What a solar proposal is for
Solar customers often do not know how big a system they need or whether a battery makes sense. Three systems for the same roof, each with its equipment and what it is for, let them choose based on their plans: a car next year, backup during outages, or just lower bills.
What to put on a solar proposal
- The same roof and electrical work.
- System size and equipment for each.
- What each is designed for.
- Production estimates labeled as estimates.
- One acceptance line.
A worked example
The same south-facing roof. Price each system from your own costs.
Option 1: Good: right-sized array. Sized to today's usage.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solar panels, installed | 16 | each | Your price |
| Microinverters | 16 | each | Your price |
| Racking, electrical and permits | 1 | set | Your price |
Option 2: Better: room to grow. Larger array for an EV or added load.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solar panels, installed | 20 | each | Your price |
| Microinverters | 20 | each | Your price |
| Racking, electrical and permits | 1 | set | Your price |
| Main panel upgrade | 1 | each | Your price |
Option 3: Best: array with battery. Adds battery storage for backup during outages.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solar panels, installed | 20 | each | Your price |
| Microinverters | 20 | each | Your price |
| Racking, electrical and permits | 1 | set | Your price |
| Main panel upgrade | 1 | each | Your price |
| Battery storage | 1 | each | Your price |
Say in each note what the system is for. A customer buying an EV next year should see option two.
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
- Fill in the customer and the job.
- Check each option's name, its one-line difference and its lines.
- Add your prices; each option totals on its own.
- Set tax, the deposit and the good-until date.
- Print it, download it, or send it from Koira so the customer can pick and sign on the phone.
Free tools for solar
- Roof measurement tool
- Satellite measuring tool
- EV charger installation cost calculator
- Electrician labor rate calculator
The same proposal 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.