Failures, Scams, Complaints and Official Sources
Rooftop solar mistakes in India and the official sources to check before you sign
The most common rooftop solar mistakes Indian households make, from non-DCR modules to fake portals and oversizing, and the official bodies to check each rule with.
Most rooftop solar regrets in India trace back to a handful of avoidable mistakes: buying non-DCR modules and losing the subsidy, signing with a vendor not registered for your DISCOM, oversizing the system in a state that pays little for surplus, ignoring shade from water tanks and neighbouring buildings, paying large advances, accepting a quotation with no named components, and dealing with fake PM Surya Ghar websites or callers. Each of these can be checked against an official source before you pay anything. This guide lists the mistakes with what they cost, then gives the official bodies for each rule and the order in which to escalate problems. It links to every other guide in this section.
The common mistakes and what they cost
| Mistake | What happens | Illustrative cost | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-DCR modules on a "subsidy" system | CFA rejected | Up to ₹78,000 lost | DCR, ALMM and BIS |
| Vendor not registered for your DISCOM | Application cannot proceed through the portal | Delay; possible loss of CFA | Application steps |
| Installing before feasibility approval | DISCOM may object; redo work | Delay; rework | Inspection and net meter delays |
| Oversizing | Surplus paid at a low rate | Lower return per rupee | Net vs gross metering |
| Ignoring shade | Output far below estimate | 10–30% lower generation (illustrative) | Low generation |
| Name mismatch on bill and bank account | Subsidy stuck | Months of delay | Subsidy not received |
| Paying a "registration fee" to a caller | Money lost to fraud | Whatever was paid | Scams and fake websites |
| No written warranty terms | Claim refused | Inverter replacement cost | Warranty claims |
| Large advance to an unknown vendor | Vendor disappears | Advance lost | Complaints route |
Mistakes in more detail
Believing "subsidy guaranteed"
The central financial assistance is released by the government through the national portal only after installation, DISCOM inspection, net metering and document checks. No vendor can guarantee it. A vendor who says the subsidy is assured while quoting imported modules is either mistaken or misleading you.
Comparing prices without comparing scope
Two "3 kW" quotations can differ in module make, inverter quality, structure height, earthing, cable size and who pays DISCOM fees. Compare line by line with the solar quotation and vendor checklist.
Forgetting the roof
Waterproofing under a solar array is hard to redo. Fix leaks first. Make sure the structure is anchored so it does not crack the roof or lift in a storm.
Expecting backup from an on-grid system
Grid-tie inverters switch off during an outage. If you need backup, plan a battery or keep your existing home inverter. See on-grid vs hybrid vs off-grid.
Not reading the first net metered bill
If the first bill does not show import, export and net units, the meter or billing may be wrong. Raise it immediately.
Official sources: who decides what
| Question | Official body | What to check there |
|---|---|---|
| Subsidy amount, eligibility, vendor list, application status | PM Surya Ghar national portal; Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) | CFA, registered vendors for your DISCOM, guidelines |
| DCR, ALMM | MNRE | ALMM lists and orders |
| Product certification | Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) | Registration search |
| Consumer rights on connection and metering | Ministry of Power | Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020, as amended |
| Net metering rules, surplus rate, timelines in your state | Your State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) | Rooftop solar or net metering regulations, tariff order |
| Connection, inspection, net meter, bills | Your DISCOM | Rooftop cell, complaint portal, charges |
| Disputes with the DISCOM | Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum; Electricity Ombudsman | Forum addresses, time limits |
| Disputes with a vendor | National Consumer Helpline (1915); consumer commissions | Complaint filing |
| Fraud | National cybercrime helpline 1930; cybercrime.gov.in | Reporting |
| GST | GST Council; CBIC | Rates and notifications |
| Loans | Your bank; RBI | Loan terms; complaints against banks |
The escalation order
- Vendor — in writing, with your order details.
- DISCOM — for approvals, inspection, net meter and billing; keep the complaint number.
- National portal grievance option — for application or subsidy status.
- CGRF, then Electricity Ombudsman — for unresolved DISCOM matters.
- National Consumer Helpline (1915) and then a consumer commission — for vendor deficiency in service.
- Cybercrime helpline 1930 — immediately if you were defrauded.
Details are in how to complain: CGRF, Ombudsman and National Consumer Helpline.
All guides in this section
- PM Surya Ghar scams and fake websites
- DISCOM inspection and net meter delays
- Solar subsidy not received
- Solar warranty claims: panels, inverter, battery
- How to complain: CGRF, Ombudsman and consumer helpline
- Low solar generation, cleaning and maintenance
Frequently asked questions
How do I know the national portal is genuine?
Type pmsuryaghar.gov.in yourself. Government websites in India use the .gov.in domain. Do not trust look-alike domains or links in messages.
Who regulates solar vendors?
Vendors are registered for the scheme through the portal and DISCOMs, and consumer protection law applies to their services. There is no single solar-vendor regulator; disputes go through the routes above.
Should I take legal advice?
For large contracts, losses from fraud, or disputes a forum cannot resolve, speak to an advocate.
What is the single most important check?
That the modules are DCR, the vendor is registered for your DISCOM, and the quotation names every component.
Official sources
- PM Surya Ghar national portal — scheme, vendors, grievances
- Ministry of New and Renewable Energy — guidelines and ALMM
- Ministry of Power — consumer rules
- National Consumer Helpline — vendor complaints
- National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal — fraud
