Use this guide
Choose the questions relevant to your situation. Expand each answer, save the checklist and request written clarification where evidence is missing.
Questions homeowners ask
How do I compare two quotes fairly?
First align the scope: equipment, rated system size, included roof or electrical work, battery, permits and warranty. Ask each bidder to show the cash price and production assumptions. A lower monthly payment alone does not establish a lower total cost.
Source: FTC: Solar power for your home. Reviewed 2026-10-05.
What is the difference between a loan, lease and PPA?
A loan finances a purchase, a lease pays for use of a system, and a PPA buys the electricity under contractual terms. Ownership and maintenance responsibilities differ. Read the actual documents: the product name alone does not explain transfer, buyout or service obligations.
Source: FTC: Solar power for your home. Reviewed 2026-10-05.
Why ask for the cash price as well as the loan amount?
Solar-specific financing can include costs embedded in the financed price. Compare cash price, principal, APR, payment schedule and total payments. Ask how a lower advertised interest rate changes the upfront amount being financed.
Source: CFPB: Solar financing. Reviewed 2026-10-05.
Can the monthly loan payment change?
Yes, some agreements assume a substantial early prepayment and later increase the payment if it is not made. Ask for the schedule with and without that prepayment. Do not borrow on the assumption that a projected tax benefit will necessarily arrive.
Source: CFPB: Solar financing. Reviewed 2026-10-05.
Is there a 30% federal homeowner credit for a new 2026 installation?
The IRS says the Residential Clean Energy Credit is not available for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. Prior eligible credit carryforwards are a separate issue. Have a tax professional check your circumstances; do not use an outdated 30% assumption in a new proposal.
Source: IRS: Residential clean energy credit. Reviewed 2026-10-05.
How do I verify state, utility or local incentives?
Find the actual program administrator and current rules. Record eligibility, available funding, application deadlines, ownership requirements and payment timing. Separate an incentive confirmed in writing from one merely estimated. A location page or sales claim is not confirmation that your household qualifies.
What is PACE financing?
PACE repayment is collected through property taxes and secured by a property lien. It has different consequences from an ordinary unsecured loan. Ask how it affects the tax bill, mortgage obligations and a future sale, and obtain qualified advice before signing.
Source: CFPB: PACE financing. Reviewed 2026-10-05.
Which contract terms deserve extra attention?
Ask about payment increases, cancellation, performance guarantees, warranty exclusions, roof removal and reinstallation, transfers, buyouts and dispute procedures. Obtain the complete contract before committing. Do not rely on a verbal promise that conflicts with written terms.
Source: FTC: Solar power for your home. Reviewed 2026-10-05.
Does no-money-down mean free solar?
No. Identify what you will owe, to whom, over what period, and who owns the equipment. Be wary of supposed government affiliation and pressure to sign immediately. Verify the named program through its official administrator rather than a salesperson’s link.
Source: FTC: Solar scams. Reviewed 2026-10-05.
Your decision checklist
- Cash price and financed principal.
- APR, term, total payments and any payment change.
- Lease/PPA price and any escalator.
- Included work, exclusions and change-order rules.
- Actual tariff and export-credit assumptions.
- Verified incentives separated from unconfirmed estimates.
- Warranty, transfer, buyout and removal obligations.
Save or print this guide from your browser. Keep completed records privately.
A simple comparison worksheet
Check solar bills and export credits before treating modeled production as guaranteed bill savings.
| Question | Proposal A | Proposal B |
|---|---|---|
| Cash price / total financed amount | Record actual term | Record actual term |
| Total scheduled payments / payment changes | Record actual term | Record actual term |
| Equipment and included upgrades | Record actual term | Record actual term |
| Modeled annual kWh / tariff assumptions | Record actual term | Record actual term |
| Verified incentives / remaining uncertainty | Record actual term | Record actual term |
| Warranty, buyout, transfer and roof work | Record actual term | Record actual term |
Example only: if one bid has a lower monthly payment but a longer repayment term, ask for total payments before calling it cheaper. The worksheet organizes evidence; it does not calculate or promise a return.
Continue your research
About these guides
Published by Solar Survey AI, a commercial survey-services company. Our original decision checklists are recommendations; linked authorities support the referenced facts. We may benefit if you purchase our services. This is not independent certification of our company, a project-specific engineering decision or personal tax/legal advice. Local rules, contracts and site evidence control individual decisions. Reviewed October 5, 2026.
For available survey or inspection services, confirm your project scope and availability with our team. Our planned free homeowner remote diagnosis remains coming soon.
Survey services · Inspection services · Monitoring early access