Solar Quote Checker — Is My Solar Quote a Fair Price?

Solar Quote Fairness Checker

Enter your solar quote and instantly see if it's excellent, fair, above market, or way too high — compared to real 2026 installed costs in your state.

Your state

System size

Total quote price

Panel tier

Includes battery?

The number that matters: price per watt

A solar quote for a 10 kW system at $32,000 and one for a 6 kW system at $18,000 are hard to compare as lump sums. Price per watt normalises everything. Divide total price by system watts (system kW × 1,000): $32,000 ÷ 10,000 = $3.20/W and $18,000 ÷ 6,000 = $3.00/W. Now you're comparing apples to apples across different system sizes, states, and equipment tiers.

Why state medians differ

Texas has high installer competition, low permitting costs, and straightforward interconnection — pushing median costs to around $2.60/W. Massachusetts has high labor costs, strict inspection requirements, and a more complex interconnection process — pushing medians to $3.20–3.40/W. Comparing a Texas quote to a Massachusetts benchmark would be misleading; this tool uses your specific state's data.

The second quote saves thousands

Research from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory found that homeowners who obtained multiple quotes saved an average of $3,000–$6,000 on their solar installation. The solar industry has wide price dispersion — two installers using identical equipment can differ by 25–40% on labor and overhead. Getting a second quote is the single highest-ROI action you can take before signing a solar contract.

Frequently asked questions

What is a fair price per watt for solar in 2026?

The national median installed cost for residential solar in 2026 is approximately $2.85/watt before incentives. State medians range from about $2.60/W in Texas to $3.30/W in Massachusetts, driven by local permitting costs, installer density, and utility interconnection fees. Anything below your state market low is an excellent deal; anything above the high end deserves a second quote.

Why do solar prices vary so much between quotes?

Panel brand (commodity vs premium adds $0.10–0.30/W), inverter type (microinverters add $0.15–0.25/W vs string), roof complexity (steep or complex layouts add labor), permit and interconnection fees by jurisdiction, and installer margin (national brands typically charge 20–30% more than local installers for the same equipment).

Should I always go with the cheapest quote?

Not necessarily. The cheapest quote often uses lower-tier panels (shorter warranty, lower efficiency) or lower-tier installers (fewer reviews, no NABCEP certification). The goal is fair value — appropriate pricing for the equipment and installer quality. This tool helps you evaluate price-per-watt relative to the market, not pick the absolute lowest number.

Does the solar tax credit affect this comparison?

No — this tool compares gross installed cost before any incentives. The federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025 for homeowner-owned systems, so there is no longer a standard 30% reduction to apply. State and utility incentives vary; check our Incentive Finder for your location.

How do I negotiate a solar quote?

The most effective approach is getting 2–3 competing quotes first, then asking your preferred installer to match the best price for equivalent equipment. Mentioning a specific competing quote price and asking "Can you match this?" converts to a price reduction about 60% of the time. Timing also matters — end of month and end of quarter typically see more flexibility.