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Three-Quote Solar Comparison

Solar salespeople count on you comparing monthly payments instead of the whole deal. This worksheet puts three quotes side by side on the things that actually matter — production, price per watt, financing, and contract terms — so you can see the real differences. Fill it in, then print or save it before you talk to anyone.

Your data stays on your device. Nothing you type here is sent to StandWatch or anyone else. This is just a printable form — fill it in, print or save the PDF, and it's yours.

Tip: use your real 12-month usage from your utility bill, not an estimate a salesperson gives you. Our Solar Watch tool can size a system from these numbers.

The three quotes, side by side

Get at least three. Insist each one quotes the same job (same offset goal, battery or no battery) so it's apples-to-apples.

Line itemQuote AQuote BQuote C
Installer / company
SYSTEM & PRODUCTION
System size (DC kW)
First-year production estimate (kWh)
Production guarantee? (Y/N + terms)
Annual degradation assumed (%)
Panel make / model
Inverter make / model
Shading assumption
Battery — usable kWh (not advertised)
PRICE & FINANCING
Cash price
Financed price (total)
Price per watt (price ÷ watts)
Dealer / finance fee
APR
Loan term (years)
Total of all payments
Prepayment terms
Estimated annual utility savings
Simple payback (years)
CONTRACT & PROVIDER
Installer license # / state
Who actually installs (in-house/sub)?
Workmanship warranty (years)
Roof-penetration warranty
Removal/reinstall cost (for roof work)
Lease/PPA escalator (% per year)
Transfer terms (if you sell/PCS)
Cancellation deadline
Who services it if installer closes?
Independent production check (do this): compare each installer's production estimate against a free, neutral one. Go to PVWatts.nrel.gov (the U.S. Dept. of Energy / NREL calculator), enter your address and system size, and see its estimate. If an installer's number is a lot higher than PVWatts, ask them to explain their weather, shading, orientation, and degradation assumptions — an inflated production number makes payback look better than it is.
The cash-vs-financed catch: subtract the cash price from the financed price. That gap is the embedded finance cost — money the dealer fee and a low advertised APR can hide. A "low monthly payment" with a big embedded cost can be the worst deal on the page.

Before you sign — red-flag checklist

Check each box once you've confirmed it. Empty boxes are your to-do list.

For information purposes only. This worksheet is a free educational tool, provided "as is," to help you organize and compare quotes — it is not financial, tax, or legal advice, not a quote or appraisal, and not a guarantee of savings or eligibility. Solar prices, incentives, and rules change and vary by location; verify everything with the installer, your utility, official sources, and a licensed professional before signing. StandWatch is not a solar installer, lender, or advisor, and does not sell solar. Nothing you enter here is transmitted to StandWatch.