How to Check a Solar Quote: Compare Scope Before Price
Decision details
Fits if: Homeowners comparing one or more solar installation proposals.
Main drawback: The ad bands include different scopes and equipment, so they do not establish a fair price for a particular site or configuration.
Compare: panel models and total kWp; inverter model/kWac and phase; included and excluded work; battery; fees; payment terms; warranty and claims contact.
In this guide
Short answer: make the scope match first
Two totals are not comparable if one includes roof work and the other does not, or if the system capacity, models or battery differ. Recorded installer price bands give dated advertising context; they do not decide whether your quote is fair, safe or suitable.
Start here: ask both installers to complete the same written details. If a line is unclear, request an explanation and revised proposal before deciding.
Two-quote comparison worksheet
| Line | Record for each quote | Ask the installer |
|---|---|---|
| Panels | Brand/model, quantity, watts per module, total DC kWp | Are the exact model and quantity stated in the contract? |
| Inverter | Brand/model, kWac rating, supply phase and number of units | How does the design pair it with the panel array? |
| Site and work | Roof mounting/structure, wiring, electrical protection, distribution-board work and existing-site work | What is included, excluded or subject to a site visit? |
| Battery, if offered | Model, capacity, connection setup, inverter and separate price in the proposal | Does the written configuration have manufacturer compatibility and warranty support? |
| Fees and application | Fees payable, who submits the application and whether each fee is included | Is this a statutory fee, installer work fee or both? |
| Total and payment | Gross total, deposit, payment schedule and stated taxes/charges | What is due at each stage, and what changes the scope? |
| Warranty and handover | Term/scope for panels, inverter and workmanship; documents and monitoring access handed over | Who is the contact and what documents are needed to claim? |
Decision after filling it in: mark every line “same”, “different” or “not stated”. Ask for missing lines. Compare totals only after the installer confirms the configuration and work match. A difference alone does not prove a proposal is expensive, cheap or defective.
If you also calculate RM per kWp, use totals for the same scope divided by total panel DC kWp. Separate the battery, roof/electrical work and fees if one proposal includes them and the other does not; until scope matches, the ratio cannot tell you which offer is better value.
Use dated ad bands only as context
Recorded installer advertisements for approximate residential system-size classes show the ranges below. The figures were calculated from installer/agency pages dated 2026 and captured on 29 September 2026; they are not transaction prices or a quote for your site.
| System class | Ad range | Offers in calculation | Use for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ~3 kWp | RM6,000–18,000; median of quoted midpoints RM13,500 [source] | 10 from 7 sites | Small-class context only |
| ~5 kWp | RM15,000–30,000; median of quoted midpoints RM19,499 [source] | 12 from 5 sites | Context around the 5 kWp class only |
| ~10 kWp | RM22,999–60,000; median of quoted midpoints RM36,250 [source] | 14 from 7 sites | Context around the 10 kWp class only |
| ~13 kWp | RM25,499–60,000; median of quoted midpoints RM38,000 [source] | 7 from 3 sites | Larger-class context only |
Each class has a size tolerance in its calculation. If your capacity does not fit a class—for example, 7.6 kWp—do not place it between two ranges or scale a band directly. Compare the exact written scope from installers and use the dated price index as additional context, not as a price verdict.
Separate application fees and rebates from the installer price
For Solar ATAP applications in Peninsular Malaysia, the official application fee is RM7.50 per kWac and is non-refundable. TNB also states RM10 stamp duty for contracts submitted to TNB unless exempt. A SEDA-registered PV service provider is appointed to submit an application; ask whether each fee is already included or paid by another party so it is not counted twice [source] [source].
If a proposal subtracts SuRIA from its total, ask it to show the gross price and rebate separately. Recorded official 2026 programme information states customer conditions and a 1 June–31 December 2026 application window, or earlier if allocation is exhausted; it is not an automatic discount for every buyer. Check SEDA/TNB for current status before relying on a net figure [source].
Before you sign
Get the final scope in writing, including work that may only be confirmed after a site visit. Compare documents at the same revision and confirm who is responsible for the application, work, handover and warranty claims. For the steps to request itemisation, see how to get a home solar quote. If a worksheet line or term is unclear, you may ask a question about the comparison method on WhatsApp; this page does not assess a quote, verify an installer or promise a match.
Frequently asked questions
If my quote is RM45,000 for 7.6 kWp, how should I compare it?
The total alone is not enough to judge. Ask for panel models, inverter model/kWac, any battery, work, fees, exclusions and warranty. The 5 kWp and 10 kWp advertising bands do not form an exact band for a 7.6 kWp system; do not interpolate or combine them [source] [source].
What should I compare between two quotes?
Fill in the same model and capacity details line by line, then mark included/excluded work and who handles each warranty claim. If a proposal omits a detail, request a complete written revision before comparing totals.
Can RM per kWp tell me whether a quote is fair?
RM per kWp is only a rough ratio after scopes match. Divide the total for the same scope by total panel DC kWp; if one offer includes a battery, work or fees that the other excludes, the ratio mixes different scopes and is not a fair-price verdict.
Should Solar ATAP fees be included in the quote?
The Solar ATAP application fee is RM7.50 per kWac and is non-refundable; TNB states RM10 stamp duty for contracts submitted to TNB unless exempt. Ask whether the installer handles and has included each fee so you do not count it twice [source] [source].
Can I subtract SuRIA from the quote total?
Do not assume you qualify or that allocation remains. The recorded official 2026 programme information states customer conditions, a 1 June–31 December 2026 window, and that the programme may end when allocation is used. Check the current official page and ask the quote to show gross price separately from any conditional rebate [source]. The system must also be commissioned by 31 December 2026; check the official conditions for your application.