Businesses can reap the many benefits of solar installations if they accurately match the system’s capabilities to their needs. However, different providers may assess the business’s needs differently, leading to owners reading and comparing multiple commercial solar proposals before purchasing a system.
This guide walks through the process of receiving a solar proposal from a commercial solar company and how business owners can use it as a technical plan and financial roadmap for their solar investment. When interpreted correctly, solar proposals tell businesses everything they need to know about choosing, installing, and maintaining a solar array that meets their needs.
What is a Solar Proposal?
Solar proposals list information that the provider wants the business owner to know. It is a service to the customer to help them choose a provider and clarify their solar energy needs, not a sales or marketing document. The best proposals serve the customer’s needs by offering a detailed summary of important deciding factors, including:
Financial Details: The proposal should clarify the total installation costs, show available cost offsets through incentives, and calculate the owner’s net investment and return projections. These should extend to the system’s proposed lifespan so the business can recognize the full value of its investment.
Legal Details: Before being hired, the provider will specify the project’s timeline, the scope of the installation and maintenance, the warranties included, the permits needed, and the terms and conditions of the partnership between the installer and the business owner.
Engineering Details: Detailed solar proposals outline the engineering process of installing the array, including its size, design, and layout, its projected production, and the equipment required for installation. Depending on the building’s layout, access points, and the configuration required, these details help owners plan their installations more effectively.
Not all proposals contain this information; many only provide vague or incomplete details. Business owners can choose the right commercial solar company for their installation by reviewing each proposal line by line to find the most thorough and helpful provider.
Factors to Look for When Choosing a Proposal
Depending on the provider, solar proposals can vary significantly in the level of detail, the information provided, and the estimates for the work. Reviewing each proposal and choosing the best option can be overwhelming without a detailed breakdown of what to look for.
1. What is the provider’s experience level?
Experienced providers offer potential customers a project portfolio that includes similar businesses they have served and the size and type of installations they provided. Prioritize local commercial solar companies with experience in successful installations for similar businesses.
2. What is the proposed scope of the project?
The proposal should include detailed information about the design and installation process. The details in the project scope can help determine which providers offer complete services. The proposal should clarify the permitting requirements and process, complete engineering and installation procedures, information on procurement, taxes, and warranties, and the provider’s policy on quality assurance.
3. What are the energy production projections?
Detailed proposals should map the lifetime value of the solar installation in terms of its total cost and projected energy savings, including the projected break-even point. The proposal should also include a breakdown of the array’s efficiency and the degradation rate of the panels.
4. What are the cost projections?
Different providers offer different rates and terms of payment, with some offering more advantageous financing and others requiring cash payments. A return on investment analysis included in the solar proposal helps business owners project the value of their project in real terms. Effective analyses should be detailed enough to evaluate the installation over its lifetime accurately.
Contact a Local Energy Provider for a Detailed Solar Consultation and Proposal
Every business owner should prioritize local solar energy providers with experience providing arrays for similar businesses when searching through proposals. Interpreting the details of each proposal, including engineering and legal details, can be challenging, but the best proposals offer clients sufficient information presented understandably. Providing too little or unclear information is a potential sign of an inexperienced or low-quality provider.
At Energy Select, we offer a holistic approach to energy solutions that account for the economic short-term and long-term viability of the proposed solar array. Customer care is our number one priority, which is why we offer a complete project tracking app with dedicated customer support to keep our clients in the loop from assessment to installation.
Contact our team today to schedule a consultation and learn how our team will work with your business to help design, engineer, install, and maintain the best solar energy solution for your needs.