Start at the kitchen table

• Tell me about what made you curious about solar now
• How long have you lived in this home Options: Less than 1 year, 1 to 3 years, 4 to 10 years, More than 10 years
• Who else in your household will be involved in this decision Options: Partner or spouse, Adult child, Property manager, No one else, Other
• Which goals matter most to you, lower bills, backup power, increasing home value, or environmental impact Options: Lower electric bills, Backup power for outages, Increase home value, Environmental impact, Energy independence, Other
• When would reducing your electric bills need to happen for you to consider this a success Options: Immediately (within 1 month), Within 3 months, 3 to 6 months, No rush / long term
• If significant roof repairs were required before installation, would you still proceed Options: Yes, proceed, Yes, with cost sharing, No, not without repairs covered, Need to discuss options

What your roof and sunlight are actually telling us

• If your roof had one hidden deal breaker, what would it be
• Describe any visible roof damage, age, or recent repairs and when they occurred
• How many roof slopes have unobstructed sun for most of the day Options: None, 1, 2, 3 or more, Not sure
• Which trees or nearby structures create shading, and during which months does that shade matter most
• What single roof or site risk would make you stop the project immediately

The story inside your electric bills

• What surprises are hiding in your recent electric bills that we should know about
• Walk me through a typical day of electricity use in your home from morning to night
• Which major appliances or systems use the most electricity in your house Options: Heating and cooling (HVAC), Water heater, Clothes dryer, Electric oven or range, Pool pump, EV charger, Other
• How often do you run high draw equipment like EV chargers, pool pumps, or heat pump cycles Options: Daily, Several times a week, Occasionally, Rarely, Not applicable
• If the modeled savings were half what we estimate, would you still move forward Options: Yes, No, Maybe depending on terms

Concerns that tend to stop a project in its tracks

• What worry about installation or ownership would make you pause or walk away
• Have you seen neighbor installs, and what impressed or worried you about them
• How concerned are you about roof damage, timeline delays, and post installation support, please select all that apply in order of concern Options: Roof damage during install, Timeline delays, Post installation support and warranty, Accuracy of savings projections, Utility interconnection delays
• Who in your network would you ask for a referral or to validate workmanship Options: Neighbor with solar, Local contractor, Friend or family, Online reviews or forums, No one
• If a named risk were resolved within two weeks, would that remove your biggest objection Options: Yes, that would remove it, It would help but not fully, No, it would not change my mind

The alternatives you are weighing

• Which alternatives are you actively considering instead of working with an outside installer Options: Another local installer, A national installer, Community co-op or group buy, DIY approach, No alternatives yet, Other
• Which existing relationship or incumbent would we need to beat on price, timing, or warranty to change from them
• Have you considered attempting a DIY install or hiring local subcontractors instead of a full service installer Options: Yes, I'm considering DIY, Yes, hire subcontractors, No, prefer a full service installer, Unsure
• What would have to be true about your current approach for you to stay with it instead of switching
• Which features or guarantees from alternative options make you take them seriously Options: Lowest upfront price, Longer equipment warranty, Fastest timeline, In house installation teams, Strong local reviews, Production guarantee, Other

Readiness, permits, and practical constraints

• What permitting, HOA, or utility approvals could realistically delay or stop this project
• Who holds the utility account and will need to sign interconnection paperwork Options: Homeowner, Property manager, Landlord, Joint account, Other
• Do you have recent documents we will need, such as 12 months of electric bills, a roof invoice, or a structural report Options: Electric bills (last 12 months), Roof invoice or inspection, Structural report, No documents ready, Other
• How flexible is your timeline for installation, for example can you accept a 4 to 8 week permit window Options: Can accept 4 to 8 week permit window, Need faster than 4 weeks, Flexible over several months, No timeline set
• Is there any physical access limitation or scheduling restriction that would make installation impossible Options: Yes, access is limited, No, full access available, Unsure, need to check
• Which of the following best describes roof ownership and planned windows for roofing work Options: Roof owned and in good condition, Roof due for replacement within 1 year, Roof recently replaced within 2 years, Roof under dispute or shared ownership, Not sure

What would make you sign, and when

• If everything checks out, what exact event or assurance would make you sign the contract that week
• Who in your household needs to approve the contract and who will sign it Options: Me only, Partner or spouse, Both me and partner, Other adult household member, Trust or estate representative
• Which payment option would make it easiest for you to move forward today Options: Cash purchase, Bank loan, Solar loan or finance package, Lease or power purchase agreement, Need customized financing
• How soon would you want the system producing energy, within 4 weeks, 2 months, 3 to 6 months, or longer Options: Within 4 weeks, Within 2 months, 3 to 6 months, Longer than 6 months
• If the pilot production matches the model, what remains that would stop you from signing within 7 days
• Which of these documents would you be able to provide within five business days Options: Recent electric bills, Proof of roof ownership, Photo ID, Signed HOA approval, Other

After the system is live, what success looks like

• What would make you recommend the seller to a neighbor after the system is live
• How important is real time production monitoring and bill verification to your peace of mind Options: Very important, Somewhat important, Not important
• Who will manage warranty calls and site access for service over the first two years Options: Homeowner, Property manager, Authorized representative, Not yet decided
• Which outcomes after 12 months would make you consider the project a clear success Options: Savings on electric bills, Production meets the model, No system downtime, Excellent support experience, Increase in home value, Other
• If production underperforms by more than 15 percent in year one, what action would you expect the seller to take to keep your business

• System Walkthrough, Design & Savings Validation

• Confirm your current usage and concerns
• You confirm the demonstrated design meets your roof constraints and the household energy needs you described.
• Deliver a final proposal PDF within 3 business days containing the panel layout, site-specific production estimate, itemized costs, and the chosen financing option.
• Provide the latest 12 months of utility bills if not already provided, and any HOA or roof warranty documents that could affect installation.
• Walk through the proposed panel layout on your roof
• You accept the production and savings assumptions as a realistic basis for your decision.
• Validate modeled production and savings
• You agree on a preferred financing pathway and the next deliverable required to proceed to permits and installation scope.
• Confirm your preferred financing option and indicate readiness to move to permit submission or request one follow-up clarification call.
• Review financing options and payment milestones
• Explain warranty coverage and installation protections
• Confirm fit and next steps, explicit validation

• System Walkthrough, Design & Savings Validation
• System Walkthrough Deck
• System Walkthrough Brief

• meeting
• slides
• document

• Procure Tier-1 panels and inverters
• Deliver rooftop mounting and flashing installation
• Install solar panels and module wiring
• Install inverters, AC disconnects, and grounding
• Perform AC wiring and utility service tie-in
• Manage local permitting and inspection approvals
• Submit utility interconnection and net-metering application
• Commission system: performance testing and sign-off
• Activate production monitoring and homeowner portal
• Register manufacturer warranties and transfer documentation
• Coordinate warranty service and manufacturer claims
• Facilitate financing: cash, loan, lease, or PPA
• Assist with federal tax credit and local rebate enrollment
• Provide final as-built documentation and O&M guide
• Coordinate electrical inspection corrections and closeout

Manage local permitting and inspection approvals

• Which authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) issues electrical and building permits for your property? Options: City/town building department, County permit office, State agency, Utility-led, Unknown
• Who will be the authorized signer on permit applications submitted to the AHJ? Options: You (homeowner), Designated agent, HOA representative, Other
• Provide the parcel ID or municipal permit address as listed on property records.
• What evidence will validate permit approval (stamped plan set and issued permit number)?

Submit utility interconnection and net-metering application

• Which utility company supplies your electric service? Options: Investor-owned utility, Municipal utility, Electric cooperative, Unknown
• What interconnection documents does your utility require (single-line diagram (SLD), equipment cut sheets, signed application)? Options: Single-line diagram (SLD), Equipment cut sheets / datasheets, Stamped structural attachment letter, Signed interconnection application
• Does your service require a meter upgrade or change to a bi-directional meter for net metering? Options: Yes, No, Unknown
• Estimate the typical utility review timeline for interconnection approvals in your area. Options: Under 2 weeks, 2-6 weeks, 6-12 weeks, Variable/unknown

Procure Tier-1 panels and inverters

• Select the inverter topology you prefer for the design. Options: String inverter, Microinverters, Power optimizer + inverter, Hybrid / battery-ready inverter
• Indicate the panel efficiency range you prefer for module selection. Options: Under 18%, 18-20%, Over 20%, No preference
• Confirm who will approve final model numbers and cut sheets before procurement. Options: You (homeowner), Designated agent, No approval required, Other
• Are there site constraints for deliveries (driveway space, street permit, crane access) that affect procurement timing? Options: Yes, No

Deliver rooftop mounting and flashing installation

• Identify the roof material on your home. Options: Composition shingle, Tile, Standing seam metal, Flat membrane / other
• Do you have a roof report or roof age information to confirm flashing compatibility? Options: Yes, No
• Specify any rooftop obstructions to avoid (skylights, vents, chimneys) with approximate locations.
• Indicate who will provide access for staging and material laydown during racking installation. Options: You (homeowner), Contractor arranges permits/staging, HOA/property manager, Other

Install solar panels and module wiring

• How many roof faces or array zones should be included in the layout? Options: 1 face, 2 faces, 3+ faces, Custom
• Are there planned vegetation changes or construction that will change shading in the next 12 months? Options: Yes, No, Unknown
• Provide the desired setback distances from roof edges, ridgelines, and gutters for panel placement.
• Do you require module-level labeling or access pathways for future maintenance? Options: Yes, No

Install inverters, AC disconnects, and grounding

• Where do you prefer the inverter(s) and AC disconnect to be mounted? Options: Exterior wall near meter, Garage wall, Attic, Other
• Enter the main service panel size as shown on your panel label.
• Will a lockable AC disconnect be required for firefighter or AHJ access? Options: Yes, No, Unsure
• Select the preferred inverter communications method for monitoring. Options: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Proprietary gateway, No preference

Perform AC wiring and utility service tie-in

• Does the current electrical service require a panel upgrade or meter-socket change? Options: Main panel upgrade, Meter-socket replacement, No upgrade needed, Unknown
• Confirm who will schedule the utility meter exchange if required. Options: You (homeowner), Contractor schedules with utility, Utility schedules directly, Other
• Upload or list the recent electric bills needed to size the AC connection.
• Specify other on-site generation or storage devices that affect the tie-in.

Commission system: performance testing and sign-off

• Enter the name and contact of the person who will sign the commissioning report and accept final performance.
• State the performance acceptance threshold you will require for commissioning (for example instantaneous power within ±10% of modeled output). Options: ±5%, ±10%, ±15%, No specific threshold
• List the commissioning checks you expect (IR thermography, string IV checks, inverter logs, site irradiance measurement). Options: IR thermography, String IV curve checks, Inverter event/log review, Irradiance and ambient measurement, Other
• When should commissioning occur relative to final inspection and utility permission to operate? Options: Before final inspection, Same day as final inspection, After utility permission to operate, Other

Activate production monitoring and homeowner portal

• List the portal features you want active for the homeowner (live kW, daily kWh history, exportable CSV, alert notifications). Options: Live kW, Daily / cumulative kWh history, Exportable CSV / API, Alert notifications (email/SMS), Other
• Describe the evidence that will confirm monitoring activation to your satisfaction (for example owner able to view live kW and 30 days of production history).
• Name the primary portal user to receive alerts and reports.
• Will you require integration of production data with other home systems (energy management, EV charger)? Options: Yes, No

Register manufacturer warranties and transfer documentation

• State the warranty documents you need uploaded to the homeowner portal (panel warranty, inverter warranty, installation certificate, O&M guide). Options: Panel warranty, Inverter warranty, Installation certificate / commissioning report, Operation & Maintenance (O&M) guide, Other
• Name who will be listed as the registered warranty owner on manufacturers' portals. Options: Homeowner, Future property owner, Property manager, Other
• Estimate whether manufacturers require registration within a set period after installation (for example 30 days). Options: Yes, No, Unknown
• How do you prefer to receive warranty and registration confirmations (email, portal notification, printed packet)? Options: Email, Portal notification, Printed packet, No preference

• Purchase Agreement
• Master Services Agreement (MSA)
• Statement of Work (SOW)
• Payment Schedule Agreement
• Financing Disclosure and Loan Agreement
• Site Access & Right-of-Entry Authorization
• Authorization for us to act as your agent in permitting and utility filings
• Equipment Warranty & Maintenance Agreement
• Change Order Agreement
• Final Acceptance & Punchlist Sign-Off

• Obtain AHJ final inspection approval
• Receive written utility Permission to Operate (PTO)
• Close all punchlist items or document approved deferred work
• Complete pre-energization commissioning checklist and record results
• Verify and document Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures
• Confirm required electrical labeling and signage installed
• Submit and confirm as-built single-line diagram and interconnection documentation
• Verify meter/metering equipment installation and readiness
• Obtain signed buyer safety acceptance for energization

• Go-live Monitoring Health Check
• First Performance Measurement
• Quarterly Performance and Support Review

• Record homeowner feedback and any referral contacts, and provide referral guidance or materials as requested.
• Verify whether the homeowner's monthly bill reduction aligns with expectations or if billing timing or utility factors explain discrepancies.
• Agree a prioritized remediation plan with target dates to resolve the top 1 to 3 root causes identified.
• Schedule an on-site inspection to investigate suspected shading, soiling, or array tilt issues.
• Open a warranty or service ticket for any inverter or module fault codes and track resolution dates.
• Prepare and deliver a billing comparison summary to the homeowner explaining timing, credits, and expected near-term savings.
• Confirm telemetry retention and patch any gaps in monitoring data for accurate future comparisons.
• Rolling production versus modeled forecast
• Confirm whether system production is tracking to modeled forecasts over the quarter and identify any persistent underperformance trends.
• Ensure all open warranty and service issues have clear next steps and target resolution dates.
• Capture homeowner satisfaction feedback and any referral commitments or next steps to document word-of-mouth sources.
• Close or escalate any unresolved warranty or service tickets and record target resolution dates.
• Schedule preventive maintenance or panel cleaning if soiling or debris is affecting output.
• Deliver a quarterly production and savings report to the homeowner including trend charts and expected next-quarter outlook.
• Reconfirm acceptance criteria and owners
• Confirm monitoring and interconnection are active and reporting expected telemetry.
• Ensure the homeowner can access and interpret the monitoring portal and known early issues are captured.
• Produce a short remediation list for any high-priority blockers with target completion windows.
• Enable or repair monitoring account and send homeowner access instructions and troubleshooting steps.
• Schedule on-site verification for any active alarms or missing telemetry within the stabilization window.
• Collect and attach utility permission-to-operate and inspection records to the project file.
• Present production data versus modeled forecast
• Determine whether production kWh is within the acceptable variance band of the modeled forecast and document any gaps.
• Review first billing impact versus baseline
• Cumulative bill reduction and utility interactions
• Energization and interconnection validation
• Diagnose root causes for any shortfall
• Monitoring connectivity and data flow check
• Monitoring and interconnection uptime and incident log
• Agree corrective actions and timeline
• Homeowner access and orientation
• Open warranty, service, and production issue status
• Confirm monitoring and interconnection uptime
• Homeowner feedback and referral capture
• Capture early issues and blockers
• Adjust maintenance or cleaning cadence
• Agree immediate remediation actions