Turn the quote into price per watt
Divide the total price, before any incentives, by the system size in watts. A 7 kW system at $24,500 is $3.50 per watt. That single number lets you compare any two quotes, whatever the monthly payment looks like.
Our range of $2.80–$3.25 per watt is one reference, not the market. Equipment, roof complexity and whether batteries are bundled all move the price. A higher number isn’t automatically a rip-off, but it should come with a reason you can see.
Red flags we see in Colorado quotes
The biggest in 2026: a quote that subtracts a 30% federal tax credit from a system you would own. The homeowner credit under §25D ended for systems whose installation was completed after December 31, 2025. If your “net cost” assumes it, the real cost is higher than shown.
Others: a lease or PPA with an escalator you weren’t told about; savings shown as a single guaranteed figure instead of a range; production estimates that ignore your shading or roof direction; and pressure to sign today for a “neighborhood discount” or a deadline that doesn’t exist.
Your right to cancel
The FTC’s Cooling-Off Rule generally gives buyers three business days to cancel sales of more than $25 made at their home, and the seller is supposed to give you a cancellation form. There are exceptions, and financing documents can carry their own rescission terms, so read what you signed and ask a consumer attorney if you’re unsure. This isn’t legal advice.
What a second opinion from us looks like
Send us the quote. We’ll check the price per watt, the equipment, the production estimate against your roof, and the incentive math, and tell you in plain terms whether it looks fair. If it does, we’ll say so. We won’t trash another company; we’ll just show you the numbers.
What to do next
- 1Write down the system size (kW), total price before incentives, and the equipment brands.
- 2Divide price by watts and compare to a few quotes, ours included.
- 3Cross out any 30% federal credit on a system you would own.
- 4For leases or PPAs, calculate the year-20 payment with the escalator.
- 5If you signed at home in the last three business days, read the cancellation notice now.
FAQ
Questions we hear
The rep said I’ll get a 30% tax credit. Is that true?
Not for a system you buy and own, if installation is completed in 2026 or later — the §25D credit ended after 2025 (as of September 2026). In a lease or PPA, the company that owns the system may claim a business credit, which should show up in a lower payment, not on your tax return.
Is a 2.9% escalator a lot?
Compounded over 25 years, a 2.9% annual increase roughly doubles the payment. Our lease and PPA escalators run 0–3% per year. Whether it’s reasonable depends on the starting price and how fast you expect utility rates to rise.
How do I cancel a solar contract signed at my home?
Follow the cancellation instructions the seller was required to give you, in writing, within the deadline — generally three business days under the FTC rule. Keep proof of when you sent it. A consumer attorney can advise on your specific contract.
Will you just try to sell me your system instead?
We’ll show you our quote if you want it. But the review stands on its own: if the other quote is fair, we’ll tell you.
Is it a problem that the rep isn’t the installer?
Not necessarily; many companies use separate sales teams or subcontractors. Just ask who actually installs, who handles warranty calls, and who you call if the company that sold it goes away.