Solar100 Malaysia Solar Quotation Comparison Guide

Should I Choose the Cheapest Solar Quotation?

Last updated: July 2026

The cheapest solar quotation may be suitable when it offers the same system capacity, equipment, engineering scope, installation quality, warranties and after-sales support as the alternatives. However, a lower total price may also result from a smaller inverter, lower-specification equipment, incomplete application work, shorter workmanship coverage, hidden exclusions or limited warranty support.

Quick Answer Do not choose a solar quotation only because it has the lowest total price. First compare the panel DC capacity, inverter AC capacity, exact equipment models, installation scope, mounting and protection materials, generation assumptions, application work, technical-study fees, workmanship warranty, equipment-claim labour, payment terms and after-sales support. The cheapest quotation is worth considering only after confirming that it provides genuinely comparable scope and acceptable long-term value.

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Is the Cheapest Solar Quotation Always the Best Choice?

No. The lowest quotation may be the best-value proposal, but only when its equipment, capacity, project scope, installation method, warranties and service obligations are properly documented and comparable with the other offers.

Lowest Price

Shows the smallest amount payable under the quotation, but not necessarily the complete project cost.

Lowest Cost per kW

Can help compare similar systems, but only where the equipment and scope are genuinely equivalent.

Best Long-Term Value

Considers price, output, reliability, warranty coverage, service and expected operating cost.

Price and Value Are Not the Same: A slightly higher quotation may provide a better inverter, stronger mounting materials, longer workmanship coverage, included application services and lower future service costs.

Why Can One Solar Quotation Be Much Cheaper?

Smaller System Capacity

The proposal may include fewer panels, a lower total panel capacity or a smaller inverter.

Different Equipment

The panels, inverter, monitoring equipment or protection devices may have different specifications and warranty terms.

Reduced Installation Scope

Roof access, cable work, meter-board modifications, application work or testing may be excluded.

Lower Labour Allowance

The quotation may allow less time for roof preparation, cable management, inspection, testing or finishing work.

Shorter Warranty Coverage

Workmanship, roof-leak, monitoring or service support may be covered for a shorter period.

Separate Additional Charges

Application fees, technical studies, scaffolding, transport or warranty labour may be charged later.

A Lower Price Requires an Explanation: Ask the installer to identify exactly which equipment, services or responsibilities make its quotation cheaper than the alternatives.

How Do You Make Solar Quotations Comparable?

Match the Capacity

Compare the same panel DC capacity and a comparable inverter AC capacity.

Match the Models

Record the exact panel, inverter, optimiser and monitoring equipment models.

Match the Scope

Confirm whether design, applications, studies, installation, testing and handover are included.

Add Excluded Costs

Include foreseeable official fees, structural work, meter work and installation variations.

Compare Warranty Liability

Check product, performance, workmanship, roof and warranty-labour responsibilities.

Compare Lifetime Value

Consider expected generation, downtime, service charges and equipment replacement risks.

Use a Like-for-Like Comparison: A quotation should not be considered cheaper until all differences in capacity, equipment, scope, fees and warranty coverage have been adjusted.

How Should System Capacity Be Compared?

Two quotations may use similar wording while proposing different system sizes. Compare both the total solar-panel DC capacity and the total inverter AC capacity.

Number of solar panels
Wattage of each panel
Total panel DC capacity
Number of inverters
Total inverter AC capacity
DC-to-AC ratio
Single-phase or three-phase design
Usable roof area
Expected annual generation
Expected self-consumption
Expected export percentage
Future expansion allowance

Quotation Difference	Why the Price May Be Lower	What to Check
Fewer panels	Lower equipment and installation cost	Total DC capacity and expected annual generation
Lower-wattage panels	Different panel specification or product generation	Exact model, efficiency, dimensions and warranty
Smaller inverter	Lower inverter cost	AC capacity, clipping assumptions and future expansion limitations
Different design	Less cable, fewer protection devices or simpler installation	Whether the design is technically suitable for the property

Do Not Compare Total Price without Capacity: A quotation for a smaller system should naturally cost less and should not be treated as a direct price saving against a larger system.

How Should Equipment and Installation Materials Be Compared?

Item	Details to Compare	Possible Cost Difference
Solar Panels	Manufacturer, exact model, power rating, efficiency, dimensions, product warranty and performance warranty	Different models may have different pricing, output density and warranty support
Solar Inverter	Manufacturer, exact model, AC rating, MPPT configuration, monitoring and warranty	A lower-cost inverter may differ in capacity, functions, support or warranty duration
Mounting System	Rail material, clamps, fasteners, roof attachments and corrosion protection	Material thickness, finish and attachment method can affect cost
Electrical Protection	Isolators, breakers, surge protection, earthing, enclosures and labels	Protection scope and component ratings may differ
Cables and Connectors	Cable type, size, routing, containment, connectors and weather protection	Cable length, containment and installation quality affect cost
Monitoring	Owner access, portal, alerts, meter, data logger and subscriptions	Basic monitoring may cost less than consumption and export monitoring

Require Exact Model Numbers: A quotation that only states a brand leaves room for the installer to supply a different model with different specifications or warranty terms.

Which Scope Differences Can Make a Quotation Look Cheaper?

Site assessment
Roof-condition inspection
Structural review
System layout
Single-line diagram
Engineering calculations
Solar ATAP application
Application response coordination
Technical studies
Official application fees
Scaffolding or lifting equipment
Roof repair or reinforcement
Main switchboard modification
Meter-board modification
Long cable routes
Internet or monitoring devices
Testing and commissioning
Complete handover documents

Common Exclusion	Possible Later Cost	Question to Ask
Technical study	Study-provider and related technical charges	Is a CCC, CAS, PSS or other assessment required?
Roof work	Repair, reinforcement, waterproofing or replacement	What roof condition is assumed in the quotation?
Meter or switchboard work	Electrical modification and utility-related charges	Has the existing installation been inspected?
Scaffolding or lifting	Access and safety-equipment charges	Is all access equipment included in the fixed price?
Warranty labour	Diagnosis, transport, removal and reinstallation	Who pays these costs when equipment fails?

“Not Included” Does Not Mean “Not Required”: Some excluded work may still be necessary before the system can be safely completed, commissioned or operated.

Should the Highest Savings Estimate Win?

No. A high savings forecast does not necessarily mean the system provides better value. Compare the assumptions behind the estimated generation, self-consumption, exported electricity, tariff and payback period.

Annual generation in kWh
Solar-resource assumption
Roof-orientation assumption
Shading-loss assumption
Temperature-loss assumption
Soiling-loss assumption
Inverter and cable losses
System-availability assumption
Annual degradation rate
Self-consumption percentage
Export percentage
Electricity-tariff assumption
Export-credit assumption
Tariff-inflation assumption
Maintenance-cost assumption
Equipment-replacement assumption

Higher Generation Forecast

Check whether the proposal assumes lower losses, no shading or unusually high system availability.

Higher Savings Forecast

Check the electricity tariff, export value, self-consumption and tariff inflation used.

Shorter Payback Period

Confirm whether maintenance, downtime, financing and replacement costs are included.

Guaranteed Savings Claim

Ask whether the guarantee is contractual and which conditions or exclusions apply.

Forecasts Are Not Guaranteed Results: Actual generation and savings can change with weather, electricity use, downtime, tariffs, export treatment, degradation and maintenance.

Can a More Expensive Quotation Provide Better Warranty Value?

Yes. A higher-priced proposal may include longer workmanship coverage, roof-leak responsibility, warranty registration, claim coordination, replacement labour or faster service commitments.

Warranty Area	What to Compare
Panel Product Warranty	Period, defects covered, replacement basis and claim process
Panel Performance Warranty	Degradation schedule, testing requirements and remedy
Inverter Warranty	Period, extension, replacement procedure and local support
Workmanship Warranty	Installation defects, cable work, mounting and roof-leak coverage
Warranty Labour	Diagnosis, site visit, transport, scaffolding, removal and reinstallation
Service Commitment	Acknowledgement time, remote support and site-visit target

Calculate the Practical Warranty: A long manufacturer warranty may offer limited financial protection if the owner must pay substantial labour and access costs for every claim.

How Should Payment Terms Affect the Decision?

A cheap quotation with a high upfront payment may expose the customer to more risk than a slightly higher quotation with payments linked to clear project milestones.

Deposit amount
Application-stage payment
Equipment-order payment
Delivery-stage payment
Installation-stage payment
Commissioning-stage payment
Final retention amount
Refund conditions
Cancellation charges
Variation-order approval
Price-increase conditions
Equipment-substitution terms
Delay remedies
Financing charges
Late-payment charges
Quotation-validity period

Compare Risk, Not Only Price: Payment should generally follow identifiable progress such as application, equipment delivery, completed installation, commissioning and handover.

What Is the Lifetime Cost of a Solar System?

The purchase price is only the initial cost. Long-term value may also be affected by maintenance, cleaning, inverter replacement, monitoring fees, fault diagnosis, warranty labour, downtime and future removal or reinstallation.

Initial Project Cost Equipment, design, application, installation, testing and handover.

Operating Cost Monitoring, inspection, cleaning, communication and preventive maintenance.

Failure Cost Diagnosis, transport, access equipment, removal, replacement and lost generation.

Future Modification Cost Roof work, renovation, equipment relocation, expansion or system removal.

A Cheap System Can Become Expensive Later: Weak warranty labour, difficult service access or early equipment replacement can reduce the saving achieved through the lower purchase price.

What Are the Red Flags in an Unusually Cheap Solar Quotation?

No exact legal company name
Payment requested to an unrelated account
No current SEDA RPVSP information
No electrical contractor identified
No qualified technical personnel identified
No exact panel model
No exact inverter model
No DC and AC capacity distinction
No roof inspection
No electrical inspection
No application scope
No technical-study allowance
No list of exclusions
No workmanship warranty
No roof-leak responsibility
No warranty-labour explanation
Nearly full payment required upfront
Guaranteed approval or savings

Low Price Is Not Proof of Fraud or Poor Quality: It is a reason to ask more questions and confirm that the proposal is complete, technically suitable and contractually clear.

Solar Quotation Value Comparison Table

Comparison Category	Cheapest Quotation	Alternative Quotation	Decision Question
System Capacity	Is it the same DC and AC size?	Does it provide more usable capacity?	Are both proposals sized for the same load?
Equipment	Are exact models stated?	Are specifications or warranties stronger?	Does the difference justify the price?
Project Scope	Which services are excluded?	Which extra services are included?	What is the final complete-project cost?
Installation	What mounting and protection materials are used?	Is the installation method better documented?	Which proposal reduces roof and electrical risk?
Warranty	What labour and roof coverage is included?	Is support broader or longer?	What would a real claim cost the owner?
Payment	How much must be paid upfront?	Are milestones linked to delivery?	Which structure provides better customer protection?
After-Sales	Is service included or charged separately?	Are response commitments written?	Which provider is more likely to support the system?

What Is the Difference between Solar100 and the Solar Provider?

Solar100	Solar Installer or Service Provider
Provides general quotation-comparison guidance	Prepares the project-specific proposal and price
Helps users compare participating providers	Assesses the electricity account and property
Highlights possible pricing and scope differences	Designs and specifies the proposed system
Does not determine the correct project price	Explains and supports its proposed pricing
Does not approve equipment or engineering design	Remains responsible for the equipment and design offered
Does not perform installation or commissioning	Performs or coordinates installation and commissioning
Does not issue equipment or workmanship warranties	Provides or coordinates applicable warranty obligations
Does not guarantee approval, generation or savings	Remains responsible for its written contractual commitments

Solar100 Is a Discovery and Comparison Platform: Each participating provider remains responsible for its own quotation, registration, design, application, installation, warranty and service performance.

What Should I Ask before Choosing the Cheapest Quotation?

Are all quotations based on the same total panel capacity?
Are all quotations based on a comparable inverter capacity?
What are the exact panel and inverter models?
Why is this quotation cheaper than the others?
Which services are excluded from the price?
Which official fees must I pay separately?
Are technical-study fees included?
Are scaffolding and access equipment included?
Are roof repairs or reinforcement excluded?
Are meter and switchboard modifications included?
What annual generation is estimated?
Which losses are included in the forecast?
What self-consumption and export rates are assumed?
What does the workmanship warranty cover?
Who is responsible if the roof leaks?
Who pays labour for equipment warranty claims?
What after-sales response is included?
What payment is required before equipment delivery?
What happens if the application is rejected?
What happens if specified equipment is unavailable?

Ask for a Revised Like-for-Like Quotation: Give each installer the same requested capacity, equipment expectations, application scope, warranty requirements and payment conditions before making the final comparison.

What Should You Prepare for a Fair Quotation Comparison?

All written solar quotations
Recent TNB electricity bills
Domestic or non-domestic tariff
Single-phase or three-phase supply
Maximum Demand, where applicable
Proposed panel capacity
Proposed inverter capacity
Panel datasheets
Inverter datasheets
Equipment warranty documents
Workmanship warranty terms
Roof photographs
Proposed system layout
List of included services
List of excluded items
Payment schedule
Project timeline
After-sales service terms

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the cheapest solar quotation always bad?

No. It may offer good value if the capacity, equipment, project scope, installation quality, warranties and support are genuinely comparable.

Can I compare solar quotations using price per kW?

Yes, but only after confirming that the inverter capacity, equipment, installation scope, fees, warranties and service coverage are comparable.

Why is one solar quotation much cheaper?

It may include a smaller system, different equipment, fewer services, more exclusions, shorter warranties or separate additional charges.

Should I choose the quotation with the shortest payback?

Not automatically. Check whether its generation, tariff, self-consumption, export, maintenance and replacement assumptions are realistic.

What is the most important quotation exclusion?

There is no single exclusion for every project. Technical studies, roof work, meter work, switchboard upgrades and warranty labour can all create significant additional costs.

How many solar quotations should I compare?

Comparing at least three written proposals can help reveal differences in sizing, equipment, scope, assumptions, warranties and payment terms.

The information on this page is provided for general educational and comparison purposes. It is not a recommendation to select or reject any quotation, installer endorsement, engineering design, legal advice, financial advice, warranty approval, application approval or guarantee of generation, savings, workmanship, equipment life or service performance. Prices, equipment availability, registration status, programme requirements, official fees, warranties and installation conditions may change. 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 or government authority. Consumers should verify current official records, compare complete written proposals, read the contract and obtain project-specific technical or legal advice where appropriate before signing or making payment.

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