Two 3 kW quotes, two different prices. Compare what's inside, not the total.

The lowest total is rarely the cheapest quote.

You ask three installers for a 3 kW system and get three totals. The temptation is to pick the lowest. The problem is that "3 kW" is only a size. It does not tell you which panels, which inverter, who handles BESCOM, or what happens in year four. A quote that looks ₹20,000 cheaper often leaves out something you will pay for later. Here is how to line them up properly.

1. Scope: what is actually included?

Ask each installer to confirm, in writing, whether the price covers all of the following: site survey, mounting structure, cabling and earthing, AC and DC protection, the net meter application, BESCOM inspection support, civil work such as pedestals, and transport. Anything marked "extra" or "as per actuals" is an open-ended cost. Add a sensible estimate to that quote before comparing.

2. Equipment: names, models and quantities.

A good quote names the panel brand and model, the wattage per panel, the number of panels, and the inverter brand, model and capacity. "Branded panels" or "reputed inverter" is not a specification. Two quotes for the same kW can use different panel counts and wattages, so compare the actual datasheet, not the adjective.

If you are claiming the PM Surya Ghar subsidy, the panels must be DCR-compliant. An Indian brand name alone does not guarantee that, as we explain in our DCR panels guide. Ask for the DCR certificate details before you pay.

3. Subsidy: who files, and when does it reach you?

The central subsidy is up to ₹78,000 for a 3 kW or larger system. Whichever quote you choose, find out three things. Is the installer on the empanelled list (see our vendor list guide)? Does the quoted price show the amount before subsidy, so you can see what you pay upfront and what comes back? And is the subsidy credited to your bank account directly, rather than adjusted by the installer in a way you cannot verify? Be wary of any quote that gives only a "net after subsidy" figure with no breakdown.

4. BESCOM paperwork and commissioning.

Installation is not the finish line. Your system earns nothing until BESCOM inspects it and the net meter is commissioned. Ask who submits the application, who attends the inspection, and who pays if BESCOM raises an objection. Our net meter commissioning checklist lists the documents involved. An installer who has done this many times will answer in specifics. One who says "it is all taken care of" without detail deserves a follow-up question.

5. Warranty: product, performance and workmanship.

There are three separate promises here. Product warranty on panels and inverter comes from the manufacturer. Performance warranty covers output degradation of panels over time. Workmanship warranty is the installer's own promise on the installation, wiring and structure. Compare the years on each, and ask who you call, and how fast they respond, if the inverter trips. Our inverter warranty guide covers what is typically excluded.

6. After-sales: service and cleaning.

Ask whether the quote includes any service visits, monitoring app setup, or a maintenance plan, and what a paid annual contract costs. A cheaper quote with no service commitment can become the dearer one if a fault takes weeks to fix and your panels sit idle.

7. Payment terms.

Compare the schedule, not just the total. A modest advance with the balance tied to installation and commissioning milestones keeps the installer motivated to finish. A large advance before any work starts shifts the risk onto you. Get the schedule on the quote, and pay by traceable bank transfer against a proper invoice.

Put it in a simple table.

Make one row per quote and one column for each point above: inclusions, panel model and count, inverter model, DCR proof, subsidy handling, BESCOM support, warranty years, service, payment schedule. Fill gaps by asking, then add a rough cost for any item left out. Only then compare totals. You may find the middle quote is the best value, or that the cheapest is missing items it needs to be complete.