7 Solar Scam Warnings for 2026: Don't Get Cheated by Cheap Quotes

"Sir, your quote is ₹1.9 Lakhs. But 'XYZ Solar' offered me ₹1.6 Lakhs. Why are you expensive?"

We welcome this question. It gives us a chance to save a customer from a disaster. In Cuddalore, the solar market is booming. And where there is money, there are shortcuts. A "Cheap Quote" is never magic; it’s usually a compromise on safety, compliance, or longevity.

Solar is a 25-year product. If the installer cheats you today, you will pay for it for decades. In 2026, here are the 7 Dirty Tricks unreliable installers use to lower their price—and why you will pay double for it later.

1. The "Sticker" Scam (Fake DCR)

The PM Surya Ghar subsidy strictly demands DCR (Domestic Content Requirement) panels—i.e., Indian cells and Indian modules.

• The Scam: Unethical vendors buy cheaper imported/Chinese panels (which are 20% cheaper) and paste a fake "DCR" sticker on the back.
• The Result: During the TNEB inspection, the AE scans the barcode. If it fails the ALMM (Approved List of Models and Manufacturers) database check, Subsidy is Rejected.
• The Loss: You lose ₹78,000 subsidy to save ₹10,000 upfront.
• Our Fix: We provide the Original Factory Datasheet and Flash Report matching the standard panel serial numbers. You can verify it on the manufacturer's website before installation.

2. The "Paint Job" Structure (Fake Galvanizing)

• The Scam: The quote says "Galvanized Structure". In reality, they use cheap black iron pipes (MS) and spray paint them silver.
• The Test: Scratch the pipe with a car key. If you see black metal underneath, it is fake.
• The Result: In Cuddalore's salty air, the paint peels in 6 months. By Year 2, your structure is rusting. By Year 4, it is dangerously weak.
• Our Fix: We use Hot Dip Galvanized (80 micron) steel. The zinc is bonded to the steel at 450°C. It is impossible to peel off.

3. Thin Wire Gauges (The Fire Hazard)

• The Scam: Using 2.5sqmm DC cable instead of the standard 4sqmm or 6sqmm.
• The Result: Thin wires heat up due to resistance. You lose 10% of your power as heat before it even reaches the inverter. In worst cases, the insulation melts, leading to a DC Arc Fire.
• Our Fix: We use only Polycab/Siechem 4sqmm+ UV-protected solar cables.

4. The "Ghost" Warranty

• The Scam: "25 Years Warranty!" claims the vendor who opened his shop last month. He offers a very low price to capture the market.
• The Result: Solar inverters often need a fan cleaning or firmware update in Year 3. When you call him, the number is switched off. The company doesn't exist. You are left with an orphan system.
• Our Fix: Solar is a service business. We have a physical office in Cuddalore. We aren't going anywhere. We answer the phone.

5. Excluding TNEB Charges (Hidden Costs)

• The Scam: The quote looks low because it hides the ₹10,000 required for Net Meter, Official Fees, Liaisoning, and Safety Letter.
• The Result: After you pay the advance, they say, "Sir, you have to pay TNEB fees separately." You end up paying more in total.
• Our Fix: Our pricing is "All-Inclusive". From Application to Commissioning, the price is fixed. No surprises.

6. Under-Sizing the Earthing

• The Scam: Using a 3ft iron rod instead of a proper 2-meter Chemical Earthing (Maintenance Free) kit.
• The Result: Solar panels on a roof are a lightning magnet. If lightning strikes near your home, and your earthing is weak, your ₹50,000 Inverter fries instantly. Warranty does not cover lightning damage.
• Our Fix: We install 3 separate Earthing Pits (DC, AC, LA) filled with Backfill Compound (BFC) to ensure resistance < 5 Ohms.

7. The "Mixed Bin" Panels

• The Scam: Buying "B-Grade" panels (visual defects or micro-cracks) rejected by factories at a discount.
• The Result: It works fine for Year 1. But micro-cracks spread with heat. Your generation drops by 50% in 5 years.
• Our Fix: We only procure A-Grade panels directly from distributors, not from the grey market.

How to Protect Yourself? (The Checklist)

Before you sign any check, ask the installer for:

1. ALMM Certificate: Proof that the panel brand is Govt approved.
2. Structure Sample: Ask to see a physical piece of the structure pipe.
3. Reference: Ask to visit a site they installed 3 years ago. (New sites always look good. Old sites tell the truth).

Don't bet your roof on the lowest bidder. Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten.

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Related Articles

• PM Surya Ghar Process - Official subsidy route
• DC Cable Quality Check - Verify installation quality
• Earthing Standards - Safety compliance