How to get the best solar quotes

Ready to get a roof solar system installed? Here’s how I decided on our roof solar system, what I learned from the experience, and how I’d get solar quotes if I had to do it again.

Gray composite roof with blue solar panels
Composite roof with solar panels.

How I chose our home solar system

I went with Solar City (now Tesla) because it was the solar company I was most familiar with. We already had a Tesla Model S, so getting a Tesla roof felt like a natural fit.

Tesla made the whole process easy, so I have no regrets. However, that was seven years ago and the solar industry has changed a lot since then. Today there’s a lot more competition! If I were to do it all over again, I would get more quotes, and also consider smaller solar providers.

Get multiple solar quotes

(Note: Links marked with an asterisk* are affiliate links and I may receive a commission if you purchase home solar through these links.)

When looking for home solar systems quotes, go for multiple quotes from a company like EnergySage* that screens all the providers they work with. Your solar roof will be there for the next 20 – 30 years, so chose wisely!

The biggest problem people face when getting solar quotes is that every solar company includes different information. There’s no standard for what a solar company should provide in an estimate. So when you get multiple quotes you often end up comparing apples to oranges. You want to compare apples to apples! Here’s what you really need to compare:

  • The electricity needs the solar roof system will meet 
  • The price per Watt
  • The net upfront price 
  • How much you’ll save with solar over the next 20 years 

With EnergySage you get that information in a chart that allows you to compare apples to apples. You’re not simply talking to a few sales guys and looking at different contracts trying to decipher the benefits of each. You get it all side by side, in just a matter of minutes. 

Talk to a solar expert

If I were to do it all over again I would also have asked more questions! Tesla was great and the salesperson was super informative. However, when I contacted EnergySage I was able to talk to a vendor-neutral advisor that answered so many questions without making me feel like I needed to sign on the dotted line right away. 

I recommend that you start your solar search by getting an instant estimate first, compare those estimates, then talk to an advisor at EnergySage about your options. You can absolutely skip the part where you talk to an advisor if you don’t want to get on the phone. However, the EnergySage advisors are experts on all things solar and they’re free to talk to when you get a quote. They’re vendor-neutral, so they answer questions without turning on the pressure.

Here are some questions to ask an advisor: 

  • What are my options for financing a solar system? 
  • What are my states tax incentives? 
  • Is community solar an option in my area?

Perks to getting solar quotes with EnergySage

Here are a few more reasons to get solar quotes with EnergySage:

  • They pre-screen all their solar installers (this is huge!)
  • You get multiple quotes online instantly!
  • You compare solar quotes apples to apples.
  • Get solar quotes without talking to a single person (if you so choose!) 
  • Alternatively, talk to a vendor-neutral EnergySage solar expert
  • Get the most reliable data from the leader in residential solar information

Ready to green the rest of your house?

After you get solar quotes, there’s still a lot to do to make your house as sustainable and green as possible. So I’ve put together a few simple checklists you can use as you renovate and upgrade the rest of your house to make sure it’s as energy-efficient and comfortable as possible. Just a few of these simple tips and tricks can make your house feel like home while also making it greener and healthier for your family.

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