u/mayanksha

Hey everyone,

I'm based in Rajasthan and planning to install a 10 kW on-grid solar system to offset my heavy summer AC usage (last bill was 22k 🥲, with 3 ACs running). I have just received a quote for ₹3.6 Lakhs from a local vendor.

Because the quote uses non-DCR panels, I will not be eligible for the ₹78,000 PM Surya Ghar subsidy. I’m willing to forfeit the cash if it means getting a true "Buy It For Life" system with superior degradation resistance, but I want to make sure the components actually justify the premium.

Here is the exact component breakdown from the quotation:

S No.	Component	Quoted Specification	Make / Details
1	Solar PV Modules	16 Panels (610/615 Wp)	Waaree Class-A Bifacial TOPCon (Non-DCR), 25-Year Warranty (he also mentioned some G12R panels)
2	Solar Inverter	10 KW	Polycab Inverter, 8-Year Warranty
3	Mounting Structure	10 KW Set	Tata Prefabricated Hot Galvanized Iron (80x40, 40x40 mm) with SS hardware & civil work
4	AC Cable	As per requirement	4 Sq MM Copper wire
5	DC Cable	As per requirement	4 Sq MM Polycab Copper wire
6	Lightning Arrestor	1 Set	Copper Coated
7	Earthing Kit	3 Sets	2.5 Sq MM Copper wire with maintenance-free earthing
8	ACCB / DCDB / MCB	1-1 Set	As per IS8623, IEC60529 Certified
9	Solar & Net Meter	1-1 Set	Genus / Visiontek

I have a few specific concerns I’d love your expert BIFL input on:

• Earthing Safety: They quoted a 2.5 Sq MM copper wire (not sure what they will install at the end) for the earthing kit and Lightning Arrestor. Isn't this thin for a 10 kW system? What should I ask here?
• Inverter Reliability: Polycab makes great cables, but how do their inverters hold up long-term compared to other brands?
• The Subsidy Trade-Off: Does it make any long-term financial sense to give up a flat ₹78k cash subsidy just to get non-DCR Bifacial TOPCon panels, or should I force the vendor to quote ALMM-approved DCR panels instead?

Any feedback on the quote, component quality, or red flags I missed would be hugely appreciated!

Hey everyone,

I'm based in Rajasthan and planning to install a 10 kW on-grid solar system to offset my heavy summer AC usage (last bill was 22k 🥲, with 3 ACs running). I have just received a quote for ₹3.6 Lakhs from a local vendor.

Because the quote uses non-DCR panels, I will not be eligible for the ₹78,000 PM Surya Ghar subsidy. I’m willing to forfeit the cash if it means getting a true "Buy It For Life" system with superior degradation resistance, but I want to make sure the components actually justify the premium.

Here is the exact component breakdown from the quotation:

S No.	Component	Quoted Specification	Make / Details
1	Solar PV Modules	16 Panels (610/615 Wp)	Waaree Class-A Bifacial TOPCon (Non-DCR), 25-Year Warranty (he also mentioned some G12R panels)
2	Solar Inverter	10 KW	Polycab Inverter, 8-Year Warranty
3	Mounting Structure	10 KW Set	Tata Prefabricated Hot Galvanized Iron (80x40, 40x40 mm) with SS hardware & civil work
4	AC Cable	As per requirement	4 Sq MM Copper wire
5	DC Cable	As per requirement	4 Sq MM Polycab Copper wire
6	Lightning Arrestor	1 Set	Copper Coated
7	Earthing Kit	3 Sets	2.5 Sq MM Copper wire with maintenance-free earthing
8	ACCB / DCDB / MCB	1-1 Set	As per IS8623, IEC60529 Certified
9	Solar & Net Meter	1-1 Set	Genus / Visiontek

I have a few specific concerns I’d love your expert BIFL input on:

• Earthing Safety: They quoted a 2.5 Sq MM copper wire (not sure what they will install at the end) for the earthing kit and Lightning Arrestor. Isn't this thin for a 10 kW system? What should I ask here?
• Inverter Reliability: Polycab makes great cables, but how do their inverters hold up long-term compared to other brands?
• The Subsidy Trade-Off: Does it make any long-term financial sense to give up a flat ₹78k cash subsidy just to get non-DCR Bifacial TOPCon panels, or should I force the vendor to quote ALMM-approved DCR panels instead?

Any feedback on the quote, component quality, or red flags I missed would be hugely appreciated!