Part of our series: Shining a Light on Trustworthy Solar
Far too often, homeowners get a "solar quote" that’s little more than a vague, slick-looking PDF. It glosses over what equipment is being used. It hides costs behind confusing financing. It makes big promises—but leaves you with even bigger questions.
That’s not how we do things at Atma Energy. Our proposal isn’t just a document—it’s an interactive experience built to empower homeowners.
Because when a homeowner understands exactly what they’re signing up for, they’re far more likely to love the outcome.
The Problem: Empty PDFs and Hidden Details
In the third installment of the In Broad Daylight investigation, the San Antonio Express-News followed homeowners who were left in the dark after signing poorly explained solar contracts. Some thought they were getting battery backup (they weren’t). Others didn’t realize they were agreeing to 25-year loans with high dealer fees. One woman said she didn't even understand the total cost until her first loan payment hit.
Too many proposals are designed to conceal, not clarify.
Many omit panel or inverter models entirely
Most use static PDFs with no way to compare options
Some exaggerate savings with faulty assumptions
And few explain how the system will actually perform
That’s a problem.
A proposal isn’t just a sales tool. It’s a contract preview. It should show you:
What you’re buying
Why was it designed that way
What you can expect it to do
If it doesn’t do that, it isn’t a proposal. It’s a sales trick.
How Atma Builds Every Proposal
At Atma Energy, each proposal starts the same way: with facts.
After a customer expresses interest, we schedule a site visit to gather the data we need to design a system the right way. That includes:
A full 3D drone scan of your roof
Photos of your electrical infrastructure
Images of your equipment wall and battery locations
A full review by our engineering team
Only then do we generate your custom proposal.
And it’s not a static PDF. It’s an interactive, online experience that lets you explore your options. You can:
Adjust system sizes
Add or remove batteries
See the difference between cash and multiple loan structures
View animated production simulations based on your actual roof
Compare multiple configurations side-by-side
At every step, your Residential Solar Advisor is there to help you understand your options—but you’re the one in control.
Real Customers, Real Decisions
Michael S. reviewed several solar companies before choosing Atma. “I ultimately chose Atma because they prioritize engineering over aggressive sales tactics,” he said. “They offered multiple system sizes and even a separate proposal for batteries. It wasn’t the cheapest option, but it was the best value.”
Chris B., an industrial engineering manager, had a specific vision for his project: a carport-style installation. Instead of shutting it down, Atma’s team explored the option, presented mockups, and gave him a full view of the cost and tradeoffs. Chris ended up going with a roof mount and 2 batteries, a decision he made after comparing several clearly laid out proposals. “Everyone I interacted with was extremely professional and transparent. I never felt like they were trying to sell me, just inform me.”
These are the kinds of stories we hear every day. And they all stem from the same foundation: a proposal process that respects the customer.
Why It’s Different (And Why That Matters)
Unlike most solar companies, our proposals aren’t churned out by marketing teams or call centers. They’re built by engineers and customized with the help of our advisors.
That means:
The layout is based on physics, not Photoshop
The energy simulation reflects real-world shading
The battery sizing is actually grounded in your usage
And the pricing is complete, including incentives, permitting, and realistic installation timelines
Every number is there for a reason.
When it comes to financing, we don’t bury the details. Our proposal tool lets you toggle between options, including those with dealer fees and those without. You get to see how the structure affects your monthly payment, lifetime cost, and total savings.
Unfortunately, the industry often falls short. Critical financial terms—like dealer fees, interest rates, and lifetime costs—are frequently buried or glossed over in vague PDFs. Some homeowners don’t realize what they’ve signed until the first loan bill arrives. That's why several states have begun cracking down on deceptive financing in solar, and why Texas passed SB 1036 to mandate clearer contract disclosures.
These changes are overdue. But at Atma, we’re already there—delivering proposals that lay it all out, so you’re never left guessing.
Why This Matters
Solar is a major investment. But most homeowners only go through the process once. That means the proposal is everything. It sets expectations. It frames the conversation. And it tells the truth or it doesn’t.
At Atma, we believe the proposal should speak for itself.
No fuzzy numbers
No pushy upsells
No one-size-fits-all layouts
Just clear design, clear pricing, and clear reasoning.
And that’s why our customers choose us. Because from the very first click, they can tell we aren’t just here to close the deal.
We’re here to build it right.
Next in the Series:
From Bill to Build: A Transparent Path with Our Project Tracker — We’ll show you what happens after the proposal: real-time tracking, proactive updates, and a build process built around you.