Solar100 Malaysia Solar Contract Guide

What Questions Should I Ask Before Signing a Solar Contract?

Last updated: July 2026

Before signing a solar contract, confirm exactly which company is responsible for the project, what equipment and system capacity will be installed, which services are included, how payments are linked to deliverables, who handles applications and technical work, and what happens if the project is delayed, rejected, changed or affected by an equipment or workmanship failure.

Quick Answer Ask for the legal company name, SSM number, current SEDA RPVSP status, assigned electrical contractor and qualified technical personnel. Confirm the exact panel and inverter models, DC and AC capacities, roof mounting method, expected generation, included application work, project timeline, payment milestones, cancellation rights, workmanship warranty, roof-leak responsibility, equipment-claim labour and after-sales response. Every important promise should appear in the written contract or an attached schedule.

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What Should Be Confirmed before Signing a Solar Contract?

Verify the Company

Match the legal company name, registration details, quotation, invoice and payment account.

Verify the Technical Parties

Identify the RPVSP, electrical contractor, competent person and engineer where applicable.

Freeze the System Specification

Record the exact system capacity, equipment models, quantities and installation method.

Define the Complete Scope

Separate included services, official fees, optional services and project exclusions.

Link Payments to Deliverables

Each payment should correspond with a clear approval, delivery, installation or commissioning milestone.

Confirm Remedies

State what happens if approval fails, equipment changes, work is delayed or warranty support is required.

Do Not Rely on Verbal Promises: Claims about guaranteed approval, savings, roof protection, free maintenance, warranty labour or completion dates should be written into the contract.

What Should I Ask about the Solar Company and Installer?

What is the exact legal name of the company signing the contract?
What is the company’s SSM registration number?
Does the quotation use the same legal company name?
Will the invoice be issued by the same company?
Will payment be made to an account under the same company name?
Is the company currently listed as a SEDA RPVSP?
What is the company’s current RPVSP registration information?
Which company will submit the Solar ATAP application?
Which registered electrical contractor will perform the work?
Who is the competent person assigned to the project?
Is a professional engineer required for this installation?
Will any part of the project be subcontracted?
Who will supervise the installation crew?
Who will remain responsible if a subcontractor causes damage?
How many comparable projects has the company completed?
Who is the named project and service contact?

One Project May Involve Several Companies: The salesperson, contracting company, RPVSP, electrical contractor, engineering consultant and installation crew may not be the same party. Their responsibilities should be clearly identified.

What Should I Ask about the Solar System Capacity and Design?

Total solar-panel DC capacity
Total inverter AC capacity
DC-to-AC capacity ratio
Number of solar panels
Rated wattage of each panel
Number of inverters
Single-phase or three-phase design
Proposed point of interconnection
Maximum Demand used, where applicable
Expected annual generation
Expected self-consumption rate
Expected export percentage
Shading assumptions
System-loss assumptions
Annual degradation assumption
Future expansion provisions

Why This Capacity?

Ask how electricity bills, daytime demand, roof area and programme limits support the proposed capacity.

What Capacity Is Contracted?

The agreement should distinguish panel DC capacity from inverter AC capacity.

What Capacity Will Be Submitted?

Confirm which capacity and equipment details will appear in the official application.

Can the Design Be Changed?

State when substitutions or capacity changes require the owner’s written approval.

Require Written Approval for Material Changes: The installer should not replace a panel, inverter or major component with an alternative model without following the contract’s substitution procedure.

What Equipment Questions Should Be Answered in the Contract?

Equipment	Contract Details Required	Questions to Ask
Solar Panels	Manufacturer, exact model, quantity, wattage, product warranty and performance warranty	Can the installer substitute another model, and what approval is required?
Inverter	Manufacturer, exact model, AC capacity, quantity, monitoring and warranty period	Who removes and replaces the inverter if it fails?
Mounting System	Rail, clamp, fastener, roof attachment, corrosion protection and waterproofing method	Is the mounting workmanship covered if the roof leaks?
Electrical Protection	Breakers, isolators, surge protection, earthing, enclosures and labels	Are the protection arrangement and ratings shown in the design?
Cables and Connectors	Cable type, size, routing, containment, connector type and weather protection	Will compatible connectors and suitable cable support be used?
Monitoring System	Platform, data logger, account ownership, alerts, subscriptions and data access	Will the owner receive permanent administrator access?

A Brand Name Is Not Enough: Different products from the same manufacturer may have different ratings, functions, dimensions, country support and warranty conditions.

What Should the Solar Contract Include or Exclude?

Project Item	Confirm in Writing
Site Assessment	Roof, shading, electrical installation and connection review
Engineering Design	Layout, single-line diagram, calculations and required endorsements
Application Work	Solar ATAP submission, responses, documents and application coordination
Technical Studies	Whether CCC, CAS, PSS or another assessment is required and included
Equipment Supply	All modules, inverters, mounting, protection and monitoring equipment
Installation	Labour, access equipment, cable routes, roof work and electrical work
Meter Work	Utility procedures, meter-board modification and separate charges
Testing and Commissioning	Tests, records, certificates and parties responsible
Handover	Manuals, drawings, serial numbers, warranties and monitoring access
After-Sales Support	Monitoring, inspection, fault response, maintenance and service charges

Scaffolding or lifting equipment
Roof repair
Roof reinforcement
Waterproofing outside the solar work
Main switchboard upgrades
Meter-board upgrades
Long cable runs
Trenching or civil work
Internet or communication devices
Monitoring subscriptions
Official application fees
Technical-study fees
Licensing fees
Utility charges
Taxes
Future maintenance

Every Exclusion Can Become an Additional Cost: Ask the installer to price foreseeable exclusions or explain how any later variation will be calculated and approved.

What Should I Ask about Solar ATAP Applications and Approval?

Is my project being submitted under Solar ATAP?
Which company will be named as the RPVSP?
Who will prepare and submit the application?
Which documents must I provide?
Which application fees are included in the contract?
Does the proposed capacity require a technical study?
Who appoints and pays the technical-study provider?
What happens if the technical study allows a lower capacity?
What happens if the application is incomplete?
Who responds to SEDA or utility queries?
What happens if the application is rejected?
Is the deposit refundable if approval cannot be obtained?
Can the installer change the design after approval?
Who coordinates the applicable contract and meter process?
Which approval must be obtained before installation begins?
When is the project considered approved for payment purposes?

Approval Should Not Be Guaranteed in Advance: Eligibility, documentation, technical assessment and official review may affect whether the proposed project or full capacity is approved.

What Should I Ask about Roof Work and Installation Damage?

Existing Roof Condition Will the installer record existing cracks, leaks, corrosion or damaged tiles before work starts?

Attachment Method How will the mounting system be fixed to this specific roof material?

Waterproofing Responsibility Which leaks are covered and how long does the workmanship coverage last?

Damage Remedy Who pays to repair damaged tiles, membranes, gutters, ceilings or electrical equipment?

Pre-installation roof photographs
Existing-defect record
Roof material and age
Structural assessment requirement
Mounting and penetration method
Flashing and sealing method
Corrosion protection
Wind-load consideration
Maintenance walkways
Safe roof-edge clearance
Drainage obstruction prevention
Post-installation inspection
Roof-leak response time
Repair responsibility
Workmanship exclusions
Removal and reinstallation charges

Separate Pre-Existing Defects from New Damage: A pre-installation condition report can reduce later disputes over whether damage existed before the solar work.

What Should I Ask about the Installation Timeline?

Timeline Stage	Questions to Ask
Contract Effective Date	Does the timeline begin at signing, deposit, document submission or application acceptance?
Application Period	Is the duration an estimate, and which delays are outside the installer’s control?
Equipment Procurement	Are the specified models reserved, and what happens if stock is unavailable?
Installation Date	How much notice will be provided and how long will the work take?
Testing and Commissioning	When will testing occur and what must be completed before final payment?
Meter and Commercial Operation	Is the completion date based on physical installation or full operational activation?
Delay Remedy	Can the customer cancel, obtain a refund or claim agreed remedies after an excessive delay?

Define What “Project Completion” Means: Equipment installed on the roof is not necessarily the same as a tested, commissioned, approved and operational solar system.

What Payment Questions Should I Ask before Signing?

What is the total contract price?
Is the price inclusive or exclusive of applicable taxes?
Which official application fees are included?
Which technical-study fees are excluded?
Which utility or meter charges are excluded?
How much deposit is required?
What deliverable triggers each payment?
Is any payment required before application approval?
How much is payable before equipment delivery?
Is there a retention amount until commissioning?
What evidence must be provided before each invoice?
What happens if equipment is unavailable?
How are variation orders approved?
Can the installer increase the contract price?
What refund applies if the project cannot proceed?
Are financing, early-settlement or late-payment charges applicable?

Payment Stage	Possible Deliverable	What to Verify
Deposit	Contract execution and project commencement	Refund and cancellation conditions
Application Payment	Completed and submitted application	Submission evidence and included fees
Equipment Payment	Confirmed equipment order or site delivery	Model, quantity, ownership and storage risk
Installation Payment	Physical installation substantially completed	Inspection, defects and incomplete items
Final Payment	Testing, commissioning and complete handover	Operational status and required documents

Payment Should Follow Progress: Avoid a payment structure that requires nearly the full price before equipment delivery, completed installation, testing and handover.

What Warranty and After-Sales Questions Should I Ask?

Warranty Area	Questions to Ask
Panel Product Warranty	What defects are covered, who submits the claim and what costs are excluded?
Panel Performance Warranty	How is underperformance tested and what remedy is provided?
Inverter Warranty	Is diagnosis, transport, removal and replacement labour included?
Workmanship Warranty	What installation defects, wiring faults and roof leaks are covered?
Monitoring Support	Who monitors alerts and what happens when the system stops generating?
O&M Support	Are inspections, cleaning, reports or preventive maintenance included?
Response Time	Is there a written acknowledgement or site-visit target?
Installer Closure	What warranty documents and manufacturer contacts remain available if the installer stops operating?

Workmanship-warranty period
Roof-leak coverage period
Panel product warranty
Panel performance warranty
Inverter product warranty
Mounting-system warranty
Monitoring-equipment warranty
Warranty registration responsibility
Claim-submission responsibility
Diagnostic charges
Site-visit charges
Transport charges
Scaffolding charges
Removal labour
Reinstallation labour
Expected service response

Manufacturer Warranty Does Not Automatically Include Labour: The contract should state who pays the practical cost of inspecting, removing, transporting and reinstalling a failed component.

What Should I Ask about Cancellation, Termination and Disputes?

Can I cancel before the application is submitted?
Which costs are deducted from a refund?
Can I cancel if the application is rejected?
Can I cancel if only a lower capacity is approved?
Can I reject an equipment substitution?
What happens if the installer misses the agreed timeline?
What constitutes a material breach?
How much time is allowed to remedy defective work?
Can the installer suspend work for a payment dispute?
Who owns equipment already delivered to the site?
What happens to unfinished applications after termination?
Must the installer remove equipment after cancellation?
Who pays for removal and roof restoration?
What notice must be given before termination?
How will disputes be escalated?
Which law and jurisdiction govern the contract?

Check the Entire Contract, Not Only the Quotation: Standard terms, schedules, finance documents, warranty documents and acceptance forms may contain additional obligations or exclusions.

Which Documents Should Be Provided at Project Handover?

Final system layout
Final single-line diagram
Approved application documents
Testing and commissioning report
Completion certification
Panel model and serial numbers
Inverter model and serial numbers
Equipment datasheets
Manufacturer warranty documents
Workmanship warranty certificate
Roof-work warranty information
Monitoring administrator access
Operating instructions
Shutdown and emergency procedure
Maintenance recommendations
Service and warranty contacts

Make Handover a Final-Payment Condition: Important technical, warranty and monitoring documents are easier to obtain before the contract has been fully paid.

Final Checklist before Signing a Solar Contract

Legal contracting company verified
SSM details match the contract
SEDA RPVSP status checked
Electrical contractor identified
Qualified technical personnel identified
Exact panel models stated
Exact inverter models stated
DC and AC capacities stated
Complete installation scope stated
All exclusions listed
Application responsibilities stated
Official fees identified
Technical-study responsibilities stated
Roof condition documented
Roof-damage responsibility stated
Project timeline defined
Completion definition stated
Payment milestones defined
Refund conditions stated
Equipment-substitution process stated
Workmanship warranty stated
Warranty labour stated
After-sales response stated
Handover documents listed

Pause before Signing if Important Fields Are Blank: Do not assume missing equipment models, dates, fees, warranty terms or responsibilities will be resolved in the customer’s favour later.

What Is the Difference between Solar100 and the Solar Contractor?

Solar100	Solar Contractor or Service Provider
Provides general contract-comparison guidance	Prepares the project-specific quotation and agreement
Helps users compare participating providers	Assesses the property and electricity account
Highlights questions and possible contract gaps	Designs and specifies the proposed system
Does not prepare official engineering documents	Prepares or coordinates required technical documents
Does not submit the official application	Submits or coordinates the applicable application
Does not perform installation work	Performs or coordinates installation and commissioning
Does not issue equipment or workmanship warranties	Provides or coordinates contractual warranty obligations
Does not guarantee approval, savings or legal outcomes	Remains responsible for its written contractual commitments

Solar100 Is a Discovery and Comparison Platform: The appointed contractor remains responsible for its quotation, design, application, installation, warranties, service and contractual performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should the quotation and contract use the same company name?

Yes. The legal contracting entity, invoice issuer and payment recipient should be clearly identified and any differences should be explained.

Can the installer change the panel or inverter model?

The contract should state whether substitutions are allowed and require written owner approval for material equipment changes.

Should I pay the full solar price before installation?

Payment milestones should normally correspond with documented project progress, equipment delivery, installation, commissioning and handover.

What happens if Solar ATAP approval is not obtained?

The contract should state whether the project is revised, cancelled or refunded and which genuine costs may be deducted.

Does a panel or inverter warranty include labour?

Not automatically. Labour, transport, scaffolding, removal and reinstallation may be excluded unless the contract states otherwise.

Which promise is most important to put in writing?

Equipment specifications, project scope, payment triggers, roof responsibility, warranty labour, completion conditions and cancellation rights should all be written.

The information on this page is provided for general educational and comparison purposes. It is not legal advice, contract drafting, engineering design, financial advice, application approval, warranty approval, installer endorsement or a guarantee of generation, savings, workmanship, project completion or dispute outcomes. Contract terms, programme requirements, registration status, electrical responsibilities, warranties, fees and consumer remedies depend on the latest official requirements and the project’s specific documents and circumstances. Solar100 is a solar discovery and comparison platform. It is not SEDA Malaysia, the Energy Commission, SSM, TNB, an electricity utility, Registered PV Service Provider, electrical contractor, engineering consultant, equipment manufacturer, insurer, lender, regulator, law firm or government authority. Consumers should verify official records, read the complete agreement and obtain independent legal or technical advice where appropriate before signing or making payment.

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