Homeowner solar buying guide

The price per kW is the least useful line in a vague quote.

Ask for the exact hardware, work, approvals, warranties and exclusions. Then compare the same scope.

Subsidy eligibility is not the same as installation quality.

Registered vendors still differ in equipment, engineering, civil work, documentation and service execution.

Module

Must be written

Manufacturer and exact model
Rated wattage and module count
DCR and ALMM evidence for subsidy
Product and performance warranty documents

Red flags

“Tier-1” as the only specification
Mixed or substituted models without approval

Inverter

Must be written

Manufacturer and exact model
Rated AC capacity
MPPT count and string design
Product warranty and local replacement process

Red flags

Oversized DC array with no design explanation
Cloud monitoring that stops without a paid subscription

Mounting structure

Must be written

Material and section thickness
Roof clearance and access plan
Wind-load design basis
Foundation and waterproofing responsibility

Red flags

Price-only comparison of “elevated structure”
Unengineered site welding with no drawings

Electrical and safety

Must be written

AC/DC isolators and distribution boxes
DC and AC surge protection
Equipment and lightning earthing scope
Cable make, size, route and conduit

Red flags

A lump-sum “BOS included” line
Sharing existing earth without testing/design

Process and price

Must be written

GST and every exclusion
Net meter, inspection and portal scope
Milestone-based payment terms
Commissioning and documentation handover

Red flags

Near-full payment before material verification
Subsidy shown as an installer discount

Service

Must be written

Five-year comprehensive maintenance scope
Response and escalation contacts
OEM warranties handed to homeowner
Monitoring access owned by homeowner

Red flags

“25-year warranty” used to describe the whole system
Verbal service promises outside the contract

PM Surya Ghar central subsidy

₹30k + ₹30k + ₹18k. Then it stops.

Eligible residential installations receive ₹30,000 per kW for the first 2 kW and ₹18,000 for the next 1 kW. Above 3 kW, the central subsidy remains capped at ₹78,000.

DCR modules, the National Portal process and a registered vendor are essential conditions. The subsidy is calculated on installed module DC capacity, not whatever inverter size appears in a quote.

Read the official MNRE guidelines