How to Spot a Dodgy Solar Quote in South Africa – 2026 Red Flags
Solar has gone mainstream in South Africa. Thousands of homeowners are now spending anything from tens of thousands to several hundred thousand rand on solar panels, inverters and batteries.
Unfortunately, the rapid growth of the solar industry has also created opportunities for inexperienced installers, misleading salespeople and outright scammers.
The problem is that a bad solar quote does not always look bad.
A quote can contain expensive-looking equipment, impressive specifications and phrases such as “Tier 1”, “German technology” and “10-year warranty” while still being a very poor system.
I have spent a lot of time looking at solar equipment, installations and real-world performance, and there is one thing I would recommend to every homeowner:
Do not compare solar quotes by looking at the final price. Compare exactly what you are getting for that price.
Here are the red flags I would look for in a South African solar quote in 2026.
The 15 Biggest Red Flags in a Solar Quote
1. “Tier 1” panels with no actual brand or model
“Tier 1” sounds impressive, but it is not a solar-panel quality certification.
If a quote says:
10 × 550W Tier 1 Solar Panels
but doesn’t tell you the manufacturer and exact model, that is a problem.
A proper quote should identify the panels by manufacturer, model and wattage.
For example:
- JA Solar – exact model
- JinkoSolar – exact model
- Trina Solar – exact model
- LONGi – exact model
- Canadian Solar – exact model
The installer should also be able to provide the manufacturer’s datasheet.
Never accept “Tier 1” as a substitute for a brand name and model number.
2. The inverter has no clear manufacturer or model number
The inverter is one of the most important components in the entire system.
Yet some quotes simply say:
8kW Hybrid Inverter
That’s nowhere near enough information.
You need to know:
- Manufacturer
- Exact model
- Continuous AC output
- Maximum PV input
- Maximum PV voltage
- MPPT operating voltage range
- Maximum PV current
- Battery voltage
- Maximum battery charge/discharge current
- Warranty
- Whether it is intended for grid-tied, hybrid or off-grid operation
A 10kW inverter is not automatically better than an 8kW inverter. The actual specifications matter.
3. The quote is dramatically cheaper than the others
Getting a cheap quote is not automatically a problem.
But if three reputable installers quote roughly R140,000 and another company offers the same “10kW system” for R80,000, you need to find out why.
The cheapest quote may have:
- Smaller batteries
- Cheaper panels
- A different inverter
- Less installation material
- Less protection equipment
- No CoC
- No municipal/SSEG work
- Minimal mounting hardware
- Less labour
- No after-sales support
Never assume that two quotes are comparable simply because they both say “10kW solar system”.
Compare the equipment and scope line by line.
4. The battery capacity is vague
This is becoming one of the easiest ways to make a solar system appear cheaper.
A quote might advertise:
10kW Solar System + Battery
But what battery?
A 10kWh battery and a 20kWh battery are obviously not the same thing.
Ask for:
- Battery manufacturer
- Exact model
- Nominal capacity
- Usable capacity
- Maximum continuous discharge
- Recommended depth of discharge
- Warranty
- Cycle warranty
- Communication protocol
- Number of batteries being installed
Also remember that battery kWh and inverter kW are two different things.
A 10kWh battery does not mean that it can necessarily supply a 10kW load.
5. The installer promises enormous solar production
Be suspicious of statements such as:
“This 5kW system will easily produce 30kWh every day.”
Solar production is not constant.
It depends on:
- Location
- Season
- Panel orientation
- Panel angle
- Temperature
- Weather
- Shading
- Panel soiling
- System losses
- Inverter limitations
A good installer should be able to explain the expected production rather than simply giving you an impressive daily number.
If your property has trees or other shading, this becomes particularly important.
6. Nobody has looked properly at your roof
A solar installer should not be able to design a proper system without considering where the panels are actually going.
The quote should account for:
- Roof type
- Roof condition
- Roof orientation
- Roof pitch
- Available panel area
- Shading
- Mounting system
- Cable routes
- Inverter location
- Battery location
If someone gives you a large quote after spending five minutes looking at the property, ask how they designed the system.
7. No calculation showing how many panels the inverter can actually handle
This is a technical red flag.
A quote might say:
12 × 600W panels = 7.2kWp
That tells you the total panel rating, but not whether the proposed inverter can safely accept those panels.
The installer should check:
Panel Voc × number of panels in series against the inverter’s maximum PV voltage.
They should also check:
Panel Isc / operating current against the inverter’s MPPT current limits.
This becomes especially important with today’s 550W, 600W and 620W+ panels.
More panels are not automatically better if the inverter’s voltage or current limits are exceeded.
8. No shading analysis
This is one of the most overlooked parts of solar design.
A house surrounded by trees can have dramatically different solar production from a house with an unobstructed north-facing roof.
Even partial shading can affect panel strings and MPPT performance.
If you have:
- Trees
- Tall buildings
- Chimneys
- Water tanks
- Hills
- Adjacent structures
ask the installer how these have been accounted for.
A professional quote should not simply assume perfect sunshine.
9. The quote says “installation included” but doesn’t explain what installation means
“Installation included” is almost meaningless on its own.
Ask whether the price includes:
- Mounting rails
- Roof brackets
- DC cable
- AC cable
- DC isolators
- AC protection
- Surge protection
- Earthing
- Distribution-board modifications
- Changeover equipment where applicable
- Battery cabling
- Communication cables
- Labelling
- Testing
- Commissioning
- CoC
- Municipal/SSEG application work
Two installers can both say “installation included” while providing very different installations.
10. No Certificate of Compliance is mentioned
This is a major red flag for electrical installation work.
South Africa’s Electrical Installation Regulations require electrical contractors doing electrical installation work to be registered, and a Certificate of Compliance may only be issued by a registered person after the required inspection and testing.
Your quote should clearly explain who is responsible for the electrical compliance work.
Ask:
“Is the electrical CoC included in this price?”
Then ask:
“Who will issue it?”
Do not be satisfied with an answer such as:
“Don’t worry, our electrician sorts that out.”
Get it in writing.
11. The installer says NRS 097 doesn’t matter
This one needs some nuance.
If your solar inverter will operate in parallel with the South African electricity grid, the grid-interface requirements matter.
NRS 097-2-1 specifies requirements for the utility interface of small-scale embedded generation connected to a utility network. The 2024 edition specifically states that devices capable of operating in parallel with the grid may only connect to the grid when they comply with its requirements.
This is why you should ask the installer for the actual inverter model and its relevant certification, rather than simply accepting the statement:
“It’s a certified inverter.”
Also remember that municipal approval and connection requirements can vary. Compliance with an inverter standard does not automatically mean a municipality will approve every installation.
For a genuinely off-grid installation with no electrical connection to the utility, the situation is different. Do not let an installer sell you grid-compliance requirements that don’t apply to the system you are actually installing.
12. The installer cannot produce the actual datasheets
This should be an extremely easy test.
Say:
“Please send me the datasheets for the exact panels, inverter and batteries you are quoting.”
A legitimate installer should be able to provide them.
Look at the documents yourself.
Don’t just check the headline wattage.
Check:
- Voc
- Vmp
- Isc
- Imp
- Temperature coefficients
- Maximum system voltage
- Panel dimensions
- Inverter PV voltage limits
- MPPT voltage range
- MPPT current limits
- Battery voltage
- Battery discharge limits
You don’t need to be an electrical engineer to ask for the information.
13. The warranty sounds fantastic but nobody explains who actually honours it
“25-year panel warranty” sounds great.
But what happens if the panel fails?
Who do you contact?
- The installer?
- The South African distributor?
- The manufacturer overseas?
And what happens if the installer disappears?
The same applies to batteries and inverters.
Ask for the warranty terms in writing and determine:
- Who provides the warranty
- Where the warranty claim is made
- Whether labour is covered
- Whether replacement transport is covered
- Whether the installer handles the claim
- What happens if the installer closes down
A warranty is only useful if you can actually enforce it.
14. You are being pressured to sign immediately
Be very careful when you hear:
- “This price is only valid today.”
- “We have one installation slot left.”
- “Pay the deposit now and we’ll sort out the paperwork afterwards.”
Solar is a major investment.
You should be able to take the quote home, compare it with other quotes and research the equipment.
Pressure selling is not proof that somebody is a scammer, but it is a good reason to slow the process down.
15. The installer wants a large payment before giving you proper documentation
A deposit is normal for a substantial installation.
What matters is what happens before you hand over the money.
Before paying, you should know:
- Exactly what equipment is being supplied
- Exact quantities
- Exact models
- Installation scope
- Payment schedule
- Expected installation date
- Warranty arrangements
- Compliance arrangements
- What happens if equipment is unavailable
- What happens if the installation cannot be completed
The more money you are asked to pay upfront, the more important the paperwork becomes.
What a Good Solar Quote Should Look Like
A good quote should be detailed enough that another installer could look at it and understand exactly what has been proposed.
At minimum, I would expect something like this:
Solar panels
- Manufacturer
- Exact model
- Wattage
- Quantity
- Datasheet
Inverter
- Manufacturer
- Exact model
- Continuous output
- PV input specifications
- Battery specifications
- Warranty
- Relevant certification where grid connection applies
Battery
- Manufacturer
- Exact model
- Number of batteries
- Nominal capacity
- Usable capacity
- Maximum discharge
- Warranty
Installation
- Mounting system
- DC cabling
- AC cabling
- Protection equipment
- Earthing
- Surge protection
- DB modifications
- Battery installation
- Commissioning
Compliance
- Electrical CoC
- Test documentation
- Municipal/SSEG work where applicable
- Any required certificates or approvals
Commercial terms
- Equipment cost
- Labour
- Compliance costs
- Application fees
- Delivery
- Payment schedule
- Warranty terms
- Quote validity period
Don’t Compare Solar Quotes by Inverter Size Alone
This is probably the biggest mistake homeowners make.
A quote for a “10kW solar system” could mean completely different things.
For example:
Quote A
10kW inverter
10kWh battery
6kW of panels
versus:
Quote B
10kW inverter
20kWh battery
10kW of panels
Both might be advertised as a 10kW system.
They are obviously not equivalent systems.
The same problem occurs with 5kW, 8kW and 12kW systems.
When comparing quotes, ignore the headline number initially.
Compare the actual equipment.
The Five Questions I Would Ask Every Installer
Before signing, send the installer these five questions:
- What are the exact manufacturer and model numbers of every major component?
- Can you send me the manufacturer’s datasheets for those components?
- What exactly is included in the installation price?
- Who is responsible for the electrical CoC and any municipal/SSEG requirements?
- What happens if one of the major components fails under warranty?
The answers will tell you a surprising amount about the company.
Don’t Be Impressed by Solar Jargon
A quote can contain a lot of impressive terminology:
- Tier 1
- Hybrid
- Lithium
- German technology
- High efficiency
- Smart inverter
- Premium panels
- AI energy management
- 25-year warranty
- Grid independent
- 10kW system
None of these phrases tells you enough to decide whether the system is actually good.
The model numbers and specifications are what matter.
What About “German”, “European” or “Australian” Solar Equipment?
Treat claims like these with caution.
Ask:
“Where is this equipment actually manufactured?”
Then ask:
“What is the exact model number?”
A company can have a European headquarters, Australian branding or German-sounding marketing while manufacturing the actual equipment elsewhere.
There is nothing inherently wrong with equipment manufactured in China or elsewhere.
What matters is whether the equipment is properly specified, supported, certified where required, and backed by a real warranty.
Three Solar Quotes I Would Immediately Investigate
Imagine receiving these quotes.
Quote 1
10kW Tier 1 Solar System – R98,000
- No panel manufacturer.
- No inverter model.
- No battery model.
- “Installation included.”
Verdict: Ask a lot more questions before considering it.
Quote 2
10kW Solar System – R145,000
- 10 × named 600W panels
- 10kW named inverter
- 15kWh named battery
- Detailed installation scope
- CoC included
- Datasheets supplied
- Warranty terms supplied
Verdict: Now you have something you can actually compare.
Quote 3
Premium German 10kW System – R160,000
- German technology
- Premium lithium battery
- Tier 1 panels
- But no actual model numbers.
Verdict: The marketing sounds good. The information is inadequate.
The Cheapest Quote Is Not Necessarily the Cheapest System
This is something worth remembering.
Suppose one installer charges R20,000 more but supplies:
- A better inverter
- More battery capacity
- Better mounting hardware
- Proper protection
- Full documentation
- A proper CoC
- Better after-sales support
That R20,000 may be money well spent.
On the other hand, an expensive quote isn’t automatically a good quote either.
Price tells you what you will pay. It does not tell you what you are buying.
My Solar Quote Checklist
Before signing, I would want to be able to answer yes to these questions:
- Do I know the exact panel manufacturer and model?
- Do I know the exact inverter model?
- Do I know the exact battery model?
- Have I received the datasheets?
- Has the installer checked the panel voltage against the inverter?
- Has the installer checked the PV current limits?
- Has shading been considered?
- Has the roof been inspected?
- Is the mounting system specified?
- Are protection devices specified?
- Is earthing included?
- Is the CoC included where applicable?
- Are municipal/SSEG requirements explained where applicable?
- Are warranty terms provided?
- Do I know who handles warranty claims?
- Is the payment schedule clear?
- Is the installation scope clearly defined?
- Have I compared at least two or three genuinely comparable quotes?
If several of these answers are “no”, don’t sign yet.
One Final Warning
There is a big difference between a dodgy installer and a badly written quote.
Some small installers are perfectly competent but produce terrible paperwork.
Likewise, a beautifully presented quote from a large company does not automatically mean the proposed system is good.
The important thing is whether the installer can explain what they are selling, why they selected those components, how the system has been sized, what is included, and how the installation will be certified.
A good solar installer should be comfortable with questions.
If asking for a datasheet, model number or calculation makes the salesperson defensive, that is the red flag.
Take your time.
A solar installation is not something you should buy because somebody gave you a special price that expires at 5pm today.
Buy the system you understand — not the system with the best sales pitch.
Official References
South Africa’s Electrical Installation Regulations require electrical contractors performing electrical installation work to be registered, and the regulations govern the issuing of Certificates of Compliance.
For grid-connected small-scale embedded generation, NRS 097-2-1 sets requirements for the utility interface and grid-connected inverter equipment.
ECSA is the statutory body responsible for registration and regulation of engineering practitioners in South Africa.
