How BidProof evaluates a solar proposal

Scope

BidProof reviews the residential solar proposal you upload, and — on the Bid + Contract plan — the contract that goes with it. We report whether claims are internally consistent and grounded in independent data. We do not guarantee system performance, installer conduct, or a particular savings outcome.

Solar expertise behind the checks

Our team brings experience in solar engineering, pricing, operations, and software development. That experience informs the checks we build, the data we maintain, and the questions we help homeowners ask. Meet the people behind BidProof.

Independent sources behind the numbers

We compare the proposal with independent models and published data from government agencies, utilities, and equipment sources. Each finding is tied to the information available for that check; missing data is identified rather than guessed.

• Energy production: the PVWatts solar model helps us assess the proposal’s yearly energy estimate using the location and system details available.
• Electricity costs: U.S. Energy Information Administration data provides utility-specific residential rate benchmarks and historical price changes. These are benchmarks, not a substitute for your own bill or tariff.
• Equipment: published equipment lists and model specifications help us compare the panels, inverter, and battery named in the documents.

We distinguish published source data from our interpretation and explain the evidence behind each finding. If you spot an error, contact our team so we can review and correct the record.

Human review when needed

Software runs the checks against the available data. When a review needs a closer look, an experienced reviewer examines it before the report is released. Not every proposal needs a manual review; the aim is a clear explanation supported by the evidence in your documents.

How a check is produced

1. We read the documents you send and pull out the stated system, price, savings, equipment, and terms.
2. You confirm the important fields so we are not grading a misread.
3. Each published category is compared against the independent references above and against documented thresholds.
4. The findings explain what looks supported, what needs attention, and which questions to take back to your seller.

Missing information

If a document leaves out a model number, a shading assumption, a license, or a rate schedule, that check is marked “not checked.” The report explains what we couldn’t check and why, and which additional information would be needed.

Coverage limits

We accept residential proposals from across the United States. Some checks are stronger where public data is richer. Licensing formats vary by state. Equipment lists used by building departments, utilities, and lenders are not equally detailed everywhere. See coverage for the honest version of “where we work.”

What this is not

BidProof evaluates whether the proposal's claims are internally consistent and grounded in industry-standard data. It does not guarantee system performance.

Where a contract is reviewed, BidProof reports what the contract says, not what it means legally. BidProof is not a law firm.

This report is an independent review of your bid by experienced solar industry professionals. It is not professional legal, tax, financial or engineering advice.

Corrections

If a source we rely on changes, or if a homeowner shows us we misread a document, we correct the record through support. The public version of this page is updated when the method itself changes. Contact us if you have a correction.