50-point solar quote checklist

The system

1. The system size in kW, and the type: on-grid, hybrid or off-grid.
2. The units it is expected to make in a year or a month, and what that figure assumes.
3. Whether the size fits your sanctioned load, and if not, who applies to PSPCL for the increase.
4. Which part of the roof the panels go on, and the area they use.
5. Which direction the panels face, and at what tilt.
6. Whether the price includes GST.

Panels

7. The make and the model number.
8. The wattage of each panel and how many panels there are.
9. Whether the panels are DCR, stated in writing.
10. Whether the model is on the government’s ALMM list, which the subsidy needs.
11. The technology: mono PERC, TOPCon, bifacial.
12. The datasheet, attached.
13. The manufacturer’s product warranty, in years.
14. The manufacturer’s power output warranty, in years and as a percentage of rated power.

Inverter

15. The make and the model number.
16. The rating in kW, and single or three phase to match your connection.
17. The type: on-grid, hybrid, or an off-grid PCU.
18. How you see what it makes: an app, Wi-Fi monitoring or a display.
19. The manufacturer’s warranty, in years.
20. Where it will be mounted: shaded, ventilated and out of the rain.
21. The datasheet, attached.

Battery, for hybrid and off-grid systems

22. The type: lithium or tubular.
23. The capacity in kWh, or in Ah with the voltage.
24. How much of it is planned to be used each day.
25. The manufacturer’s warranty, and the cycle rating for a lithium battery.
26. Which circuits it keeps running during a power cut.

Mounting structure

27. The material and its finish, for example hot-dip galvanised steel.
28. Its height above the roof, and room to reach the panels for cleaning.
29. How it is fixed to the roof, and how the roof is kept waterproof at each fixing.
30. The wind load it is designed for.
31. Who puts it right if the roof leaks at a fixing.

Electrical work and protection

32. The DC cable size and type.
33. The AC cable size, and its route to your meter board.
34. A DC distribution box with an isolator and surge protection.
35. An AC distribution box with a breaker and surge protection.
36. How many earthing pits, and what each one serves.
37. A lightning arrester.
38. Conduit or cable tray along the cable run.

Paperwork and subsidy

39. That the vendor is registered on the PM Surya Ghar portal.
40. Who files the portal application, and when.
41. That nothing is installed before PSPCL’s feasibility approval.
42. Who applies for the net meter and follows up the inspection.
43. Who pays for the net meter and any PSPCL charges.
44. That the subsidy is paid into your own account, and is not deducted in the quote.

Price and payment

45. An itemised price, not a single figure.
46. The payment schedule: advance, on delivery, on commissioning.
47. What is excluded: civil work, extra cable, a raised structure, transport.

Service and handover

48. Who to call for service, and how soon they come.
49. Any free service visits or cleaning, in writing.
50. The papers you receive at handover: invoice, warranty cards, datasheets and serial numbers.