Starter kit: what the first paid job needs
Solar installs combine roofing, electrical and heavy lifting. Fall protection and electrical testers come first.
| Item | Why you need it | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Personal fall arrest kit and roof anchors | Roof work | Varies by brand |
| Extension ladder and a ladder hoist | Getting panels on the roof | Varies by brand |
| Multimeter | String voltage and continuity | $305 (Fluke 117 multimeter, Fluke) |
| Clamp meter | Current checks | $208 (Fluke 323 clamp meter, Fluke) |
| Cordless drill, impact driver and torque wrench | Racking and attachments | Varies by brand |
| Rafter finder and chalk line | Layout | Varies by brand |
| MC4 crimper and connector tools | Panel connections | Varies by brand |
| Insulated hand tools | Electrical safety | Varies by brand |
Pro kit: what a busy shop adds
Add these when the calendar is full and the starter kit is slowing you down. Most solar installers buy them one at a time, when a job pays for one.
| Item | Why it pays | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Insulation resistance tester | Commissioning | Varies by brand |
| IV curve tracer | Troubleshooting arrays | Varies by brand |
| Material lift | Moving panels safely | Varies by brand |
| Conduit bender | Conduit runs | Varies by brand |
Van stock: what you restock every week
Parts and supplies that let you finish on the first visit. Keep a short list on your phone and restock on the same day each week.
- Flashing and sealant. Roof attachments.
- MC4 connectors and PV wire. Connections.
- Racking hardware and clamps. Installs.
- Conduit and fittings. Wire runs.
What a solar kit costs
The 2 starter kit items we could price add up to $513 at the maker's listed price, out of 8 on the list. The rest vary too much by brand and size to give one honest number, so price them with your supplier.
None of the 4 pro kit items has one maker's list price we could check, because brands and sizes vary so much. Price them with your supplier.
Lifts, fall protection and testers swing the total most. Panels and inverters are priced per job.
Prices are the ones shown on each maker's own site on the date in the sources. Dealers and sales change them, so treat them as a starting point.
Where to buy it
Most solar installers buy hand tools and small parts wherever is closest, and set up a trade account for the items they buy every week. Our solar suppliers list names the distributors and pro programs for this trade, and the Home Depot Pro vs Lowe's Pro page compares the two big-box programs row by row.
With Koira: the office side of the kit
The kit gets you to the job. Koira runs the rest: estimates with signing and deposits, invoices and card payments and your day plan, all on the free Office plan. Start with the solar services list to set your prices.
Sources
- Fluke: Fluke 117 multimeter, checked October 9, 2026
- Fluke: Fluke 323 clamp meter, checked October 9, 2026
- Insureon: Insurance cost for contractors as a group, checked October 9, 2026
- OSHA: Fall protection, checked October 8, 2026
Last checked October 9, 2026. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and differ by state and city, so confirm with the agency named before you act.