Path-Q Solar
Should I get solar quotes before or after an energy audit?
Answer
An energy audit is often most useful before finalizing a solar design because efficiency improvements can reduce future electricity needs and change the appropriate system size. Preliminary solar quotes can still be useful beforehand for budgeting, but final comparisons should use the best available post-audit load forecast.
Key points
- Efficiency improvements may reduce the energy a solar system needs to supply.
- Electrification plans may increase future consumption, so the audit should consider intended changes rather than only current use.
- Request that bidders state their consumption assumptions and show how the design changes under different load scenarios.
What it depends on
- Whether major efficiency or electrification work is planned
- Current load data and building performance
- Audit scope and quality
- Solar project timing and need for an early budget
Risks and trade-offs
- Waiting for an audit can delay quotes or project decisions.
- Installing solar before efficiency work can produce a system that is larger than needed.
- An audit that ignores planned future loads can lead to undersizing.
Information you may need
- Current bills and load profile
- Planned insulation, HVAC, appliance, or vehicle changes
- Energy-audit findings and timing
- Preliminary solar designs and assumptions
Your next step
What to do next
If the audit can be completed soon, do it before selecting the final system; otherwise obtain preliminary quotes and require bidders to revise them after the audit.
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