Solar Quote Checklist for Austin Energy and PEC Customers

Take this to every installer. Items come from Austin Energy's guidance on what a proposal should include; they work for PEC members too.

The proposal must show

System size in kW and expected annual production in kWh (divide the two: Austin Energy calls 1,100 to 1,500 kWh per kW a good range).
Total cost before and after rebates and tax incentives, and the payment schedule tied to installation milestones.
Payment methods, fees and annual increases; what happens at sale of the home for a loan or lease.
A complete component list: panels, racking, inverters, monitoring, batteries.
Installer warranty (workmanship and installation damage), manufacturer warranty (defects) and a performance guarantee.
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) license number.

Austin Energy: are you on the participating contractor list today? Rebate and incentives are only available through those contractors.
PEC: what share of the solar do you assume I use in the house, and which credit rate (flat 7.1921¢ or time-of-use) did you use?
Which Value of Solar rate or PEC credit does your savings estimate assume for year one, and at what rate does it grow?
Is this a loan or lease with an annual escalator? What is the maximum monthly payment in the last year?
Not typically covered, per Austin Energy: panel cleaning, weather damage such as hail or falling branches, future tree trimming and future re-roofing. Ask your homeowner's insurer.

Get at least three quotes.
Use a separate email address for your solar search and be careful with online forms that may sell your information to robocallers.
Report problems to TDLR.

Source: Austin Energy, "For Your Home", last reviewed 10/01/2026 (read October 28, 2026).