To compare solar panel quotes fairly, check the proposed system, the work included and the assumptions behind the savings estimate—not just the total price. Two quotations for the same home can describe very different installations.
This checklist is for homeowners in Greater Manchester and the North West who are gathering quotes for solar panels, with or without battery storage. Use it to turn a sales proposal into a clear list of questions before you decide.
1. Put the equipment side by side
Ask each installer to name the panel, inverter and battery models. “Premium panels” or “a large battery” is not enough detail to compare a proposal.
- Panels: record the number, rated output per panel and total array capacity in kWp.
- Inverter: record the model and rated AC output in kW. Ask why it suits the proposed array.
- Battery: record usable storage in kWh, charge and discharge power in kW, and the proposed location.
- Monitoring: ask what you can see in the app and whether any subscription applies.
For example, ten 450 W panels have a combined rated capacity of 4.5 kWp. That is a power rating, not a promise to generate 4.5 kWh every hour. Ask for a separate annual generation estimate for your roof.
2. Check what the installation price includes
Ask for a written answer against each of these items. This makes a cheaper headline price easier to assess.
- Scaffolding and access arrangements.
- Roof mounting system and any agreed roof repairs.
- Cable routes, electrical work and any consumer unit alterations.
- Inverter and battery installation, where included.
- Responsibility for network paperwork and any associated charges.
- Testing, commissioning, handover documents and app setup.
- Waste removal and making good.
- Any exclusions, provisional allowances and applicable taxes.
Ask whether the figure is an initial estimate or a quotation confirmed after a survey. If additional work is discovered, establish how it will be priced and agreed before it proceeds. Our solar installation process guide explains the stages from survey to handover.
3. Compare savings using the same assumptions
A bigger projected saving does not automatically mean a better design. Ask each installer to show the annual electricity use, import price, export price and expected self-consumption used in the calculation.
The Energy Saving Trust installation guide recommends asking how roof direction and shade have been accounted for, and how much generated electricity you are expected to use rather than export.
Request a breakdown separating reduced electricity purchases from export income. If a battery is included, ask whether grid charging is assumed and whether its cost and storage losses are included. Ask for a second scenario with less favourable tariff assumptions rather than relying on one attractive payback figure.
Treat estimated savings as a forecast, not a guaranteed return. Your household usage, weather, equipment performance and tariffs can change. Ask how maintenance and possible equipment replacement are treated in any long-term projection.
4. Ask whether the battery fits your household
Useful storage depends on when you use electricity as well as how much you use. Share your annual consumption and, if available, half-hourly usage data. Mention planned changes such as an electric vehicle or heat pump.
The Energy Saving Trust battery guide explains that storage can shift electricity use to another time, but savings do not always justify its cost. Compare a solar-only option with a solar-and-battery option where both are suitable.
Ask the installer to explain usable capacity, power output, operating settings and warranty conditions in plain English. If backup power matters to you, ask explicitly whether it is included, what equipment is required and which circuits would be supported. Do not assume that every battery proposal includes backup.
5. Make warranties and support comparable
Keep separate records for panel product cover, panel performance cover, inverter cover, battery cover and installation workmanship. Ask who handles a fault and whether labour, access equipment and transport are covered.
Before accepting a proposal, request the installer’s current certification details, consumer protection information, payment schedule and written terms. Verify the details rather than relying on a logo in a quotation. Ask who your contact will be after installation and what happens if monitoring stops working.
Your solar quote comparison checklist
Copy these questions into your notes and ask every installer the same things:
- What exact equipment and usable battery capacity have you allowed for?
- What work is included, excluded or subject to survey?
- What annual generation do you estimate for this roof?
- What electricity use and tariff assumptions support the savings estimate?
- What changes if we choose a smaller battery or no battery?
- Who handles network requirements, handover and aftercare?
- What do we pay, when do we pay it, and what warranty exclusions apply?
Common questions about solar panel quotes
How many quotes should I get?
Energy Saving Trust recommends at least three quotes from MCS-certified installers. Give each the same information so you can compare their proposals consistently.
Should I choose the cheapest solar quote?
Price matters, but first confirm that the equipment, installation scope and support are comparable. A lower price may reflect a smaller system or excluded work; a higher price should have an understandable explanation.
What should I prepare before requesting a quote?
Your postcode, property type, annual electricity consumption and any known roof issues are useful starting points. Include your goals: lower daytime bills, more evening use of solar electricity, future EV charging or backup requirements.
Request a solar quote for your home
Flux Solar Energy is based in Westhoughton and serves homeowners across Greater Manchester and the North West. Request your free solar quote and tell us about your property, energy use and priorities so we can discuss the next steps.
