How Can I Avoid Unreliable Solar Companies?
Avoiding an unreliable solar company requires more than checking online ratings or choosing the lowest price. Malaysian homeowners and businesses should verify the legal company, programme-related registration, electrical contractor, technical personnel, equipment models, roof assessment, Solar ATAP application responsibilities, payment schedule, insurance, warranties and after-sales process before signing.
What Should You Check Before Engaging a Solar Company?
Begin by identifying the parties involved in the project. A sales brand, contracting company, RPVSP, electrical contractor, system owner, financier and warranty provider may all be different legal entities.
Legal Contracting Company
Identify the registered entity that signs the agreement and is legally responsible for the promised scope.
Application Provider
Confirm which company prepares and submits the Solar ATAP or other applicable programme documents.
Electrical Contractor
Identify the registered electrical contractor that performs or assumes responsibility for the electrical installation.
Technical Personnel
Ask who prepares, checks and endorses the system design, electrical drawings and technical declarations.
System and Equipment Owner
Confirm whether the customer, financier, investor or another company owns the equipment during and after the contract.
Warranty Provider
Identify who handles workmanship, waterproofing, equipment and manufacturer warranty claims.
- Full legal company name is provided
- SSM registration number is provided
- Contracting entity is identified
- Payment recipient is identified
- RPVSP is identified where applicable
- Electrical contractor is identified
- Competent Person is identified
- Qualified Person is identified where applicable
- Professional engineer is identified where required
- Structural professional is identified where required
- Installer is identified
- Subcontractors are disclosed
- System owner is identified
- Financing provider is identified
- Warranty provider is identified
- After-sales contact is identified
How Should You Check the Company’s Identity and SSM Information?
A professional-looking website or social-media page does not prove that the business name is the legal entity entering the contract. The legal company details should remain consistent throughout the transaction.
| Company Check | What a Reliable Provider Should Show | Possible Red Flag |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Name | The same name on the quotation, agreement and invoice. | Only a marketing brand is shown. |
| SSM Number | A traceable and current registration number. | The company refuses to provide registration details. |
| Business Status | An active company or business registration. | The registration is inactive, expired or unrelated. |
| Business Address | A traceable operating or registered address. | No address or only a temporary meeting location. |
| Bank Account | The receiving account reasonably matches the contracting party. | Payment is requested to an unrelated personal account. |
| Authorised Representative | The salesperson can demonstrate authority to represent the company. | The representative cannot explain the contracting entity. |
What Installer and Technical Registrations Should Be Verified?
Company registration alone does not authorise every type of solar, electrical, engineering or construction work. Check the registrations relevant to the actual project scope.
| Registration or Credential | What It Relates To | What to Verify |
|---|---|---|
| SSM Registration | Legal business or company identity. | Exact name, number and current status. |
| SEDA Malaysia RPVSP | Relevant registered solar PV service-provider role. | Exact company name in the current directory. |
| Electrical Contractor | Authorised electrical-installation work. | Registration class, scope and validity. |
| Competent Person | Electrical supervision, testing or certification responsibilities. | Name, certificate category, scope and validity. |
| Qualified Person | Applicable solar PV design and technical-document role. | Name, qualification and project responsibility. |
| BEM Registration | Professional engineering services where required. | Registration category and practising authority where applicable. |
| CIDB Registration | Construction work where applicable. | Grade, category, specialisation and validity. |
- Registration belongs to the named project party
- Legal name matches the contract
- Certificate remains valid
- Registration class matches the work
- Directory listing is current
- Individual credential is current
- Technical role is clearly stated
- Subcontracted credentials are disclosed
- Application responsibility is documented
- Testing responsibility is documented
- Commissioning responsibility is documented
- Completion certification is documented
How Can the Quotation Reveal an Unreliable Solar Company?
A reliable quotation should allow the customer to understand exactly what is being purchased, who performs each task and which costs or risks remain outside the quoted price.
- Exact solar-panel manufacturer
- Exact solar-panel model
- Panel quantity
- Panel wattage
- Total installed DC capacity
- Exact inverter manufacturer
- Exact inverter model
- Total inverter AC capacity
- Mounting-system type
- Monitoring-system details
- Estimated annual generation
- Shading-loss assumption
- System-loss assumption
- Degradation assumption
- Expected self-consumption
- Expected grid export
- Solar ATAP billing assumptions
- Application scope
- Technical-study scope
- Meter scope
- Installation scope
- Testing and commissioning scope
- Roof and waterproofing scope
- Warranty scope
- Maintenance scope
- Exclusions
- Payment milestones
- Expected project timeline
- Variation process
- Cancellation terms
| Quotation Area | More Reliable Approach | Possible Unreliable Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | Exact manufacturer and model numbers are stated. | Only “Tier 1 panel” or “premium inverter” is written. |
| System Capacity | DC and AC capacities are separately stated. | Only a general package size is shown. |
| Generation | Forecast includes stated assumptions and losses. | A large savings figure is promised without calculation details. |
| Application | The responsible company and included documents are listed. | The quotation says only “approval included.” |
| Roof Work | Mounting, waterproofing and repair responsibility are stated. | No written responsibility for leaks or broken roofing. |
| Warranty | Provider, period, exclusions and claim process are stated. | Only the longest warranty number is promoted. |
Why Is a Proper Roof and Site Assessment Important?
An unreliable company may prepare a final-looking proposal using only a satellite image or electricity bill. Remote information can support an initial estimate, but it may not identify roof defects, structural limitations, access problems, electrical conditions or actual shading.
- Site visit responsibility is stated
- Roof material is confirmed
- Roof age is discussed
- Existing leaks are recorded
- Corrosion is checked
- Broken roof materials are recorded
- Usable roof area is measured
- Shading is assessed
- Panel orientation is assessed
- Mounting method is explained
- Structural review scope is stated
- Electrical connection point is identified
- Inverter location is agreed
- Cable route is agreed
- Maintenance access is preserved
- Waterproofing responsibility is written
What Should Be Checked About the Solar ATAP Application?
A company should not imply that programme approval is automatic. Application acceptance depends on complete information, technical documents, applicable studies, fees, connection requirements and decisions by the relevant authorities or implementing parties.
- Applicant eligibility is reviewed
- TNB account details are checked
- Existing NEM or SelCo status is checked
- Proposed capacity is explained
- Application provider is identified
- Application fee is stated
- Amendment fees are explained
- Required documents are listed
- Single-line diagram responsibility is stated
- C&S drawing responsibility is stated
- CCC requirement is checked
- CAS requirement is checked
- PSS requirement is checked
- Technical-study cost is stated
- Response to additional-document requests is included
- Customer receives the final submission copy
- Approval conditions are explained
- Post-approval work is explained
How Can Payment Terms Help You Avoid an Unreliable Company?
Payment should follow clear and verifiable project milestones. Customers should understand what has been completed, which equipment has been ordered and what refund or cancellation rules apply before each payment.
| Payment Issue | Safer Contract Practice | Possible Red Flag |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | A stated amount linked to a defined early milestone. | A very large payment is demanded immediately. |
| Payment Recipient | Payment goes to the contracting or properly identified entity. | Payment is requested to an unrelated personal account. |
| Progress Payments | Payments follow documented design, approval, delivery or installation milestones. | Dates trigger payment even when work has not progressed. |
| Equipment Payment | Equipment models and delivery status are verifiable. | Full equipment payment is requested without model confirmation. |
| Final Payment | A portion remains until agreed completion and documentation. | Full payment is required before testing or commissioning. |
| Cancellation | Refundable and non-refundable costs are clearly defined. | The agreement allows the company to retain all payments without explanation. |
- Total contract price is stated
- Tax treatment is stated
- Deposit amount is stated
- Each payment milestone is defined
- Payment recipient is identified
- Invoice is provided
- Receipt is provided
- Application fees are separated
- Technical-study fees are separated
- Meter-related charges are explained
- Variation charges require approval
- Cancellation terms are written
- Refund terms are written
- Delay responsibility is stated
- Final payment conditions are stated
- Completion documents are linked to payment
How Should You Check Solar Warranties and After-Sales Support?
Solar quotations often combine several different warranties. A long panel performance warranty does not automatically cover installation defects, roof leaks, labour, transport, monitoring or inverter replacement.
Panel Product Warranty
Covers defined material or manufacturing defects subject to the manufacturer’s written terms.
Panel Performance Warranty
Relates to the manufacturer’s stated output-retention conditions and is not the same as a full product warranty.
Inverter Warranty
Check standard coverage, optional extensions, replacement method, labour and transport responsibility.
Workmanship and Waterproofing
These are usually installer-related obligations and should identify the responsible company and claim process.
- Panel product-warranty provider is identified
- Panel performance-warranty provider is identified
- Inverter-warranty provider is identified
- Mounting-warranty provider is identified
- Workmanship-warranty provider is identified
- Waterproofing-warranty provider is identified
- Warranty periods are written
- Warranty start dates are written
- Warranty exclusions are available
- Labour coverage is stated
- Transport coverage is stated
- Removal cost is addressed
- Reinstallation cost is addressed
- Claim contact is provided
- Response process is explained
- Monitoring support period is stated
- Fault escalation is documented
- Customer receives all warranty documents
How Should You Check References and Completed Solar Projects?
Customer reviews can be useful, but they should not replace registration, contract and technical checks. Where practical, ask for projects similar to the proposed property type, capacity and ownership model.
- Reference project uses a similar property type
- Reference system has a similar capacity
- Reference includes similar roof construction
- Reference uses similar equipment
- Installation date is provided
- Customer can discuss installation experience
- Customer can discuss approval experience
- Customer can discuss after-sales response
- Customer can discuss warranty claims
- Completed project photos are traceable
- Company role in the project is clear
- Subcontractor role is clear
- Monitoring performance can be demonstrated where permitted
- Complaint handling can be explained
What Are the Main Red Flags of an Unreliable Solar Company?
- No clear legal company name
- No SSM registration number
- Registration details belong to another company
- Payment requested to an unrelated personal account
- RPVSP cannot be identified where applicable
- Electrical contractor is not disclosed
- Competent Person is not disclosed
- Technical personnel are described vaguely
- Equipment models are omitted
- DC and AC capacities are not separated
- No physical site assessment is planned
- Roof condition is ignored
- Structural responsibility is unclear
- Generation is guaranteed without assumptions
- Bill savings are guaranteed
- Approval is described as guaranteed
- A very large upfront payment is demanded
- Payment milestones are vague
- Exclusions are not listed
- Warranty provider is unclear
- After-sales contact is unclear
- Customer cannot obtain submission documents
- Subcontractors are hidden
- Insurance evidence is unavailable
- Sales pressure prevents document review
- Verbal promises are not added to the contract
| Sales Claim | What You Should Ask For | Why Verification Matters |
|---|---|---|
| “We are fully licensed.” | A list of the exact registrations and certificate holders. | Different tasks require different registrations. |
| “This system will eliminate your bill.” | A calculation showing self-consumption, exports and remaining charges. | Solar does not automatically remove every bill component. |
| “Approval is guaranteed.” | The application process, conditions and responsible authority. | The provider does not control the final decision. |
| “The roof will never leak.” | A written waterproofing scope and claim procedure. | Absolute verbal promises may not be enforceable or technically realistic. |
| “Everything is covered for 25 years.” | Separate written warranties for each component and service. | Different warranties have different providers, periods and exclusions. |
| “Pay today to secure the price.” | Time to review company details, equipment and contract terms. | Pressure can prevent proper verification. |
How Should You Compare Solar Companies Fairly?
Use the Same Electricity Information
Give each provider the same recent bills, property information and expected future loads.
Request the Same Output Format
Ask each company to state equipment, DC capacity, AC capacity, generation, application scope and warranties.
Compare Technical Assumptions
Review shading, system losses, degradation, self-consumption and export assumptions.
Compare Legal Responsibility
Identify which entity signs, receives payment, submits, installs and provides after-sales support.
Compare Exclusions
Check roof repairs, technical studies, meter work, network upgrades, access equipment and variation costs.
Compare Warranty Claims
Review who handles labour, transport, replacement, removal, reinstallation and roof damage.
Verify Before Paying
Check the legal company, registrations, named personnel, bank account and contract before paying a major deposit.
Keep a Complete Record
Save the quotation, agreement, invoices, receipts, drawings, application documents, approvals and warranties.
Final Checklist Before Choosing a Solar Company
- Legal company name verified
- SSM registration verified
- Payment recipient verified
- RPVSP checked where applicable
- Electrical contractor identified
- Competent Person identified
- Qualified Person identified where applicable
- Professional engineer identified where required
- CIDB registration checked where applicable
- Insurance evidence reviewed
- Site assessment completed or scheduled
- Roof condition reviewed
- Structural scope clarified
- Shading assessed
- Exact panel model stated
- Exact inverter model stated
- DC capacity stated
- AC capacity stated
- Generation assumptions stated
- Application scope stated
- Technical-study scope stated
- Payment milestones stated
- Exclusions stated
- Warranty providers stated
- Claim procedure stated
- After-sales contact stated
- Cancellation terms understood
- Verbal promises added to the contract
- Customer receives all project documents
- No unresolved major red flags remain
What Questions Should You Ask Before Signing?
- What is the full legal name of the contracting company?
- What is the company’s SSM registration number?
- Which company receives my payment?
- Which company is the appointed RPVSP?
- Which company submits the Solar ATAP application?
- Which company is the registered electrical contractor?
- Who is the appointed Competent Person?
- Who is responsible for the final solar PV design?
- Who prepares and endorses the single-line diagram?
- Who checks the roof structure?
- Which work will be subcontracted?
- Has the roof been physically inspected?
- What existing roof defects were found?
- What exact panel model will be supplied?
- What exact inverter model will be supplied?
- What are the system’s DC and AC capacities?
- How was annual generation estimated?
- What shading and system losses were assumed?
- How much energy is expected to be self-consumed?
- How much energy is expected to be exported?
- What application work is included?
- Are CCC, CAS or PSS costs included?
- What work is excluded from the quotation?
- What could cause the final price to increase?
- Why is each payment milestone required?
- What happens if the application is rejected?
- Who is responsible if the roof leaks?
- Who handles equipment warranty claims?
- What labour and transport costs are excluded?
- Who provides after-sales support if the salesperson leaves?
What Is Solar100’s Role in Avoiding Unreliable Solar Companies?
Solar100
- Supports solar-provider discovery
- Helps organise initial project information
- Supports quotation and scope comparison
- Highlights verification questions and warning signs
- Does not certify workmanship or financial performance
- Does not guarantee approval or provider reliability
Selected Provider and Appointed Professionals
- Provide accurate company and registration details
- Carry out the agreed site assessment
- Prepare and endorse technical documents
- Submit and manage relevant applications
- Install, test and commission the system
- Remain responsible for their contractual and warranty obligations
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I avoid unreliable solar companies in Malaysia?
Verify the legal company, SSM registration, relevant RPVSP listing, electrical contractor, technical personnel, quotation details, equipment models, site assessment, payment terms, warranties, insurance and after-sales process before signing.
Is the cheapest solar quotation usually the riskiest?
Not necessarily, but a low price may exclude application work, technical studies, roof repairs, monitoring, warranties, better equipment or after-sales support. Compare the complete scope rather than price alone.
Should I verify a solar company’s SSM registration?
Yes. Confirm the exact legal name, registration number and status, and make sure the quotation, contract, invoice and payment recipient are consistent.
Should I check whether the company is an RPVSP?
For relevant Solar ATAP and solar PV application work, confirm the appointed provider using the exact legal name in SEDA Malaysia’s current Registered PV Service Provider directory.
Is an online review enough to verify a solar company?
No. Reviews may support the assessment, but they do not replace company, registration, technical, contract, payment and warranty checks.
Should I pay the full solar price before installation?
Customers should use clearly defined payment milestones and understand what must be completed before each payment. Full early payment can increase exposure if work, equipment or documentation is incomplete.
Can a solar company guarantee Solar ATAP approval?
A provider can prepare and manage the application, but it does not control the decision of the relevant authority or implementing party.
Can a solar company guarantee that my electricity bill becomes zero?
No responsible forecast should ignore remaining bill components, consumption timing, exports, weather, shading, system losses and future tariff or policy changes.
What is the biggest warranty mistake customers make?
Customers may treat panel performance, panel product, inverter, workmanship and waterproofing warranties as one warranty even though they have different providers, periods and exclusions.
Does Solar100 guarantee that a solar company is reliable?
No. Solar100 supports provider discovery and quotation comparison. Consumers should independently verify credentials, contracts, technical scope, financial terms and current registration status.
Compare Malaysian Solar Companies Before You Sign
Send your latest electricity bill, property location, property type, supply type, roof information, proposed system size and available quotations to compare provider identity, registrations, equipment, application scope, payment terms, warranties, exclusions and after-sales support.
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