Solar Installer Red Flags Checklist — South Africa

A review is a signal, not proof.

Public complaints can identify questions worth asking, but a single review does not establish a pattern or prove misconduct. Verify documents and registrations directly, get commitments in writing and assess multiple recent sources.

Before the quote Quote red flags Payment Installation Handover CoC checks

Before accepting a quote

No traceable business identity: the trading name, company details, address and responsible contact cannot be independently confirmed.
Credentials used as a guarantee: accreditation or directory membership can support vetting but does not replace checking the person doing the electrical work, recent references and the written scope.
No site assessment: the installer specifies a system without checking consumption, distribution board, roof, shading, cable routes or existing equipment.
Only perfect reviews: reviews are recent, repetitive or confined to one platform, with no evidence of completed residential projects.

Red flags in the quote

Red flag	What to request instead
“5 kW inverter” with no make or model	Exact manufacturer, model number, datasheet and approved-substitution process.
Battery listed only by nominal capacity	Exact model, usable capacity, warranty terms, cycle assumptions and BMS compatibility.
Panels listed without quantity or model	Panel model, wattage, quantity, string layout, mounting system and roof area.
“Installation included” with no scope	Itemised protection, cabling, isolators, mounting, labour, commissioning, monitoring and remedial work.
No paperwork line item	Written responsibility for the electrical CoC, test report and any applicable SSEG submission or update.
Guaranteed savings or runtime without calculations	Assumptions based on measured consumption, usable storage, system losses and local solar yield.

Payment red flags

Pressure to pay immediately because a price or installation slot “expires today”.
Full payment demanded before equipment delivery, commissioning and document handover.
Bank account details do not match the contracted business and no written explanation is supplied.
No written cancellation, delay, substitution, defect-remedy or refund terms.

Payment schedules vary. The safer principle is to link payments to verifiable milestones and retain an agreed final portion until commissioning and required handover documents are complete.

Installation-day red flags

Delivered model numbers differ from the quote and substitution was not approved in writing.
Equipment arrives damaged, unlabelled or without serial numbers and warranty records.
No safe isolation, poor cable support, exposed conductors, unsuitable enclosures or blocked equipment ventilation.
The system is energised without testing backup operation, protection, shutdown and monitoring with you present.
The installer will not identify the person responsible for inspection, testing and certification.

Do not close the job without a handover pack

Final itemised invoice and installed equipment/serial-number list.
Electrical Certificate of Compliance and associated test documentation for the work.
Applicable municipal or utility submission records, where required.
Inverter, battery and panel warranty documents.
System settings, shutdown/start-up procedure and monitoring access.
Workmanship warranty and a documented support/escalation route.

How to check the CoC process

Ask who will inspect, test and issue the certificate before work starts. Request the electrician’s full name and registration details, then verify them through the appropriate official Department of Employment and Labour route or provincial electrical contracting channels. Ensure the certificate describes the actual alteration and site, and query incomplete or inconsistent details before accepting it.

Important distinction

A PV GreenCard, industry membership, product warranty or municipal submission is not a substitute for the electrical Certificate of Compliance. Requirements can differ by system design and municipality, so obtain current written guidance for your location.

Questions to send every shortlisted installer

What exact equipment models will you install, and what happens if stock changes?
Who is responsible for design, installation, inspection, testing and the CoC?
What is excluded from the quoted total?
What runtime and generation assumptions are you using?
What documents and access credentials will I receive before final payment?
Who handles warranty claims, and what response time is promised in writing?

Compare this checklist with our South African solar price guide and panels-versus-battery upgrade guide.

Compare itemised quotes

Do not compare totals alone. Match equipment, installation scope, paperwork, warranties and measured performance assumptions.

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