Once you have two or three solar quotes, the first thing most people do is divide the price by the system size and pick the lowest cost per watt.
Jason spent months researching solar and got quotes from over 25 companies across Alberta.
Here’s what happened—and why he ultimately chose Greenamp.
It's a reasonable place to start. But it's a bad place to stop. Two quotes can have nearly the same price per watt and be very different deals, and the one that looks cheapest on paper can cost more by the time the system is on your roof.
Here's how to compare quotes on what you'll actually pay and what you'll actually get. Our free Solar Quote Comparison Checklist puts it all on two pages you can fill in.
Solar Panel System Installed by Greenamp Solar & Energy: Choosing the right quote makes all the difference.
What price per watt tells you, and what it doesn't
Price per watt is the total system cost divided by the system's size in watts. A $20,000 system that's 8 kW (8,000 watts) works out to $2.50 per watt.
It tells you how the price compares for the same amount of panel. It doesn't tell you:
How much power the system will actually make. Panels facing the wrong way or sitting in shade make less power for the same price.
What's included. Permits, inspection, an electrical panel upgrade, critter guard and monitoring are sometimes in the price and sometimes extra.
Who's doing the work and how. The same equipment can be installed well or badly.What price per watt tells you, and what it doesn't
Price per watt is the total system cost divided by the system's size in watts. A $20,000 system that's 8 kW (8,000 watts) works out to $2.50 per watt.
It tells you how the price compares for the same amount of panel. It doesn't tell you:
How much power the system will actually make. Panels facing the wrong way or sitting in shade make less power for the same price.
What's included. Permits, inspection, an electrical panel upgrade, critter guard and monitoring are sometimes in the price and sometimes extra.
Who's doing the work and how. The same equipment can be installed well or badly.
A better number: cost per kWh the system will produce
Instead of dividing by watts, divide the total price by the system's estimated production in its first year. That tells you what you're paying for the power, not just the panels.
Here's an example with illustrative numbers (not a price quote):
Quote A: 8.0 kW for $20,000, or $2.50 per watt. It leaves out the permit, inspection and a panel upgrade, about $2,000 more. Real total: $22,000. Estimated first-year production: 8,400 kWh. That's $2.62 for each kWh of annual production.
Quote B: 7.2 kW for $19,800, or $2.75 per watt. Nothing left out. Real total: $19,800. Estimated first-year production: 8,600 kWh, because the panels sit where they get more sun. That's $2.30 for each kWh of annual production.
Quote A looks cheaper per watt. Quote B costs less in total and makes more power.
One caution: production estimates are only as honest as the assumptions behind them. Ask each company how they calculated theirs, whether it accounts for shade and panel aging, and whether they'll show you the report. An optimistic estimate makes any quote look better.
High-quality solar installation in Beaumont, completed by Greenamp’s in-house team.
Who's doing the work matters as much as the price
Some companies sell the system and hand the installation to another crew. That isn't always a problem, and some subcontracted crews are very good. But it changes who's accountable when something needs fixing. Before you sign, ask who will be on your roof, whether they work for the company you're paying, and whether licensed electricians are doing the electrical work.
At Greenamp, we don't subcontract our installs. Every system is handled by our own team of Red Seal electricians, supervised by a Master Electrician, so you know exactly who's working on your home.
Direct quotes vs solar brokers
Some quote sites and brokers collect several quotes for you. That's convenient. Keep two things in mind:
You only see the companies in their network. Most brokers work with installers who pay them a referral fee.
That fee is usually part of the price. It gets built into the quote.
What a broker does well
One contact, several quotes
Side-by-side comparison
Some basic vetting of installers
A simple start if you're new to solar
What to watch for
Only installers who pay the broker
Referral fees built into the price
Less visibility into who actually installs
No direct relationship with your installer until you sign
A broker can be a good way to start. Getting two or three direct quotes as well gives you a fuller picture.
Watch for pressure
A good quote holds up to a few days of thinking. Be careful with anyone who needs you to sign today, whether it's a "today only" price or a door-to-door visit that runs for hours. The companies charging the most often lean hardest on urgency.
Get more than one quote, including from us
A real Greenamp proposal, just like the one you’d receive when comparing solar options.
Solar is a long-term purchase, and the best way to make a confident decision is to compare. Side by side, quotes show you real differences in equipment, warranty coverage, timelines and what's actually included.
We encourage you to get more than one quote. An informed buyer makes a better decision, and informed buyers make the happiest solar owners.
We're happy to be compared line by line with any installer in Alberta.
Make sure you're comparing the same thing
Put each quote side by side and check these lines. If one quote doesn't mention something, ask. Don't assume.
Cost
Total price, with GST shown
System size (kW) and estimated annual production (kWh)
What's excluded: permits, inspection, electrical panel upgrade, trenching or ground mount work, critter guard, monitoring
Payment schedule: how much is due up front, at install and on completion
Equipment
Panel and inverter brands and models
Microinverters or optimizers if part of your roof is shaded
Installation
Who does the work: the company's own licensed electricians, or a subcontracted crew
How wiring is run: through the attic and in conduit outside, or exposed
Warranties and support
Equipment warranties (panels and inverters)
Workmanship warranty: how long, and who pays labour on a warranty repair
Who you call after install, and how monitoring works
Real Customers. Real Results.
“Must Recommend! Fantastic Service and Installation, I did several quotes before I decided to go with Greenamp (7 in total) and I am so happy with my decision.”
“Greenamp service and install process was amazing. Their pricing was the best quote that I received of 8 different providers. Would highly recommend.”
Download Your Free Solar Quote Comparison Checklist
Our free two-page checklist works on screen or on paper. It helps you:
Compare up to three quotes side by side
Work out cost per kWh, the fairer comparison
Ask 19 questions that show what’s really in a quote
FAQ: comparing solar quotes in Alberta
How do I compare solar quotes?
Compare the real total price (including anything excluded), the estimated annual production in kWh, the equipment, who does the installation, and the warranties. Dividing the total price by estimated first-year production gives a fairer comparison than price per watt alone.
How do I calculate cost per watt for solar?
Divide the total system cost by the system size in watts. For example, $20,000 for an 8 kW (8,000 watt) system is $2.50 per watt.
Is the lowest price per watt the best solar quote?
Not always. A quote with a low price per watt can leave out permits or a panel upgrade, or place panels where they make less power. Compare the real total and the estimated production.
Are solar brokers unbiased?
Not entirely. Most work with installers who pay them a referral fee, so you only see companies in their network, and the fee is usually built into the price.
Can I go solar if my roof is partly shaded?
Often, yes. Systems with microinverters or optimizers handle partial shade better. Ask each installer how shade affects their production estimate.
Next step
Compare quotes on the real total and the power each system will make, ask who's doing the work, and don't let anyone rush you. If you'd like us to quote your home, send us a year of power bills and we'll show you the numbers, with the assumptions written down.
