Before you sign with a solar installer in Gujarat, check four things: that they are registered on the PM Surya Ghar national portal, that the panels are DCR and ALMM listed, that the 5-year free maintenance is written into your agreement, and that they will handle the DISCOM net meter work. If any of these is vague, keep looking. The rest of this post explains how to check each one without needing to be an engineer.
Start with the national portal
If you want the PM Surya Ghar subsidy, the installer (the scheme calls them a "vendor") must be registered on the national portal at pmsuryaghar.gov.in. When you apply on the portal, you pick your vendor from there. Registered vendors list the states and districts they work in, and the portal shows a vendor rating based on things like installation quality, service and the size of work done.
So the first question to any installer is simple: "What name are you registered under on the portal, and is your registration active for my district?" Then check it yourself on the portal. A genuine installer will not mind you checking. If the company name on the quote is different from the name on the portal, ask why.
If you are not taking the subsidy, portal registration is not compulsory. It is still a useful filter, because registered vendors have agreed to the scheme's service rules and can lose their registration for poor work.
You can read how the subsidy and its steps work on our PM Surya Ghar subsidy page.
Ask exactly which panels and inverter you are getting
A quote that just says "540 W panel" or "branded inverter" is not enough. Ask for the make and model of both, in writing. Then check these points:
- DCR panels. For the subsidy, the panels must be made in India using Indian-made cells. This is called the Domestic Content Requirement (DCR). Without DCR panels, no subsidy is paid.
- ALMM listing. The panel model must be on MNRE's Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM). Ask the installer to show you where the model appears on the list.
- RFID tag. Under the scheme's technical rules, each panel must carry an RFID tag laminated inside the glass with the manufacturer's details. You can ask to see it on delivery.
- Panel output warranty. MNRE's technical specifications require panels to give more than 90% of rated output in the first 10 years and more than 80% over the next 15 years. Ask for the manufacturer's warranty card showing this.
- Inverter standards. The inverter must meet the scheme's technical specifications, including the government's Quality Control Order for solar inverters and the relevant BIS or IEC standards. Ask for its certificate and warranty card.
None of this is complicated, but it is easy to skip. A few minutes spent matching the model numbers on the quote with what actually arrives on your roof can save you a rejected subsidy claim later.
Get the 5-year maintenance promise in writing
MNRE's operational guidelines for PM Surya Ghar say registered vendors must provide repairs and maintenance free of cost for 5 years from commissioning. This is called the Comprehensive Maintenance Contract (CMC) period. Faulty or under-performing parts are to be repaired or replaced free during this time, and the whole system should carry a 5-year warranty from the date the DISCOM commissions it.
The same guidelines include a model agreement between the consumer and the vendor. It covers site survey, design, supply, installation, net meter work, testing and 5 years of maintenance. Ask your installer whether their agreement follows this model, and read the maintenance part carefully. Who do you call when something stops working? How quickly will they come? Is panel cleaning included, or is that your job?
Get answers on paper, not just on the phone.
Check who handles the DISCOM and net meter work
In Gujarat your net meter comes from your electricity company: UGVCL, MGVCL, DGVCL, PGVCL or Torrent Power, depending on where you live. The model agreement puts net meter supply, testing, approvals and grid connection in the vendor's scope, and the vendor should be present when the DISCOM tests and commissions the system.
Ask the installer to walk you through the steps they will handle and the ones you need to do yourself, such as uploading documents on the portal. Also ask how many installations they have recently completed with your particular DISCOM. Someone who works regularly with your DISCOM will know the local office and the usual paperwork.
Look at what the quote covers, not just the total
We don't discuss prices here, and that is your conversation with the installer. But you can judge a quote by how complete it is. A good quote lists:
- Panel make, model, wattage and number of panels
- Inverter make, model and capacity
- Mounting structure (material and height)
- Cables, earthing, lightning arrester and protection boxes
- Net meter and DISCOM work
- The 5-year maintenance and warranty terms
- What counts as "extra work" and how it will be charged
The model agreement allows vendors to charge separately for extra work needed because of your building, but they should estimate it in advance. If a quote leaves things out, you may be surprised later. When comparing two quotes, compare the same items side by side.
Watch for these red flags
Most installers are honest, but these are good reasons to slow down:
- They won't tell you the panel or inverter model until after you pay.
- Their portal registration name does not match their quote or invoice.
- They promise a "guaranteed" subsidy amount or a fixed date for it. The subsidy is released only after the DISCOM inspects and approves the system, so nobody can guarantee the date.
- They skip the site visit and quote over the phone. The model agreement expects a site survey that checks roof strength and shade-free area.
- The agreement has no written maintenance terms.
- They push you to decide the same day.
A quick checklist to keep handy
| Check | What to ask for |
|---|---|
| Portal registration | Registered name, active for your district |
| Panels | Make and model, DCR, ALMM listed, RFID tag |
| Inverter | Make and model, warranty card |
| Maintenance | 5-year free CMC written into the agreement |
| Warranty | 5-year system warranty from DISCOM commissioning |
| Net meter | Who files, who follows up with your DISCOM |
| Site visit | Roof strength and shade checked in person |
| Extra work | Listed and estimated before you sign |
If you are installing on your home, our residential rooftop solar page covers what a typical project involves.
Your next step
Pick two or three installers, ask each one the questions in the table above, and compare their written answers. Check their registration on the portal yourself before you pay anything. If you want, we can connect you with one checked installer near you, and you can put the same questions to them.
This guide is general information, not advice. Scheme rules and amounts change, so check the official portal or your DISCOM before you decide.