India’s rooftop solar market has matured fast. Attractive subsidies, falling panel prices and rising electricity bills mean homeowners and businesses are buying solar like never before.
But with so many retailers, installers and brands out there, choosing the right solar retailer is the difference between years of trouble-free clean energy and a headache of hidden costs, underperformance and warranty disputes.
This post walks you step-by-step through a practical, no-nonsense process to evaluate and finalise leading solar retailers in India from initial shortlist to signing the contract and aftercare.
Why Choosing the Right Solar Retailer in India Matters?
Choosing the right solar retailer in India is dominant, as they directly influence the quality, efficiency, and long-term return on investment (ROI) of your solar system.
A trustworthy solar retailer safeguards that you receive honest, high-efficiency products and professional installation that complies with safety and regulatory standards, including those from organizations like MNRE.
Significantly, a good solar company offers transparent pricing, consistent warranties, and robust after-sales support, which is vital for the 25+ year lifespan of the system, ensuring smooth operation and hassle-free maintenance.
A solar system is an investment (often ₹60,000*– ₹5,00,000+*, depending on size). Beyond panels and inverters, the retailer controls:
- the accuracy of your site survey and system sizing,
- the quality of installation and electrical safety,
- warranty fulfilment and post-sale service,
- paperwork for net metering, subsidies and GST compliance.
A reliable retailer protects your performance and long-term returns. A poor one can create recurrent failures or void warranties.
Step 1 — Prepare: Know What You Need from the Solar System
Understanding your requirements is the foundational first step before purchasing a solar system. You must exactly regulate your current and projected electricity consumption (in kWh) to size the system appropriately and safeguard it meets your energy demands effectively. Furthermore, clarify your chief goal: is it to attain whole energy independence (off-grid), drastically reduce monthly bills (on-grid/grid-tied), or secure backup power during outages (hybrid)?
Knowing these precise requirements guides the retailer in recommending the suitable system type (on-grid, off-grid, or hybrid), panel capacity, and battery storage, maximizing your savings and satisfaction.
Before you contact retailers, clarify:
- Your energy goal: reduce bills? go net-zero? run a specific load?
- Roof details: usable area (sq ft), orientation, shade, roof type (tile, metal, concrete).
- Electricity consumption: last 12 months’ bills and daily/seasonal patterns.
- Budget & financing: cash, loan, or PPA/solar-as-a-service?
- Preferred timeline: urgent or flexible?
Having these ready speeds up quotes and avoids under/oversized proposals.
Step 2 — Create a Shortlist of Solar Retailers in India
To create a compact shortlist of solar retailers in India, you should begin by prioritizing companies with robust credentials, deep experience, and positive market reputation.
Search for firms that are MNRE-registered (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy) and use BIS-certified (Bureau of Indian Standards) components, which promise quality and eligibility for government subsidies.
Next, look for local companies with a confirmed track record, verifying their customer reviews, project portfolio, and the longevity of their installation warranties to confirm they offer reliable long-term support.
Use multiple sources:
- Local referrals and neighbours who have been installed recently.
- Manufacturer-authorised dealers (e.g., known panel/inverter brands).
- Aggregator marketplaces and government portal lists (state solar agencies).
- Online reviews (focus on verified purchases and recent feedback).
Aim for 3–5 retailers so you can compare properly.
Step 3 — Evaluation Criteria (what to compare)
When you get proposals, assess each retailer on these core pillars. I suggest scoring each category 1–10; then weight them by rank to you (example weights shown).
- Technical competence (weight 25%)
- Proper site survey — did they measure shading, azimuth, tilt, and roof strength?
- System sizing & yield estimates — realistic energy production numbers, not exaggerated.
- Component selection — panel wattage, efficiency, temperature coefficient, inverter type (string/central/hybrid), mounting structure material (GI/SS/aluminium).
- Design details — stringing diagram, earthing, surge protection, DC/AC isolators, cable sizes.
- Product quality & warranties (weight 20%)
- Panel: brand, cell type (mono/Poly/PERC), linear performance warranty (25 years typical).
- Inverter: brand, warranty length (5–12 years typical), replacement policy.
- Balance of System (BOS): cabling, mounting warranties.
- Ask for product datasheets and warranty terms in writing.
- Installation & safety (weight 15%)
- Experienced installation team with electrical & structural skills.
- Use of proper mounting, cable trays, DC/AC isolators and earthing rods.
- Compliance with local electrical code, rooftop load assessment and safety checks.
- After-sales service & support (weight 15%)
- Response time for breakdowns and remote monitoring capability.
- Spare parts availability and authorized service centers nearby.
- Clear SLA (service level agreement) for callouts.
- Financials & transparency (weight 15%)
- Clear itemised quote (modules, inverter, structure, electrical, labour, taxes).
- Payment milestones (avoid full advance).
- Clarity on subsidies, GST treatment and net-metering paperwork support.
- Reputation & legal (weight 10%)
- Company registration, GST number, past work photos, client references.
- Insurance: Does the installer carry worksite liability insurance?
Step 4 — Ask these Specific Questions (Don’t Accept Vague Answers)
Use these to probe the retailers’ seriousness:
Technical & product
- Which panel and inverter models will you supply (brand + model)? Please share datasheets.
- What is the expected annual energy production (kWh), and how did you calculate it?
- Do you offer remote monitoring? Is it free? Which parameters are shown?
Installation & safety
- Who will perform the installation — company employees or subcontractors?
- How will you handle roof penetrations and waterproofing?
- Do you carry public liability and on-site insurance?
Warranties & service
- What is the exact warranty wording for modules, inverters and workmanship? (Ask for copies.)
- What is your service response time and escalation process?
- Do you provide a written O&M (operations & maintenance) contract?
Paperwork & compliance
- Will you handle net metering and subsidy applications end-to-end?
- How do you handle GST invoicing if I claim ITC or other benefits?
Commercial
- What are payment milestones? (Common: 30% advance, 50% on delivery, 20% on commissioning.)
- Are there performance guarantees or monitoring-based guarantees?
Step 5 — Compare quotes using a simple scorecard
Build a spreadsheet with solar retailers across the top and measures down the side. Score 1–10 and multiply by weights. This quantifies tradeoffs: an inexpensive quote might score low on warranties or service.
Example columns to compare:
- Total system cost (₹)
- Cost per watt (₹/Wp)
- Estimated annual production (kWh)
- Payback & simple ROI (approx)
- Warranty years (panels / inverter / workmanship)
- Score (weighted sum)
Step 6 — Spot red flags by examining the details
Walk away or push hard if you see:
- Vague product answers or refusal to share datasheets.
- Unrealistic energy production numbers (too optimistic).
- Demand for full payment upfront without written milestones.
- No written warranties or warranty that’s tied to the dealer (not manufacturer).
- “Free” add-ons that vanish in writing.
Step 7 — Due Diligence before Finalising
Before signing:
- Verify company details: GST number, company registration, and physical office.
- Ask for client references and call at least 2 recent customers (ask about service).
- Confirm product authenticity: ask for the manufacturer’s serial numbers and warranty registration process.
- Insurance & safety: Confirm installers are insured and have safety equipment.
- Obtain a sample contract and read the small print, especially on warranty exclusions.
Step 8 — Negotiate and Finalise the Contract
Key clauses to include:
- Bill of materials (BOM) with brand, model numbers and quantities.
- Payment schedule tied to milestones (delivery, installation, net-metering completion).
- Performance expectations and guaranteed commissioning date.
- Warranty assignments: explicit transfer of manufacturer warranties to you and a process for claims.
- Penalty clause for undue delays or missed SLAs (reasonable liquidated damages).
- O&M terms: frequency, cost, response time and scope.
- Cancellation & refund policy.
Don’t sign until the BOM and warranties are explicitly in the contract.
Step 9 — During Installation & Commissioning — What to Watch
- Keep a copy of the BOM on site and verify every component delivered.
- Photographs of each stage: solar modules placed, inverters wired, earthing, and meter installation.
- Ask for commissioning test results (voltages, string currents, insulation tests).
- Ensure net-metering application submitted and Temporary/Final meter swap schedule confirmed.
Step 10 — Aftercare: Monitoring, Documentation & Warranty Claims
- Register product warranties immediately (many manufacturers require online registration).
- Set up remote monitoring and get access credentials.
- Keep all invoices, warranty cards, commissioning certificates and net-metering documents in a folder.
- Note contact details for escalation and keep a maintenance log (callouts, repairs).
Quick Checklist — Final Decision
Before you hand over the final payment, tick these:
- Signed contract with BOM and warranty terms.
- Manufacturer warranty paperwork and registration process documented.
- Proof of insurance and safety compliance.
- Commissioning certificate and performance report.
- Net-metering application submitted or meter swapped.
- Remote monitoring setup and access granted.
Conclusion — Buy performance, not just panels
Selecting a leading solar retailer in India is about more than price. Prioritise honest technical advice, strong warranties, safe installations and prompt after-sales service.
Use the steps above: prepare, shortlist sensibly, score proposals, verify claims, contract tightly and monitor after commissioning. Do that, and your rooftop will deliver reliable clean energy and real savings for decades.
