Solar Installation Checklist: 15 Things to Verify Before Going Solar

Before your solar installation begins, verify three things: your roof is ready (structurally sound, shadow-free, adequate area), your documents are complete (electricity bill, ID, roof ownership proof), and your installer is qualified (MNRE-empanelled, transparent quoting, strong references). This checklist covers every item in detail.

Your roof will carry solar panels for 25+ years. Make sure it is ready:

1. Structural integrity — Roof must support 15–20 kg per sq metre additional load. For older buildings (20+ years), get a structural assessment. Repair cracks, leaks, or spalling concrete before installation.
2. Waterproofing — If your roof needs waterproofing treatment, do it before panels go up. Removing panels later for waterproofing is expensive and voids mounting warranty.
3. Available area — You need approximately 100 sq ft per kW. A 3kW system needs ~300 sq ft of shadow-free space. Measure your usable area after excluding water tanks, lift rooms, staircase heads, and DISCOM-mandated setbacks.
4. Shadow analysis — Check for shadows from water tanks, taller adjacent buildings, trees, and parapet walls between 9 AM and 3 PM. Even partial shading on one panel reduces the output of the entire string.
5. Roof access — Ensure safe access to the roof for installation crews and future maintenance. If the only access is through a narrow hatch, discuss logistics with the installer beforehand.

Your existing electrical setup must support the solar system:

1. Electricity connection type — Confirm you have a single-phase or three-phase connection. Systems above 5kW typically require three-phase. If you need an upgrade, apply to your DISCOM before solar installation — this can take 2–4 weeks.
2. Meter location — The bi-directional meter replaces your existing meter. Note the distance from your rooftop to the meter — longer cable runs increase cost and signal loss.
3. Earthing quality — Good earthing is essential for safety and inverter performance. If your existing earthing is poor (common in older buildings), budget for a new earth pit. Cost: ₹3,000–₹5,000.
4. Main switchboard capacity — Your switchboard must have space for additional MCBs (miniature circuit breakers) for the solar circuit. Older boards may need upgrading.

A professional installer assesses all of this during the site survey. But knowing what to expect helps you prepare.

The installer you choose determines your system's performance for the next 25 years. Verify these before signing:

1. MNRE empanelment — Ask for their MNRE channel partner registration number. Without this, you cannot claim the PM Surya Ghar subsidy.
2. Company registration — Verify GST registration, company incorporation (at least 2–3 years), and valid trade licence.
3. Local track record — Request 5+ references from recent installations in your area. Visit one if possible. Check panel alignment, cable management, and talk to the homeowner about their experience.
4. Warranty documentation — Get written warranty terms covering panels (25 years performance), inverter (5–10 years), mounting (5–10 years), and workmanship (minimum 1 year, ideally 3–5 years).
5. After-sales commitment — Confirm response time for issues, whether they offer annual maintenance contracts, and how they handle inverter replacements under warranty.
6. Insurance — Check if the installer has workmen's compensation insurance. Installation involves rooftop work — liability matters.

→ Detailed guide: How to Choose a Solar Installer

Before signing, verify every line in the quotation:

• Panel brand, model, and wattage — Confirm the exact model. Substitutions at installation time (a common complaint) should be pre-approved in writing.
• Inverter brand, model, and capacity — Match capacity to your system size. An undersized inverter clips your output.
• Mounting structure material — Hot-dip galvanised iron (HDGI) or aluminium. Painted steel rusts within 5–7 years.
• All-inclusive pricing — Confirm the quote includes GST (13.8%), net metering application fees, bi-directional meter cost, and all electrical components. What your quote should include →
• Payment schedule — Standard: 30–50% advance, balance at commissioning. Never pay 100% upfront.
• Delivery and installation timeline — Written commitment on installation date and completion timeline.

To qualify for the PM Surya Ghar subsidy (up to ₹78,000 for 3kW):

• System must be on-grid (grid-connected with net metering)
• Installed by an MNRE-empanelled vendor
• One subsidy per household — linked to your electricity consumer number
• Must be a residential connection — commercial, industrial, and agricultural connections do not qualify
• System capacity must not exceed your sanctioned load
• Application submitted through the national portal after DISCOM commissioning

Some states offer additional top-up subsidies with their own eligibility criteria. Check full eligibility requirements →

After installation is complete, verify before making final payment:

• Panel count and brand match quote — Physically count panels on roof and check labels against your order.
• Inverter model matches quote — Verify the serial number and register it with the manufacturer for warranty.
• Cable management is clean — No loose wires, all cables in conduit or properly tied, no sharp bends.
• Earthing is installed and tested — Ask for earth resistance test results. Should be under 5 ohms.
• System generates expected output — At noon on a clear day, your system should produce 70–80% of its rated capacity.
• Monitoring app works — Verify you can see real-time generation data on your phone.
• All documentation received — Warranty cards, commissioning certificate, design document, maintenance guide.

Going through this checklist is much easier when you work with a verified installer who follows professional standards from the start.

Solar Vipani pre-vets every installer for MNRE empanelment, insurance, track record, and warranty compliance. Fill one form and receive 2–3 transparent, comparable quotes.

Get your free solar quotes →