Questions to ask a solar installer
Twenty questions for the sales meeting, and what a straight answer sounds like.
Written by HyreSolar Research Desk Primary-source research; not legal or financial advice
The short answer
These questions to ask a solar installer list everything to cover in the meeting, in order: the company, the people on your roof, the design, the price, the warranties and after-sales service. Take the printed list and write the answers down.
A good installer answers in specifics: a license number you can look up, named equipment, a cash price, and a warranty backed by someone other than itself if it fails. Vague answers to any of these are the signal.
The questions, and what a good answer looks like
| Question | A good answer |
|---|---|
| What is your legal company name and license number? | Both, matching the contract; you check it on the state board |
| How long have you installed in this area? | A number of years and local references |
| Do your own employees install, or subcontractors? | A clear answer, and who is liable either way |
| Is anyone on the crew NABCEP certified? | A name you can look up in NABCEP’s directory |
| Who carries liability and workers’ comp insurance? | Certificates on request |
| What size system and why? | Sized from your 12 months of bills |
| Which panels and inverter, by model? | Exact models, not “tier 1 equivalent” |
| What production do you estimate, from which tool? | A named tool and a shade analysis |
| Does my roof need replacing first? | An honest view of roof age and condition |
| Does my main panel need an upgrade? | Yes or no with the reason, and the cost if yes |
| What is the cash price and cost per watt? | Both, in writing |
| If financed, what is the amount financed and APR? | Numbers that let you see any fee |
| Which incentives did you subtract? | Each one named with a source; no 2026 federal residential credit |
| How long is the workmanship warranty, and who honors it if you close? | Years, scope, and any third-party backing |
| Who handles permits and interconnection? | The installer, included in the price |
| How long until permission to operate? | A range with the local utility’s steps |
| Whose monitoring platform will I use? | Ideally the manufacturer’s, in your name |
| What does a service call cost after the warranty? | A published rate |
| What happens if I sell the house? | Clear transfer terms, especially for a lease |
| Can I have the full contract to read tonight? | Yes |
Answers that end the meeting
- “The government covers it” or “it’s free”
The FTC treats these claims as scam signals.
- “The price is only good today”
- No license number, or one that does not match
When you are ready
Ready to explore solar for your home?
If you have done your research and want to speak with a solar professional, HyreSolar can help you explore available options.
Free, with no obligation: a person at HyreSolar reads your request and gets back to you about it. Matching with solar professionals is not live yet, so this is not a quote, and nothing is shared with anyone until you agree.
Keep learningQuestions
How do I check a solar installer’s license?
Does NABCEP certification matter?
Should I hire a national company or a local one?
Sources and retrieval dates
- NABCEP, certified professional directory Retrieved 22 October 2026.
- FTC consumer alert on solar and clean energy scams , 7 August 2024 Retrieved 22 October 2026.
- CFPB, Issue Spotlight: Solar Financing , 7 August 2024: dealer fees, re-amortization, escalators Retrieved 22 October 2026.
- IRS, Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 25D) , not available for property placed in service after 31 December 2025 Retrieved 22 October 2026.
This page explains how solar contracts and consumer rules usually work and links the documents it relies on.
It is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice; your own contract and your state’s law decide your case.
For a dispute, speak to a lawyer licensed in your state or your state attorney general’s consumer office. HyreSolar does not install, finance, lease or sell solar.