If you want an accurate solar proposal fast — one that reflects your actual roof, usage, and utility situation — the single biggest factor is what you bring to the first call. The cleaner the inputs, the cleaner the design and the cleaner the numbers. Here's what to gather before your consultation.
1. 12 months of utility bills (or your utility portal login)
Your utility usage history is the most important input to sizing a solar system correctly. Specifically, we need to understand:
- Your total annual kilowatt-hours (kWh) used.
- Your monthly variation — summers vs. winters.
- Your rate plan (time-of-use vs. tiered, and which tier).
- Any demand charges or special rate structures.
The cleanest way to provide this is a copy of your most recent utility bill plus 11 months of bills, or your utility portal credentials so we can pull usage directly. In California, that usually means your SCE, PG&E, SDG&E, LADWP, or SMUD account.
2. Your home's address and age
Your address drives two critical inputs: which utility and rate structure applies, and what sun exposure your roof gets. Your home's age helps us flag whether a roof condition check is worth scheduling before install — because putting new panels on an old roof is a good way to pay for two installs in five years.
3. Roof condition details
Ahead of the site visit, it helps to know:
- Roof age and material (composition shingle, tile, metal, flat membrane).
- Whether you know of any leaks or recent repairs.
- Whether you're planning a roof replacement in the next few years.
- Any visible shading issues — trees, chimneys, neighboring structures.
If your roof is close to end-of-life, it's usually cheaper to re-roof before the solar install so the panels don't have to come off and go back on.
4. HOA documents (if you're in one)
California law (Solar Rights Act) protects your right to install solar, but HOAs can impose "reasonable restrictions" on aesthetic placement. If you have HOA rules, sharing them up front lets us design around any architectural review requirements.
5. Your energy goals
This isn't a document — it's a conversation input. But it matters. Before the call, think about:
- Are you trying to reduce your utility bill, go fully off-grid-capable, or protect against outages?
- Is backup power a must-have or a nice-to-have?
- Are you planning an EV, heat pump, or home addition that will increase future electricity use?
- How long do you plan to stay in the home?
These questions drive whether you need battery storage, how to size the system, and which financing path makes the most sense for your situation.
6. Financing-relevant info (if considering a loan)
If you're considering a monthly solar loan, a quick understanding of your credit profile helps us point you to the loan partner whose terms fit you best. This doesn't mean pulling a hard inquiry on the first call — it just means being ready to have the conversation about credit range so we don't waste your time on options you don't qualify for.
What a well-prepared homeowner saves themselves
When you show up to a solar consultation with your utility data, roof details, and clear goals, the conversation moves from "generic pitch" to "this is what makes sense for your home" — usually in one call. Without that info, the first call often ends with "we'll send a proposal once we get your usage data," which is another week of delay before you can make any real decision.
Installation is performed by Simple Power under CA C-10 License #1,111,652; we coordinate the design and financing conversation on the front end so the whole process moves cleanly.