Solar quote checklist and scorecard

A cheaper quote is often a smaller system or a shorter list of inclusions. Check each quote against the 15 items a complete quote should state, see them side by side, and send the installer the questions for whatever is missing.

Free checklist tool

Score your solar quotes

For each quote, mark whether it clearly states each item. Anything missing becomes a question you can send the installer. Nothing you enter leaves this page.

Installer or quote nameTotal price incl. VAT (R)Inverter (kW)Usable battery (kWh)Panel array (kWp)

Equipment

Inverter make, model and rated power (kW)Essential
Battery make, model and usable capacity (kWh)Essential
Panel make, wattage and number of panelsEssential
Estimated generation, with the assumptions behind it

Installation and protection

Mounting, cabling, isolators and surge protection itemised
Earthing and distribution-board changes included

Compliance

Electrical Certificate of Compliance, and who issues itEssential
SSEG registration handled, with any fees stated

Warranty and service

Equipment warranties, and who handles claimsEssential
Workmanship warranty length
Monitoring app, and who owns the account
Maintenance and call-out terms

Price and terms

Total price including VAT, and what is excludedEssential
Payment schedule, or monthly escalation and exit costs
Installation timeline and quote validity

Side by side

Quote 1

Price not entered

– kW · – kWh · – kWp

6 essential items missing

Quote 2

Price not entered

– kW · – kWh · – kWp

6 essential items missing

The score measures how complete and clear a quote is, not whether the system is well designed or fairly priced. Compare prices only once the quotes cover the same usable battery capacity, inverter power and array size.

Questions to send this installer

Hi,

Thank you for the quote. Before I can compare it with others, please could you confirm:

1. Which inverter make and model is included, and what is its rated continuous power in kW?
2. What battery make and model is included, and what is its usable capacity in kWh (not only the nominal capacity)?
3. Which panels are included, at what wattage, and how many? What is the total array size in kWp?
4. What annual generation do you estimate for this system, and what roof direction, tilt and shading assumptions is that based on?
5. Does the price include mounting, DC and AC cabling, isolators and surge protection? Please list them.
6. Are earthing and any distribution-board changes included, or could they be charged separately after the site visit?
7. Is an electrical Certificate of Compliance included, and which registered person will issue it?
8. Will you handle the SSEG registration or municipal application, and are any application or meter fees included?
9. What are the warranty periods for the inverter, battery and panels, and who handles a claim: you or the manufacturer?
10. How long is your workmanship warranty, and what does it cover?
11. Is monitoring included, which app is used, and will the account be in my name?
12. What maintenance is included, and what does a call-out cost after installation?
13. What is the total price including VAT, and what is excluded from it?
14. What is the payment schedule? For a monthly plan: what is the annual increase, and what are the cancellation, buyout and removal costs?
15. How soon can you install, and how long is this quote valid?

Thank you.

Only have one quote? A second, independently specified quote is the easiest way to test the first.

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Why the essentials matter most

Six items are marked essential. Without the equipment details you cannot tell whether two quotes are for the same system. Without the Certificate of Compliance the installation cannot be properly signed off, which matters for insurance and when you sell. Without knowing who handles warranty claims you may find yourself dealing with a manufacturer on your own. And without a VAT-inclusive total and its exclusions, the price is not yet a price.

A high score shows a quote is complete, not that it is good. Once the gaps are filled, compare the systems themselves: whether the usable battery and inverter suit your essential loads, and whether the array suits your roof and usage.

Questions about solar quotes

What should a solar quote include in South Africa?

The inverter, battery and panel makes and models; the inverter’s rated power, the battery’s usable capacity and the array size; protection and installation items; the electrical Certificate of Compliance and SSEG registration; equipment and workmanship warranties with who handles claims; monitoring; and a total price including VAT with exclusions stated.

Why is one solar quote much cheaper than another?

Usually because the systems are not the same. A smaller usable battery, a lower-rated inverter, fewer panels, or items such as surge protection, the Certificate of Compliance and SSEG registration being left out can all make a quote look cheaper. Compare only once the quotes cover the same system.

What is usable battery capacity?

It is the energy the battery can actually deliver in normal use, which is lower than the nominal capacity on the label. Ask every installer for the usable figure in kWh so you compare like with like.

SolarGuide is an independent referral publisher and currently earns referral fees from eligible Alumo quote requests. The scorecard works the same for any installer's quote.