Path-Q Solar
How should I compare solar quotes that use different assumptions about electricity savings?
Answer
Normalize the quotes before comparing savings: use the same consumption period, system-production estimate, electricity-price assumptions, export treatment, degradation, financing basis, and project life. Compare both annual cash flow and total cost, not just the claimed percentage of bill reduction.
Key points
- Check system size, modeled annual production, shading assumptions, and expected degradation.
- Compare the electricity rates used, including fixed charges, time-of-use periods, escalation assumptions, and export credits.
- Separate savings from bill reduction, avoided purchases, export revenue, incentives, and financing effects.
- Ask for results under common low, central, and high scenarios.
What it depends on
- Comparable system designs and production estimates
- Identical or reconciled rate and export assumptions
- Cash price, financing terms, fees, and incentives
- Load profile and future electricity consumption
- Modeling period and degradation assumptions
Risks and trade-offs
- A higher savings claim may result from optimistic rate escalation or export assumptions rather than a better system.
- Financed quotes can make savings appear different because interest and payment timing are included differently.
- Production guarantees and savings guarantees are not the same protection.
Information you may need
- Full production and savings worksheets from each provider
- Rate plan and export-credit assumptions
- Cash price and complete financing disclosures
- Warranty, degradation, and performance assumptions
Your next step
What to do next
Put every quote into a common comparison table and ask each provider to rerun the model using the same usage, rate, export, and project-life assumptions.
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