Get some quotes and compare them
Who do you get the quotes from?
- Open your search up and look at all the options on the table
- Explore different products
- Explore system sizes
- Decide whether you want batteries before deciding an installer (see is solar right for you for a battery decision framework)
- Narrow down your options, decide on a company you're happy with, and make a decision
Quote overload is common
People often get overwhelmed at this stage. If you request quotes from 3 solar companies, and they each come back with 3 options, you can easily end up with 9 drastically different options to go through — soon followed by sales calls pushing you in different directions and further muddying the waters.
Understanding your quotes
1. Compare apples for apples
If proposed system sizes vary a lot between quotes, divide each quote's price by the total solar system size to get a price per kW. Once every quote is on the same ₹/kW basis, you can sort and compare them directly.
2. Understand the price variations
A price difference between two quotes for a "similar" system usually comes down to one or more of these factors:
- Panel type — Poly / Mono / Bifacial
- Inverter brand — value vs. premium
- Subsidy handling — whether the installer manages documentation or leaves it to you
- Services — AMC, monitoring systems, documentation & approvals
- Module mounting structure — height and material (see the mounting structure guide for what "elevated" or "premium" structure actually means technically)
Prices can vary by as much as 40–70% depending on the brand and make of components used, even for the same rated system size.
3. Ask for updated quotes based on your needs
Once you understand the different moving parts and their associated price points, go back to the same solar companies and ask for revised quotes. You may want all of them to quote at the same price point, on the same specific products, or for an identical system size — so you're comparing true equivalents rather than apples to oranges.
Frequently asked questions
How many solar quotes should I get before deciding?
2–3 quotes is usually enough to understand the price range and spot outliers. More than that tends to create decision fatigue, especially once each installer offers multiple system-size or product options.
How do I compare solar quotes with different system sizes?
Divide each quote's total price by its proposed system size in kW to get a price-per-kW figure. This normalizes quotes so you can compare them directly, regardless of whether one installer proposed 3 kW and another proposed 4 kW.
Why do solar quotes for the same system size vary so much?
Mainly panel type, inverter brand, whether subsidy documentation is handled by the installer, included services like AMC and monitoring, and the mounting structure specified. These factors alone can account for a 40–70% price difference.
Should I ask installers for a revised quote?
Yes — once you understand what's driving price differences, going back with a specific ask (same product, same price point, or same system size across installers) usually produces quotes that are far easier to compare fairly.
Find trusted solar installers near you!
Helping homeowners on their solar journey!
Have a suggestion for this page? Suggest Edits