Guided Workflow
Step 8 of 9. Follow the sequence to turn a rough idea into a homeowner-ready solar plan.
Compare solar quotes by cash price, system size, production, financing, equipment and warranties. Identify missing contract details before selecting an installer.
Quick answer
Cash solar price per watt = solar-only cash price / system DC watts; compare total financed payments separately.
Notes updated 2026-10-06
Author profile: Marcus Vance . Read the methodology and recheck local tariff, quote, and incentive details before deciding. Attribution is not a record of independent technical review.
Compare gross prices before incentives. Market bands are planning benchmarks derived from published installed-price datasets, not live bids or a guaranteed local price.
Wattcrunch Solar Planning Report
Generated 10/23/2026 · Verify assumptions with your utility and installer.
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Separate solar-only cash price, battery cost, roof work and financing fees. Compare price per DC watt only when the included scope is comparable, then review equipment and production assumptions.
No. The score measures disclosed proposal attributes against planning assumptions. Verify licenses, insurance, warranty service, references, contract exclusions and current local quotes independently.
Normalize the scope first. Subtract separately priced batteries, roof work and other extras from the cash total before dividing solar-only price by DC watts. Compare financed principal and total payments separately. A disclosure score is not an installer-quality certification.
| Example proposal | Solar-only cash price | 8 kW DC price per watt |
|---|---|---|
| $24,000 solar only | $24,000.00 | $3.00/W |
| $32,000 including $8,000 battery | $24,000.00 | $3.00/W |
Illustrative assumptions: Identical 8 kW DC solar scope and separately itemized battery price. These are constructed examples, not local market quotes. Price per watt alone does not value warranty coverage, workmanship, service or roof complexity.
Example and calculation notes updated . Method references are listed below; example rates are not verified utility tariffs.
Cash solar price per watt = solar-only cash price / system DC watts; compare total financed payments separately.
A $24,000 cash solar-only quote for 8 kW is $3.00/W. If a $32,000 bundled proposal includes an $8,000 battery, compare the $24,000 solar component before judging the overall price.
Planning price ranges are not current local bids. A comparison score measures disclosed attributes and cannot certify installer quality.
Use your bill or written equipment quote, run a conservative scenario, and compare the result with the same inputs in another model.
Calculation notes updated 2026-10-06. Reference links explain the method; they do not establish a current utility tariff or installer price.
Read the full methodology or save and compare your solar plan.
Treat the result as a planning range, not a promise. Re-run it with a lower and higher production estimate, your actual utility tariff, and the written installer quote.
Use the method references below to check the formula and its limitations. Input defaults and illustrative scenarios are not current tariffs, guaranteed output or live installer quotes.
Utility export rates, eligibility rules, and installer pricing can change. Confirm the applicable tariff, interconnection requirements, and tax treatment before making a purchase decision.
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Separate the solar-only cash price from battery, roof work, electrical upgrades and financing fees before calculating price per DC watt. Compare written equipment, production guarantees and warranty exclusions, not just an overall score.
Start with your actual usage, equipment or quote inputs, keep the displayed units, and change one assumption at a time. Planning price ranges are not current local bids. A comparison score measures disclosed attributes and cannot certify installer quality.
Cash solar price per watt = solar-only cash price / system DC watts; compare total financed payments separately.
A $24,000 cash solar-only quote for 8 kW is $3.00/W. If a $32,000 bundled proposal includes an $8,000 battery, compare the $24,000 solar component before judging the overall price.
Planning price ranges are not current local bids. A comparison score measures disclosed attributes and cannot certify installer quality.
Physical kW and kWh calculations use the same units internationally. Dollar results, regional defaults, emissions factors, incentives and utility guidance are US-oriented. Replace rate and production assumptions with local values; do not apply US tax or export rules abroad.
Use Print / PDF to save this page from your browser without an email address. The solar plan stores supported scenario inputs in your browser; private files should be checked and redacted before uploading for extraction.
Compare cash, loan, lease, and battery scenarios using the same production, rate, and quote assumptions before choosing a financing path.
Or browse all calculators, find rebates in the Incentive Finder, or read our solar guides.