |
Warning signs to slow down for
- Vague production assumptions that cannot be traced back to site conditions.
- Pressure to sign immediately before permits, roof condition, or electrical scope are reviewed.
- Unclear service responsibility once the install is complete.
- Financing language that focuses on the monthly number while obscuring total obligation or escalation terms.
DOE and FTC consumer guidance both push buyers toward slower, more documented decisions. That is the right posture. The cheapest quote and the best long-term value are often different things, especially when contract transferability, warranty service, and financing structure are factored in.
Related Rewiredz reading
- Start with the site-suitability checklist.
- Review the bill-savings reality check before signing.
- Compare quotes against the hidden-cost checklist.