Solar installation is not like buying an appliance. You are making a decision that will sit on your roof and affect your home’s electricity for the next 25 years. The company you choose determines not just the quality of the hardware, but how smoothly the installation goes, whether your subsidy claim goes through, and who picks up the phone two years later when you have a question.
The good news is that the Indian residential solar market in 2026 has several strong, reliable installers. The bad news is that it also has vendors who win contracts on the lowest quote and cut corners on components, structure quality, or post-installation service.
The difference between the two is not always obvious from a brochure or a website. It becomes obvious when you know what questions to ask.
Here are seven questions that will tell you everything you need to know about a solar company before you commit.
Question 1: Are You MNRE-Empanelled and Listed on the PM Surya Ghar Portal?
This is non-negotiable and should be your first filter before any other conversation takes place.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) maintains an approved list of vendors who are eligible to install solar systems that qualify for the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana subsidy. If your installer is not on this list, your subsidy claim — up to ₹78,000 — will be rejected regardless of how well the installation is done.
Beyond the subsidy, MNRE empanelment signals that the company has met baseline standards for technical competence, equipment quality, and regulatory compliance. It is not a guarantee of excellence, but it is a meaningful minimum threshold.
How to Verify
Visit pmsuryaghar.gov.in and use the vendor search function to check whether the company appears as an approved installer in your state. Ask the company for their empanelment registration number and cross-check it yourself.
Red Flag
Any company that dismisses the subsidy question or tells you “we will handle that later” without confirming their empanelled status upfront should be approached with caution.
Question 2: Do You Focus on Residential Solar, or Do You Handle Commercial and Industrial Projects Too?
This question matters more than most homeowners realise.
A company that primarily installs large commercial rooftops — factories, warehouses, office buildings — operates with a very different project management model than one focused on independent homes. Commercial projects are larger, faster, and often prioritise speed and volume over the attention to detail that a residential installation requires.
For a villa or bungalow owner, the nuances matter: the aesthetics of the mounting structure, the care taken around roof waterproofing, the precision of the wiring inside your home, and the quality of the post-installation support. These are details that residential-focused installers get right because that is their entire business.
What to Look For
Ask for a breakdown of their installed base: how many of their projects are residential versus commercial? Ask to speak to two or three homeowners they have installed for in the last six months — not just the ones on the testimonials page.
Red Flag
A company that cannot give you specific residential references or that spends most of the conversation talking about large commercial or industrial projects may not have the attention to detail your home installation deserves.
Question 3: What Panels, Inverters, and Mounting Structures Will You Use — and Can I See the Datasheets?
A solar installation is made up of components from multiple manufacturers. The quote you receive may look clean and complete, but the quality of what goes into that quote can vary enormously.
Ask specifically:
- Which solar panel brand and model will be used? Is it ALMM-listed (Approved List of Models and Manufacturers)?
- Is it Mono PERC or N-Type TOPCon technology?
- What inverter brand and model is included? What is the inverter warranty?
- What is the mounting structure made from — standard GI or hot-dip galvanised iron? Is it powder-coated? What wind load is it rated for?
A credible installer will answer all of these questions directly and provide datasheets on request. ALMM-listed panels are a mandatory requirement for PM Surya Ghar subsidy eligibility — if the panels are not on the ALMM list, you cannot claim the subsidy.
What Good Looks Like
Quality panels from established brands with ALMM listing, an inverter from a recognised brand like Sungrow, Growatt, GoodWe, or Huawei with a minimum 5-year warranty, and a hot-dip galvanised iron structure with powder coating and a wind load rating appropriate for your area.
Red Flag
Vague answers like “we use good quality panels” or “tier-one inverter” without naming brands or providing documentation. If a company cannot or will not share datasheets, that tells you something important about how transparent they will be throughout the project.
Question 4: Who Handles DISCOM Coordination, Net Metering, and the Subsidy Application — Your Team or Me?
This is where a lot of homeowners get an unpleasant surprise.
Getting a residential solar system fully commissioned involves multiple regulatory touchpoints: a feasibility application to your DISCOM, a net metering application, an inspection by DISCOM officials, commissioning sign-off, and subsidy documentation submitted through the PM Surya Ghar portal. This process involves paperwork, follow-ups, and coordination with government agencies.
Some installers do all of this for you. Others hand over a checklist after installation and expect you to manage the process yourself — following up with your DISCOM, tracking the portal, submitting documents.
For a homeowner who is busy with work and family, the difference between these two models is enormous in terms of time, stress, and the likelihood of your subsidy claim going through cleanly.
What to Ask
“Will your team handle the net metering application, DISCOM inspection coordination, and subsidy documentation from start to finish? Or will I need to manage any part of this myself?”
Get the answer in writing, ideally in the contract or scope of work document.
Red Flag
An installer who is vague about post-installation responsibilities or who says things like “the subsidy process is straightforward, you can manage it” is effectively telling you that you will be on your own for a process that can take weeks and requires multiple follow-ups.
Question 5: What Does Your After-Sales Service Model Look Like?
Solar panels do not need much maintenance, but they do need some. Dust accumulation alone can reduce panel output by 10–25% in Indian conditions if panels are not cleaned regularly. Over time, wiring connections, inverter performance, and structural integrity need periodic checks.
The right time to understand what happens after installation is before you sign — not six months later when you have a question and cannot reach anyone.
Ask specifically:
- Do you offer an Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC)? What is included and what is the cost?
- Is any maintenance included in the installation price? For how long?
- How do I log a service request? What is your average response time?
- Do you have a local service team in my city or do technicians travel from another location?
What Good Looks Like
A structured AMC that includes monthly or quarterly panel cleaning, inverter health checks, and wiring inspection. Some installers include the first year or more of AMC in the installation price as a commitment to post-installation care. Local service teams in the cities they operate in, not remote-only support.
At Arkahub, monthly panel health checks and professional cleaning are included for the first four years as part of the standard service model — not as an add-on you pay for separately.
Red Flag
No structured AMC offering, no clarity on response times, or a service model that relies entirely on you calling a national helpline with no local presence. Once an installer has your money and has completed the installation, their incentive to respond quickly drops significantly unless they have a structured service commitment.
Question 6: Can You Give Me a Detailed, Itemised Quote — Not Just a Total Number?
A solar quote that says “5 kW system — ₹2,80,000 all inclusive” is not a quote. It is a number.
A proper quote should break down every component: panel brand, model, wattage, and quantity; inverter brand and model; mounting structure type, material, and dimensions; cabling specifications and length; earthing and protection equipment; installation labour; DISCOM liaison charges; and net metering application costs. It should also clearly state what is not included — for example, whether civil work for cable trenching or additional structural work on the roof is extra.
Comparing quotes from multiple installers only makes sense when you are comparing equivalent specifications. A ₹2,40,000 quote that uses generic panels and a no-name inverter is not cheaper than a ₹2,80,000 quote that uses ALMM-listed TOPCon panels and a branded inverter with a 10-year warranty. It is a different product.
What to Ask
“Can you send me a fully itemised quotation with panel model, inverter model, structure specifications, and a line-by-line cost breakdown?” If a company cannot or will not do this, that itself is important information.
Red Flag
Resistance to providing itemised quotes, or quotes that list only total system size and price without component details. This often signals that the vendor wants to retain the flexibility to substitute components after you have signed.
Question 7: What Exactly Does Your Warranty Cover — and Who Backs It?
Solar systems come with multiple warranties from multiple parties, and the fine print matters considerably.
There are typically three layers of warranty in a residential solar installation:
Panel Product Warranty: Covers manufacturing defects in the panel itself. This typically runs for 10–12 years depending on the manufacturer.
Panel Performance Warranty: Guarantees that the panel will still produce a minimum percentage of its rated output after a defined period — usually 90% at 10 years and 80% at 25 years for quality panels.
Inverter Warranty: Covers the inverter against defects and failure. Standard inverters carry 5 years; premium brands offer 10 years.
Workmanship Warranty: Covers the quality of the installation itself — wiring, mounting structure integrity, waterproofing. This is provided by the installer, not the panel or inverter manufacturer.
The important distinction is that panel and inverter warranties are backed by the manufacturer. If your installer goes out of business in five years, you can still claim manufacturer warranties. But your workmanship warranty is only as good as the ongoing existence and responsiveness of your installer.
What to Ask
“What is the panel product warranty and performance warranty? What is the inverter warranty? What workmanship warranty do you provide, and how do I claim it? Who do I contact if I have a warranty claim — you or the manufacturer directly?”
Red Flag
Verbal assurances of “lifetime warranty” or “25-year warranty” without specifying what exactly is covered, by whom, and under what conditions. An installer who cannot explain the distinction between product, performance, and workmanship warranties does not understand their own product well enough.
A Summary Checklist Before You Sign
Use this as a quick reference when evaluating any solar company:
| Question | What You Should Hear |
| MNRE empanelment | Confirmed registration number, verifiable on portal |
| Residential focus | Majority residential installs, references available |
| Component quality | Named brands, ALMM-listed panels, datasheets provided |
| DISCOM and subsidy handling | End-to-end managed by their team |
| After-sales service | Structured AMC, local team, clear response timeframes |
| Itemised quote | Full component breakdown, no bundled totals |
| Warranty clarity | Separate explanation of panel, inverter, and workmanship warranty |
Why Choosing the Cheapest Quote Is Often the Most Expensive Decision
The solar market in India has a well-documented pattern: installers who win on the lowest price often do so by using cheaper panels that are not ALMM-listed, lighter mounting structures with lower wind resistance, lesser-known inverters with short warranties, or by skipping post-installation support entirely.
A solar system that underperforms by even 15% year on year due to lower-quality panels will cost you far more in lost savings over 20 years than the price difference between a budget and quality installation. A system that needs its inverter replaced in year six because it carried a two-year warranty adds unexpected cost at the worst time.
Industry experts consistently recommend that homeowners get quotes from at least three qualified installers to compare offerings — and that price alone should not be the deciding factor, as the quality of both equipment and the installation process significantly impacts long-term performance and payback.
The right question is not “which company is cheapest” but “which company gives me the best return on this investment over 25 years.”
How Arkahub Answers All Seven Questions
Arkahub is an MNRE-approved, residential-only solar installer operating in Bangalore and Hyderabad. Every installation is managed end to end — site assessment, system design, DISCOM coordination, net metering application, installation, subsidy documentation, and ongoing maintenance. Homeowners do not need to coordinate with multiple agencies or follow up on approvals themselves.
Monthly panel health checks and professional cleaning are included for the first four years as part of the standard Arkahub service model. Panel performance is warranted for 25 years, inverter warranty is 10 years, and all components used are ALMM-listed and sourced from verified manufacturers.
Most installations are completed and commissioned within 14 days of the initial assessment.
Get a free site assessment and detailed quote →
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I verify if a solar company is MNRE-approved?
Visit pmsuryaghar.gov.in and use the vendor search tool. Enter the company name or registration number to confirm their empanelment status. You can also ask the company directly for their MNRE vendor registration number and check it on the portal yourself.
Is it safe to choose a newer solar company over an established one?
Age alone is not the best indicator of quality. A newer company with a strong technical team, verifiable residential references, transparent component specifications, and a structured service model can be a better choice than an older company with poor after-sales support. Ask for references from recent customers — within the last six to twelve months — and speak to them directly.
Should I get multiple quotes before choosing a solar installer?
Yes. Getting quotes from at least two or three MNRE-empanelled installers gives you a realistic picture of market pricing and lets you compare component specifications side by side. Just make sure you are comparing equivalent component quality — a lower quote with inferior panels and no AMC is not a better deal.
What happens if my solar company shuts down after installation?
Your panel performance warranty and inverter warranty are backed by the respective manufacturers — these remain valid regardless of what happens to the installer. Your workmanship warranty, however, is tied to the installer. This is one reason why choosing a company with a structured business model and institutional backing matters — it increases the likelihood that they will be around to honour their commitments.
Can I negotiate the price with a solar company?
Pricing in the residential solar market has some flexibility, particularly on larger system sizes or when multiple installations are being done in the same housing community. However, negotiating primarily on price can lead installers to compromise on component quality to maintain margins. It is generally better to negotiate on scope — asking for additional services like extended AMC or upgraded components — rather than pushing purely for a lower number.
How long should a solar installation take from site visit to commissioning?
A well-managed residential installation, including all DISCOM approvals and net metering, should be completed within 14–21 days. Delays beyond this are usually caused by slow DISCOM processing in certain areas, which a good installer will navigate and communicate proactively.
Last updated: March 2026. MNRE empanelment requirements and subsidy eligibility criteria are subject to periodic updates. Always verify current information at mnre.gov.in or pmsuryaghar.gov.in.
