How to compare solar quotes line by line

Two solar quotes for the same house can look completely different. One leads with a monthly payment, another with a 25-year savings figure, a third with a panel brand. To compare them fairly, you need to pull the same handful of numbers out of each one and put them side by side.

This guide shows you which numbers matter, how to check them, and gives you a table to fill in. If you want a second opinion on a specific quote, our quote checker runs the main checks for you.

Start with price per watt

Price per watt is the fairest way to compare cost across systems of different sizes. Divide the total installed price before rebates by the system size in watts.

For example, a 7.5 kW system quoted at $21,000 works out to $21,000 ÷ 7,500 W = $2.80 per watt.

Use the price before any rebate, so that every quote is measured the same way. Then subtract rebates separately. Green Building Canada's 2026 figures put typical installed prices at about $2.42 to $3.05 per watt in Ontario and $2.40 to $3.02 in Alberta, with most other provinces at about $2.60 to $3.27. A quote well above the range should explain why, such as a complex roof, a ground mount or premium equipment. A quote far below it deserves a closer look at what is left out. See our cost guide for more.

Check the production claim

Every quote should state expected production in kWh per year. Divide that number by the system size in kW to get kWh per kW.

Compare it with a sensible range for your area. In our model, a well-placed system produces about 1,086 kWh per kW per year in Toronto, 1,246 in Calgary, 1,074 in Montréal and 1,007 in Halifax. A shaded or east-facing roof will be lower. If a Toronto quote claims 1,400 kWh per kW on a partly shaded roof, ask how it was calculated and what shading tool was used.

Production drives savings, so an inflated production figure makes every other number in the quote look better than it will be.

Check how savings were calculated

Look for the electricity rate the quote assumes, and whether it rises each year.

• In Ontario, Time-of-Use prices from November 1, 2026 are 9.1¢ off-peak, 14.6¢ mid-peak and 18.9¢ on-peak per kWh, before delivery, regulatory charges and HST. A quote that values every solar kWh at the on-peak price is overstating savings.
• An annual rate increase assumption of 5% or more compounds quickly over 25 years. Ask the installer to show savings with no increase as well.
• In Ontario, a system that takes the Home Renovation Savings Program (HRSP) solar rebate can't use net metering. A quote that counts both the rebate and net metering credits on the same system is wrong.

Compare the equipment

Write down the exact panel model, wattage and quantity, and the exact inverter model. Two quotes that both say "7 kW" may use different inverter types, which affects shading performance and monitoring. Our guides on microinverters vs string inverters and panel types explain the trade-offs. All electrical equipment must carry a recognized certification mark, such as CSA, to be used in Canada.

Compare the warranties

There are several separate warranties, and quotes often blur them together.

• Panel product warranty (defects) and performance warranty (output over time)
• Inverter warranty
• Installer workmanship warranty, including roof leaks around mounts

A 25-year panel warranty means little if the workmanship warranty is two years. See solar warranties explained.

Find out who handles the paperwork

A complete quote says who does each of these steps and whether it is included in the price:

1. Building permit, where your municipality requires one. Toronto, for example, requires a permit for rooftop arrays larger than 5 square metres, with structural calculations from an engineer.
2. Electrical permit and inspection. In Ontario, the Licensed Electrical Contractor files a notification with the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA).
3. Utility connection or net metering application, and any meter change.
4. Rebate applications.

Missing steps can add cost and months of delay. Our guide on permits and connecting to the grid walks through each one.

Read the payment schedule

A reasonable schedule ties payments to progress: a modest deposit, a payment when equipment arrives or installation starts, and the final payment after the electrical inspection passes and the system is connected. Be cautious with large deposits before any work starts, and with contracts that require full payment before inspection.

A comparison table you can copy

Fill it in for every quote, and any gaps become obvious. A quote that can't fill a row is telling you something.

Next step

Paste your numbers into the quote checker, or check your roof to see what a fair system size and price look like for your home.

Common questions

What is a good price per watt for solar in Canada?

Green Building Canada's 2026 figures put typical installed prices at about $2.42 to $3.05 per watt in Ontario and $2.40 to $3.02 in Alberta. Most other provinces run about $2.60 to $3.27 per watt. Compare quotes using the price before rebates.

How many solar quotes should I get?

Three is a common target. It is enough to see a fair price range and spot an outlier without spending weeks on site visits.

Should the cheapest solar quote win?

Not automatically. Check that it includes permits, the electrical inspection, utility connection and a solid workmanship warranty, and that the production estimate is realistic.

How do I know if a quote's production estimate is realistic?

Divide the claimed yearly kWh by the system size in kW. In our model, a well-placed Toronto system makes about 1,086 kWh per kW per year, so a figure far above that for your area needs an explanation.

Sources

• Green Building Canada: Solar panel cost in Canada
• Electrical Safety Authority: Hire a Licensed Electrical Contractor
• City of Toronto: Building permit guide for solar collectors