After commissioning solar systems for homes and businesses across Khordha, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and coastal Odisha, our engineers have seen the same mistakes repeated — mistakes that cost homeowners money, void warranties, or create genuine safety hazards. This list is drawn from real field experience, not textbook theory.
DO’s
Do verify your installer’s OREDA empanelment before paying any advance
PM Surya Ghar subsidy is paid only for systems installed by empanelled vendors. A non-empanelled installer — regardless of how professional they appear — disqualifies your subsidy claim entirely. Search for the vendor’s name on the PM Surya Ghar national portal before signing anything.
Do get a written quotation with individual component specifications
A legitimate solar installer will provide:
- Panel brand, model number, and rated wattage
- Inverter brand and model
- Mounting structure material (specify: MS hot-dip galvanised, or aluminium)
- Cable brand and cross-section
- Battery details (if hybrid)
- Earthing and lightning protection specification
Any vendor who gives you a “3 kW system for ₹X” without specifying components is leaving themselves room to substitute inferior parts.
Do insist on MNRE-ALMM listed panels and BIS-approved inverters
The Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) maintained by MNRE is the government’s quality filter. Non-ALMM panels often use lower-grade cells and can degrade 30–40% faster than warranted. Similarly, BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) certification on inverters ensures minimum safety and performance standards.
Do ensure your earthing system is properly installed and tested
Earthing is not optional cosmetic work. Solar inverters are Class I equipment — a fault without proper earthing can electrocute someone. The earth resistance at the inverter should be tested with an earth tester and must be below 5Ω (preferably below 2Ω). Ask to see the earth test reading in your commissioning report.
Do set up remote monitoring before the installation team leaves
Every major inverter brand — Solis, Growatt, Goodwe, SMA, SolarEdge — provides a free app and/or web portal for real-time and historical generation data. This takes 15–20 minutes to set up and gives you an early warning of any underperformance. An unmonitored system can silently underperform for months before the discrepancy becomes obvious on the electricity bill.
Do read your net meter bill carefully for the first 3 months
Your DISCOM bill post net-meter installation should clearly show imported units, exported units, and the net amount. In Odisha, net metering settlement is typically monthly. If your bill does not reflect export credits correctly, contact your DISCOM’s customer care or submit a written complaint within the billing period — retroactive corrections are harder to process.
Do clean panels during the dry season (October–April)
Odisha’s dry months bring laterite dust that settles in thin layers on panel glass — invisible individually but cumulatively costing 15–25% in generation. Clean with water and a soft cloth or soft brush. Early morning cleaning (panels at ambient temperature) prevents thermal shock.
DON’Ts
Don’t pay more than 20–30% upfront before installation begins
Unscrupulous contractors have taken full or near-full payment, done poor work, and then become unreachable. A fair payment schedule: 30% at contract signing, 40% after panels are mounted, 30% after DISCOM inspection and net meter installation.
Don’t walk on solar panels — ever
Solar panels are not designed as walkways. Cells can micro-crack from foot pressure without any visible damage, causing localised hot spots that degrade those cells over time. Micro-cracks also void most panel warranties. Use a stable ladder and reach over panels for cleaning. If a pigeon nest needs clearing from underneath a panel, have a professional do it safely.
Don’t let the installer skip earthing because “it’s just a small system”
System size is irrelevant to the requirement for earthing. Even a 1 kW system operating at 400–600 V DC poses a serious shock hazard without proper earthing. The Central Electricity Authority (Measures Relating to Safety and Electricity Supply) Regulations require earthing for all solar PV installations. If an installer suggests skipping it to save cost, find a different installer.
Don’t use high-pressure water jets to clean panels
The standard rooftop pressure washer available for hire in Odisha operates at 100–150 bar — far above the safe limit for solar panel glass (typically rated to 30 mm hailstone impact, not sustained high-pressure jets). High pressure can lift the edge sealant, allow moisture ingress into the laminate, and cause delamination that voids the panel warranty. Use a bucket, soft brush, and normal water.
Don’t shade your panels with new construction without checking the impact
Adding a water tank, a new floor, a solar water heater, or even a large antenna on the roof after the solar system is installed can create shading that severely reduces generation. Before any new roof addition, check the shadow it will cast on your existing panels at solar noon in December (when the sun is lowest). Your solar installer can model this for you.
Don’t ignore inverter error codes or fault lights
Inverter LEDs and error codes are the system’s diagnostic language. A flashing red light or an error code left unattended can indicate:
- Grid voltage or frequency out of range (common during Odisha power supply fluctuations)
- DC isolation fault (potentially dangerous — disconnect immediately)
- Arc fault detection
- Over-temperature
Look up the code in the inverter manual or call your installer. Never tape over the warning LED or assume it “will resolve itself.”
Don’t buy a system just because it’s cheap
The cheapest solar quote almost always involves compromises: non-ALMM panels, undersized cables, no lightning protection, or an inverter without BIS certification. In Odisha’s cyclone-prone coastal zone, a structurally weak mounting system is not just a warranty issue — it is a safety hazard. Three kW of solar is a ₹1.5–₹2 lakh investment before subsidy. Choose the vendor you trust with your roof for 25 years, not the one who shaved ₹10,000 off the price.
Don’t attempt DIY repairs on DC wiring
Solar panels generate DC voltage in full sunlight regardless of whether the inverter is switched off. A 6-panel string at 600+ V DC is immediately lethal. Never open MC4 connectors, splice DC cables, or touch terminals without a specialist’s guidance. If you notice a cable issue, switch off the inverter’s AC and DC isolators and call a qualified electrician or your installer.
If you are unsure whether your existing installation meets safety and quality standards, M-Lite Solar offers technical audits for systems installed by any vendor. Contact us to schedule an audit.