Compare solar quotes properly — not just on price.
RECC recommends obtaining at least three separate quotations. The challenge is that solar proposals often use different equipment, assumptions and layouts, making headline prices difficult to compare.
Put quotes into the same structure before deciding which one offers better value.
What to check
- Total price
- Solar capacity (kWp)
- Battery usable capacity
- Panel and inverter models
- Workmanship and product warranties
- Scaffolding, DNO and other inclusions
Make unlike quotes comparable
One installer may bundle scaffolding and grid-connection work while another leaves them unclear. One may propose a larger battery or premium inverter. Normalising these differences is essential before deciding which quote offers better value.
Compare the assumptions too
A proposal can appear financially attractive because it assumes high electricity prices, high export rates or unusually high self-consumption. Those assumptions should be visible and comparable, not hidden behind a headline payback period.
References for this guide
We use relevant public consumer guidance and registers as reference points. These organisations do not endorse QuoteCalm and we do not use their logos as trust badges.
Guidance, prices and schemes change. Follow the linked source for the current position before relying on time-sensitive information.
Frequently asked questions
How many solar quotes should I get?
RECC recommends obtaining at least three separate quotations before signing a contract.
Should I choose the cheapest solar quote?
Not automatically. Compare specification, warranty, installer credentials, included works and savings assumptions as well as price.
We aim to distinguish information stated in a quotation, calculations we can reproduce, public consumer guidance and things that cannot be known without a property-specific assessment. We do not accept payment from installers to change the outcome of a quote check.
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