Path-Q Solar
What information should I gather before contacting solar installers?
Answer
Gather recent electricity bills, basic roof and property information, site photos, ownership and project goals, and any planned changes to the home. This lets installers prepare a more meaningful preliminary proposal and identify questions before a site visit.
Key points
- Collect roughly a year of bills if available, including usage and billing-period information.
- Record roof age, material, known leaks, repairs, orientation, and major obstructions.
- Photograph roof planes, electrical equipment, meter location, attic or structural concerns, and shading sources when safe.
- Note future loads such as an electric vehicle, heating conversion, addition, pool, or changes in occupancy.
- State whether the priority is bill reduction, resilience, environmental goals, or a combination.
What it depends on
- Availability and quality of electricity-bill data
- Accuracy of roof and property information
- Expected future electricity use
- Whether storage, backup, or other equipment is being considered
Risks and trade-offs
- Incomplete usage data can lead to undersizing or oversizing.
- Aerial imagery may not reveal roof condition, electrical constraints, or recent changes.
- Sharing inaccurate roof or load assumptions can produce misleading comparisons.
Information you may need
- Recent electricity bills
- Roof age, material, dimensions if known, and repair history
- Site photos and notes on shade and obstructions
- Ownership status, project goals, and future electricity plans
Your next step
What to do next
Create a one-page property and electricity summary with bills and photos, then send the same information to several installers for comparable preliminary assessments.
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