How to Choose a Solar Installer (Checklist)

Your installer affects your price, your system quality, and whether your roof leaks in five years. Choosing well matters as much as the equipment. Here’s how to do it.

Get at least 3 quotes

Never sign with the first company. Get three or more quotes from licensed local installers so you can compare price and approach. See how to get free solar quotes for what to prepare.

Check the fundamentals

License and insurance: confirm they’re licensed for electrical/solar work in your state and carry liability insurance.
Track record: how long in business, and can they share local references or recent installs?
Reviews: look across multiple sources, and read the 2–3 star reviews to see how they handle problems.
In-house vs subcontracted: ask who actually does the install — their crew or subs.

Compare quotes fairly

Use cost per watt, not just the total, to compare different system sizes.
Confirm the quote includes permitting, inspection and interconnection — not just hardware.
Compare the equipment: panel brand/wattage and inverter type.

Nail down the warranties

Ask about all four: product, performance, workmanship, and inverter — and who pays labor/shipping on a claim. Details in solar warranties explained. A strong workmanship warranty is a sign of a confident installer.

Red flags to walk away from

High-pressure sales (“today only” pricing).
Vague or missing written warranty terms.
Prices far below every other quote (often a catch later).
Pushing a lease/PPA without explaining you lose the tax credit and ownership.
Won’t put promises in writing.

Questions to ask every installer

What’s the total price and cost per watt?
What panels and inverter, and why?
What are the four warranties, and who honors them if you close?
How is net metering handled with my utility?
Who does the install, and what’s the timeline?

Bottom line

Vet at least three licensed installers, compare on cost per watt and warranties, and avoid pressure. Start by estimating your system with the Solar Savings Calculator, then use it as your baseline.

Educational information only, not an endorsement of any installer.