A homeowner was ready to buy solar until a $35,000 cash quote for 30 roof-mounted panels with no battery gave them pause.
Here's what to know
In a post to Reddit's r/Solar community, the homeowner said the estimate was for panels rated at 450 watts each, totaling 13.5 kilowatts. The original poster also said one battery would raise the price by another $13,000.
The original poster then asked the solar forum, "Is this reasonable? I think if it were somewhere in the 20k range, we'd do it in a heartbeat, but 35? I'm on the fence."
The discussion that followed revolved around dollars per watt, one of the handiest ways to compare solar bids. Some commenters argued that, by current market standards, the offer may not have been as expensive as it first sounded.
The top comment broke it down to "$2.59/W your quote" versus "$1.48/W your expectation. That's a huge gap."
More than one reply described the quoted price as competitive. One wrote, "$2.59 is a steal. Yes this is a totally reasonable cash quoted price," while another added that "$2.60/w is pretty competitive."
The comment section also gave readers a few real-world reference points.
One person said they paid $31,000 for a 37-panel setup using 400-watt panels and no battery, and they expected rebates to bring the net cost down to about $9,000, adding that return on investment would be "just under 5 years."
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Another said, "I paid $2 [per Watt] in AZ a year ago. That was before tax rebates."
What can be done?
Solar pricing can swing significantly based on the equipment used, the shape and difficulty of the roof, labor, permitting, and how much margin an installer builds in.
One of the most consistent pieces of advice in the thread was to gather more quotes.
A commenter advised, "I would get 3 estimates. Look for smaller companies family owned with less overhead."
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Others stressed reading reviews, asking detailed questions, and requesting references.
For homeowners who need guidance on installers and price, EnergySage and its free tools can help you get and compare multiple offers before ever signing a contract.
With EnergySage's help, the average person can save up to $10,000 on solar purchases and installations. Seeing several bids in one place can make it easier to tell whether a proposal is fairly priced or too high.
Battery storage can be another worthwhile avenue for homeowners who want backup power during outages, lower energy bills, or the option to go off-grid. Anyone interested in that route can use EnergySage to explore home battery storage options and review competitive installation estimates.
As one commenter put it, "Choosing the right installer is critical when getting solar."
Where can I learn more?
Many homeowners have sized up steep price tags, battery add-ons, redesigns, and sales pressure before deciding what to do next.
• Near Chicago, incentives cut net cost below $18,000 on a $37,000 solar quote.
• In Phoenix, a surprise solar "takeover" pitch pushed commenters to warn the homeowner away.
• A new homeowner received a $420 first energy bill despite rooftop panels highlighted during the sale.
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