How to check a solar quote: six numbers to verify
Before you sign anything, run these six checks with me.
Divide the price by the system size, compare production with public estimates, confirm which export credit the savings use, remove any federal credit, know who owns the system, and look up the installer's record and license.
Compare two or three quotes
The easiest way to check one quote is to get another. Enter your ZIP:
1. Price per watt
Price per watt = quote price before incentives ÷ (system size in kW × 1,000). A $16,000 quote for 7 kW is $2.29/W.
- Phoenix: average $2.28/W; a typical 13.9 kW system is quoted $26,915–$36,415 (EnergySage, updated 2026-09-04).
- Tucson: average $2.26/W; a typical 12.2 kW system is quoted $23,381–$31,633 (EnergySage, updated 2026-09-04).
- San Antonio: average $2.20/W; a typical 13.8 kW system is quoted $25,749–$34,837 (EnergySage, updated 2026-09-04).
- Austin: average $2.25/W; a typical 11.9 kW system is quoted $22,674–$30,676 (EnergySage, updated 2026-09-04).
- San Diego: average $2.56/W; a typical 6.7 kW system is quoted $14,464–$19,568 (EnergySage, updated 2026-09-04).
- Fresno: average $2.70/W; a typical 8.8 kW system is quoted $20,267–$27,419 (EnergySage, updated 2026-09-04).
- Chandler: average $2.29/W; a typical 14.3 kW system is quoted $27,875–$37,713 (EnergySage, updated 2026-09-11).
- Scottsdale: average $2.25/W; a typical 16.0 kW system is quoted $30,551–$41,333 (EnergySage, updated 2026-09-11).
- Gilbert: average $2.26/W; a typical 14.0 kW system is quoted $26,863–$36,345 (EnergySage, updated 2026-09-11).
- Glendale: average $2.23/W; a typical 17.8 kW system is quoted $33,725–$45,627 (EnergySage, updated 2026-09-11).
- Tempe: average $2.23/W; a typical 15.0 kW system is quoted $28,473–$38,523 (EnergySage, updated 2026-09-11).
- Peoria: average $2.27/W; a typical 14.2 kW system is quoted $27,369–$37,029 (EnergySage, updated 2026-09-11).
- Surprise: average $2.25/W; a typical 13.3 kW system is quoted $25,420–$34,392 (EnergySage, updated 2026-09-11).
- San Jose: average $2.52/W; a typical 8.0 kW system is quoted $17,128–$23,174 (EnergySage, updated 2026-09-11).
- Bakersfield: average $2.56/W; a typical 8.9 kW system is quoted $19,361–$26,195 (EnergySage, updated 2026-09-11).
- Clovis: average $2.71/W; a typical 9.1 kW system is quoted $20,882–$28,252 (EnergySage, updated 2026-09-11).
- Chula Vista: average $2.57/W; a typical 6.4 kW system is quoted $13,929–$18,845 (EnergySage, updated 2026-09-11).
- Oceanside: average $2.56/W; a typical 6.2 kW system is quoted $13,519–$18,291 (EnergySage, updated 2026-09-11).
- Carlsbad: average $2.56/W; a typical 7.0 kW system is quoted $15,190–$20,552 (EnergySage, updated 2026-09-11).
- Toms River: average $2.54/W; a typical 12.0 kW system is quoted $25,851–$34,975 (EnergySage, updated 2026-09-11).
- New York: average $2.76/W; a typical 12.2 kW system is quoted $28,603–$38,699 (EnergySage, updated 2026-09-11).
- Elizabeth: average $2.66/W; a typical 12.2 kW system is quoted $27,627–$37,377 (EnergySage, updated 2026-09-11).
- Yonkers: average $2.68/W; a typical 10.2 kW system is quoted $23,316–$31,544 (EnergySage, updated 2026-09-11).
2. Production estimate
NREL PVWatts estimates for a fixed south-facing roof at 20°. If a quote promises much more, ask what orientation, shading and losses it assumes.
| Area | kWh a year per kW | 7 kW system, kWh a year |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, AZ | 1,755 | 12,285 |
| Tucson, AZ | 1,788 | 12,516 |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,503 | 10,521 |
| Austin, TX | 1,483 | 10,381 |
| San Diego, CA | 1,716 | 12,012 |
| Fresno, CA | 1,654 | 11,578 |
| Chandler, AZ | 1,753 | 12,271 |
| Scottsdale, AZ | 1,745 | 12,215 |
| Gilbert, AZ | 1,750 | 12,250 |
| Glendale, AZ | 1,754 | 12,278 |
| Tempe, AZ | 1,752 | 12,264 |
| Peoria, AZ | 1,771 | 12,397 |
| Surprise, AZ | 1,785 | 12,495 |
| San Jose, CA | 1,624 | 11,368 |
| Bakersfield, CA | 1,684 | 11,788 |
| Clovis, CA | 1,659 | 11,613 |
| Chula Vista, CA | 1,728 | 12,096 |
| Oceanside, CA | 1,698 | 11,886 |
| Carlsbad, CA | 1,669 | 11,683 |
| Toms River, NJ | 1,376 | 9,632 |
| New York, NY | 1,353 | 9,471 |
| Elizabeth, NJ | 1,331 | 9,317 |
| Yonkers, NY | 1,318 | 9,226 |
3. Export credit
Power you use at home saves the full energy charge; power sent to the grid earns the utility's export credit, which is usually far lower. Ask which rate the savings estimate uses.
| Utility | Area | Export credit | Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Public Service | Phoenix | 5.55¢/kWh | Rate Rider RCP |
| Salt River Project | Phoenix | 3.45¢/kWh | Customer generation export price plans (E-13 Time-of-Use Export, E-14 EV Export) |
| Tucson Electric Power | Tucson | 5.13¢/kWh | Rider R-14 Resource Comparison Proxy |
| CPS Energy | San Antonio | no single rate (hourly values) | Rider E5 net metering (monthly netting kWh for kWh; Net Excess Generation credited at CPS avoided energy cost, carried forward, no cash payout) |
| Austin Energy | Austin | 9.91¢/kWh | Value of Solar Rider (all production credited, charges for all consumption) |
| San Diego Gas & Electric | San Diego | no single rate (hourly values) | Net Billing Tariff (Avoided Cost Calculator export values) |
| Pacific Gas & Electric | Fresno | no single rate (hourly values) | Solar Billing Plan (Schedule NBT): Energy Export Credit at hourly Avoided Cost Calculator values; residential customers must take the E-ELEC (Electric Home) rate |
| Salt River Project | Chandler | 3.45¢/kWh | Customer generation export price plans (E-13 Time-of-Use Export, E-14 EV Export) |
| Arizona Public Service | Scottsdale | 5.55¢/kWh | Rate Rider RCP |
| Salt River Project | Scottsdale | 3.45¢/kWh | Customer generation export price plans (E-13 Time-of-Use Export, E-14 EV Export) |
| Salt River Project | Gilbert | 3.45¢/kWh | Customer generation export price plans (E-13 Time-of-Use Export, E-14 EV Export) |
| Salt River Project | Glendale | 3.45¢/kWh | Customer generation export price plans (E-13 Time-of-Use Export, E-14 EV Export) |
| Salt River Project | Tempe | 3.45¢/kWh | Customer generation export price plans (E-13 Time-of-Use Export, E-14 EV Export) |
| Arizona Public Service | Peoria | 5.55¢/kWh | Rate Rider RCP |
| Arizona Public Service | Surprise | 5.55¢/kWh | Rate Rider RCP |
| Pacific Gas & Electric | San Jose | no single rate (hourly values) | Solar Billing Plan (Schedule NBT): Energy Export Credit at hourly Avoided Cost Calculator values; residential customers must take the E-ELEC (Electric Home) rate |
| Pacific Gas & Electric | Bakersfield | no single rate (hourly values) | Solar Billing Plan (Schedule NBT): Energy Export Credit at hourly Avoided Cost Calculator values; residential customers must take the E-ELEC (Electric Home) rate |
| Pacific Gas & Electric | Clovis | no single rate (hourly values) | Solar Billing Plan (Schedule NBT): Energy Export Credit at hourly Avoided Cost Calculator values; residential customers must take the E-ELEC (Electric Home) rate |
| San Diego Gas & Electric | Chula Vista | no single rate (hourly values) | Net Billing Tariff (Avoided Cost Calculator export values) |
| San Diego Gas & Electric | Oceanside | no single rate (hourly values) | Net Billing Tariff (Avoided Cost Calculator export values) |
| San Diego Gas & Electric | Carlsbad | no single rate (hourly values) | Net Billing Tariff (Avoided Cost Calculator export values) |
| Jersey Central Power & Light | Toms River | no single rate (hourly values) | Net metering (N.J.A.C. 14:8-4): kWh credit carried month to month, year-end excess paid at avoided cost of wholesale power |
| Consolidated Edison Co of New York | New York | no single rate (hourly values) | Phase One net metering: kWh credits carried over, 20-year term; monthly Customer Benefit Contribution per kW for systems interconnected from 2022-01-01 |
| Public Service Electric & Gas | Elizabeth | no single rate (hourly values) | Net metering (N.J.A.C. 14:8-4): kWh credit carried month to month, year-end excess paid at avoided cost of wholesale power |
| Consolidated Edison Co of New York | Yonkers | no single rate (hourly values) | Phase One net metering: kWh credits carried over, 20-year term; monthly Customer Benefit Contribution per kW for systems interconnected from 2022-01-01 |
4. No federal credit in the price
The 30% federal credit is not available for property placed in service after December 31, 2025 (IRS). If the net price subtracts it, ask for a corrected quote. What changed.
5. Purchase, loan, lease or PPA
With a lease or PPA the company owns the system and you pay monthly or per kWh. Ask about yearly price increases, what happens if you sell the home, and who maintains the system.
- Phoenix: 11% of systems in 2022–2023 records were leased or under a PPA.
- Austin: 0% of systems in 2022–2024 records were leased or under a PPA.
- San Diego: 18% of systems in 2022–2023 records were leased or under a PPA.
- Fresno: 29% of systems in 2022–2023 records were leased or under a PPA.
- Chandler: 4% of systems in 2022–2023 records were leased or under a PPA.
- Scottsdale: 8% of systems in 2022–2023 records were leased or under a PPA.
- Gilbert: 2% of systems in 2022–2023 records were leased or under a PPA.
- Glendale: 4% of systems in 2022–2023 records were leased or under a PPA.
- Tempe: 0% of systems in 2022–2023 records were leased or under a PPA.
- Peoria: 10% of systems in 2022–2023 records were leased or under a PPA.
- Surprise: 29% of systems in 2022–2023 records were leased or under a PPA.
- San Jose: 18% of systems in 2022–2023 records were leased or under a PPA.
- Bakersfield: 24% of systems in 2022–2023 records were leased or under a PPA.
- Clovis: 28% of systems in 2022–2023 records were leased or under a PPA.
- Chula Vista: 31% of systems in 2022–2023 records were leased or under a PPA.
- Oceanside: 26% of systems in 2022–2023 records were leased or under a PPA.
- Carlsbad: 13% of systems in 2022–2023 records were leased or under a PPA.
- Toms River: 47% of systems in 2022–2023 records were leased or under a PPA.
- New York: 43% of systems in 2022–2024 records were leased or under a PPA.
- Elizabeth: 56% of systems in 2022–2023 records were leased or under a PPA.
- Yonkers: 38% of systems in 2022–2024 records were leased or under a PPA.
Get more quotes for your home
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6. The company's record and license
Our city pages show how many systems each company connected locally, since when, and what share were leased. Then check the license:
- Arizona: Arizona Registrar of Contractors
- California: California Contractors State License Board
- New Jersey: New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs license verification
Run the numbers
Enter your ZIP, price and size to get price per watt and payback with your utility's rates.
Updated 2026-09-26.