Path-Q Solar
How should I compare quotes that guarantee different aspects of solar performance?
Answer
Compare exactly what is guaranteed, the measurement period and baseline, exclusions, remedy, claim process, and guarantor strength. A higher stated guarantee is not necessarily better if it is difficult to enforce.
Key points
- Distinguish equipment warranties, workmanship warranties, production guarantees, savings promises, and availability guarantees.
- Check whether performance is measured at the system, meter, or utility-bill level and how shading, outages, weather, degradation, and curtailment are treated.
- Identify whether the remedy is repair, replacement, payment, compensation for shortfall, or only best efforts.
What it depends on
- Guarantee wording and duration
- System design and production assumptions
- Measurement data and access
- Financial responsibility and exclusions
Risks and trade-offs
- A production guarantee may not cover bill savings if rates or usage change.
- Broad exclusions can make a guarantee less useful than its headline terms suggest.
- A remedy may be limited compared with the economic loss from underperformance.
Information you may need
- Complete warranty and guarantee documents
- Baseline production model and degradation assumptions
- Exclusions and claim deadlines
- Remedy calculation and responsible entity
Your next step
What to do next
Put each quote's guarantees into a common comparison table and ask each installer to illustrate the remedy for a defined underproduction scenario.
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