Path-Q Solar

Which solar sales claims should I verify before signing a contract?

Answer

Verify claims about savings, production, payback, equipment performance, incentives, roof condition, timeline, backup capability, warranties, and price using the contract, technical documents, and independent or official sources where applicable.

Key points

  • Require production assumptions, shading analysis, degradation treatment, consumption data, and utility-rate assumptions behind savings projections.
  • Confirm that incentives, credits, eligibility, financing terms, and export or billing assumptions are current and applicable to the property.
  • Check whether 'backup' means selected circuits or the whole building and what happens during extended outages.
  • Confirm equipment models, availability, warranty provider, installer workmanship coverage, and service responsibilities.
  • Ensure verbal promises appear in the signed contract or an incorporated attachment.

What it depends on

  • The property's consumption and roof conditions
  • Current utility rates, export rules, incentives, and eligibility
  • Financing structure and assumptions
  • Contract definitions of production, savings, backup, schedule, and remedies

Risks and trade-offs

  • Projected savings are not guaranteed bill reductions and can change with usage, rates, weather, and system performance.
  • An incentive or financing claim may be unavailable, conditional, or changed by current rules.
  • Promises made by a salesperson may not be enforceable if omitted from the contract.

Information you may need

  • Full written proposal and contract
  • Production model and assumptions
  • Current official incentive, utility, financing, and interconnection information
  • Equipment and warranty documents

Your next step

What to do next

Mark every material sales claim in the proposal and ask the installer to document its source, assumption, contract language, and remedy if the claim is not met.

Path-Q

Find the right next step

Answer a few questions and we’ll narrow your options.

Loading…

Some details may depend on your location, installer, utility, incentives, regulations, or specific property.

SQ01705