How to Get & Compare Solar Quotes
A clear, no-pressure guide to getting solar quotes and comparing them like a pro. We're independent — GreenCalcs doesn't sell your information or generate leads. Use this page to arm yourself before you talk to any installer.
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Updated October 2026 — federal credits have ended. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (signed July 4, 2025) ended the 30% federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (25D: solar, batteries, geothermal) and the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C: air-source heat pumps, up to $2,000) for anything installed after December 31, 2025. Systems completed by Dec 31, 2025 can still be claimed on a 2025 return. Any 30% or $2,000 figure on this page applies only to those installs — our calculators now default to $0 federal credit. What is still available in 2026 →
In shortEstimate your numbers first, get three quotes, verify each installer, and compare on price-per-watt and 25-year output — not just the headline price. Treat any 2026 quote that subtracts a 30% federal tax credit as out of date: that homeowner credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. Start with our free Payback Calculator so you walk in informed.
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Five steps
The smart way to get quotes
1. Estimate your numbers first
Before talking to any installer, run your own figures so you can spot an unrealistic quote. Use the Payback Calculator and Financing Calculator to know roughly what your system should cost, save and pay back. Walking in informed is your best protection.
2. Get at least three quotes
Solar pricing varies widely, so collect quotes from at least three licensed, reputable installers. Don't accept the first offer or a high-pressure 'today only' price. Comparing three quotes reveals the fair market rate in your area and exposes outliers — both suspiciously high and too-good-to-be-true low.
3. Verify each installer
Check licensing, insurance, years in business, and independent reviews. A long, solid track record matters because your workmanship warranty is only good if the company is still around. Read our installer red flags guide for the warning signs of a bad actor.
4. Compare quotes on equal terms
Make sure each quote lists system size (kW), panel and inverter brands and warranties, the production estimate (kWh/year), the all-in price, the price per watt, and the financing terms. Compare price per watt and 25-year output, not just the headline number. Beware quotes that hide fees in financing.
5. Confirm ownership and incentives
Establish whether each offer is a cash purchase, a loan, or a lease/PPA — and which incentives apply. The 30% homeowner tax credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025, so an installer quoting a 2026 price "after the 30% credit" is out of date. A lease or PPA company can still claim the commercial Section 48E credit if construction begins by July 4, 2026 or the system is placed in service by the end of 2027, so ask how much of that is reflected in the rate. Owning (cash or loan) still captures the long-term savings. See our lease vs buy vs loan guide before deciding.
What a good quote includes
A trustworthy quote is detailed and transparent. Make sure each one spells out:
- System size in kW and the number and wattage of panels.
- Equipment — panel and inverter brands, models and warranties.
- Estimated production in kWh per year, so you can compare output, not just price.
- All-in price and price per watt — the best apples-to-apples comparison.
- Incentives — which state and utility rebates, SRECs or net-metering terms apply, and who claims them. A 2026 quote should not deduct the 30% federal credit, which ended after 2025.
- Financing terms — cash, loan (APR and any dealer fee), or lease/PPA (and its annual escalator).
- Warranties — product, performance, workmanship and inverter coverage.
If a quote is vague on any of these — especially price per watt, production, or which incentives it assumes — ask for clarification before signing anything.
A note on our independence
Many ‘free quote’ sites exist to collect and sell your contact information to installers. GreenCalcs is not one of them. We don't run a lead-generation form, we don't ask for your email or phone number, and we never sell your data. Our goal is to help you make an informed decision with free tools and honest guides — see our methodology and privacy policy.