My hard checklist for vetting a solar quote (before signing anything)

There is nothing worse than signing a $30k contract and realizing 6 months later you are stuck in permitting hell or paid $4.50/W for string inverters on a shaded roof.

I treat this like a construction project, not a product purchase. I don't sign until these boxes are ticked.

The Pre-Sign Checklist:

1. Price Per Watt Verification. Cash Price divided by System Size in Watts. If it is over $3.00/W cash, I need a specific engineering reason why, like a main panel upgrade or trenching. If it is just premium service, I walk.
2. Hardware Specificity. The quote must list exact model numbers, not just generic terms like "400W Tier 1 Panels". I need to know if it is a REC420AA Pure-R or a Qcell so I can check the degradation rates.
3. Inverter Matching. Inverters must be specified. Microinverters is not specific enough; I need to know if it is an IQ8M or IQ8+ to check for clipping against the panel size.
4. Finance Transparency. Dealer fees must be exposed. If I am taking a low-interest loan, I need to see the Cash Price versus the Financed Price to calculate the real cost of that buy-down.
5. Production Modeling. Estimates must be based on Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) usage data, not an arbitrary square footage estimate. The offset calculation needs to account for local irradiance and azimuth, not just a generic sunny day multiplier.
6. Scope Validation. Is the Main Panel Upgrade included or excluded? Is the conduit run mapped out through the attic or over the roof?.

It seems basic, but asking for the cash price usually filters out the worst of the sales reps immediately.