Questions to ask a solar installer before you sign
Tony Lopes
Short answer: Before you sign, ask who will sign the Certificate of Compliance and their registration number, who registers the system with the municipality or Eskom, what each warranty covers and who honours it, how the payments are split, and what happens if something fails in the first year. Get the answers in writing.
Last updated November 2026.
A good quote tells you what you're buying. The conversation before you sign tells you who you're buying from and what happens after the installer leaves. These are the questions worth asking every installer, and what a good answer sounds like. For the quote document itself, see what a solar quote should contain. Every CleanVolts Approved installer should be able to answer all of them.
What should I ask a solar installer before signing?
About registration and paperwork
| Question | A good answer |
|---|---|
| Who will sign the CoC, and what's their registration category and number? | A named Installation Electrician or Master Installation Electrician, with a number you can check |
| Who registers the system with City Power or Eskom, and is it in the price? | "We do, it's included," and an explanation of what registration may change on your bill |
| Is the inverter on the approved list for registration? | Yes, with the certificate to prove it |
| What will I receive at handover? | CoC, single-line diagram, equipment list with serial numbers, warranties, monitoring login and shutdown instructions |
About warranties and after-sales
| Question | A good answer |
|---|---|
| What does your workmanship warranty cover, and for how long? | A written period, covering faults caused by the installation, including labour |
| Who handles a product warranty claim on the inverter or battery? | "We do, with the distributor," and who pays for labour and callouts |
| If something fails in year one, how fast do you respond? | A realistic response time, and remote diagnosis through monitoring first |
| Do you offer a maintenance plan after the first year? | Yes, with what it includes and what it costs |
About money and the contract
| Question | A good answer |
|---|---|
| How are the payments split? | Deposit on order, balance on completion, with the final payment after the CoC |
| What happens if a component is out of stock? | They'll propose an equivalent in writing for your approval, not swap it silently |
| How long will installation take, and when? | Dates, and how many days on site |
| Who is my contact once the job is done? | A named person and a number that's answered |
Who handles SSEG registration?
Usually the installer, as part of the job. Make sure it's on the quote. Registration is required for any grid-connected system, even one set never to export. In Johannesburg it can change your tariff, so ask what it means for your bill. See SSEG registration in Johannesburg.
What deposit is normal?
A deposit that covers equipment ordered for your job, once the design is agreed, is normal. Large deposits before a site visit are a warning sign. Our guide to red flags when choosing a solar installer covers the others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who handles SSEG registration?
Normally the installer, and it should be listed on the quote. Ask who submits it and whether the fee is included.
What deposit is normal?
One that covers equipment ordered for your job after the design is agreed. Keep the final payment until you have the CoC.
What does a workmanship warranty cover?
Faults caused by how the system was installed, such as loose connections, wrong settings or poor mounting, including the labour to fix them. Product warranties from manufacturers usually cover the equipment itself, not the labour.
Where We Fit In
CleanVolts matches homes, businesses and farms with vetted, registered installers who can answer every question above. You contract the installer directly and they issue the Certificate of Compliance. Using CleanVolts costs you nothing, and if the installer pays us a referral fee, we tell you up front.
