How to Compare Solar Quotes: $/W, Warranty, Equipment & Terms
Solar quotes are confusing — different sizes, brands, and financing. Here is exactly how to compare them apples-to-apples and avoid overpaying.
Normalize to $/W first
Divide total system price by kW to get $/W — the industry-standard comparison. In 2026, $2.50–$3.25/W is typical before incentives. But $/W alone ignores equipment and warranty, so use it as the starting filter, not the verdict.
Compare equipment and degradation
A 0.5%/yr degradation panel vs 1%/yr is ~10% more lifetime output. Premium brands (REC, Maxeon) cost more upfront but can beat budget panels over 25 years. Write down brand, model, watts, and degradation for each quote.
Read the financing fine print
For loans, compare APR and total interest — a "low monthly payment" with a 25-year term and high APR is costly. For leases, the escalation rate is the hidden number. The PVFig financing calculator shows the 25-year cost of each option.
FAQ
What is a good price per watt for solar in 2026?
About $2.50–$3.25/W installed before incentives, varying by state. Texas/Arizona are cheaper; California/New York more expensive.
How many solar quotes should I get?
Three to five. Comparing quotes typically saves 10–20% vs accepting the first one.
What should a solar quote include?
System size (kW), panel brand/model/watts, inverter type, degradation rate, workmanship warranty, $/W price, financing APR/terms, and a production estimate with assumptions.
Ready to compare real installer quotes?
The estimates above are based on public data — your actual price depends on your roof, installer, and market. EnergySage collects quotes from pre-screened installers in one place (free, no obligation).
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Sources
- U.S. EIA — electricity rates by state, eia.gov/electricity/monthly
- NREL PVWatts v8 — solar production by location, pvwatts.nrel.gov
- DSIRE — state incentives and net metering, dsireusa.org
- See how every figure on this page is calculated — PVFig methodology.
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