What a solar quote should include: a line-by-line checklist
A proper solar quote itemises the inverter, battery, panels, installation, compliance paperwork and warranties, with VAT shown. Here is what to check on every line before you sign.
What should a solar quote include?
A proper solar quote lists every component by brand, model and size, and shows each cost on its own line. It covers the inverter, battery, panels, mounting, cabling and protection, labour, the electrical Certificate of Compliance (CoC), registration with Eskom or your municipality, warranties, payment terms and a total including VAT.
If a quote gives you one total and a system size, you cannot compare it with anything. Two quotes for an "8kW system" can differ by tens of thousands of rand because one has a smaller battery, cheaper panels or no registration.
Use the checklist below on every solar panel quote you receive. Ask the installer to fill in any missing line in writing before you pay a deposit.
Why a line-by-line solar quote matters
An itemised quote protects you in three ways.
- You can compare like for like. Model numbers and capacities show whether a cheaper quote is a better price or a smaller system.
- You know what is excluded. Roof repairs, distribution board upgrades and registration fees often appear later as extras.
- You have a record. If the installed equipment differs from the quote, the itemised list is your proof.
The solar quote checklist: equipment
Equipment is the largest part of the price, so every item needs a brand, a model number and a size.
| Line item | What the quote should state | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Inverter | Brand, model, kW rating, hybrid or grid-tied | Sets how much power you can use at once and whether a battery can be added |
| Battery | Brand, model, usable kWh, warranty in years or cycles | The biggest price variable; usable kWh is lower than the nominal figure |
| Solar panels | Brand, model, wattage per panel, number of panels, total kWp | Total kWp determines how much energy you generate |
| Mounting | Roof type (tile, metal sheet, flat) and mounting system | Wrong mounting causes leaks and voids roof warranties |
| Cabling and protection | DC and AC cabling, isolators, surge protection, earthing | Safety items that cheap quotes leave out |
| Distribution board work | Essential and non-essential load split, any board upgrade | Decides which circuits run on backup power |
| Monitoring | App or portal, and who sets it up | Lets you check the system performs as promised |
Watch for the words "or equivalent" next to a brand. Ask the installer to name the exact alternative, or to confirm in writing that no substitution will be made without your approval.
Also check that the inverter is accepted by your electricity distributor. Eskom and the larger municipalities only register systems that use approved inverters.
The solar quote checklist: installation and compliance
A legal solar installation in South Africa needs paperwork as well as hardware. Each of these should appear as a line on the quote, even if the price is R0.
| Line item | What the quote should state | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Labour | Installation labour, travel and scaffolding if needed | Shows whether the price covers the whole job |
| Certificate of Compliance (CoC) | Issued by a registered electrician on completion | Confirms the electrical work is safe; insurers and buyers of your home will ask for it |
| Registration | Application to Eskom or your municipality, and who pays any fees | Grid-connected systems of 100kW or less must be registered with the distributor |
| Commissioning and handover | Testing, app setup, user training, as-built documents | You need the manuals, serial numbers and test results |
| Exclusions | Anything not covered, listed plainly | Prevents surprise extras after you have paid a deposit |
A CoC and registration are separate items. The CoC covers electrical safety, while registration tells your distributor what is connected to its network. A quote that includes one does not automatically include the other.
If Eskom supplies you directly, its registration-related charges are waived for systems up to 50kVA until further notice. Municipal customers, including those in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Tshwane, follow their municipality's process and fees.
The solar quote checklist: price and terms
The commercial terms decide what you pay, when you pay it and what happens if something fails.
| Line item | What the quote should state | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Total price | Subtotal, VAT at 15% and total, shown separately | Some quotes show prices before VAT |
| Payment terms | Deposit, milestone payments and final payment on completion | Holding back a final payment gives you leverage until handover |
| Quote validity | The date the price expires | Equipment prices move with the rand |
| Timeline | Expected installation date and duration | Lets you hold the installer to a schedule |
| Product warranties | Separate terms for panels, inverter and battery | Warranties differ widely between brands |
| Workmanship warranty | Length, and what it covers | Covers leaks, loose connections and installation faults |
| Expected output | Estimated kWh per month and the assumptions behind it | Lets you check the savings claim against your bill |
| After-sales support | Who to call, response times, any maintenance plan | Matters most when something goes wrong |
How to compare solar quotes side by side
Compare solar quotes on capacity and quality first, and on total price last.
- Match the sizes. Write down the inverter kW, battery usable kWh and total panel kWp for each quote. If they differ, the totals are not comparable.
- Work out the unit prices. Divide the total by the panel kWp, and note the battery cost per usable kWh. This shows which quote gives more capacity per rand.
- Compare the brands. Check the warranty length and local support for each inverter and battery brand.
- Tick off the compliance lines. Confirm that each quote includes the CoC and registration.
- Read the exclusions. Add any excluded items to the total so you compare the full cost.
- Check the installer. Look for PV GreenCard certification, SAPVIA membership and recent installations in your area.
Aim for at least three itemised quotes for the same system size. Fewer than that and you have no way to tell whether a price is high, low or normal.
Red flags on a solar quote
These signs suggest a quote needs more questions before you sign.
- A single total with no component list.
- No model numbers, or "or equivalent" with no named alternative.
- No mention of a CoC or registration.
- Battery size given without stating usable kWh.
- A price far below every other quote for the same size system.
- Full payment requested before installation.
- A discount that expires today.
- No physical address, or no references from recent installations.
Solar quote FAQs
How many solar quotes should I get?
Get at least three itemised quotes for the same system size. Three is enough to see the normal price range and to spot a quote that is missing components. Green Quotes sends your request to up to 6 vetted installers who service your area.
Is the cheapest solar quote the best one?
Not always. A lower total often means a smaller battery, lower-grade panels, or missing items such as registration and surge protection. Compare the inverter kW, usable battery kWh and panel kWp before you compare the price.
Should a solar quote include VAT?
Yes. A quote to a homeowner should show the subtotal, VAT at 15% and the total you will pay. If a quote shows prices excluding VAT, add 15% before comparing it with others.
Does a solar quote include registration with Eskom or the municipality?
It should, as its own line. Grid-connected systems of 100kW or less must be registered with your electricity distributor, and many installers handle the application for you. If the line is missing, ask who submits the application and who pays any fees.
How long is a solar quote valid?
Most solar quotes state a validity period, after which the price can change. Equipment is imported, so prices move with the exchange rate. Check the expiry date on each quote and ask for a refreshed quote if it has passed.
Get itemised solar quotes to compare
Green Quotes is free for homeowners and businesses. Submit one request and up to 6 vetted, PV GreenCard approved installers who service your suburb will quote. Then use this checklist to compare them line by line.
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Last updated: October 2026