Estimate templates · Solar
Solar Estimate Template — Free & Fillable
A solar proposal has to survive a kitchen-table comparison against two others. Size from real bills, list modules and inverters by model and wattage, stage payments through install and permission to operate — this template starts with a real 8.6 kW rooftop system laid out that way.
Make your solar estimate
Prefilled with a sample 8.6 kW rooftop solar system — every line, the terms and the notes. Change the quantities and rates to your own, add your logo and the customer’s details, and download a clean PDF. No signup, no watermark.
What goes on a solar estimate
Soft costs first (design, engineering, permits, interconnection), then installation labor split between array and electrical, then the equipment — modules by count and wattage, inverter, monitoring, battery — then conditional items like a panel upgrade. Put the system size and estimated annual production in the notes.
| Line item | How it’s priced | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Design and engineering | Flat | $1,650 |
| Permit and interconnection | Flat | $950 |
| Modules | Per panel, wattage stated | $365 per 430 W |
| Inverter | Per unit, kW stated | 7.6 kW $2,650 |
| Battery | Per unit, kWh stated | 13.5 kWh $13,900 |
| Array labor | Crew hours | $95/hr |
| Electrical labor | Hours | $125/hr |
| Main panel upgrade | Flat, only if required | $3,200 |
| Critter guard | Flat | $485 |
Example prices come from the Brightside Solar demo price book (Tempe, AZ). Your market, crew and suppliers will differ — use them for structure, not as a rate card.
How to price a solar job
Size the system from 12 months of utility bills, not a guess: annual kWh divided by your local production per kW gives the system size. State the size in kW DC and the estimated annual production in kWh on the estimate, and show the price per watt — it’s the one number customers can compare across bids.
List modules and inverters by brand, model and wattage. “20 panels” means nothing; twenty 430 W panels with a 25-year product warranty is something a customer can check. Batteries go by usable kWh.
Check the roof before you quote. If it has less than about ten years left, include a remove-and-reinstall line or a re-roof option now — finding out later costs the customer a second install fee and costs you the referral. And if a tax credit or utility incentive may apply, show it below the total as an estimate of net cost, tell the customer to confirm eligibility with a tax professional, and never present it as a discount you are giving.
Deposits and payment schedule
Solar is usually staged: a small deposit at signing, a milestone payment once the array is installed and passes inspection, and the balance at permission to operate. Check your state’s home-improvement rules — California, for example, caps the down payment at 10% or $1,000, whichever is less. Lender-financed jobs follow the same milestones, paid by the lender.
- Signing10% deposit — design and permitting begin
- Installed + city inspectionMilestone payment
- Permission to operateBalance due
Production estimates, warranties and the utility
Production figures are modeled from weather data — say so, and say they’re not a guarantee. Export and net-metering rates are set by the utility and can change; don’t let the estimate imply they’re locked in.
List the warranty stack separately: manufacturer warranties on modules and inverters (often 25 years), batteries (often 10 years), and your own workmanship and roof-penetration warranty. If the utility requires a main panel upgrade for the backfeed, quote it as a conditional line with the reason.
Frequently asked questions
How do I write a solar installation estimate?
Size the system from a year of utility bills, then list soft costs (design, permits, interconnection), labor (array and electrical), and equipment by model and wattage. Add the system size in kW, estimated annual production, price per watt, the payment schedule and the warranties.
What payment schedule do solar installers use?
Commonly three stages: a deposit at signing, a payment when the system is installed and passes inspection, and the balance when the utility grants permission to operate. Some states cap the deposit on home-improvement contracts, so check yours.
Should a solar quote show price per watt?
Yes. Total price divided by system watts (DC) is the easiest way for a customer to compare bids that use different equipment and system sizes, and showing it signals that you aren’t hiding anything.
Can I guarantee solar production on an estimate?
Avoid it unless you’re offering a formal production guarantee with defined terms. Production estimates are modeled from historical weather; say so on the estimate, and note that utility export rates can change.
When the job is done
An approved estimate becomes your invoice — same lines, same numbers. Grab the solar invoice template, or open the invoice generator and bill what you quoted. Not sure which document you need? Read estimate vs. invoice.
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