A practical checklist for homeowners and businesses including what to verify, what to ask, what to avoid, and why the cheapest quote is almost never the right one.
Choice That Matters More Than the Panel
Most people spend days comparing solar panel brands efficiency percentages, wattage ratings, monocrystalline versus TOPCon and almost no time evaluating the company doing the installation.
That’s the wrong order of priorities.
A high-efficiency panel installed badly will underperform for 25 years. A trusted, certified installer using solid mid-range panels will consistently outperform it. In India’s fast-growing solar market, where hundreds of operators have entered the industry in the last three years, the company you choose determines your actual savings, your subsidy outcome, your net meter timeline, and whether anyone answers the phone five years from now when something needs attention.
This guide gives you a structured, India-specific checklist to evaluate any solar company before signing.
MNRE Empanelment – The One Thing You Cannot Skip
In India, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) maintains an official list of empanelled vendors. Only an MNRE-empanelled company can process your PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana subsidy.
This is not a technicality. If your installer is not MNRE-empanelled, you will get solar panels on your roof but receive ₹0 in government subsidy and no unqualified company will volunteer that information upfront.
How to verify: Visit pmsuryaghar.gov.in and confirm the installer’s name before paying any advance. Also confirm registration with your state nodal agency TSREDCO in Telangana, KSEB in Kerala, TEDA in Tamil Nadu, and so on. State empanelment is required for net meter commissioning and final subsidy disbursement.
Reputable companies will show you their empanelment certificate without being asked. Any hesitation here is a red flag.
Confirm All Components Are on the ALMM List
The ALMM (Approved List of Models and Manufacturers) is MNRE’s verified register of solar panels and inverters that meet quality standards for subsidy eligibility.
If even one component in your system is not ALMM-listed, your subsidy application will be rejected even if the installer is empanelled. This is a common issue with operators who source cheaper, off-list components to improve their margins.
Ask your installer for the exact brand name and model number of every panel and inverter before signing. Then verify them yourself on the MNRE ALMM portal. Takes five minutes and can save you ₹78,000.
Trusted Indian panel brands that are reliably ALMM-listed include Waaree, Tata Power Solar, Adani Solar, Vikram Solar, and Renewsys. For inverters, Sungrow, Delta, Growatt, and Havells have strong track records.
Know the Subsidy – So No One Can Mislead You
The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is the largest residential solar subsidy scheme in India’s history. Here is exactly what residential homeowners are entitled to in 2026:
| Monthly Consumption | System Size | Central Government Subsidy |
| Up to 150 units/month | 1–2 kW | ₹30,000 – ₹60,000 |
| 150–300 units/month | 2–3 kW | ₹60,000 – ₹78,000 |
| Above 300 units/month | 3 kW+ | Fixed ₹78,000 (maximum) |
The subsidy is credited directly to your bank account, not to the installer. You pay the full installation cost upfront, then claim the subsidy through the national portal after commissioning.
Some states offer additional incentives on top of the central subsidy SGST reimbursements, state top-ups, and accelerated depreciation for commercial properties. Ask specifically about state-level benefits in your location.
What the subsidy does not cover: Commercial and industrial properties, off-grid systems, and any system using components not on the ALMM list. If an installer promises a subsidy on a commercial system or an off-grid setup, that claim is false.
Check Subsidy for commercial solar installations in India [How to Apply for Solar Panel Subsidy Online in India]
Benchmark the Price – Know What Fair Looks Like
One of the most common mistakes is accepting the first quote without a reference point. Here are indicative 2026 market rates for residential rooftop solar across India:
| System Size | Price Before Subsidy | After Central Subsidy | Best Suited For |
| 1 kW | ₹75,000 – ₹90,000 | ₹45,000 – ₹60,000 | 1 BHK / low consumption homes |
| 2 kW | ₹1,50,000 – ₹1,75,000 | ₹90,000 – ₹1,15,000 | Small 2 BHK homes |
| 3 kW | ₹1,90,000 – ₹2,20,000 | ₹1,12,000 – ₹1,42,000 | 2–3 BHK homes |
| 5 kW | ₹2,50,000 – ₹3,00,000 | ₹1,72,000 – ₹2,22,000 | Large homes / villas |
| 10 kW | ₹4,80,000 – ₹5,60,000 | Tax / depreciation benefits | Offices / commercial |
Prices are indicative and vary by state, brand, roof type, and installer. Always get at least three written quotes.
Check this 1 kW vs 2 kW vs 3 kW – Which Solar System Size Is Right for You?
A quote well below this range almost always means one of three things: non-ALMM components (subsidy lost), substandard mounting structure (safety and durability risk), or an installer that disappears after installation. The ₹20,000 you save upfront can easily cost ₹2,00,000 in underperformance over 25 years.
What should always be included in any quote: Panels, inverter, mounting structure, DC and AC wiring, earthing, net meter application fee, DISCOM coordination charges, and subsidy filing support. If any of these appear as “extra charges,” ask why before signing.
Understand All Five Warranties – Not Just “The Warranty”
Most homeowners ask about the warranty as if it’s a single document. Professional solar installations actually carry five distinct warranty layers. Knowing the difference prevents expensive surprises.
- Panel Performance Warranty covers the guaranteed electricity output over time. The industry standard is 25 years at minimum 80% of rated capacity. Top manufacturers now offer 30-year performance warranties this is worth paying a modest premium for.
- Panel Product Warranty covers manufacturing defects. Typically 10–12 years from Tier 1 manufacturers. This is the warranty that protects you if panels crack, delaminate, or fail structurally due to a production issue.
- Inverter Warranty is often the weak link. String inverters standard at 5–10 years; ensure the brand has a service presence in your state. A warranty is meaningless if the nearest authorised service centre is in another city.
- Mounting Structure Warranty is frequently overlooked. The frame holding your panels to your roof should carry a minimum 10-year warranty. Undersized or uncertified structures can fail under high wind loads or corrode in coastal and humid climates.
- Workmanship Warranty covers the quality of the installation itself wiring quality, waterproofing, cable management, and structural integration. This should be a minimum 5 years, in writing, from the installing company.
Ask for all five warranties as separate written documents. If an installer provides only a single combined warranty letter, ask them to itemise what each component’s coverage actually is.
The Pre-Installation Checklist – What Your Roof Needs to Be Ready
A site survey should happen before any contract is signed. A competent installer will check all of the following. If they don’t, ask why.
- Roof strength and load capacity – A 3 kW system adds roughly 150–200 kg to your roof. Older structures, terraces with existing cracks, or roofs with unresolved waterproofing issues need to be assessed and cleared before installation.
- Shading analysis – Even partial shading from a water tank, parapet wall, or neighbouring tree during peak hours can reduce system output by 20–40%. Ask for a shadow analysis report, not just a verbal assurance.
- Roof orientation and tilt – In India, south-facing roofs with a 10–30 degree tilt produce optimal output. East or west-facing roofs can still work but typically generate 15–20% less. Know your roof’s orientation before sizing your system.
- Sanctioned load check – Your solar system capacity generally cannot exceed your sanctioned electricity load with the DISCOM. If your sanctioned load is 3 kW, a 5 kW solar system application will be rejected for net metering. A good installer checks this at the site survey stage.
- Roof access and safety – Installation should not require welding on your roof. If an installer mentions on-site welding for mounting structures, that is a sign of non-standard installation practice and a potential roof damage risk.
Seven Questions to Ask Before You Sign
These questions separate professional installers from opportunistic ones. Note which ones make the company comfortable and which create hesitation.
- “Can you show me your MNRE empanelment certificate and state nodal agency registration?” Legitimate companies keep this ready. Discomfort answering this question tells you everything.
- “Are all panels and inverters on the current ALMM list? Can you share the model numbers for me to verify?” This one question eliminates most subsidy-risk scenarios. Any resistance to providing specific model numbers is a serious warning sign.
- “Does your installation team work in-house, or do you subcontract?” Many large solar companies hand off actual installation to third parties. This directly affects quality control, accountability, and after-sales responsiveness. Know who is physically on your roof.
- “What is the expected net meter commissioning timeline with my DISCOM, and do you handle the application end-to-end?” Net meter processing timelines vary significantly by state and DISCOM. A knowledgeable company will give you a realistic range and confirm they manage the full application.
- “What monitoring system is included, and can I see a live demo from an existing installation?” Real-time generation monitoring lets you detect underperformance within days, not months. It should come standard. If it is offered as a paid add-on, compare that against competitors where it is included.
- “Do you offer an AMC (Annual Maintenance Contract), and what does it cover?” Panels accumulate dust and need periodic cleaning especially in high-dust regions. A post-warranty AMC with defined response times is worth building into the total cost comparison between quotes.
- “What happens if my subsidy application is rejected after installation?” A confident, compliant company will explain the process clearly and confirm what they will do to resolve any documentation issue. Vague answers here “don’t worry, we’ll handle it” are not adequate.
Red Flags That Should Make You Walk Away
India’s solar boom has attracted a large number of operators who rely on information gaps to close sales. Recognising these patterns protects you from a poor 25-year investment.
- Extreme urgency pressure. “This price is valid only today” or “subsidy slots are almost full” are sales tactics, not real constraints. Quality solar companies do not use countdown pressure. The PM Surya Ghar subsidy is a national scheme that does not have daily quotas per installer.
- Inflated subsidy claims. The maximum residential central subsidy under PM Surya Ghar is ₹78,000. Any installer claiming significantly higher subsidies for a standard home system, or promising “free solar” without explaining the financial model clearly, is either misinformed or misleading you.
- No written proposal before payment. Never pay a booking advance without a signed document showing: system size in kW, panel brand and model, inverter brand and model, mounting structure specification, total cost breakdown, installation timeline, and full warranty terms. A verbal quote is not a contract.
- Vague after-sales commitments. “We’ll take care of it” is not a service commitment. Ask for documented response time SLAs and escalation contacts. If the company cannot provide these in writing, their after-sales support is likely to be equally undefined.
- Non-existent physical presence. If a company has no fixed office address, no local service team, and operates entirely through WhatsApp referrals, there is a meaningful risk they will not be reachable for service, warranty claims, or complaint escalation. Verify the address on their GST registration.
- Unrealistically low quotes. If a quote is 30–40% below market benchmarks, the gap is almost always explained by non-ALMM components, undersized wiring, inadequate mounting structure, or a plan to disappear post-installation. Compare the quoted component specifications, not just the total price.
On-Grid, Off-Grid, or Hybrid – Which Is Right for You?
Understanding the difference before you speak to a sales team prevents being upsold into a system that does not match your situation.
| On-Grid | Off-Grid | Hybrid | |
| Grid connection | Yes | No | Yes |
| Battery required | No | Yes (mandatory) | Optional |
| Net metering benefit | Full | Not applicable | Partial |
| PM Surya Ghar subsidy | Yes | Limited | Check state policy |
| Upfront cost | Lowest | Highest | Mid-range |
| Works during grid outage | No (without battery) | Yes | Yes |
| Best suited for | Urban homes with reliable grid | Remote locations, farms | Areas with frequent outages |
For the majority of urban and semi-urban homeowners in India with a stable DISCOM connection, on-grid solar with net metering delivers the best financial return lowest upfront cost, full subsidy eligibility, and bill savings from the first month.
Off-grid and hybrid systems make strong sense for locations with unreliable grid supply, agricultural use, or critical backup requirements but the battery cost increases total investment by 40–70% and reduces overall ROI compared to a pure on-grid setup.
Solar for Homes | Rooftop Solar Power by Kondaas
Realistic Payback Period – India Numbers
Generic guides often quote a “5–7 year payback period” borrowed from European or US market data. India’s numbers are different and in many states, considerably better.
- Typical payback for a 3–5 kW residential on-grid system in India in 2026, after PM Surya Ghar subsidy, falls in the range of 3.5 to 5 years depending on local electricity tariffs, state additional incentives, and actual solar irradiance at the installation location.
- After payback, the remaining 20+ years of system life generate effectively free electricity only periodic cleaning and an inverter replacement (typically after 10–12 years) are expected costs.
- States with higher electricity tariffs where slabs above 300 units attract ₹6–10 per unit see the fastest payback. States with lower tariffs or where significant household consumption falls in subsidised slabs will see slightly longer payback periods.
Ask your installer to provide a site-specific generation estimate using local irradiance data, not a generic national average.
Solar Financing Options in India
If the net cost after subsidy is still a stretch, solar financing has matured significantly:
- Bank solar loans – SBI, Bank of Baroda, HDFC, and several nationalised banks offer dedicated green energy loans at 7–10% interest for solar installation, with tenures up to 7 years.
- NBFC green loans – Tata Capital, Bajaj Finserv, and others offer solar-specific products with minimal documentation and quick disbursement.
- Installer-partnered EMI schemes – Many MNRE-empanelled installers have financing tie-ups that offer low or zero-cost EMI directly at booking.
- PM Surya Ghar portal loans – The national portal facilitates applications to empanelled banks, sometimes at subsidised interest rates.
What to avoid: Using a high-interest personal loan (15–22%) to finance a solar installation. At those rates, interest costs consume a significant share of your electricity savings and substantially extend the effective payback period.
The Complete Pre-Signing Checklist
Use this before committing to any solar installer:
- [ ] MNRE empanelment verified on pmsuryaghar.gov.in
- [ ] State nodal agency registration confirmed
- [ ] All panels and inverters confirmed ALMM-listed (model numbers checked)
- [ ] Written proposal received with component specs and full cost breakdown
- [ ] All five warranties documented separately in writing
- [ ] Net metering application confirmed as part of scope
- [ ] Subsidy filing confirmed as included at no extra charge
- [ ] Site survey completed (roof load, shading, orientation, sanctioned load)
- [ ] No on-site welding required for mounting structure
- [ ] Installation team confirmed as in-house, not fully subcontracted
- [ ] Monitoring system included and demonstrated
- [ ] AMC terms available in writing
- [ ] At least two local customer references provided and contacted
- [ ] Company physical address verified on GST registration