Free tools & checklists

What these tools are for

These downloads are meant to make the early part of the process easier. Instead of guessing, you can write down what matters at your home, what your roof may need, and what you want backed up during an outage.

Voltariva is a free matching service, not a solar, roofing, or electrical contractor. We do not sell, finance, design, or install systems. Our role is to help homeowners understand the basics and, if they want, connect with licensed local installers through get matched.

The goal is simple: help you compare options in a calm, organized way. Real system recommendations and pricing depend on your roof condition, shade, electric use, service panel, local utility rules, battery size in kWh, solar size in kW, equipment choices, and available incentives.

If you are newer to the US or just more comfortable taking things step by step, these checklists can help you keep the process clear and manageable.

Included checklists and worksheets

You do not need technical experience to use these. Each one is built around the questions homeowners usually wish they had asked earlier.

• Roof-readiness checklist: helps you note roof age, leaks, repairs, shading, tree coverage, and whether the roof may need work before solar
• Bid-comparison worksheet: helps you compare installer proposals side by side, including solar size in kW, estimated battery capacity in kWh, total scope of work, warranties, timeline, and who handles permits
• Battery backup planner: helps you list the appliances and circuits you care about most during an outage, like refrigeration, lights, internet, garage door, medical devices, or a few outlets
• Installer question list: helps you ask about licensing, insurance, roof penetrations, monitoring, main panel upgrades, warranty terms, and service after install

You can also use the worksheets to keep written notes from each appointment. That matters because proposals can look similar at first, while the details behind the price, equipment, and backup setup can be very different.

How to use them before you choose an installer

Start with the roof-readiness checklist. If your roof is older or has known issues, write that down first. Solar can be a long-term project, so it is worth understanding whether roofing work should happen before panels are installed. A licensed installer or roofer can confirm what your home needs.

Next, use the battery backup planner to decide what you want during an outage. Some homeowners want only essentials for a number of hours, while others want broader home coverage. Thinking in terms of essential loads, battery capacity in kWh, and approximate hours of backup makes conversations with installers much clearer.

Then use the bid-comparison worksheet when proposals come in. Look beyond the headline price. Compare the system size in kW, battery size in kWh, equipment listed, electrical work included, warranty details, estimated production assumptions, and whether any roof work is excluded. Ask for all final scope, equipment, warranties, and price details in writing before work starts.

If you want more background before speaking with anyone, our guides can help you understand common terms and what to expect. And if you decide you want local options, you can request free matching through get matched. When you submit a request, you agree to be contacted about your project.

A few practical tips while you compare options

Use the tools to slow the process down in a good way. A careful decision usually comes from clear notes, written questions, and side-by-side comparisons, not from rushing.

A few basics can help:
- Ask each installer to confirm they are licensed and insured for the work they will perform
- Verify who is responsible for permits, inspections, interconnection paperwork, and any utility coordination
- Ask whether a main service panel upgrade, subpanel, transfer equipment, or roof repairs are included or extra
- Confirm the exact equipment model names, quantities, and warranty terms in writing
- Ask what the battery is intended to back up and for about how many hours under typical essential-load use
- Make sure you understand any assumptions used in production estimates or outage-backup examples

One homeowner, for example, used a simple worksheet to compare two solar-plus-battery proposals that looked close at first glance. After filling in the details, they realized one option included a battery in a lower capacity range and backed up fewer essential circuits, while the other included more electrical work but needed roof repairs first. The worksheet did not make the decision for them, but it made the differences easier to see.

That is the main purpose of these tools. You stay in control, compare bids on your terms, and choose the installer you feel comfortable hiring after you verify licensing, insurance, scope, warranties, and final written pricing.