Rooftop solar installation process

Collect twelve months of bills

Monthly rupee spend alone can hide seasonal use and tariff slabs. Note kWh units, sanctioned load, phase, consumer category and connection name. Measure clear roof area and mark shade, water tanks and future construction.

Decide whether your goal is bill reduction, outage backup or both. This single choice separates an on-grid quote from a more expensive hybrid design.

Put the scope in writing

Compare at least three itemised quotes. For subsidy work, check the vendor’s current National Portal registration. Ask for exact module and inverter models, structure material and height, protections, cable sizes, earthing, monitoring, generation estimate, warranties and the person responsible for portal and DISCOM work.

Do not choose from payback alone. A useful proposal shows assumptions and exclusions. Link payments to visible milestones.

What to inspect on site

• Panel rows do not block drains or routine access.
• The structure is fixed and waterproofed as specified.
• Cables are supported, labelled and protected from sharp edges and sun.
• DC and AC isolators, surge protection and earthing match the design.
• The inverter has ventilation and service clearance.
• Serial numbers match the invoice and portal documents.

Only trained people should test live electrical equipment. Do not climb onto an unfinished array.

Do not finish at switch-on

Collect the invoice, layout, single-line diagram, datasheets, warranty documents, serial-number list, test report, monitoring login, maintenance instructions and emergency shutdown steps. For a grid-connected system, retain the application, inspection, commissioning and metering records.

Record a baseline generation reading. Check the maintenance schedule and warranty guide before the crew leaves.