A useful solar proposal shows the roof area, shade evidence, equipment, modeled production assumptions, electrical scope, permits, utility steps and completed tests. Compare the cash scope before financing and do not let incentives or generic savings claims replace an address-specific design.
Require an address-specific layout, shade and roof assessment, equipment models, production assumptions, electrical one-line, permit and utility responsibilities, cash price, financing terms when applicable, and commissioning documents. Verify the installer through Oregon CCB and the required electrical licenses through Oregon BCD.
Document roof covering condition, penetrations, flashing, drainage, access and the likely relationship between roof life and array life. If reroofing may occur first, coordinate attachment and warranty responsibilities. Do not rely on an age threshold without inspecting the actual assembly.
Map each proposed roof plane and disclose the shade and orientation assumptions used in modeling. Trees, adjacent structures and roof obstructions should appear in the design record. Compare proposals on the same consumption history and ask why different models produce different results.
List panel, inverter, optimizer, racking, disconnect, monitoring and battery models where applicable. State substitutions and who approves them. Product warranties should be separated from workmanship obligations, and the proposal should explain who responds when monitoring identifies an issue.
Inspect service capacity, panel space, meter location, grounding and the proposed point of connection. Identify whether service equipment, feeders or distribution work changes. Assign the licensed electrical business, permit application, utility coordination, shutdown and restoration.
City of Salem guidance identifies electrical and structural work as permit-dependent, and Oregon BCD publishes the solar permitting framework. The schedule should assign application, corrections, inspections, utility interconnection documents and permission to operate rather than promising an unsupported activation date.
Compare the complete cash scope first: equipment, design, permits, electrical changes, roofing interfaces, monitoring and closeout. Put financing fees, rate, term and total repayment in a separate comparison. Verify current incentive eligibility with the administering program and tax professional instead of treating an advertised benefit as guaranteed.
If battery storage is proposed, list backed-up loads, operating modes, transfer equipment, usable capacity assumptions and commissioning tests. A grid-connected array and a backup system are not interchangeable promises. Require the proposal to explain what operates during an outage and which owner actions are required.
Closeout should include approved plans, permits, inspection results, utility authorization, equipment serials, labels, shutdown instructions, monitoring access, warranties and test results. Confirm monitoring displays production and alerts as designed. Final payment should follow legal activation and documented owner handoff.
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The City lists electrical work and structural changes among permit-triggering categories and publishes residential application resources.
Oregon BCD provides license-search and licensed-work guidance for electrical businesses and workers.
Oregon CCB provides license, bond, insurance and history information for consumers.
| Decision | Incomplete quote | Decision-ready proposal |
|---|---|---|
| Roof | Looks fine | Remaining-life and attachment assessment documented |
| Production | Annual total only | Monthly model and assumptions disclosed |
| Electrical | Upgrade if needed | Panel, service and interconnection scope stated |
| Price | Monthly payment | Cash scope plus separate finance terms |
| Closeout | System installed | Permits, utility approval, tests and monitoring delivered |
Price follows array size, roof and shade conditions, equipment, service capacity, structural and electrical work, permitting, utility requirements, storage and financing. Compare cash line items and current written program terms; this page does not assert a universal system price or incentive.
Photovoltaic work requires the applicable structural and electrical permit path. Confirm the address and system design with the City before installation.
Use the same consumption history and require monthly production, shade, orientation, degradation and equipment assumptions to be disclosed.
Base the decision on documented roof condition, remaining service expectations, attachment design and removal-and-reinstallation responsibility.
Check the legal business through Oregon CCB and verify the required electrical contractor and worker credentials through Oregon BCD.
Compare cash scope first, then separately compare fees, rate, term, payment changes, prepayment terms and total repayment.
Only if the designed system includes compatible backup equipment and controls. Require backed-up loads and operating modes to be written and tested.
Assign interconnection application, required drawings, corrections, meter or approval steps and permission-to-operate documentation.
Collect approved plans, permits, inspections, utility authorization, serials, labels, monitoring access, tests, warranties and shutdown instructions.
Share the address, roof information, electric usage and backup goals so qualified installers can respond to the same scope.
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