What not to do before buying solar?

Choosing solar is a long-term investment—usually 25 years—so the cheap option is almost always the most expensive one in the long run.

To ensure you don’t end up with a destructive solar, here is what you should not buy or do when choosing a solar system.

1. Don’t Buy Based on Price Per Watt Alone

The biggest trap is choosing the lowest quote. A low price often means the installer is cutting corners on things you can’t see immediately:

• Cheap Mounting Structures: Low-grade aluminum or non-galvanized steel will rust within five years, potentially causing panels to fly off during high winds.
• Substandard Wiring: Using very thin or non-solar-rated DC cables leads to energy loss and, in worst-case scenarios, electrical fires.

2. Avoid Orphan Brands (Tier 2/3 Manufacturers)

Solar panels have 25-year warranties, but that warranty is only as good as the company backing it.

• What to avoid: Brands that aren’t Tier 1 or lack a significant presence in your country. If they go out of business in three years, your guarantee is worthless.

• The Red Flag: If the brand doesn’t have ALMM (Approved List of Models and Manufacturers) or BIS/IECcertifications, keep walking.

3. Steer Clear of Undersized Inverters

The inverter is the brain of the system and the part most likely to fail first.

• What to avoid: Buying an inverter that exactly matches your current solar capacity with no room for expansion.
• The Rule: Your inverter should ideally be sized to handle at least 110–120% of your panel output to account for peak generation and future-proofing. Avoid brands that don’t offer a minimum 5-year (ideally 10-year) replacement warranty.

4. Always Say No to “DIY” Installations (Unless You’re a Pro)

Solar involves high-voltage DC electricity, which is much more dangerous than the AC power in your walls.

• Why avoid it: One loose connection can create an arc fault, leading to a fire. Furthermore, most manufacturers will void your warranty if the system isn’t installed by a certified professional.

5. Never Ignore Your Roof Top Health

Installing a 25-year system on a roof that needs replacing in 5 years is a financial disaster.

• What to avoid: Installing panels over old shingles or a structurally weak roof. The cost to remove and reinstall the panels later just to fix the roof can be 2.5 to 5 Lakh.

6. Avoid Companies with High-Pressure Sales Tactics

If a salesperson tells you the government rebate ends tomorrow or pressures you to sign on the spot, it’s a red flag.

• Watch out for: Promises of zero electricity bills forever. Solar reduces bills, but unless you are off-grid with massive battery storage, you will still have a connection fee or some usage costs during rainy weeks.