Rooftop solar is a sound investment for most Kerala homes. But as demand rises, so do the number of installers, and not all of them are equal. The solar scams Kerala homeowners fall for tend to follow familiar patterns. Some cut corners on panels and wiring. A few make promises that no honest company can keep. A rooftop solar system is a 25-year commitment, so a bad installer costs you far more than a bad contractor for a one-off repair.
The good news is that most problems show up before you sign. Here are the 10 red flags we'd tell our own family to look for when choosing a solar installer in Kerala. If you are wondering how to choose a solar installer in Kerala, start here.
1. Free solar panels" or "zero-cost installation
No government scheme installs rooftop solar for free. The central subsidy under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana reduces your cost, but you still pay for the system. It is capped at ₹78,000 for a standard home, and it is paid after installation, not before.
If an offer sounds free, ask where the money is coming from. Often the cost is hidden in an inflated price, a loan you didn't understand, or a lease with terms you didn't read.
2. Fees for "processing your subsidy"
The subsidy is a Direct Benefit Transfer. It is credited to your bank account after your system is installed, inspected and commissioned. You should not pay anyone an extra fee to "release" it, and no agent can speed it up for a charge.
Also be wary of anyone who asks for your OTP, banking passwords or card details in the name of the subsidy. If that happens, stop and report it. In India, the National Cyber Crime Helpline is 1930.
3. The installer isn't registered on the national portal
To get the central subsidy, your installer generally needs to be a registered vendor on the PM Surya Ghar national portal (pmsuryaghar.gov.in) for your state and distribution company. Using an unregistered installer can mean your application is rejected, even if the panels are on your roof.
This takes five minutes to check. Log in to the portal, open the list of registered vendors and search the company's exact legal name. Don't rely on a logo or a certificate shown on their own brochure.
4. Vague answers about panel brand and model
If an installer won't tell you the exact panel manufacturer, model and wattage, treat that as a warning. Cheaper unbranded panels can underperform and degrade faster. For subsidy purposes, panels must meet the government's domestic content and approved-manufacturer requirements, and non-compliant panels can cost you the entire subsidy.
Get the make and model in writing before you pay anything, and check it against the official lists yourself.
5. A quote without a site visit
A price over the phone or WhatsApp is only an estimate. A real quote needs someone to look at your roof: its type and strength, available shadow-free area, tilt, orientation, nearby coconut palms or buildings, and your existing electrical connection.
Without this, the system can be wrongly sized, badly placed or underperform from day one.
6. A lump-sum quote with no breakdown
A trustworthy quote lists the main components separately: panels (brand, wattage, number), inverter (brand and capacity), mounting structure (material and thickness), cables and protection devices, net meter and approvals, installation, and warranty terms.
If everything is bundled into one number, you can't compare offers, and you can't tell what has been quietly downgraded.
7. Pressure tactics and big advance payments
Be careful with "offer ends today" messages, claims that the subsidy is about to disappear, or demands for most of the payment upfront. Honest installers are comfortable with staged payments tied to milestones, such as a booking advance, material delivery and commissioning.
If financing is involved, read every page before signing and never sign blank forms. Confirm the loan amount, interest and tenure yourself, directly with the lender.
8. Promises of a guaranteed zero bill
Solar can cut your KSEB bill sharply, but no one can guarantee exactly how much without knowing your consumption, tariff, roof and weather. Fixed charges can remain even when your net units are low. Claims like "zero bill forever" or unusually high monthly generation figures per kW are a sign the salesperson is selling a dream, not a system.
A good installer will ask for your electricity bills and give you a realistic range.
9. Skipping net metering and KSEB approval
Some installers suggest bypassing paperwork to save time, or install first and "sort out" approvals later. This is risky. Without proper approval and a net meter, you can lose subsidy eligibility, be unable to export surplus power for credits, and create a safety issue for the grid.
Your installer should handle or clearly guide you through feasibility approval, net metering and commissioning with the electricity board.
10. No written warranty, no after-sales support
A solar system must keep working for decades, so ask who will service it. A reliable solar installer Kerala customers can reach locally matters more than a low price. Check for written warranties on panels, inverter and workmanship, an Annual Maintenance Contract option, a local office or service team you can reach, and past projects you can visit or call about.
Be cautious of companies with no physical address, no completed projects you can verify, or a team that stops answering once payment is made.
A quick checklist before you sign
- Is the installer on the PM Surya Ghar registered vendor list for your area?
- Did someone visit and survey your roof before quoting?
- Is the quote itemised, with panel and inverter brand, model and warranty in writing?
- Is the payment schedule staged, with no demand for the full amount upfront?
- Who handles net metering and KSEB approvals?
- Who services the system after installation, and how do you reach them?
- Have you spoken to at least two past customers?
What to do if you think you've been cheated
Start by collecting every document: quotes, invoices, receipts, chats and your application records. Then raise the issue in writing with the installer and your electricity distribution company. You can also file a complaint with the National Consumer Helpline (1915 or consumerhelpline.gov.in), and report financial fraud to the cyber crime helpline (1930) or your local police. The ministry has also set a process for handling complaints against registered vendors, which can lead to suspension from the portal.
Choose an solar installer you can hold accountable
We'd rather you ask hard questions than regret a quick decision, and that goes for us too. Illumine Energy has completed 5,000+ projects and over 10 MW of solar capacity across Kerala. We offer free site visits, itemised quotes, help with net metering and subsidy paperwork, and long-term AMC support.