Choosing the right solar installer is the single most important decision in your solar journey. A good installer gets you a correctly sized system, handles UPPCL paperwork, processes your PM Surya Ghar subsidy without delays, and stands behind the installation for years. A bad one can leave you with an oversized or undersized system, a rejected subsidy application, or no one to call when the inverter stops working two years later.
In UP, the market has grown rapidly since 2024. Lucknow, Kanpur, Barabanki, Unnao, Raebareli, and Sitapur now have dozens of solar companies competing for rooftop installations. Most are legitimate. Some are not. This guide gives you a clear framework for evaluating any installer before you sign a contract.
Step 1: Start with UPPCL and PM Surya Ghar Empanelment
Before anything else, verify whether the installer is empaneled with UPPCL (or LESCO for Lucknow) and registered on the PM Surya Ghar portal. This is non-negotiable if you want the central subsidy of up to Rs 78,000.
Why Empanelment Matters
PM Surya Ghar subsidy is released only when your system is installed by a registered vendor and connected to the UPPCL grid through the official net metering process. If you use a non-empaneled installer, you lose the subsidy entirely, even if the panels and inverter are high quality. The subsidy itself is substantial: Rs 30,000 per kW for the first 2 kW, Rs 18,000 per kW for the next 1 kW, and a flat Rs 78,000 for systems above 3 kW in 2026.
How to Verify Empanelment
Visit the PM Surya Ghar portal at pmsuryaghar.gov.in and use the vendor search feature to confirm the installer's name appears in UP. You can also ask UPPCL's consumer helpline or your local DISCOM office to confirm. Do not rely on the installer's own claim or a certificate they email you, verify it directly on the government portal.
Step 2: Ask These Ten Questions Before Signing Anything
A confident, experienced installer will answer all of these without hesitation. Vague or evasive answers are a warning sign.
About the System Design
- What capacity are you proposing, and how did you calculate it from my last 12 months of bills?
- Which panel brand and model, and what is the panel's efficiency and temperature coefficient?
- Which inverter brand, model, and warranty period?
- How many units per month will this system generate in Lucknow's climate, and what is the basis for that estimate?
- Will the system be on-grid with net metering, or hybrid with battery?
About Subsidies and Paperwork
- Are you empaneled on the PM Surya Ghar portal for UP?
- Who handles the UPPCL net metering application, and how long does it typically take?
- When and how does the subsidy reach my bank account?
About Warranty and Service
- What is the workmanship warranty on installation, and what does it cover?
- Do you offer an Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC), and what is included?
Step 3: Understand the Warranty Layers
A solar system involves three separate warranty chains, and a good installer helps you understand all three.
Panel Warranty
Quality panels from brands like Waaree, Adani, Tata, or Vikram carry two warranties: a product warranty of 10-12 years covering manufacturing defects, and a performance warranty of 25-30 years guaranteeing that output will not fall below 80-84 percent of rated power. The performance warranty is only worth something if the manufacturer is still operating and the warranty is registered in your name. Ask the installer to register the panels in your name on the manufacturer's portal after installation.
Inverter Warranty
Most inverters carry a 5-year standard warranty, extendable to 10 years from brands like Solis, SMA, Fronius, or Growatt. In UP, where summer heat and dust are both hard on electronics, a longer inverter warranty is worth paying for. Ask specifically what the process is if the inverter fails during the warranty period, including how long replacement takes and whether you get a loaner.
Workmanship Warranty
This is the installer's own guarantee covering the quality of the installation itself, mounting structure, wiring, sealing, and earthing. A minimum of 5 years is standard. Less than that is a red flag. This warranty only matters if the installer is still in business, which is why company longevity and local presence matter.
Step 4: Red Flags That Signal a Poor Installer
The UP solar market has seen its share of fly-by-night operators, particularly after PM Surya Ghar demand increased sharply in 2024-25. Watch out for these warning signs.
Unrealistic Promises
If an installer promises your system will generate more than 4.5-5 peak sun hours per day in Lucknow across all months, they are exaggerating. December and January fog months generate 30-40 percent less than summer months. A generation estimate that does not show monthly variation is not credible.
No Physical Office or Local Presence
You need to be able to reach your installer in person if something goes wrong. An installer with no verifiable office address in UP, or one that only communicates via mobile, is a risk. After-sales service for solar requires a local team for site visits, not just a phone call.
Pressure to Pay Full Amount Upfront
Standard practice in UP is to pay 20-30 percent on order, 50-60 percent on delivery of material, and the remaining 10-20 percent after successful commissioning and net meter installation. An installer demanding full payment before installation begins has no financial incentive to complete the job properly.
No Written Quote Itemising Components
A legitimate quote lists the panel brand, model, wattage, quantity, inverter brand and model, mounting structure type, cable specifications, earthing and lightning protection, and installation charges separately. A single lump-sum figure with no itemisation makes it impossible to compare offers and easy to swap components after you sign.
Unlisted or Unknown Panel Brands
Cheap no-name Chinese panels are sometimes substituted after the contract is signed. Verify the panels delivered against the brand and model on the invoice before installation begins.
Step 5: Get Three Quotes and Compare the Right Things
Price matters, but comparing only the total cost is a mistake. A cheaper system using inferior panels or a smaller inverter will underperform for 25 years. Compare quotes on three axes: component quality, system design (is the capacity appropriate for your consumption?), and after-sales support quality.
At Sunwize, we recommend getting at least two or three quotes before deciding, and we are happy to explain our own quote line by line and compare it openly against competitors. A good installer does not need to hide behind a one-page quote.
Also compare the payback period estimate each installer provides. A credible payback calculation shows your actual monthly bill, estimated monthly generation, savings per unit, and accounts for realistic generation variability across seasons. In Lucknow in 2026, at Rs 7-8 per unit residential tariff, a well-installed 3 kW system typically pays back in four to five years after PM Surya Ghar subsidy.
Step 6: Check References and Online Reviews
Ask the installer for two or three customer references from completed projects in your area. Call those customers and ask three questions: Did the system get commissioned on time? Did the net metering connection happen without problems? Is the installer responsive when you call?
Also search for the company name on Google Maps reviews and check for patterns. A few negative reviews mentioning slow after-sales service or subsidy delays are worth noting. Many negative reviews saying the same thing is a serious warning.
Final Checklist Before Signing
- Installer is empaneled on PM Surya Ghar portal for UP - verified by you, not just claimed
- Written quote itemises all components with brands and models
- System size has been calculated from your actual 12-month consumption
- Payment schedule is milestone-based, not full upfront
- Workmanship warranty of at least 5 years in writing
- Installer has a physical office and local service team in your city
- Generation estimate shows monthly variation and is based on Lucknow solar data, not a generic average
- Net metering application process is clearly explained and installer takes responsibility for it
Getting solar right the first time is far easier than dealing with a poorly installed system or a delayed subsidy. Spending an extra week evaluating installers is always worth it.
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