If you've started comparing solar quotes, you've probably noticed how differently companies present their offers. Some focus on monthly payments or projected savings, while others provide detailed information about the equipment and expected electricity production.
Following the Texas Attorney General’s investigation into deceptive solar sales practices, the state passed Senate Bill 1036, the Residential Solar Retail Sales Act, introducing new consumer protections aimed at improving transparency and accountability in the industry. With SB 1036 in place, understanding what you're being offered is especially important.
A good solar proposal should give you enough information to compare your options and make a decision based on what makes sense for your home. Here are six things worth reviewing before you sign.
1. A system designed for your home
Your solar proposal should reflect your electricity usage, roof layout, shading and energy goals. Even homes in the same neighborhood can have different energy needs and roof conditions, so a system that works well for one homeowner may not be right for another.
Look for information about the number and placement of solar panels, total system size in kilowatts (kW), expected electricity production and any electrical upgrades that may be needed. If you're considering battery storage, the proposal should also explain how it fits into the system design.
An initial proposal may rely on preliminary estimates. At Atma, we use information gathered during a site survey to refine the design and prepare an engineered proposal based on the home's actual conditions.
2. Realistic production and savings estimates
Your proposal should explain how much electricity the system is expected to generate, usually measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, and how that production compares with your household's electricity consumption.
Estimated production and estimated savings are different things. Your electricity bill depends on how much energy you use, when you use it, your electricity plan and how your provider compensates you for excess solar generation. Even with solar, you may still pay fixed utility charges or purchase electricity from the grid.
When reviewing the numbers, ask how production was calculated, whether shading and roof orientation were considered, and what electricity rates were used to estimate savings. It's also worth checking whether the financial projections assume future utility rate increases and whether any production guarantees apply.
A trustworthy proposal should make those assumptions clear so you can understand what the system is expected to deliver and how the financial benefits were calculated.
3. Equipment you can identify and compare
You should know which solar panels, inverters or microinverters, and batteries are included in your proposal, along with their manufacturers and model numbers.
Equipment differs in performance, functionality, compatibility and warranty coverage. If a company recommends a particular product, ask why it's a good fit for your home and whether other options were considered.
Atma is product-agnostic, which means we're not limited to one equipment manufacturer. We can evaluate different options based on the system design, your energy goals and your budget.
4. Clear pricing and financing terms
Monthly payments are often the first number homeowners notice, but they don't tell you the full cost of a solar system.
Your proposal should clearly explain the total installed price, what's included and how much you'll pay over time. If you're financing the system, review the interest rate, loan term, financing fees and total payments. You should also understand whether payments can change and what happens to the financing if you sell your home.
For leases or power purchase agreements (PPAs), ask who owns the equipment, how payments are calculated, whether rates increase over time and what happens when the agreement ends.
Any incentives included in the financial calculations should also be explained, including eligibility requirements and assumptions.
Comparing the total cost and terms of each proposal will give you a better understanding of the options than comparing monthly payments alone.
5. Warranties and service after installation
Solar systems are designed to operate for decades, so the support available after installation deserves as much attention as the equipment itself.
Manufacturer warranties and installer workmanship warranties cover different things, and warranty coverage doesn't necessarily mean every service visit or repair will be free.
Before signing, find out what each warranty covers, who you'll contact if your system stops producing, whether monitoring is included and how service requests are handled.
It's also worth asking what happens if your original installer goes out of business.
At Atma, we provide ongoing solar service and repairs, including support for systems installed by other companies. We believe homeowners should have access to dependable service throughout the life of their systems.
6. Who is responsible for installing your system?
Your proposal and contract should make clear who will perform the electrical installation, obtain permits and coordinate utility approval.
Texas has introduced new requirements intended to improve transparency and accountability in residential solar sales. Under Senate Bill 1036, covered contracts must identify the licensed electrical contractor responsible for installation, or provide a list of licensed contractors from which one will be selected.
The law also provides a five-business-day cancellation period without penalty for covered contracts, with requirements for explaining the cancellation deadline and process.
Registration requirements for covered residential solar retailers and salespeople took effect in September 2026, although enforcement of certain additional disclosure and educational-material requirements has been delayed.
You can review the current requirements through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
These protections give homeowners more information and time to review their agreements, but it's still important to ask questions and understand the terms before signing.
Your solar proposal checklist
Before agreeing to a solar installation, make sure you understand:
System design: How the system is sized and designed for your home, including any battery storage or electrical upgrades.
Production and savings: How much electricity the system is expected to generate and which assumptions were used to calculate savings.
Equipment: Which panels, inverters and batteries are included, and why they were recommended.
Total cost: The installed price, financing or ownership terms, fees and any applicable incentives.
Warranties and service: What's covered, how service requests work and who will support your system after installation.
Installation and contract terms: Who is responsible for the work, permits and approvals, along with your cancellation rights.
Making an informed decision
A solar proposal should help you understand how the system will work for your home, what it will cost and what to expect throughout installation and ownership.
At Atma, our technically trained Solar Advisors work with our engineering team to help homeowners evaluate their options. The system discussed during the sales process should be supported by the engineering and reflected in what gets installed.
If you're comparing solar proposals or have questions about what solar could look like for your home, you can schedule a free, no-obligation 10-minute discovery call.