Path-Q Solar
How can I identify unrealistic solar savings claims in a sales presentation?
Answer
Test the claim against actual bills, a documented production model, verified utility rates and export rules, financing costs, degradation, maintenance, and the difference between bill reduction and total economic savings.
Key points
- Request the calculation in writing, including assumptions, time period, rate escalation, export value, and incentives.
- Compare projected production with site conditions and historical energy use.
- Check whether savings exclude loan payments, lease payments, fees, service costs, battery replacement, or roof work.
- Review low-production, lower-rate, lower-export, and delayed-operation scenarios.
What it depends on
- Historical consumption and bills
- Utility tariff and export compensation
- System production model
- Financing structure
- Maintenance and equipment-life assumptions
Risks and trade-offs
- Projected savings are sensitive to rates, usage, weather, system performance, and export treatment.
- A bill reduction is not necessarily a positive cash flow after financing payments.
- High escalation assumptions can materially inflate long-term projections.
Information you may need
- Calculation workbook
- Recent utility bills or interval data
- Production report
- Contract and financing terms
- Incentive and export assumptions
Your next step
What to do next
Recalculate the presentation using conservative, documented assumptions and ask the installer to explain every material difference.
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