What a solar change order is for
Solar projects change between signing and install: the utility requires a panel upgrade, the roof needs repair under the array, or the customer adds a battery. A signed change order with the reason, the price and any effect on the permit or schedule keeps the project and the milestone payments aligned.
What to put on a solar change order
- The original contract.
- What changed and why.
- Added lines and credits.
- Effect on permit and schedule.
- The new contract total.
- Signature before the work.
A worked example
Before install, the crew finds soft decking under part of the array area. The customer also adds a battery and drops the monitoring upgrade.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof repair under array | 4 | square | Your price |
| Battery storage | 1 | each | Your price |
| Credit: monitoring upgrade not installed | -1 | each | Your price |
Note whether the battery changes the permit; it often does. Put days added in the box.
Line items solar installers use
| Line item | Unit | How to write it |
|---|---|---|
| Solar panels, installed | each | Brand, model and wattage per panel. |
| Inverter or microinverters | each | String inverter or one per panel. |
| Racking and roof attachments | set | Attachment type and flashing. |
| Electrical: conduit, disconnect, wiring | set | Run from array to panel. |
| Main panel upgrade | each | If the existing panel cannot take the backfeed. |
| Battery storage | each | Brand and capacity. |
| Monitoring system | each | App or portal for production. |
| Engineering and design | each | Plan set for permit. |
| Permit and inspection | each | Building and electrical. |
| Utility interconnection application | each | Paperwork to connect to the grid. |
| Roof repair before install | square | If the roof will not outlast the panels. |
| Panel removal and reinstall | each | For reroofing later. |
| Panel cleaning | each | Maintenance visit. |
Terms and deposit language for solar
- Deposit. A deposit at signing covers design and permit work. Equipment and installation payments follow milestones. Check your state's rules on deposits and any solar-specific consumer rules.
- Payment. Payments tied to milestones such as permit approval, installation complete and permission to operate from the utility.
- Warranty. Separate the panel and inverter makers' warranties from your workmanship and roof penetration warranty, with how long each runs.
- Production estimates are estimates; actual output depends on weather, shading and use.
- Incentives, credits and rebates are the customer's to claim and depend on their situation; you provide paperwork, not tax advice.
- Utility approval timelines are outside your control.
How to fill it in
- Put in the original estimate number and amount.
- Write what changed in the reason box, plainly.
- Add the new work; type a minus quantity for any credit.
- Fill in the days added.
- Print it for a signature on site, or send it from Koira to sign by phone.
Free tools for solar
- Roof measurement tool
- Satellite measuring tool
- EV charger installation cost calculator
- Electrician labor rate calculator
The same change order for other trades: appliance repair, auto detailing, carpet cleaning, chimney, house cleaning, commercial cleaning, concrete, drywall, electrical, fence, flooring, garage door, general contractor, gutter, handyman, hvac, irrigation, junk removal, landscaping, lawn care, locksmith, moving, painting, pest control, plumbing, pool service, pressure washing, remodeling, roofing, septic, snow removal, tree service, waterproofing, window cleaning.