Key takeaway
A solar quote has five parts to check: the system (size and equipment), the production estimate, how you'll pay, the savings assumptions and what work is included. Check each one against your own electric bills. If anything is missing, vague or doesn't match from page to page, ask before you sign.
Who this guide is for: Massachusetts homeowners who have a solar quote or proposal in hand and want to understand what it actually says.
Most solar quotes are 10 to 20 pages of numbers, charts and fine print. It's easy to flip to the monthly payment and skip the rest. But the pages you skip are the ones that tell you if the deal is right for your home.
Here's how to read a solar quote section by section, with the Massachusetts details most guides leave out.
At a glance
| System | Size in kW, number of panels, panel and inverter models |
| Production | Estimated kWh per year and offset percentage |
| Payment | Lease, PPA or buying the system, plus any escalator |
| Savings | The utility rate and rate increase the quote assumes |
| Included work | Roof, electrical panel or other upgrades, in writing |
| Massachusetts paperwork | Contract details required by state law and the SMART disclosure form, if it applies |
What's in a solar quote?
Every company lays its proposal out a little differently, but almost every solar quote has the same building blocks. Once you know what they are, you can read any quote in about 15 minutes.
- The system design. How big the system is and what equipment goes on your roof.
- The production estimate. How much electricity the panels should make in a year.
- The payment. How you'll pay (a lease, a PPA or buying the system) and how much.
- The savings estimate. What the company thinks you'll save, and the assumptions behind it.
- The scope of work. Everything that's included, from permits to roof work.
How do I read the system size and equipment?
Look for the system size in kilowatts (kW). Many Massachusetts homes land somewhere between 6 and 12 kW, but the right size depends on how much electricity you use and how much good roof space you have.
Next, find the equipment list. A good quote names the exact panel model, how many panels there are and the inverter type. "Premium panels" with no model number isn't enough.
The inverter turns the power from your panels into power your home can use. You'll usually see one of three setups: a single string inverter, microinverters under each panel, or a string inverter with optimizers. Each one works. What matters is that the quote tells you which one you're getting.
Not sure if the size makes sense? You can figure out how many solar panels you need from your own electric bills in about five minutes.
What does the production estimate mean?
The production estimate is how many kilowatt-hours (kWh) the system should make in its first year. It's the most important number on the page, because everything else, including your savings, is built on it.
Compare it to your yearly usage. Add up the kWh from your last 12 Eversource or National Grid bills. If the quote says the system will make 9,000 kWh and you use 10,000, that's about a 90% offset.
Also check where the number came from. A good estimate is based on your actual roof, its direction and pitch, and the shade from your trees, not a generic average. A quick ratio check tells you whether the production estimate on your quote is realistic.
How do I read the payment section?
This is where quotes differ the most. You'll usually see one of three options:
- Lease: you pay a monthly amount to use the system. The solar company owns it.
- PPA (power purchase agreement): you pay for the electricity the panels make, by the kWh. The solar company owns the system.
- Buying the system: you own it, either with cash or with payments.
With a lease or PPA, find the escalator. That's the percentage your payment or rate goes up each year. A 2.9% escalator means your price climbs every year for the life of the contract. It's one of the most important lines on the quote, and it's often in small print. The difference between a solar lease and a PPA matters here too.
If you're buying, make sure the total price is written clearly and matches what you'll see in the contract.
Got a solar quote?
Send it to Mark. He'll go through it line by line and tell you if it's a good deal for your home.
Mark, review my quoteHow do I check the savings estimate?
The savings page is where a quote can look great on paper. Every savings estimate is built on assumptions, so find them.
- Starting utility rate: does it match the rate on your current bill?
- Utility rate increase: how much the quote assumes your utility rates will rise each year. A higher assumption makes solar look better.
- Production: savings only hold up if the production estimate does.
One quick check: if your quote still subtracts a 30% federal credit from the price, it's out of date. That federal credit ended for homeowners on December 31, 2025.
Also remember you'll likely still get a small electric bill with solar, even with a big offset, because of the fixed monthly charges.
What work should the quote include?
A good quote spells out everything that's part of the job, so there are no surprises after you sign:
- Permits and the utility interconnection application
- Roof work, if your roof needs repairs or replacing first
- Electrical panel or service upgrades, if your home needs one
- Monitoring, so you can see what your panels are making
- Who you call if something goes wrong after the system is on
If your roof is getting older, ask about it now. In Massachusetts, it's often smart to replace your roof before installing solar panels, and for homes that qualify, the new roof can be part of the project.
What should a Massachusetts solar contract include?
This is the part most solar quote guides skip. In Massachusetts, solar on an existing owner-occupied one-to-four-family home is covered by the state's home improvement contractor law. That means the contract has to include certain details, like:
- The contractor's registration number
- Start and completion dates
- A detailed description of the work and materials
- The total price and payment schedule
- Your cancellation rights
- Which permits are needed, and that the contractor will get them
- The words "Do not sign this contract if there are any blank spaces" in bold above the signature line
If your system is going into the state's SMART program, the solar company also has to have you sign a customer disclosure form. It covers contract pricing for the full term, system cost, who handles maintenance, who gets the incentive and expected production. The numbers on that form should match your quote.
Before you sign, go through these questions to ask before signing a solar contract.
How do I know if my solar quote is a good deal?
Once you understand each section, you can judge the whole thing. A good deal is sized to your real usage, built on honest assumptions, clear about what's included and consistent from the quote to the contract. Five quick tests will tell you if your solar quote is a good deal.
Got more than one quote? Line them up section by section so you're comparing the same things, and pay extra attention when you compare two solar quotes with different escalators.
Not sure what your quote is telling you?
Send it to Mark. He'll walk you through every page and tell you if it's a good deal for your home.
Mark, review my quoteFAQs About Reading a Solar Quote
What should a solar quote include?
A solar quote should list the system size in kW, the number and model of panels, the inverter type, the estimated yearly production in kWh, how you'll pay (lease, PPA or buying the system), the total price or monthly payment, any escalator, and what extra work like roof or electrical panel upgrades is included.
What does offset mean on a solar quote?
Offset is the share of your yearly electricity use the panels are expected to cover. A 100% offset means the system should make about as much power over a full year as your home uses. It doesn't mean every monthly bill goes to zero, because winter months make less power.
What's the difference between a solar quote and a solar contract?
A quote, or proposal, is the sales summary of what the company is offering. The contract is the legal agreement you sign. Before you sign, make sure the system size, payment, escalator and included work on the contract match the quote.
How long should I take to review a solar quote?
Take as long as you need. A good offer will still be there in a few days. Read every page, check the numbers against your own electric bills and ask questions about anything you don't understand before you sign.
About Mark Featherstone
Mark has been in solar for 14+ years, working at some of the biggest solar companies in the country, before co-founding Your World Solutions. His goal is simple: help homeowners get into solar deals that actually work for them, and make sure they understand every part of it before they sign.
This article is for general informational purposes only and isn't legal or tax advice. Every home, quote and contract is different, and production, savings, timelines and program rules vary and can change. Read your own contract carefully and talk with a qualified professional before making a decision.