Total electricity use
Start with the amount of electricity the property uses over a meaningful period.
Going solar
Thinking About Solar? Start With the Data.
Before comparing panels, batteries, financing, or projected savings, start by understanding how your property uses electricity. Better information gives you a stronger foundation for asking questions and understanding what a solar proposal is built around.
Educational information for the conversation before installation.
A clearer starting point for the questions ahead.
HOW MUCH?
Total electricity use over time
WHEN?
Patterns and timing across the day
WHAT CHANGES?
Seasonal or changing consumption
WHAT IS NEXT?
Future property needs to discuss
Start with the questions. Let the data add context.
01 / Start with actual energy use
Before sizing solar, understand what the property uses.
An annual bill total or a single monthly bill can be a useful starting point, but it may not show the full context someone wants when evaluating solar. Look at the questions behind the total.
Patterns and timing
Consider when electricity use happens, not only how much appears on a bill.
Seasonal variation
Ask how use may differ across seasons or from one period to the next.
Future property needs
Think about household or property changes before discussing a proposal.
Use these concepts to prepare for a better conversation.
They are questions to explore, not a system-sizing answer.
02 / Understand the proposal
Know what assumptions are behind the proposal.
A clearer conversation starts with knowing what information was used and what the numbers are intended to represent.
What electricity-use information was used?
Ask what source and level of detail informed the proposal.
What period of energy use was reviewed?
Understand whether the conversation reflects a useful period of property history.
What production is expected?
Ask what the proposed system is expected to generate and how that estimate was developed.
What future electricity use was assumed?
Bring planned household or property changes into the conversation.
What role would storage serve?
If a battery is included, ask what the proposal says it is intended to accomplish.
What happens if use changes?
Ask how a change in household or property use affects the discussion.
The goal is a better-informed customer, better questions, and a clearer solar conversation. These questions are not a recommendation about what system to buy.
03 / Think ahead
Today's electricity use may not be tomorrow's.
You don't need to predict the future. But planned changes in how you live, drive, heat, cool, or use the property are worth including in the conversation.
Are you planning to add an electric vehicle?
Bring a possible transportation change into the discussion.
Could heating or cooling equipment change?
Consider planned equipment changes without calculating a future load here.
Are you considering electrifying appliances?
Note changes that could affect how the property uses electricity.
Could the people living there change?
Household changes may be useful context for the conversation.
Are additions, pools, workshops, or ADUs planned?
Share significant property plans with the qualified professional you speak with.
Storage can be part of the conversation too.Considering storage? Start with what you want it to accomplish.
04 / Keep what matters
Keep the information that tells your system's story.
After installation, retain the records that help you understand the system, ask service or warranty questions, and bring useful context to a qualified professional later.
Keep these records where applicable. This is practical information to retain and is not legal advice.
01Proposal and contractKeep the original proposal and signed agreement.
02System specificationsRetain panel, inverter, and system information.
03Battery informationKeep storage details if a battery is part of the system.
04WarrantiesKeep equipment and workmanship warranty information.
05Installer contactsSave installer, service, and support contact information.
06Permits and final documentsKeep permits, closeout, and final documentation.
07Utility documentsRetain relevant utility and interconnection information.
08Monitoring accessKeep production-monitoring access or login information.
09Ownership recordsKeep lease, PPA, financing, or ownership documentation.
10System changesKeep records of later equipment additions, replacements, service work, or system modifications.
05 / After installation
Production and consumption become the story.
Once a system is operating, the SolarFax® platform helps bring available solar production and property electricity-use information into context, making it easier to understand the relationship between what the system produces and what the property uses.
Before solar
Understand how the property uses electricity.
After solar
Understand production in that context.
The SolarFax® platform provides information and context. It does not replace inspection, electrical evaluation, professional system design, or qualified service work.
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